The Ancient Geography of India. I. The Buddhist Period, including the Campaigns of Alexander, and the Travels of Hwen-Thsang c6.s3.t20.11

c6.s3.t20.11

There is a difference in the name of the city, which Fa-Hian gives as *She-wei*, while Hwen Thsang writes it, as correctly as is possible in Chinese syllables, *She-lo-fa-si-ti* or *Srávasti*. But this difference is more apparent than real, as there can be little doubt that *Shewei* is only a slight alteration of the abbreviated Pali form of *Sewet*, for *Sáwatthi*, which is found in most of the Ceylonese books. Similarly the modern name of *Sáhet* is evidently only a variation of the Pali *Sáwet*. The other name of *Máhet* I am unable to explain; but it is perhaps only the usual rhyming addition of which the Hindus are so fond, as in *ulta-pulta*, or "topsy-turvy," which many people say is the true meaning of *Sáhet-máhet*, in allusion to the utter ruin of the whole place. But some say that the name was originally *Set-met*, and as this form seems to be a corruption of *Sewet*, it is probable that *Sahet-Mahet* is only a lengthened pronunciation of *Set-met*. One man alone, a Muhammadan in charge of the tomb of Pir Barâna close to the ruined city, affirmed that the true name was *Sávitri*, which is so close to the correct Pali form of *Sáwatthi* as to leave but little doubt that it preserves the original name of the place.