The geografical descriftion of the punjab, which followers, fs taken from a persian historey of that countrey, written by the late bate shah of lodiana . this work was undertake many years ago, at the suggesion of the political agent at that palace, and cariewd on under his portnago the part, now given to the public, w3as translated into punjabi by mum shaoi bahol, a native of the punjab,l but latterley a residenty a lpdihan
Thebookispublished, chiefly, to facilitate the studies of those who are desirous of becoming acquainted with the Panjábf dialect; and the style being peculiarly chaste, it may be safely recommended for this purpose. No other book is known to exhibit, so accurately, the current language of the country, as spoken by the best classes in society; that is, when they avoid the use of foreign terms. Pure Panjibs, however, is rarely to be met with, either in books, or in the colloquial usages of the people; there being a predominant disposition, especially in cities, to make use of as much Urdi as happens to be known.
The orthography of Panjábi books is greatly diversified;-a thing which results from the uncultivated state of the language. The Translator of this work has conformed the spelling of words, as nearly as possible, to what he considered the most correct pronunciation.
While the Lodina Mission deem it expedient to bring this work before the Public, they are not willing to vouch for the truth of all its statements. The author professed, indeed, g have spared no pains, and to have spent a large sum of money, in procuring information from all parts of the country concerning which he wrote; and so јt may be prestmed, that his statements are, in the main, to be relied
