Pramāṇa · Search · About · API

The Ancient Geography of India. I. The Buddhist Period, including the Campaigns of Alexander, and the Travels of Hwen-Thsang c6.s3.t26: 21. Varânasi, or Banâras.

The Ancient Geography of India. I. The Buddhist Period, including the Campaigns of Alexander, and the Travels of Hwen-Thsang c6.s3.t26

Language
English

21. Varânasi, or Banâras.

c6.s3.t26.1

In the seventh century the kingdom of *Po.lo.ni.sse*, or Varánasi, was 4000 *li*, or 667 miles, in circuit, and the capital, which was on the western bank of the Ganges, was from 18 to 19 *li*, or 3 miles, in length, and from 5 to 6 *li*, or 1 mile, in breadth. Its probable boundaries, with reference to the surrounding kingdoms, were the Gomati river on the north, a line drawn from the Gomati to Allahâbâd and up the Tons to Bilhâri on the west, a line drawn from Bilhâri to Sonhat on the south, and the Rehand Karmmnâsa and Ganges rivers on the east. With these limits the circuit is 595 miles taken direct on the map, or about 650 miles in actual road measurement.

c6.s3.t26.2

The city of Banâras is situated on the left bank of the Ganges, between the Barná Nadi on the north-east, and the Asi Nála on the south-west. The Barná, or *Varaná*, is a considerable rivulet, which rises to the north of Allahâbâd, and has a course of about 100 miles. The *Asi* is a mere brook, of no length, and, owing to its insignificant size, it does not appear in any of our most detailed maps. It is not entered in the Indian Atlas Sheet, No. 88, which is on the scale of 4 miles to the inch, nor even in the larger lithographed map of the district of Banâras, on the double scale of 2 miles to the inch. This omission has led the learned French academician M. Vivien de Saint-Martin to doubt the existence of the *Asi* as a tributary of the Ganges, and he conjectures that it may be only a branch of the *Barná*, and that the joint stream called the *Varánasi** may have communicated its name to the city. The *Asi Nála* will, however, be found as I have described it, in James Prinsep’s map of the city of Benares, published by Hullmandel, as well as in the small map which I have prepared to illustrate this account of the remains at Banâras. The position of the *Asi* is also accurately described by H. H. Wilson in his Sanskrit Dictionary, under the word *Varánasi*. I may add that the road from Banâras to *Rámnagar* crosses the *Asi* just outside the city, and only a short distance from its confluence with the river. The points of junction of both streams with the Ganges are considered particularly holy, and accordingly temples have been erected both at *Barná Sangam* below the city, and at *Asi Sangam* above the city. From the joint names of these two streams, which bound the city to the north and south, the Brahmans derive *Varāṇasi*, or *Vāraṇasi*, which is said to be the Sanskrit form of the name of Banâras. But the more usual derivation amongst the common people is from Râja *Banár*, who is said to have rebuilt the city about 800 years ago.

c6.s3.t26.3

∗ Csoma de Kőrös, Bengal ‘Asiatic Researches,’ xx.

c6.s3.t26.4

∗ In M. Julien’s ‘Life and Pilgrimage of Hiouen Thsang,’ i. 132, and ii. 354, it is stated that “this river is also called *Po-lo-ni-se*, or *Varánasi*.” But this is a mistake of the translator, as pointed out by Dr. Fitzedward Hall. The true name of the river is *Po-lo-nie*, or *Varaná*.

c6.s3.t26.5

Both of these streams are mentioned by Abul Fazl,* who says “*Baránasi*, commonly called *Banáras*, is a large city situated between two rivers, the *Barná* and the *Asi*.” Bishop Hebert† also mentions that he was informed by the Raja of Banâras that the name “had anciently been Barânas, from two rivers, *Bara* and *Nasa*, which here fall into the Ganges.” The worthy Bishop supposes that they must join the Ganges underground, as no such rivers are set down on the map; but two pages afterwards he records that his boats arrived “off the mouth of the small river which leads to Secrole,” that is to the cantonment of Banâras. It may perhaps be objected that this was only a report from his servants, and that he had not actually seen the river; but as the Bishop lived with Mr. Brooke to the north of the Barnâ, he must have crossed that river by the large stone bridge at least twice every day during his stay at the holy city of the Hindus.

c6.s3.t26.6

† ‘Journal,’ i. 397–399.

c6.s3.t26.7

Banâras is celebrated amongst the Buddhists as the scene where the great teacher first expounded his doctrine, or as they metaphorically express it, where he first began “to turn the wheel of the law.” This is one of the four great events in the life of Buddha, and the stupa which was built upon the spot was esteemed as one of the four great monuments of Buddhism. This stupa, now called *Dhamék*, is situated about 3½ miles to the north of the city, amidst an extensive mass of ruins, which are surrounded on three sides by large artificial lakes. The name of *Dhamék* is most probably only an abbreviation of the Sanskrit *Dharmmopadeśaka*, the "Teacher of Dharma." This is the common term still in use to designate any religious teacher; but bearing in mind that on this spot Buddha first began to "turn the wheel of the law" (*dharmma-chakra*), the name is peculiarly appropriate for the stupa. The term is also used in the simpler form of *Dharmmadeśaka*, which in familiar conversation would naturally be shortened to *Dhammadek* and *Dhamek*.

c6.s3.t26.8

∗ ‘Ayin Akbari,’ ii. 28.

c6.s3.t26.9

The earliest name of this city was *Kási*, which is still in common use, either alone or joined with the later name, as *Kási-Banâras*. It is, perhaps, the *Kassida*, or *Kassidia*, of Ptolemy. The name is referred to *Kási-rája*, who was one of the early progenitors of the Lunar race. He was succeeded by twenty descendants, all Rajas of *Kási*, amongst whom was the celebrated *Divodása*.

Linked texts (3)