In later times when it became customary to compose midrashic works under well-known names, a book of Jashar naturally made its appearance. It need hardly be remarked that this has nothing whatever to do with the older book. It is an anonymous elaboration in Hebrew of the early part of the biblical narrative, probably composed in the 12th century. The fact that its legendary material is drawn from Arabic sources, as well as from Talmud, Midrash and later Jewish works, would seem to show that the writer lived in Spain, or, according to others, in south Italy. The first edition appeared at Venice in 1625, and it has been frequently printed since. It was translated into English by (or for) M. M. Noah (New York, 1840). A work called _The Book of ... Jasher, translated ... by Alcuin_ (1751; 2nd ed., Bristol, 1829), has nothing to do with this or with any Hebrew original, but is a mere fabrication by the printer, Jacob Hive, who put it forward as the book "mentioned in Holy Scripture." BIBLIOGRAPHY.--M. Heilprin, _Historical Poetry of the Ancient Hebrews_ (New York, 1879), i. 128-131; Mercati, "Una congettura sopra il libro del Giusto," in _Studi e Testi_ (5, Roma, 1901). On the medieval work see Zunz, _Gottesdienstliche Vorträge der Juden_ (Frankfurt a. M., 1892), 2nd ed., p. 162. FOOTNOTE: [1] _Jashar: fragmenta archetypa carminum Hebraicorum_ (Berlin, 1854). Cf. Perowne's _Remarks_ on it (Lond. 1855). JASHPUR, a tributary state of India, in the Central Provinces, having been transferred from Bengal in 1905. The country is divided almost equally into high and low lands. The Uparghat plateau on the east rises 2200 ft. above sea-level, and the hills above it reach their highest point in Ranijula (3527 ft.). The only river of importance is the Ib, in the bed of which diamonds are found, while from time immemorial its sands have been washed for gold. Jashpur iron, smelted by the Kols, is highly prized. Jungles of _sál_ forests abound, harbouring elephant, bison and other wild beasts. Jungle products include lac, silk cocoons and beeswax, which are exported. Area 1948 sq. m.; pop. (1901), 132,114; estimated revenue £8000.