CHAPTER XIII.

Indian Music.

u We have harmonies which you have not, of quarter sounds?
-and lesser slides of sounds: diverse instruments likewise to you
•unknown, some sweeter than any you have "

BACON'S New Atlantis.

" The introduction of a new kind of music must be shunned
as imperilling the whole state; since styles of music are never
disturbed without affecting the most important political institu-
tions."

PLATO, Republic.

/'I^HE earliest records of Indian music are found in the
JL Rig Yeda. The drum, the Hute and the lute are
mentioned. Instrumental music was performed at certain
religious rites ; the lute (vina) was played at the sacrifice
to the manes. The existence of several kinds of profes-
sional musicians is implied in the Yajur Yeda. The chant-
ing of the Sama Yeda shows that vocal music was consider-
ably developed.

In later times, references to music in the Sanskrit
and Pali books abound. In the sculptures of Amaravati
and Saiichi and the paintings of Ajanta are represented
instruments almost identical with those in use at the
present day. There are also represented one or two
instruments of an Assyrian or Egyptain type, particularly
a kind of harp, not now in use.

The prototypes of most or all European instruments
in use at the present clay a,re still to be found in the East,
the source of the foundations of so much of Western culture.
The Greeks attributed the greater part of their science
•of Music to India.** Notwithstanding the differences