The Ancient Geography of India. I. The Buddhist Period, including the Campaigns of Alexander, and the Travels of Hwen-Thsang c5.s4.t7.4

c5.s4.t7.4

Hwen Thsang places Tse-kia at 14 or 15 *li*, or 2½ miles, to the north-east of *Sákala*; but as there are no traces of any former town in this position, I think it very probable that the true numbers should be 114 or 115 *li*, or 19 miles, which is just the distance between Sangala and Asarur by the road, although in a direct line it is not more than 16 miles. The circuit of *Tse-kia* was about 20 *li*, or upwards of three miles, which agrees sufficiently well with my measurement of the ruins of Asarur at 15,600 feet, or just three miles. At the time of Hwen Thsang’s visit there were ten monasteries, but very few Buddhists, and the mass of the people worshipped the Brahmanical gods. To the north-east of the town at 10 *li*, or nearly 2 miles, there was a stupa of Asoka, 200 feet in height, which marked the spot where Buddha had halted, and which was said to contain a large quantity of his relics. This stupa may, I think, be identified with the little mound of *Sâlár*, near Thata Syadon, just two miles to the north of Asarur.