The Ancient Geography of India. I. The Buddhist Period, including the Campaigns of Alexander, and the Travels of Hwen-Thsang c6.s3.t34.4

c6.s3.t34.4

*Kuságárapura* was the original capital of Magadha, which was called *Rájagriha*, or the “Royal Residence.” It was also named *Girivraja*, or the “hill-surrounded,” which agrees with Hwen Thsang’s description of it as a town “surrounded by mountains.” *Girivraja*† is the name given in both the Râmâyaṇa and the Mahâbhârata to the old capital of Jarasandha, king of Magadha, who was one of the principal actors in the Great War, about 1426 B.C. The Chinese pilgrim Fa-Hian‡ describes the city as situated in a valley between five hills, at 4 *li*, or two-thirds of a mile, to the south of the new town of Rajagriha. The same position and about the same distance are given by Hwen Thsang, who also mentions some hot springs, which still exist. Fa- Hian further states that the "five hills form a girdle like the walls of a town," which is an exact description of Old Râjagriha, or Purâna Rájgir, as it is now called by the people. A similar description is given by Turnour from the Pali annals of Ceylon, where the five hills are named Gijjhakuto, Isigili, Webháro, Wepullo, and Pandawo.* In the Mahâbhârata the five hills are named Vaihára, Varáha, Vrishabha, Rishigiri, and Chaityaka;† but at present they are called Baibhár-giri, Vipula-giri, Ratna-giri, Udaya-giri, and Sona-giri.