Asitiac Society: 03-Sep-2014
This is one of the rarest escapedes of Swains in Kolkata because of the sheer fact that I was not present and the same was covered by my better-half and the kid. The trouble came up because of the fact that Asiatic Society is open from Monday to Friday.
The entry was very difficult because only researchers are allowed inside and that too with permission. Entry was made to the institution established in 1784 after persuasion. The entrance is through the new building of the organisation.
This institution was formed by William Jones. The first floor is the library section which has unique books, research papers collation on various Asiatic Society. Before we delve into the topic further, let me mention that the contents of the Society are Asia’s not limited to India or Indian sub-continent. It is linked to the old building by a connector. The old building has a large conference room aptly named after Iswar Chandra Vidyasagar where the educational deliberations and meetings are regularly held. Needless to say this is strictly academic and research-oriented in nature. In the open space we have few busts of eminent personalities namely Ashutosh Mukherjee, Alexander Csoma de Koros (Hungarian traveller who is regarded as the first Western exponent of Tibetan language and science), Sir F Chantre, Radhanath Sikdar, Upendra Brahmachari and Hugh Falconer.
In the same floor we had the restoration laboratory which smelt like a hospital’s ICU primarily because of the chemicals which are used to restore old manuscripts, recordings, books, tapes and lithos.
The second floor contains the museum which is the heart of the organisation. The curator was very informative about the objects in the building; she was educated in Archaeology and Museumology (I came to know about the same only after interacting with her).
The first object in the room was Proceedings of The Asiatic Society, Vol-1(1784-1800 AD); written in an impeccably cursive handwriting and signed by Warren Hastings. Few of the other items were as follows
Maitreyavyakarana (Date: 940 AD, Language: Sanskrit, Palm leaf)
The manuscript delineates in the form of ‘prophecy’ the life of future Buddha ‘Maitreya’ and his teachings. The text was written in the period of Buddhist literature which forms a transition from Sthaviravada to Mahayana Buddhist schools. This is one of the rarest compositions among the Buddhists texts.
Kalacakravatara (Author: Abhayakara Gupta, Script: Gaudi and Newari, Language: Sanskrit, palm leaf, Date: Saka 1047=1125 AD)
The manuscript is an important astrological text with special reference to astronomical speculation. It reflects on both Tantra as well as early Buddhist mysticism including the philosophy of the universe and mystical philosophy of cosmology.
Samputatika/Samputobhava Kalparaja (Date: 145=1025 AD, Subject: Buddhist Tantra)
This manuscript is extremely unique as it is a manual on ritual in Buddhist tantric tradition and the mystic philosophy of the macro and micro cosmos. It’s unique because of its early date.
Kubjikamatam (Date: 7th century AD, Script: Gupta Brahmi, Subject: Tantra)
It is a very rare text on tantric practices and philosophy. It prescribes different modes of virgin worship. The text is also valuable as a Vajrayana Tantric Buddhist text.
Vivekapancamrta (Date: 1852 Vikram Samvat=1795 AD, Subject: Philosophy)
This manuscript is an exposition of the 5 philosophical sutras. The importance lies in its several illustrations which are in a style reminiscent of the late Mughal and Rajput school.
Devimahatmya (Subject: Tantra)
This manuscript contains numerous miniature paintings and illustration of different stories. The manuscript is especially interesting as it represents invaluable and rare documents of an indigenous system of painting, as opposed to the Mughal and Rajput paintings.
Astasahasrika Prajnaparamita (Date: Nepali Samvat 191=1071 AD, Script: Newari)
This manuscript is illustrated on Buddha philosophy.
Lalitavistara (Date: Newari Samvat 873=1753 AD)
Subject: Biography of Buddha
Manuscript on illustrated Jaina deities (Language: Sanskrit, Subject: Jainism, Script: Devanagri script)
Tarakullakalpa (Subject: Buddhist Tantra, Script: Newari, Language: Mixed Sanskrit)
Farhang-I-Aurang Shahi (Script: Nasta’liq)
By Hidayatu’llah (Muhammad Mushinal- Qurayshi al Hashimial- Jafari dedicated it to Aurangzib)
Subject: A voluminous naturalistic encyclopedia of India.
