The Ancient Geography of India. I. The Buddhist Period, including the Campaigns of Alexander, and the Travels of Hwen-Thsang c6.s3.t26.5

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.