On the hindoo division of the octave, with some addition to the theory of systems of the higher orders

Abstract

My attention has been recently drawn to some publications which appear to afford trustworthy information concerning the musical interval use among the Hindoos. In particular it appears that the foundation their system is a division of the octave into 22 intervals, which are called S'rutis. I propose to discuss this system in the light of the theory formerly communicated to the Royal Society; and as it is one of what have called the higher systems, and the theory of such systems has not seen sufficiently developed, I take the opportunity of adding what is necessary for the classification, discussion, and practical treatment of the principal systems of this character. Some light may be thrown on the object of the paper by the following notation from the work of Fetis before referred to. After an exhaustive treatment of the various accessible scales, tunes, &c., from the artistic point of view, he sums up in the following words:—