A translation into the Braj Bhasha dialect of Hindi of Raja Niti, a version of the Hitopadesha, a series of fables. The translation was undertaken for John Gilchrist by Lallūjī Lāl Kavi and the scribe was Siva Prasanna Diivedi. it is dated to V.S. 1858/ Sāka 1825 which equates to 1802-3. The work was made for John Gilchrist when he was principal of Fort William College, Kolkata.
Pasted inside the front cover is a handwritten explanation of the Hitopadesha taken from 'Colebrooke's Preface to the "Hitopadesa" in the original Sanscrit'. The last front paper bears an English description of the work, the signature of John Romer, dated 1804, the Royal Asiatic Society stamp, and that the work was presented to the Society by John Romer. Also within the volume is a more modern label giving identification details and where it is noted as being a very early edition of the work.
Please note that the boards and some pages are loose from the binding and the book spine is no longer present. The boards are covered in red leather.
The Hitopadesha in the Hindi Braj Bhasha dialect
This material is held atRoyal Asiatic Society Archives
- Reference
- GB 891 SC37
- Dates of Creation
- 1802 - 1804
- Name of Creator
- Language of Material
- English Braj
- Physical Description
- 1 bound volume handwritten
Scope and Content
Administrative / Biographical History
Lallūjī Lāl Kavi was active at Fort William College.
It is presumed that Siva Prasanna Diivedi was associated with Fort William College.
John Gilchrist, a Scottish surgeon, linguist, philologist and Indologist, was Fort William College's first principal from 1800-1804.
John Romer was born in 1780 at Ancroft, County Durham, England. Romer held the office of Magistrate of Surat in 1816 and was Acting Governor of Bombay in 1831.He was vice-president of the British Empire Life Assurance Company Ltd in 1839. He wrote articles on Persian and Zand in the Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bombay and the Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society.
Access Information
Open. Please contact the archivist. Details can be found here : https://royalasiaticarchives.org/. The archive is open on Tuesdays and Fridays 10-5, and Thursdays 2-5. Access is to any researcher without appointment but it will help if an appointment is made via phone or email. Please bring photo ID.
Acquisition Information
The volume was acquired as part of a large donation given to the Society by John Romer on 18 November 1848.
Note
Lallūjī Lāl Kavi was active at Fort William College.
It is presumed that Siva Prasanna Diivedi was associated with Fort William College.
John Gilchrist, a Scottish surgeon, linguist, philologist and Indologist, was Fort William College's first principal from 1800-1804.
John Romer was born in 1780 at Ancroft, County Durham, England. Romer held the office of Magistrate of Surat in 1816 and was Acting Governor of Bombay in 1831.He was vice-president of the British Empire Life Assurance Company Ltd in 1839. He wrote articles on Persian and Zand in the Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bombay and the Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society.
Archivist's Note
The material was catalogued by Nancy Charley, RAS Archivist, in 2022.
Conditions Governing Use
Digital photography (without flash) for research purposes may be permitted upon completion of a copyright declaration form, and with respect to current UK copyright law.
Custodial History
The work was commissioned by John Gilchrist but came into the possession of John Romer.
Additional Information
Published
gb891-sc37