A History of the Mahrattas v1.c7.25

v1.c7.25

¹ One of these Poorans, which recounts the exploits of Pureshram in his war with the Kshittrees [i.e. Kshatriyas], mentions, that at the close of it, having extirpated the Kshittrees and oppressive Rajas, and conferred the conquered territory on the Bramins, they did not choose that he should reside amongst them, which induced Pureshram to repair to the western coast of the Deccan, and to petition the se for a place of residence. This request, however, was not willingly acceded to; but Pureshram bent his bow, and let fly an arrow from the top of the great western mountains, at which the ocean was intimidated, and receding before it to the point at which it fell, left dry the extensive tract of country now known by the name of the Concan and Malabar coast. In this space different languages are spoken, and Hindoo geographers divide it into seven parts, viz. 1. Kerala, 2. Toolava, 3. Gohurasht, 4. Concan, or Kumpun, 5. Kurar, 6. Wurar, and 7. Burbur; these are supposed to extend from the Paniany river, to Mount Dilly, Dureea Bhadurghur, Sewdasheogurh, or Cape Ramas, Deogurh, Bencoote, Bassein, and the Taptee river respectively. The three first, as mentioned in a preceding note, are attached to Drawed and Carnatic; the four last are now, by the natives, indiscriminately included in the lower Concan, or Concan below the Ghauts. When the Concan simply is mentioned in this work, it is to be understood, as it is generally considered by Europeans, to extend from the sea to the line at which the Ghauts run into the lower country. When Concan-Ghaut-Mahta is specified, it is applicable to a particular tract of mountainous country hereafter described.