The Ancient Geography of India. I. The Buddhist Period, including the Campaigns of Alexander, and the Travels of Hwen-Thsang c6.s3.15

c6.s3.15

The capital of Balabhi is described by Hwen Thsang as 30 *li*, or 5 miles, in circuit. Its ruins were first discovered by Tod, although he did not actually visit them.† But they have since been visited by Dr. Nicholson,‡ according to whom they are situated at 18 miles to the west-north-west of Bhaonagar, near the village of *Wale*. The ruins are still known by the name of *Vamilapura*, which is only a slight transposition of *Valami*, or *Valabhipura*. The remains are scattered over a wide extent, but there is nothing remarkable about them, except the unusually large size of the bricks. In the time of Akbar, however, these remains would appear to have been much more considerable, as Abul Fazl§ was informed that “at the foot of the mountains of Sirouj is a large city, now out of repair, although the situation is very desirable. Mâbidchin and the port of Ghoga are dependent upon it.” The vicinity of *Ghoga* is a sufficient indication to enable us to identify this ruined city with the present remains of Balabhi, which are only about 20 miles distant from Ghoga.