[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Historical geography](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.geography) › [The Ancient Geography of India. I. The Buddhist Period, including the Campaigns of Alexander, and the Travels of Hwen-Thsang](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.geography.cunningham-1871) › c8.s2 # The Ancient Geography of India. I. The Buddhist Period, including the Campaigns of Alexander, and the Travels of Hwen-Thsang c8.s2: 2. Kosala. The Ancient Geography of India. I. The Buddhist Period, including the Campaigns of Alexander, and the Travels of Hwen-Thsang c8.s2 - **Language:** English ### 2. Kosala. ### [c8.s2.1](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.geography.cunningham-1871.c8.s2.1) From Kalinga the Chinese pilgrim proceeded about 1800 or 1900 \*li\*, or from 300 to 317 miles,§ to the north-west to the kingdom of \*Kiao-sa-lo\*, or \*Kosala\*. The bearing and distance take us to the ancient province of \*Vidarbha\*, or \*Berár\*, of which the present capital is \*Nágpur\*. This agrees exactly with the position of Kosala as described in the \*Ratnávali\*, and in the \*Váyu Purána\*.\* In the former, the king of Kosala is surrounded in the \*Vindhyan\* mountains, and in the latter it is stated that \*Kusa\*, the son of Rama, ruled over Kosala, at his capital of \*Kusasthali\*, or \*Kusávati\*, built upon the Vindhyan precipices. All these concurring data enable us to identify the ancient Kosala with the modern province of Berar, or Gondwâna. The position of the capital is more difficult to fix, as Hwen Thsang does not mention its name; but as it was 40 \*li\*, or nearly 7 miles, in circuit, it is most probably represented by one of the larger cities of the present day. These are Chânda, Nâgpur, Amaravati, and Elichpur. ### [c8.s2.2](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.geography.cunningham-1871.c8.s2.2) ∗ H. H. Wilson, in ‘Vishnu Purâna,’ pp. 185, 187 note, and 188. † James Prinsep in Journ. Asiat. Soc. Bengal, vi. 1082. ‡ Csoma de Körös, in ‘Asiatic Researches,’ xx. 85 and 317. § Julien’s ‘Hiouen Thsang,’ vol. i. p. 185, gives 1800 \*li\*, and vol. iii. p. 94, 1900 \*li\*. See Map No. I. ### [c8.s2.3](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.geography.cunningham-1871.c8.s2.3) Chânda is a walled town, 6 miles in circuit, with a citadel. It is situated just below the junction of the Pain Ganga and Warda rivers, at a distance of 290 miles to the north-west of Rajamahendri, on the Godâvari, and of 280 miles from \*Dháranikota\*, on the Kistna. Its position, therefore, corresponds almost exactly with the bearing and distance of Hwen Thsang. ### [c8.s2.4](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.geography.cunningham-1871.c8.s2.4) Nâgpur is a large straggling town, about 7 miles in circuit; but as it is 85 miles to the north of Chânda, its distance from Rajamahendri is about 70 miles in excess of the number stated by the Chinese pilgrim. ### [c8.s2.5](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.geography.cunningham-1871.c8.s2.5) Amaravati is about the same distance from Rajamahendri, and Elichpur is 30 miles still further to the north. Chánda is therefore the only place of consequence that has a strong claim to be identified with the capital of Kosala in the seventh century. The recorded distance of 1800 or 1900 \*li\* from Rajamahendri is further supported by the subsequent distance of 1900 \*li\*, or 900 plus 1000 \*li\*, to Dhanaka-kata, which was almost certainly the same place as Dhárani-kota, or Amaravati, on the Kistna river. Now, the road distance of Chânda from Dhâranikota is 280 miles, or 1680 \*li\*, by the direct route; but as Hwen Thsang first proceeded for 900 \*li\* to the south-west, and then for 1000 \*li\* to the south, the direct distance between the two places would not have been more than 1700 \*li\*. ### [c8.s2.6](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.geography.cunningham-1871.c8.s2.6) ∗ H. H. Wilson, ‘Vishnu Purána,’ Hall’s edition, ii. 172, note. ### [c8.s2.7](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.geography.cunningham-1871.c8.s2.7) At 300 \*li\*, or 50 miles, to the south-west of the kingdom, there was a high mountain named \*Po.lo.mo.lo.ki-li\*, which is said to mean the "black peak." M. Julien identifies this name with "Baramula-giri of the present day;"\* but I cannot find this place in any map or book to which I have access. The mountain is described as very lofty, and without either spurs or valleys, so that it resembled