The Ancient Geography of India. I. The Buddhist Period, including the Campaigns of Alexander, and the Travels of Hwen-Thsang c5.s3.t3.1

c5.s3.t3.1

The kingdom of *Kiu-lu-to* is placed by Hwen Thsang at 700 *li*, or 117 miles, to the north-east of Jâlandhar,* which corresponds exactly with the position of the district of *Kullu*, in the upper valley of the Byâs river. The Vishnu Purâna† mentions a people called *Ulûta*, or *Kulûta*, who are most probably the same as the *Kaulutas* of the ‘Râmâyana’ and the ‘Brihat Sanhitâ.’‡ As this form of the word agrees precisely with the Chinese *Kiuluto*, I conclude that the modern *Kullu* must be only an abbreviation of the ancient name. The district is stated to be 3000 *li*, or 500 miles, in circuit, and entirely surrounded by mountains. The size is very much exaggerated for the present restricted limits of *Kullu*; but as the ancient kingdom is said by the people themselves to have included Mandi and Sukhet on the west, and a large tract of territory to the south of the Satlej, it is probable that the frontier measurement of 500 miles may be very near the truth if taken in road distance.