The Ancient Geography of India. I. The Buddhist Period, including the Campaigns of Alexander, and the Travels of Hwen-Thsang c5.s2.t3.41

c5.s2.t3.41

Babar Khána is the name of the tract of land lying between the Lundi Nala on the north and the Tabrâ and Gau Nalas on the south. It includes Kacha-kot, and extends about one mile on each side of it to the east and west, embracing the great mound of Seri-ki-Pind on the north-west, and the Gângu group of topes and other ruins on the east. In the very middle of this tract, where the Lundi and Tabrâ Nalas approach one another within one thousand feet, stands a lofty mound, 45 feet in height, called Jhandiála Pind, after a small hamlet close by. To the west of the Pind, or mound, there is another mass of ruins of greater breadth, but only 29 feet in height, which is evidently the remains of a large monastery. It is remarkable that the road which runs through the two gateways of the *Hatiál* citadel, and through the north gateway of *Sirkap*, passes in a direct line due north between these two mounds until it meets the ruins of a large stupa, on the bank of the Lundi river, 1200 feet beyond the Jhandiâla Pind. This last I believe to be the famous "Headgift Stupa" which was said to have been erected by Asoka in the third century before Christ. I have already alluded to its position as answering almost exactly to that described by Hwen Thsang; and I may now add as a confirmation of this opinion that the main road of the city of Taxila was laid in a direct line running due north upon the Jhandiâla stupa, a fact which proves incontestably the very high estimation in which this particular monument must have been held. This is further confirmed by the vicinity of another mound, 3600 feet to the north-west, called *Seri-ki-pind*, or *Siri-ki-pind*, which would appear to refer directly to the "Head Gift," as the *Sirshá-dánam*, or *Sir-dán* of Buddha. Taking all these points into consideration, I think that there are very strong grounds for identifying the great ruined tope of *Babar-khâna* with the famous stupa of the "Head Gift" of Buddha.