a mere mass of stone. In this mountain King \*So-to-po-ho\*, or \*Sátaváhan\*, hewed a pavilion of five storeys, which was accessible by a hollow road many dozens of \*li\*, that is many miles, in length. The place was not visited by Hwen Thsang, as the narrator of his journey uses the expression "on arrive," instead of "il arriva." But as the rock is said to have been excavated as a dwelling for the holy Buddhist sage \*Nágárjuna\*, the pilgrim would almost certainly have visited it, if it had been only 50 miles distant from the capital; and if the south-west bearing is correct, he must have passed quite close to the place on his subsequent journey to Andhra, wihch is said to be either in the same direction, or towards the south. I conclude, therefore, that the curious, “\*au sud-ouest du royaume\*,”\* which the pilgrim uses to indicate the position of this excavated rock, may possibly refer to the boundary of the kingdom, and consequently that the place must be looked for at 300 \*li\*, or 50 miles, beyond its south-west frontier. This position would agree very well with that of the great rock fortress of Deogir, near Elura, and the name of Polomolokili, or \*Varamula-giri\*, might be accepted as the original of \*Varula\*, or Elura. Parts of the description, such as the long galleries hewn out of the rock, and the cascade of water falling from the top of the rock, agree better with the great Buddhist establishment at Elura than with Deogir. But as the place was not actually visited by Hwen Thsang, his description must have been made up from the varying accounts of different travellers, in which the contiguous sites of Elura and Devagiri were probably treated as one place. ### [c8.s2.8](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.geography.cunningham-1871.c8.s2.8) ∗ 'Hiouen Thsang,' iii. 101, note 4: "aujourd'hui Baramulaghiri;" and note 5, "en Chinois, He-fong, le pic noir." ### [c8.s2.9](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.geography.cunningham-1871.c8.s2.9) The same rock-hewn habitations are also described by Fa-Hian† in the beginning of the fifth century. He calls the excavation the monastery of \*Pho-lo-yu\*, or the “Pigeon,” and places it in the kingdom of \*Ta-thsin\*, that is in \*Dakshina\*, or the south of India, the present Dakhan. His information was obtained at Banâras; and as wonders do not lose by distance, his account is even more wonderful than that of Hwen Thsang. The monastery, hewn out of the solid rock, is said to be five storeys in height, each storey in the shape of a different animal, the fifth, or uppermost, storey being in the form of a \*Pigeon\*, from which the monastery received its name. The Chinese syllables \*Pho-lo-yu\* must therefore be intended for the Sanskrit \*Párávata\*, a "pigeon." A spring of water rising in the uppermost storey, descended through all the rooms of the monastery, and then passed out by the gate. In this account we have the five storeys, the spring of water falling from the top, and the name of the place, all agreeing very closely with the description of Hwen Thsang. The chief point of difference is in the meaning assigned to the name, as Hwen Thsang states that \*Polomolo-kili\* signifies the "black peak," while according to Fa-Hian, \*Pholoyu\* means a "pigeon." But there is still another account, of an intermediate date, which gives a third meaning to the name. In A.D. 503, the king of Southern India sent an ambassador to China, from whom it was ascertained that in his country there was a fortified city named \*Pa-lai\*, or "situated on a height." At 300 \*li\*, or 50 miles, to the eastward, there was another fortified town, named in the Chinese translation \*Fu-cheu-ching\*, or "ville soumise à ce qui est détesté,"\* which was the birthplace of a famous saint, whose name was \*Chu-san-hu\*, or "Coral-beads" (grains de corail). Now, \*Palá-málá\* is the name of a "coral necklace," or "string of coral-beads;"\* and as it represents every syllable of Hwen Thsang's \*Polomolo\*, I presume that it must be the same name. I am unable to explain Hwen Thsang's translation of the name as the "black peak" in any of the northern dialects; and I can only suggest that he may perhaps refer to one of the southern or Dravidian dialects. In Kanarese, \*malé\* is a "hill;" and as \*pârâ\*, or "quicksilver," and \*pâras\*, or the "touchstone," are both of black hue, it is probable that they are connected with \*πελός\*. \*Pára\*, therefore, might signify "black," and \*pára-malé\* would then be the black hill. One of the most venomous