Bist Bab (Author: Nasiruddin Tusi, Date: 1212 AH, Language: Persian, Subject: Astrolabe)
Shah Nama (Author: Abdul Quasim Firdausi Tusi, Date: 17th century AD, Script: Nastali’q, Language: Persian)
A valuable copy of the great work of Firdausi.
Ain-i-Akbari (Language: Persian, Date: 12th century AH=18th century AD, Script: Nastali’q)
Author: Abul Fadl Mubarak, Allami
Subject: Statistical account of Mughal empire under Akbar.
Jami-u’t-Tawarikh (Date: 9th or beginning of 10th century AH=16th century AD, Script: Khorasani Nasta’liq, Language: Persian)
Author: Rashid-ud-Din
A well known work on history dealing with the ramification of the house of Chingiz and the history of his sons.
Tarjuma-i-Mahabharat (Date: Sam vat 1908=1850-31 AD, Script: Indian Nasta’liq, Language: Persian, Subject: Mahabharata)
The manuscript is a Persian translation of the Mahabharata from Sanskrit, probably by a Hindu (judging from epithets of respect added after the names of Hindu deities). This was really surprising for me.
Padshah Namah (Author: Abdu’l Hamid Lahuri, Date: 1065 AH=1655 AD, Script: Indian Nastali’q, Language: Persian)
A History of Shahjahan’s Reign.
Bears Shahjahan’s Autograph 11th century AH; I believe the rarity need not be re-emphasized.
Translation and Transcription of Shahjahan’s signature
Tibetan Smon-Lam Sutra (Script: Tibetan-dbu-can, Subject: Pranidhana or Svasti text)
Burmese (Title: Manuscript on Ramayana (abridged), Script: Burmese, Subject: Ramayana)
It is an illustrated manuscript on Ramayana.
Ceylonese (Title: Balavatara: Kaccayana Dhatumanjusa by Kaccayana, Script: Ceylon)
Armenian (Title: Miracles of Jesus)
Javanese (Title not available, Script: Javanese)
Siamese (Title: Pathom koka, Script: Siamese)
Chinese (Title: Geography of China, Script: old Chinese)
Subject: National geography of China including Maps.
Letter dated 1826, August 2
Alexander Csoma de Koros informs H.H Wilson that he has received his letter and some articles of his subject; expresses his willingness to offer services to the society when he will be in Calcutta.
Documents of Alexander Csoma de Koros.
Mahavyutpatti (By Alexander Csoma de Koros, Date: 1831 AD)
Subject: Sanskrit-Tibetan-English lexicon
Prof. Nirmal Bose’s Diary
On Gandhiji’s Tour in Beliaghati and Noakhali district and Letter from Gandhiji to Prof. Nirmal Bose
Al-Quran (Date: 17th century)
A splendid copy of Holy Quran notable for its superb calligraphy.
Title- Jalala Gabani Ri Vata etc. (Date: Samvat-1808, Language: Rajasthani)
Subject: Folk song of Rajasthan
The author has narrated the amours of Jalal and gabani in mixed poetry and prose. It is one of the popular folk songs of Rajasthan.
Title: Rathauda RI Vamsavali (Language: Rajasthani, Date: Samvat-1972)
The manuscript deals with pedigree of the Rathoras.
Title: Brahmavrksakalpa (Script: devanagri, Language: Sanskrit)
Subject: Vrksayurveda/Botany
Title: Bhaisajyaratnavali (Author: Govindadasa, Script: Medieval Bengali, Language: Sanskrit)
Subject: Medicine
Title: Yantraraja Tika (Author: Mahendra Suri, Script: Devanagri, Language: Sanskrit)
Subject: Jyotisa
Title: Rasarnavakalpa (Date: Samvat 1760, Script: Devanagri)
Subject: Alchemy; the topic was surprising, I never knew that this science is so old.
Deals with various chemical preparations chiefly those combined with Mercury.
