Archipelago, another traveller observes that "in the very inmost recesses of the mountains as well as over the face of the country, the remains of temples and pagodas are to be seen similar to those found on the continent of India bearing all the traits of Hindu mythology; and that in the country of Wahoo, at least 400 miles from the coast, there are several of very superior workmanship with all the emblematic figures so common in Hindu places of worship."

Sir Stamford Raffles while describing the small island of Bali, situated towards the east of Java says: "Here, together with the Brahminical religion, is still preserved the ancient form of Hindu municipal polity.'

The Bugis of the island of Celebes trace back their history to the Savira Geding, whom they represent to have proceeded in immediate descent from their heavenly mediator Baitara Guru (which is distinctly a Hindu name), and to have been the first chief of any celebrity in Celebes.

As regards Sumatra, M. Coleman says: "Mr. Anderson in his account of his mission to the coast of that island (Sumatra) has, however, stated that he discovered at Jambi the remains of an ancient Hindu temple of considerable dimensions, and near the spot various mutilated figures, which would appear to clearly indicate the former existence of the worship of the Vedantic philosophy."s

Australia was probably deserted soon after its settlement. But that the wave of Hindu civilization and

1Sce Dalton's account of the Diaks of Borneo in the Journal of the Asiatic Society, Vol, VII. p. 153.

2 Description of Java, Vol. II, p. 236. 3 Coleman's Hindu Mythology, p. 361.

emigration did at one time break on the shores of Australia is evident from the fact that many extraordinary things are found there. Among other things, the native races have got a kind of arrow, which clearly betrays its Hindu origin. This arrow called bomerang by the natives, is exactly the same as that used by Arjuna and Karan in the Mahabharata. Its great merit is that it returns to the archer if it misses the aim.1

For further information on the point see "Military Science."

AMERICA.

America half brother of the world!

With something good and bad of every land;

Greater than thee have lost their seat,

Greater scarce none can stand,

--BAILEY: Festus.

THE fact that a highly-civilized race inhabited America long before the modern civilization of Europe made its appearance there, is quite clear from the striking remains of ancient and high refinement existing in the country. Extensive remains of cities which must have been once in a most flourishing condition, of strong and well-built fortresses, as well as the ruins of very ancient and magnificent buildings, tanks, roads and canals that meet the eye over a very wide area of the southern continent of America, irresistibly force us to the conclusion that the country must have been inhabited at one time by a very highlycivilized nation. But whence did this high civilization spring?

The researches of European antiquarians trace it to India. Mr. Coleman says: "Baron Humboldt, the great German traveller and scientist, describes the existence. of Hindu remains still found in America."1

Speaking of the social usages of the inhabitants of Peru, Mr. Pococke says: "The Peruvians and their ancestors, the Indians, are in this point of view at once seen to be the same people."2 The architecture of ancient America resembles the Hindu style of architecture.

1 Hindu Mythology, p. 350.

2India in Greece, p. 174.

Mr. Hardy says:

"The ancient edifices of Chichen in

Central America bear a striking resemblance to the topes of India," Mr. Squire also says: "The Buddhist temples of Southern India, and of the islands of the Indian Archipelago, as described to us by the learned members. of the Asiatic Society and the numerous writers on the religion and antiquities of the Hindus, correspond with great exactness in all their essential and in many of their minor features with those of Central America."2 Dr. Zerfü remarks: "We find the remarkable temples, fortresses, viaducts, acqueducts of the Aryan group.'

A still more significant fact proves the Hindu origin of the civilization of ancient America. The mythology of ancient America furnishes sufficient grounds for the inference that it was a child of Hindu mythology. The following facts will elucidate the matter:

(1) Americans worshipped Mother Earth as a mythological deity, as the Hindus still do-dharti mata and prithvi mata are well-known and familiar phrases in Hindustan.

(2) Footprints of heroes and deities on rocks and hills were worshipped by the Americans as devoutly as they are done in India even at the present day. Mexicans are said to have worshiped the footprints of Quetzal Coatle, as the Indians worship the footprints of Buddha in Ceylon, and of Krishna in Gokal near Muttra.+

1 Eastern Monachism.

2Serpent Symbol.

3A Manual of Historical Development of Art.

4 The Marwarees of Ajmer worship the footprints of Ajaipal, the founder of Ajmer, on a rock near the city.

(3) The Solar and Lunar eclipses were looked upon in ancient America in the same light as in modern India. The Hindus beat drums and make noises by beating tin pots and other things. The Americans, too, raise a frightful howl and sound musical instruments. The Carecles (Americans) think that the demon Maleoyo, the hater of light, swallows the moon and the sun in the same way as the Hindus think that the demons Rûhû and Kétú devour the sun and the moon.

(4) The priests were represented in America with serpents round their heads, as Siva, Kali and others are represented by the Hindus.

(5) The Mexicans worshipped the figure made of the trunk of a man with the head of an elephant. The Hindus, as is too well-known, still worship this deity under the name of Ganesh. Baron Humboldt thus remarks on the Mexican deity: "It presents some remarkable and apparently not accidental resemblance with the Hindu Ganesh."

(6) The legend of the Deluge,' as believed in by the Hindus, was also prevalent in America.

(7) The Americans believed that the sun stood still at the word of one of their saints. In India, it is said that the cries of Arjuna at the death of Krishna caused the sun to stand still.

(8) The tortoise myth is common to India and America. Mr. Tylor says: "The striking "The striking analogy between the tortoise myth of North America and India is by no means a matter of new observation; it was in

1 Brahma caused the deluge when only one pious man named Satyavrata, and his family and some animals were saved.-Asiatic Researches, Vol, I.