The Ancient Geography of India. I. The Buddhist Period, including the Campaigns of Alexander, and the Travels of Hwen-Thsang c8.s2.16

c8.s2.16

In all our Chinese authorities the rock-hewn monastery is connected with a holy sage; but the name in each account is different. According to Fa-Hian, it was the monastery of the earlier Buddha named Kâsyapa. In the *Si-yu-ki*, however, it is said to be the birthplace of the *Muni Parâmâlâ*, while Hwen Thsang states that the monastery was excavated by King *Sâtavâhana*, for the use of the famous Nâgârjuna. From the wonderful descriptions of Fa-Hian and Hwen Thsang I have been led to think that their accounts may possibly refer to the grand excavations of Devagiri and Elura. But if the distance given by Hwen Thsang as well as by the *Si-yu-ki* is correct, the rock-hewn monastery must be looked for about 50 miles to the west or south-west of Chânda. Now in this very position, that is about 45 miles to the west of Chânda, there is a place in the map called *Pându-kuri*, or the “Pândus’ houses,” which indicates an undoubted ancient site, and may possibly refer to some rock excavations, as the rock-hewn caves at Dhamnâr and Kholvi are also assigned to the Pândus, being severally named “Bhim’s cave, Arjun’s cave,” etc. In the total absence of all information, I can only draw attention to the very curious and suggestive name of this place. There is also a series of Buddhist caves at *Patûr*, 50 miles to the south-west of Elichpur and Amaravati, and 80 miles to the east of Ajanta. As these have never been described, it is possible that the site may hereafter be found to correspond with the descriptions of the rock-hewn monastery by Fa-Hian and Hwen Thsang.