The Ancient Geography of India. I. The Buddhist Period, including the Campaigns of Alexander, and the Travels of Hwen-Thsang c5.s2.t1.25

c5.s2.t1.25

The old town of *Bij Biâra*, or *Vijipâra*, is situated on both banks of the Behat, at 25 miles to the south-east of the capital. The original name was *Vijaya-pâra*, so called after the ancient temple of *Vijayesa*, which still exists, although its floor is 14 feet below the present level of the surrounding ground. This difference of level shows the accumulation of ruins since the date of its foundation. The people refer its erection to Asoka, B.C. 250, who is stated by Kalhan Pandit* to have pulled down the old brick temple of *Vijayesa*, and to have rebuilt it of stone. This is apparently the same temple that is mentioned in the reign of Arya Raja, some centuries after Christ.†