The Ancient Geography of India. I. The Buddhist Period, including the Campaigns of Alexander, and the Travels of Hwen-Thsang c6.s3.t23.4

c6.s3.t23.4

At the time of Hwen Thsang's visit the walls of *Kusinagara* were in ruins, and the place was almost deserted; but the brick foundations of the old capital occupied a circuit of about 12 *li*, or 2 miles. The existing ruins between Anrudhwa and Kasia are scattered over a much larger space; but some of these were certainly outside the city, and it is now quite impossible to ascertain its exact limits. It most probably occupied the site of the mound of ruins to the north-east of the village of Anrudhwa. The spot where Buddha obtained *Nirvâna* would then correspond with the site of the stupa and ruins now called *Mátha-kuär-ka-kot*, or the "fort of the Dead Prince," and the spot where his body was burned would correspond with the site of the great stupa now called *Devisthán*. The former lies to the north-west of Anrudhwa, and to the west of the old channel of the Chota Gandak, or *Hiranyavati* river, which is still occasionally filled after heavy rain. The latter lies to the north-east of Anrudhwa, and to the east of the old channel of the Hirana, or Chota Gandak.