The Ancient Geography of India. I. The Buddhist Period, including the Campaigns of Alexander, and the Travels of Hwen-Thsang c7.s2.6

c7.s2.6

Hwen Thsang mentions several countries lying to the east of Samataṭa, but as he gives only the general bearings and not the distances, it is not easy to identify the names. The first place is *Shi-li-cha-ta-lo*, which was situated in a valley near the great sea, to the north-east of Samataṭa.* This name is probably intended for *Sri-Kshatra*, or *Sri-Kshetra*, which M. Vivien de Saint-Martin has identified with *Sri-hata*, or *Silhat*, to the north-east of the Gangetic Delta. This town is situated in the valley of the Megna river, and although it is at a considerable distance from the sea, it seems most probable that it is the place intended by the pilgrim. The second country is *Kia-mo-lang-kia*, which was situated beyond the first, to the east, and near a great bay. This place may, I think, be identified with the district of Komilla, in Tipera, to the east of the Megna river, and at the head of the Bay of Bengal. The third country is *To.lo.po.ti*, which was to the east of the last. M. Julien renders the name by *Dwâravati*, but he makes no attempt to identify it. I would, however, suggest that it may be *Talaingvati*, that is, the country of the Talaings, or Pegu. *Vati* is the common termination of the names of the Burmese districts, as Hansavati, Dwayavati, Dinyavati, etc. The next name is *I-shang-na-pu-lo*, which was to the east of the last; then still further to the east was *Mo-ho-chen-po*, and beyond that to the south-west was the kingdom of *Yen-mo-na-cheu*. The first of these names I take to be the country of the *Shán* tribes, or Laos; the second is probably Cochin China or Anam; and the third, which M. Stanislas Julien renders by *Ya-mana-dwipa*, is almost certainly *Yava-dwipa*, or Java.