snakes in southern India, which is of a very dark blue or almost black colour, is called \*Pára-Gudu\*. It seems probable, therefore, that Hwen Thsang's translation may be derived from one of the southern dialects. This confusion in the Chinese translations is no doubt due to the very defective power of the Chinese syllables for the transcription of Sanskrit words. Thus, \*Po.lo.fa.to\* might be read as \*Párávata\*, a "pigeon," according to Fa-Hian; or as \*paravata\*, "subject," according to the \*Si-yu-ki\*; while it is probable that the true reading should be \*parvata\*, a "mountain," as the monastery is specially stated to have been excavated in a rocky hill. ### [c8.s2.10](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.geography.cunningham-1871.c8.s2.10) ∗ Julien’s ‘Hiouen Thsang,’ iii. 101. ### [c8.s2.11](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.geography.cunningham-1871.c8.s2.11) † Beal’s ‘Fah-Hian,’ c. xxxv. ### [c8.s2.12](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.geography.cunningham-1871.c8.s2.12) ∗ Pauthier, "Examen Méthodique des faits qui concernent Tien-tchu, ou l'Inde;" 'Journal Asiatique,' 1839, p. 292. ### [c8.s2.13](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.geography.cunningham-1871.c8.s2.13) † Pauthier, 'Journal Asiatique,' Oct. 1839, p. 292. ### [c8.s2.14](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.geography.cunningham-1871.c8.s2.14) The capital itself was named \*Pa-lai\*,\* which is said to mean "qui s'appuie sur une éminence." Now the citadel of \*Chánda\* is called " \*Bála kila\*," or the "High Fort," which, though a Persian appellation given by the Muhammadans, was very probably suggested by the original appellation of \*Palai\*.† ### [c8.s2.15](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.geography.cunningham-1871.c8.s2.15) † We have an example of such translation in Buland-shahr, which the Hindus still call Uncha-gaon. ### [c8.s2.16](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.geography.cunningham-1871.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. ### [c8.s2.17](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.geography.cunningham-1871.c8.s2.17) ∗ Pauthier in ‘Journal Asiatique,’ 1839, p. 293. ### [c8.s2.18](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.geography.cunningham-1871.c8.s2.18) The mention of King \*Sâtavâhana\*, or \*Sâdavâhana\*, in connection with Nâgârjuna is specially interesting, as it shows that the Buddhist caves of \*Parâmâlâ\* must be as old as the first century of the Christian era. \*Sâdavâhana\* was a family name, and as such is mentioned in one of the cave inscriptions at Nâsik.∗ But \*Sâta-\* vâhana is also a well-known name of the famous Sâlivâhan,\* who founded the Sake era in A.D. 79, so that we have a double proof that the Buddhist caves of Parámálá must have been excavated as early as the first century. The probable identity of Sátaváhan and Sátakarni will be discussed in another place. We know from the western cave inscriptions that Kosala certainly formed part of the vast southern kingdom of Gotamiputra Sátakarni; and if he flourished in the first century as would appear to be the case,† his identity with Sátaváhán, or Sâlivâhan, would be undoubted. It is sufficient here to note the great probability of this interesting point in the history of Southern India. ### [c8.s2.19](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.geography.cunningham-1871.c8.s2.19) ∗ Bombay Journal, vii., Nasick inscriptions No. 6, by Mr. West. ### [c8.s2.20](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.geography.cunningham-1871.c8.s2.20) ∗ Sâta, or Sâli, was the name of a Yaksha, or demigod, who, being changed to a lion, was ridden by the infant prince, who thus acquired the title of Sátaváhan, or Sâlivâhan. ### [c8.s2.21](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.geography.cunningham-1871.c8.s2.21) † The greater number of the inscriptions in the caves of Kanhari, Nâsik, and Kârle belong to one period; and as several of them record the gifts of Gotamiputra-Sátakarni, Pudumayi, and Yâdnya-Sri, the whole must be referred to the period of the Andhra sovereignty. But one of them is dated in the year 30 of the Sakâditya-kâl, or Sake era, that is in A.D. 108; and, therefore, the Andhras must have been reigning at that time. ### [c8.s2.22](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.geography.cunningham-1871.c8.s2.22) The kingdom of Kosala is estimated by Hwen Thsang at 6000 li, or 1000 miles, in circuit. Its frontiers are not named; but we know