The Ancient Geography of India. I. The Buddhist Period, including the Campaigns of Alexander, and the Travels of Hwen-Thsang c5.s1.t14.1

c5.s1.t14.1

The name of *Fa-la-na* is mentioned only by Hwen Thsang, who places the country to the south-east of Ghazni, and at fifteen days' journey to the south of Lamghân.[†] It was 4000 *li*, or 666 miles, in circuit, and was chiefly composed of mountains and forests. It was subject to Kapisene, and the language of the people had a slight resemblance to that of Central India. From the bearing and distance, there is no doubt that *Banu* was the district visited by Hwen Thsang, from which it may be inferred that its original name was *Varana*, or *Barna*. This is confirmed by Fa-Hian, who calls the country by the shorter vernacular name of *Po-na*, or *Bana*, which he reached in thirteen days from Nagarahâra in going towards the south. *Pona* also is said to be three days' journey to the west of the Indus, which completes the proof of its identity with Banu, or the lower half of the