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The International Congress of Orientalists, initiated in Paris in 1873, was an international conference of Orientalists. It was later renamed as the International Congress of Human Sciences in Asia and North Africa and then as the International Congress of Asian and North African Studies. This material covers the interaction of the Royal Asiatic Society with the Congress in the time period 1889 to 1993.

From 1904-1929 the Royal Asiatic Society awarded a Gold Medal to a schoolboy writing on a chosen essay title. However, as entrants dwindled and few schools seemed interested in teaching Indian history, it was decided that the competition should be changed to one for undergraduate students. The change was finalised on 15th December 1931. Regulations for the University Prize Essay Fund were drawn up in 1932 and the first prize was awarded in 1933. In 1939, Professor Perceval Yetts designed a certificate to be presented with the prize (an example of this can be found in these papers). The prize was initially awarded annually but then became biennial. The prize money also increased at various intervals.
The records of the Universities Prize Essay cover the conversion from the Public School Medal to the Universities Prize Essay Fund, governance of the award and the conferment of the Honour in subsequent years. They include Rules, correspondence, and winning essays. However there are not records for all instances of the presentation of the award. Researchers are advised to also examine the Council Minutes and the Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society (both held in the RAS Collections) when researching concerning the Universities Prize Essay and its recipients.

These Papers consist of the handwritten manuscript by William Cullen of his "Memorandum by Major-General Cullen addressed to the Madras Government, on the 5th December 1843." In this memorandum Cullen sets out his ideas for district museums to house rock specimens and other details of the areas of interest to science and agriculture. He also lays out his suggestions that all engineers should carry barometers with them and make use of them for assessing altitudes, which can help in decisions regarding navigation, irrigation and transport communication. The memorandum consists of 30 foolscap written sides and a further endpaper with identifying label, all tied with green ribbon.

The papers consist of a single letter from John Haffenden, Malaysian Agency, British and Foreign Bible Society, to William Edward Maxwell to send two copies of the "Acts of the Apostle" in Malay (Arabic character) which had been printed in Europe by the Society. Haffenden asks Maxwell for his opinion on the type with which the book has been printed. The letter is dated Singapore, 18 January 1889.

Typed manuscript entitled, "Chinese Secret Societies in Malaya. Sections K. L. + M. The Chinese factor in the Policy of Intervention" concerning the time period 1872-1876. It is also labelled as "File 5" and "Duplicate". It appears to be an early draft or research material for part of Blythe's book The Impact of Chinese Secret Societies in Malaya published in 1969. The material seems to be in more depth than the corresponding material covered within the publication. With the file is a note which reads, "It is possible that Prof. Cowan at S.O.A.S., London, would like to have this File 5, as it deals with the subject of his book on Intervention".

These papers consist of a typed list of Reginald Le May's publications from 1926-1962, including some unpublished works at the time, and a small amount of biographical material. The list is headed with the handwritten annotation "With the compliments of Mr Reginald le May Feb. 1962".

The Papers of Reginald Stanley Underhill consist of:

• Photocopy of a letter from Chandra Shumsher Jang Bahadur Rana, 5th Prime Minister of Nepal, to Mrs Underhill to thank her for letting him know she enjoyed the [Fulpati] procession. He iterates that she has no need to apologise. Handwritten with printed letterhead, dated 9 October 1921.
• Photocopy of envelope and Christmas greetings to Reginald Stanley Underhill from Maharaja Mohun Shamsher Jung Bahadur Rana, 6th Prime Minister of Nepal. Postmarked 1963.
• Photocopy of letter from Maharaja Mohun Shamsher Jung Bahadur Rana to Peter Coombs, nephew of Reginald Stanley Underhill, to express his regrets on hearing of the death of Underhill. Typed, dated 28 November 1964.
• "The Nepalese Ropeway" presenting a short biography of Underhill's life. Typed with handwritten corrections, unsigned and undated. The biography references some photographs but these are not with the documents.

The main item in these papers is the Letter Book, complied by Richard Macan concerned with the sale of the estate of the late Major Turner Macan. There is also a note written by Richard Macan and some modern research notes on the Letter Book and Turner Macan's biography.

A handwritten manuscript detailing the history of the Gujarat sultanate in India giving accounts of the reigns of Muzzafar Shah I, Muhammad Shah I, Ahmad Shah I, Muhammad Shah II, Ahmad Shah II, Daud Shah, Mahmud Shah, Muzaffar Shah II, Sikandar Shah, Mahmud Shah II, Bahadur Shah, Miran Muhammad Shah I, Mahmud Shah III, Ahmad Shah III, and Muzaffar Shah III. The author of the manuscript has not been traced.

"Shanscrit & Bhakka of [Chanduchhaya Donguyal Rajah]". A handwritten manuscript in Braj in Devanagari script. The manuscript appears to relate part of the Mahābhārata story but is not accurately transcribed.

The paper is torn in the middle and therefore fragile.