The Ancient Geography of India. I. The Buddhist Period, including the Campaigns of Alexander, and the Travels of Hwen-Thsang c6.s3.t28.4

c6.s3.t28.4

According to Hwen Thsang's estimate, the kingdom of *Vaisâli* was 5000 *li*, or 833 miles, in circuit,[*] which is certainly too great, unless it included the neighbouring kingdom of *Vriji*, which he described as 4000 *li*, or 667 miles, in circuit. Now the capital of Vriji is said to be only 500 *li*, or 83 miles, to the north-east of Vaisâli; and as both of the districts are placed between the mountains and the Ganges, it is quite certain that there must be some mistake in the estimated dimensions of one of these. The utmost limit that can be assigned to the joint districts, with reference to the surrounding States, is not more than 750 or 800 miles in circuit, from the foot of the mountains to the Ganges on the south, and from the Gandak on the west to the Mahânadi on the east. I conclude, therefore, either that there is some mistake or exaggeration in the estimated size of one or both of the districts, or that the two districts are the same kingdom under different names. That the latter was actually the case, I will now endeavour to show.