The Ancient Geography of India. I. The Buddhist Period, including the Campaigns of Alexander, and the Travels of Hwen-Thsang c6.s3.t40.2

c6.s3.t40.2

Mahoba is divided into three distinct portions:—1st, *Mahoba*, or the city proper, to the north of the hill; 2nd, *Bihtari-kila*, or the inner fort, on the top of the hill; and 3rd, *Dariba*, or the city to the south of the hill. To the west of the city lies the great lake of *Kirat Ságar*, about 1½ mile in circumference, which was constructed by *Kirtti Varmma*, who reigned from A.D. 1065 to 1085. To the south is the *Madan Ságar*, about 3 miles in circuit, which was constructed by *Madana Varmma*, who reigned from A.D. 1130 to 1165. To the east is the small lake of *Kalyán Ságar*, and beyond it lies the large deep lake of *Vijay Ságar*, which was constructed by *Vijaya Pála*, who ruled from A.D. 1045 to 1065. The last is the largest of the Mahoba lakes, being not less than 4 miles in circuit; but the most picturesque of all sheets of water in the beautiful lake district of Bundelkhand is the *Madan Sâgar*. On the west it is bounded by the singularly rugged granite hill of *Gokâr*, on the north by ranges of ghâts and temples at the foot of the old fort, and on the south-east by three rocky promontories that jut boldly out into the middle of the lake. Near the north side there is a rocky island, now covered with ruined buildings; and towards the north-west corner there are two old granite temples of the Chândel princes, one altogether ruined, but the other still standing lofty and erect in the midst of the waters after the lapse of 700 years.