The Ancient Geography of India. I. The Buddhist Period, including the Campaigns of Alexander, and the Travels of Hwen-Thsang c6.s3.t24: Khukhundo—Kahaon.
The Ancient Geography of India. I. The Buddhist Period, including the Campaigns of Alexander, and the Travels of Hwen-Thsang c6.s3.t24
- Language
- English
Khukhundo—Kahaon.
c6.s3.t24.1
On leaving Kusinagara, Hwen Thsang directed his steps towards Banâras, and after having travelled about 200 *li*, or 33 miles, to the south-west, he reached a large town where lived a Brahman who was devoted to Buddhism.* If we adhere rigidly to the south-west bearing, we must identify this large town with *Sahankat*, near Rudrapur. But this place has already been identified with *Pippalavana*, and is not upon the high-road to Banâras. As Hwen Thsang specially mentions the Brahman's hospitality to travellers going and coming, it is certain that the large town must have been the high-road between Kusinagara and Banâras. Now the high-road could never have passed through Rudrapur, as it would have entailed the passage of the Rapti in addition to that of the Ghâgra, while Rudrapur itself is not on the direct line to Banâras. It is quite clear that the high-road must have crossed the Ghâgra somewhere below the junction of the Rapti. According to the people, the old passage of the Ghâgra was at *Mahili*, 4 miles to the south of *Kahaon*, and 7 miles below the confluence of the two rivers. From *Kasia* to the *Mahili Ghât* the route would have passed through the ancient towns of *Khukhundo* and *Kahaon*, both of which still possess many remains of antiquity. But the former is only 28 miles from *Kasia*, while the latter is 35 miles. Both are undoubtedly Brahmanical; but while the ruins at *Khukhundo* are nearly all of middle age, those at *Kahaon* are at least as old as the time of *Skanda Gupta*, who lived several centuries before the time of *Hwen Thsang*. I am inclined, therefore, to prefer the claim of *Kahaon* as the representative of *Hwen Thsang’s* ancient city, partly on account of its undoubted antiquity, and partly because its distance from *Kasia* agrees better with the pilgrim’s estimate than that of the larger town of *Khukhundo*.*
c6.s3.t24.2
∗ Julien's ‘Hiouen Thsang,’ ii. 349.