Title: Asvacikitsa (Author: Nakula, Script: Devanagri, Language: Sanskrit)
Subject: Treatment of Horse (Asvayurveda)
Bhakti-Pradipa (Date: Saka 1563=1641 AD, Script: Assamese)
Harinama Patala (Author: unknown, Character: Medieval Bengali, Date: BS 1111(AD 1704))
Subject: Vaisnavism
This manuscript is an interlocution between Caitanya deva and Santana on Vaisnavism. There are oft quoted Sanskrit lines and they are explained by the author.
Caitanyabhagavata (Author: Vrndavanadasa, Language: Bengali, Script: Medieval Bengali)
Subject: The earliest Bengali Vaisnava biography.
The manuscript contains the Adikhanda, Madhyakhanda and Antyakhanda
Title: Ses-rab-kyi-pha-rol-tu phyin-paston-phrag brgya-pa
Sanskrit title: Aria Satasahasrika; no further details were available.
Prajnaparamita (Translator: Sakyasimha)
Written in gold and silver on Indigenous paper with carvings and painted decoration on wooden covers.
Letters
Letter dated 23rd April, 1918 from P.C Roy about publication of Dr. Meghnad Saha’s paper.
Letter dated 24th December, 1915 Calcutta in which J.C Bose sends some of his apparatus for exhibition in February.
Letter dated 30th September, 1918 from M.N Shah regarding publication of his paper.
Letter dated 3rd March, 1922; Satyendranath Bose requests to send him the journals.
Letter dated 28th August, 1797 Madras in which Colin McKenzie apologizes to Henry Trail for the delay in sending some remarks made by him during his voyage to Ceylon on some remains of antiquity; sends a translation of a History of the Ancient Rajahs of Bijayanagar and a list of drawings and some Cingalese curiosities for the Society’s New Museum along with a paper room Dr. James Anderson giving an account of some mineral springs near Cape of Good Hope.
Letter of 15th February, 1815 Calcutta; Colin McKenzie forwards to Horace Hayman Wilson a copy of the rough minutes taken by the late Dr. Hunter at a meeting held at Malacca.
Letter of 16th January, 1926, Calcutta; C.V Raman wants to give a “Demonstration of some Physical Experiments” at the Annual meeting.
Letter of Prafulla C. Ghosh complains against subscription collector.
Letter dated 8th May, 1924 Calcutta; P.C Mahalanobis thanks for electing him Physical Science Secretary.
Letter dated 8th February, 1815 Calcutta; Colin McKenzie forwards to Horace Hayman Wilson some statues and other fragments of sculptures found by him from the Upper Provinces, with a list and 12 silver coins.
Plates
Kailan Copper Plate of Sridharanarata, King of Samtata, 7th/8th century
This plate was recovered from Kailan, a village under Chandina police station of the Tipperah district (now in Bangladesh).It has a seal attached to it. It records the grant of 25 patakas land in Guptinatana and Potaloyika Vishaya (district) to a Buddhist Monastery for the worship of the Buddha as well as to a number of learned Brahmans for the performance of their daily rites by Sridharanarata, king of Samtata at the request of his minister.
Bhagalpur Copper Plate inscription of Narayana Pala, 17th Regnal year
This plate records the grant of certain lands to the congregation of Pasupta teachers for the adequate worship of the Lord Shiva by Narayana pala Dynasty of Bengal.
This inscription is dated in the 17th year of Reign of Narayanapala and mentions many historical events in the early History of the palas, including Dharmapalas successful encounter with Indrayudha of Kanauj and his nomination of Chakrayudha to the sovereignty of that Historic city.
The Varuna Grant of Jayacandra Vikrama
1233 VS=1177 AD
It was found near the confluence of the Varuna or Varna with the Ganges near Banaras in 1823. This inscription records the grant of the villages of Godanti in the Pascima Ichapana Pattakas in the Antarvedi together with the Pattakas Ghantiamauyi and Nityamauyi to a ksatriya named Rauta Rajyadharavarman after bathing in the Ganges at Benaras on Saturday the 10th day of the Bright half of Vaisakha of the Vikrama year 1233 I.E 9th April,1177 AD. This was written by the Mahaksaptalika, the Thakkura Sripati.
Ashrafpur Grant of Deva Khadga, 13th Regnal Year
It was discovered at Ashrafpur near Dacca (mod. Bangladesh) records the grant of certain villages and portions thereof to a Buddhist Monastery, under the supervision of the preceptor Sangamitra by the king Deva Khadga, in order to secure longevity of his son Rajaraja Bhatti. It was issued in his 13th regnal year.