from the pilgrim's itinerary that it must have been bounded by Ujain on the north, by Mahârâshtra on the west, by Orissa on the east, and by Andhra and Kalinga on the south. The limits of the kingdom may be roughly described as extending from near Bûrhânpûr on the Tâpti, and Nânder on the Godâvari, to Ratanpur in Chatisgarh, and to Nowagadha near the source of the Mahânadi. Within these limits the circuit of the the Lacedaemonians, who had been waiting for the signal, now attacked the city. The Plataeans, seeing the enemy already inside and their own men falling, and knowing nothing of the plot, were seized with panic and, thinking that the Thebans were far more numerous than they really were, surrendered at discretion. But when they discovered that the Thebans were few, they took heart and, resolving to attack them, closed the gates and fell upon them. ### [c8.s2.23](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.geography.cunningham-1871.c8.s2.23) The Thebans, finding themselves in a trap, began to defend themselves. Twice or thrice they repelled the attacks of the Plataeans, but when the women and slaves began to shout and throw tiles and stones from the houses, and a heavy rain began to fall, the Thebans, confused and blinded, broke and fled through the city. Most of them, not knowing the way in the darkness and rain, fell into the drains or were killed by the Plataeans, who knew the streets. The gate through which they had entered had been shut by a Plataean who had found a javelin-head and used it as a bolt, so that there was no way out. Pursued through the city, some climbed the wall and jumped down, most of them perishing; others reached the gate and, finding it shut, were cut down by the women and slaves. A small party, seeing a large building with an open door, rushed in, thinking it was a gate, and were captured. ### [c8.s2.24](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.geography.cunningham-1871.c8.s2.24) Meanwhile, the main body of the Thebans, who were to have arrived at daybreak to support the first party, had been delayed by the rain and the swollen river Asopus. When they heard of the disaster, they hurried to the city, intending to seize any Plataeans who might be outside the walls. The Plataeans, suspecting their intention, sent a herald to them, warning them not to harm the prisoners they had taken, and threatening to kill them if they did not withdraw from their territory. The Thebans, upon this, retired. ### [c8.s2.25](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.geography.cunningham-1871.c8.s2.25) The Plataeans, having thus cleared the city, collected their dead and the prisoners. The prisoners, numbering about one hundred and eighty, were executed the next day, despite a message from the Thebans claiming that they had surrendered on terms. The Plataeans denied this, asserting that they had promised to spare them only if they did not commit further acts of violence. ### [c8.s2.26](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.geography.cunningham-1871.c8.s2.26) Thus ended the attempt of the Thebans upon Plataea, an event which was the immediate cause of the war between Athens and the Peloponnesians. The Plataeans, having secured their city, sent a messenger to Athens with the news, and the Athenians, fearing for the safety of the Plataeans, sent a garrison to their aid and removed the women and children to Athens. ### [c8.s2.27](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.geography.cunningham-1871.c8.s2.27) M A P of the EASTERN COAST between the Rivers GODÁVARI AND KRISHNA. 32 Miles to 1 Inch. ### [c8.s2.28](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.geography.cunningham-1871.c8.s2.28) large tract assigned to Kosala is rather more than 1000 miles. ## Linked texts (9) - [Vāyupurāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.vayu) — Vyāsa, Sanskrit - [Ratnāvalī](https://indike.org/pramana/in.lit.plays.udayana.ratnavali) — Harṣavardhana, Sanskrit - [Nāsik](https://indike.org/pramana/inp.site.nasik) - [Devagiri (Daulatabad)](https://indike.org/pramana/inp.site.devagiri) - [Kholvi](https://indike.org/pramana/inp.site.kholvi) - [Chânda](https://indike.org/pramana/inp.site.chanda) - [Ajanta](https://indike.org/pramana/inp.site.ajanta) - [Ellichpur](https://indike.org/pramana/inp.site.ellichpur) - [Godavari](https://indike.org/pramana/inp.site.godavari) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.geography.cunningham-1871.c8.s2](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.geography.cunningham-1871.c8.s2) · Pramāṇa