Hobson-Jobson: A Glossary of Colloquial Anglo-Indian Words and Phrases, and of Kindred Terms, Etymological, Historical, Geographical and Discursive c10.13083

c10.13083

c. 1666.—"Their first study is in the *Hanscrit*, which is a language entirely different from the common Indian, and which is only known by the *Pendets*. And this is that Tongue, of which Father *Kircher* hath published the Alphabet received from Father *Roa*. It is called *Hanscrit*, that is, a pure Language; and because they believe this is to be the Tongue in which God, by means of *Brahma*, gave them the four *Beths* (see VEDA), which they esteem *Sacred Books*, they call it a Holy and Divine Language."—*Bernier*, E.T. 107; [ed. Constable, 335].