In well-known words, I have retained the usual spelling; as in Delhi (for Dilli or Dihli); Bombay (for Mumbái); Mysore (for Mahéswar or Máisúr). Where the corrupt names are only applied to particular persons and places, I have limited them in that manner. The famous rivers Indus and Ganges are so called; while others, bearing the same Indian names, are written Sind and Ganga: the Arabian prophet is Mahomet, but all others of the same Arabic name are Mohammed: Tamerlane is used in speaking of the Tartar conqueror, but Teimur on all other occasions.

There are other irregularities: gutturals and aspirates are sometimes used; and double consonants are put in some cases where the sound is single, as the double t in Attoc, which is pronounced as in matter; while in general double consonants are sounded separately, as in bookkeeping, hop-pole, or drum-maker. In names with which I am not myself acquainted, I am obliged to take the spelling of the author by whom they are mentioned.

HISTORY

OF

IN DI A.

INTRODUCTION.

INDIA is bounded by the Hémaláya mountains, the INTROD. river Indus, and the sea.

Its length from Cashmír to Cape Comorin is about 1900 British miles; and its breadth from the mouth of the Indus to the mountains east of the Baramputra considerably upwards of 1500 British miles.

Bound

aries and

extent of

India.

divisions.

It is crossed from east to west by a chain of Natural mountains, called those of Vindya, which extends between the twenty-third and twenty-fifth parallels of latitude, nearly from the desert north-west of Guzerát, to the Ganges.

and the

The country to the north of this chain is now Hindostan called Hindostan, and that to the south of it, the Deckan. Deckan.*

The Mogul emperors fixed the Nerbadda for the limit of their provinces in those two great divisions, but the division of the nations is made by the Vindya mountains. It is well remarked by Sir W. Jones and Major Rennell, that both banks of rivers in Asia are generally inhabited by the same community.