The Ancient Geography of India. I. The Buddhist Period, including the Campaigns of Alexander, and the Travels of Hwen-Thsang c6.s3.t7.4

c6.s3.t7.4

According to the history of the country, Vairát-pattan or Lakhanpur was the ancient capital, as the Sombansi dynasty of Kumaon and the Surajbansi dynasty of Garhwâl date only from the *Samvat* years 742 and 745, which, even if referred to the era of Vikramaditya, are posterior to the time of Hwen Thsang. I think, therefore, that Brahmapura must be only another name for *Vairát-pattan*, as every other capital in these provinces is of much later date. Srinagar on the Alakananda river was founded so late as s. 1415, or A.D. 1358, by Ajaya Pala of Garhwâl, and is besides nearly as far from Maḍâwar as *Vairát-pattan*; while Chándpur, the earlier capital of Garhwâl, is still more distant, and dates only from s. 1216 or A.D. 1159. The climate is said to be slightly cold, and this also agrees with the position of *Bairát*, which is only 3339 feet above the sea.