Page:The Indian Antiquary Vol 2.djvu/403

 Decembeb, 1873.] MISCELLANEA AND CORRESPONDENCE. 363 1. Palaka, the lord of Avanti, was anointed in that night in which the Arhat and Tirthankara Mahavira entered Nirvana. 2. Sixty are (the years) of king Palaka, bnt one hundred and fifty-five are (the years) of the Nandas; one hundred and eight those of the Mauryas, and thirty those of Pusamitta. 3. Sixty (years) ruled Balamitra and Bhanu- mitra, forty Nabhovahana. Thirteen years likewise (lasted) the rule of Gardabhilla, and four are (the years) of Saka. These verses, which are quoted in a very large number of Jaina commentaries and chro¬ nological works, but the origin of which is by no means clear, give the adjustment between the eras of Vira and Vikrama, and form the basis of the earlier Jaina chronology. Dr. Bhau Daji, when giving an abstract of Merutunga’s Vicharasreni in the J. B. B. R. A. S. ix. 147 seqq., failed to make out how the detailed figures given for each reign make up the total of 470 years which are said to lie between Vira’s death and Vikran.a’s accession. But his difficulty arose from the fact that he left out of account the four years of king Saka. The position of Pusam itta immediately after the Mauryas leaves it not doubtful that Patan- jali’s Pushyamitra is intended—the same whose misdeeds against his master Brihadratha are mentioned in the Puranas and elsewhere. In conclusion I may add that Bana too, in the long list of kings killed treacherously by servants or relations, which occurs in the sixth Uchchhvasa of the Harshacharita, mentions Pushyamitra. His words are— Pratijnadurbalam cha baladarsanavyapadesa- darsitascshasainyah senanir anfiryo mauryam brihadratham pipesha pushyamitrah # svami- nam 11. “ And reviewing the whole army under the pretext of showing him his forces, the mean general Pushyamitra crushed his master Briha¬ dratha, the Maurya who was weak of purpose.” MISCELLANEA AND THE LUSUAIS. From a Narrative Report by Capt. W. F. Badgley, B. S. C. Topographical Survey. The Lushais, of whom we met men of four dif¬ ferent tribes, are fairer than the Bengalis, of a very uniform height of about five feet six inches* well made, active, intelligent, and energetic. Of their figures we had one or two opportunities of judging, especially on one occasion when some iron hoops of burnt barrels were in the fire, to get which, and to save their clothes from accident, they stripped,—an easy operation with men whose only covering is a largo square of cloth. The figures they displayed were splendid, full, and finely muscular, especially about the shoulders and calves, though in the latter they showed a more graceful shape than the large-legged Kukis and N&gas who were with us as coolies. That they were intelligent we had, not knowing their language, less chance of forming an opinion ; but from what we could judge from a few who understood some words of Hindustani, and from their quick recog¬ nition of sketches, even in outline, and from their looks, which otherwise belied them, they were so. Of their energy and activity their raids are suf¬ ficient proof. Their heads are well formed, with good fore¬ heads, oblique eyes, heavy eyebrows, high cheek¬ bones, depressed noses, largo but not thick lips, CORRESPONDENCE. and scanty beards, a few straggling hairs in some being the only representatives of chin-tuft or mous¬ tache, beyond which none of them can boast. Their hair is straight and black or brownish, eyes brown or black, and teeth invariably good ; their expression open, bold, and generally pleasing, and their voice loud and sonorous, partly probably from practice and education, the children having the same deep far-sounding tones when calling loudly. Their dress is admirable in its ease ; no boots, nor breeches, nor other tight clothing confine the freedom of their limbs ; a large square cloth or two put on together, according to the temperature, is bheir only covering, which is worn passed under the right arm and with two corners thrown in opposite directions over the left shoulder, and managed for modesty with the most easy dexterity. To confine the cloth upon the left shoulder, they carry, when anywhere from home, a bag slung so as to rest behind the right hip, the shoulder-strap being of skin, tiger’s apparently by preference, and the bag, which is of fine and strong net, covered with a large skin flap somewhat like a sporran, and often made of long white goat’s-hair, with three black streaks, In the bag they carry their smoking apparatus, flint and steel, a dhao or large chopping-knife, and occasionally a bundle of pangis, which are small hardened bamboo skewers, and which stuck in the ground are very efficient • Puflhpamitmh MSS.