The Ancient Geography of India. I. The Buddhist Period, including the Campaigns of Alexander, and the Travels of Hwen-Thsang c6.s3.t21.32

c6.s3.t21.32

According to the pilgrims' statements, the position of *Râmagrâma* must be looked for at about two-thirds of the distance between Nagar and the Anoma river, that is at 4 *yojanas*, or 28 miles. In this position I find the village of Deokali,† with a mound of ruins, which was used as a station for the trigonometrical survey. In the ‘Mahawanso’ it is stated that the stupa of Râmagâmo, which stood on the bank of the *Ganges*, was destroyed by the action of the current.‡ Mr. Laidlay has already pointed out that this river could not be the Ganges; but might be either the *Ghâgra*, or some other large river in the north. But I am inclined to believe that the Ganges is a simple fabrication of the Ceylonese chronicler. All the Buddhist scriptures agree in stating that the relics of Buddha were divided into eight portions, of which one fell to the lot of the Kosalas of Râmagrâma, over which they erected a stupa. Some years later seven portions of the relics were collected together by Ajatasatru, king of Magadha, and enshrined in a single stupa at Râjagriha; but the eighth portion still remained at Râmagrâma. According to the Ceylonese chronicler, the stupa of Râmagrâma was washed away by the Ganges, and the relic casket, having been carried down the river to the ocean, was discovered by the Nâgas, or water gods, and presented to their king, who built a stupa for its reception. During the reign of Dutthagâmini of Ceylon, B.C. 161 to 137, the casket was miraculously obtained from the Nâga king by the holy monk Sonuttaro, and enshrined in the Mahathupo, or “great stupa,” in the land of Lanka.*