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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.

A handwritten volume written in Russian. A note in English, at the beginning of this volumes states that it contains: Copy of the Georgian Code of King Vakhtang Armenian Laws Laws of the Kings of Georgia This is an extensive volume of approximately 470 pages. It is in a fragile condition with the leather bound boards loose from the contents.

"A Key to Scripture; being an Enquiry into the Order of Chapters of the Qur'ān" - a handwritten manuscript documenting the author's investigation into the chronological order of the chapters of the Qur'ān. He presents an introduction to his thesis, followed by a Synopsis of the Classes, Sections and Chapters; with further sections on the Distinctive Characters of the chapters, the Distribution and Arrangement of the Makka chapters; and On the Determination of the Madina Years and their chapters. These chapters are handwritten on foolscap sheets covering 132 pages of the volume.

Notebook containing Chinese characters, their romanised spellings and their English translations. In some cases these seem to be arranged to work out translations of official documents between Chinese and British authorities. A black soft-cover notebook with lined pages, written in ink and pencil, but with no identifiers.

"Introduction on the Elements of the Afghan language" which explains about the two divisions of Afghans and their languages, the different tribes in various locations. It consider the alphabet, vocabulary and grammar of the language. This manuscript is 13 pages on loose folded sheets.

The papers consist of A Grammar of the Maratah Language by Soob Row Maratah, Bramney of Tanjore. The purpose of his writing was to explain the Marathi language giving clear rules of grammar. The book is handwritten in Marathi and English and bound in a leather volume. Unfortunately the boards have come loose from the spine. The spine bears the title 'Maratah M.S. Grammar'.

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".