The Ancient Geography of India. I. The Buddhist Period, including the Campaigns of Alexander, and the Travels of Hwen-Thsang c6.s1.t8.8

c6.s1.t8.8

In A.D. 641, when the Chinese pilgrim Hwen Thsang visited Sindh, he travelled from Koṭeswara, the capital of Kachh, a distance of 700 *li*, or 117 miles, due north to *Pi-to-shi-lo*,‡ from whence he proceeded 300 *li*, or 50 miles, to the north-east, to *O.fan.cha*, which I have already identified with Brâhmanâbâd. M. Julien renders the Chinese syllables by *Pitaṣilá*, but I should prefer *Pátaṣila*, or the “flat rock,” which is an accurate description of the long flat-topped hill on which Haidarâbâd is situated. This name recalls that of *Pátalpur*, which, according to Burton,* was an old appellation of Haidarâbâd, or Nirankot; and as this city is exactly 120 miles to the north of Koṭesar, in Kachh, and 47 miles to the south-west of Brâhmanâbâd, I have no hesitation in identifying it with the *Pitasila* of the Chinese pilgrim. The size of the hill also, which is 1½ mile in length, by 700 yards in breadth, or upwards of 3 miles in circumference, corresponds very closely with the dimensions of Pitasila, which, according to Hwen Thsang, was 20 *li*, or 3⅓ miles, in circuit.