Copper Plate inscription of the time of King Vijaya Manikya of Tripura Saka 1410-1488 AD
It records the grant of certain villages including Bada-Kamta near Comilla in the Tippera district (now in Bangladesh) to Acarya Vanamali by Lady Punyavati, wife of General Daitynarayana and an aunt of King Vijaya Manikya of Tripura on Saka 1410-1488 AD.
The Madhainagar Grant of Laksmana Sena
It was discovered by a peasant named Raghunatha Bunia in the village of Madhainagar on the border of the Nimgachi forest in the Pabna district of Bengal.
This grant is a very important one for the History of Bengal and especially for that of the Sena Dynasty. It records the gift of the village of Dapaniya Patrika in the Paundra Varddhana Bhukti to Damodara Devasarman by Laksmanasena Deva.
The Bhawal (Rajavadi) Copper Plate of Laksamana Sena 27th Regnal year 1185 AD
It was discovered at the village Rajavadi Dacca (Now in Bangladesh) was presented to the society by Mr. Walters about 1829 AD. It recorded the grant of two villages to a Brahman Padmanabha, for the spiritual and temporal welfare of His two queens.
Lithos
Title: Hieroglyphics (Subject: Egyptian script, Year: 1823)
Author: Drawn by M.A Nicholson and engraved by Thomas Young.
Place and publication- London, Royal Society for Literature
Title: Illustration of Himalayan Plants
Author: Drawings by J.F Cathcart, Description and analysis by J.D Hooker.
Plates executed by W.H Fitch
Place and publication: London, Lovell Reeve
Subject: Botany
Year: 1855
Title: First Part of African Scenery and Animals
Author: Drawn and engraved by Samuel Danielle
Place and publication: London, Samuel Danielle
Subject: African Scenery and Animals
Year: 1804
Title: Antiquities of Mavellipoor or Mahabalipooram
Author: Collin Mackenzie
Subject: Mahabalipooram
Year: 1807-1816
Title: Manuscripts of Antiquities-A Collection of Drawings on Antiquities
Author: Collin Mackenzie
Subject: Drawings on Antiquities
Year: 1794-1803
Title: Drawings on a Journey from Bengal to the Coast of Coromandel
Author: Collin Mackenzie
Subject: Architecture and sculptures
Year: 1814-1815
Title: Views of Calcutta
Author: Charles D’oyly Bar
Place and Publication: London, Dickinson and Co.
Subject: Calcutta
Year: 1848
Title: Map of Calcutta and its Environs
Author: A.Upjohn
Subject: Map
Year: 1792
Hollow Monolith from Jaintia Hills, Assam
This monolith is of the male type with carvings from Bolosan in North Cachar, near the boundary of the Jaintia Hills
Presented by Mr.J.P Mills
I.C.S., F.R.A.S.B; honestly, I have no clue about the expansions of the initials.
There was a large stone in the middle of the row. This Edict of Asoka (B.C 250) is here placed by the Asiatic Society of Bengal in Honour of The Philosophy the Antiquarian and the Philologist by whom its characters were first deciphered.
James Prinsep
Language: Prakrit
Script: Brahmi
The curator was well versed with the script; she could read it comfortably as if it were simple English.
Besides the objects mentioned, there are many rare objects which remain nowadays as ones to be used by researchers only.
The location of the place is very Central to the city of Kolkata unlike the previous ones. Sadly, as I have mentioned in some of my previous texts, we do not have a penchant for history. Most of the stuff available are the remnants of the total collectibles of various British and Indian discoverers over centuries and picked from a latitude of places. As per the curator the objects were first kept in the Fort William College (which does not exist anymore). Britishers, even 200 years back were infatuated with history and had a great vision of the rarity which these items would once hold in time. A large part was not given to the society, it was shipped to their country and can now found in their museums.
The visit throws open an important aspect of Indians (including me); we are so enamored with anything foreign that we seldom give (even think) importance to our own history. Indian history in particular has so much to offer that we can take our place of pride in the annals of history and civilisations.
