The Ancient Geography of India. I. The Buddhist Period, including the Campaigns of Alexander, and the Travels of Hwen-Thsang c5.s1.t14.5

c5.s1.t14.5

M. Vivien de St. Martin† identifies *Falana* with *Váneh*, or *Wanneh*, of Elphinstone.‡ But *Vána*, or *Wána*, as the Afghans call it, is only a petty little tract with a small population, whereas *Banu* is one of the largest, richest, and most populous districts to the west of the Indus. *Vána* lies to the south-south-east, and *Banu* to the east-south-east of Ghazni, so that either of them will tally very well with the south-east direction noted by Hwen Thsang; but *Vána* is from 20 to 25 days' journey to the south of Lamghân, while Banu is just 15 days' journey as noted by the pilgrim. As Fa-Hian's notice of Banu dates as high as the beginning of the fifth century, I think that it may be identified with the *Banagara* of Ptolemy, which he places in the extreme north of Indo-Scythia, and to the south-south-east of *Nagara*, or Jalâlâbâd. A second town in the same direction, which he names *Andrapana*, is probably *Dráband* or *Deráband*, near Dera Ismaïl Khan.