[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.s4.45 # The Ancient Geography of India. I. The Buddhist Period, including the Campaigns of Alexander, and the Travels of Hwen-Thsang c8.s4.45 The Ancient Geography of India. I. The Buddhist Period, including the Campaigns of Alexander, and the Travels of Hwen-Thsang c8.s4.45 - **Language:** English ### [c8.s4.45](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.geography.cunningham-1871.c8.s4.45) In mentioning the relics that were removed from Râmagrâma, the Ceylonese chronicles call them one \*Drona\* measure, and the Siamese two \*Dronas\*. I presume, therefore, that they were generally known as the \*Drona-dhátu\*, or “\*Drona\* of relics.” In Pali this name would be \*Dona\*, which may probably be the true original of Hwen Thsang’s \*To.na.kie\*. The full name would have been \*Donakadhátu\*, or simply \*Donaka\*, which with \*kot\* a added would make \*Donaka-koṭṭa\*, corresponding with the Chinese syllables \*To.na-kie-kia-tse\*, as well as with the \*Dhanakakata\* of the inscriptions. Now I have already shown from the dated inscription of \*Kánhari\* that the name of \*Dhanakukata\* is as old as A.D. 108, but as it is spelt in all the inscriptions with \*dh\* and not with \*d\*, I infer that the legend about the \*Drona\* of relics is later than that date. We know that it was a common practice amongst the Buddhists to alter the spelling of the local names so as to obtain meanings which might be adapted to legends of their Teacher. Thus \*Takshasila\*, the "hewn stone," became \*Takshu-sira\*, or the "cut-off head," and \*Adi-chhatra\*, or "King Adi's canopy," became \*Ahi-chhatra\*, or the "serpent canopy," over the head of Buddha. With reference, therefore, to the Nâga guardianship of the \*Drona\* of relics at Râmagrâma, I think it highly probable that the old name of \*Dhanaka\* was changed to \*Donaka\* by the Buddhists, for the special purpose of adapting it to their legend regarding the disposal of the Râmagrâma \*Drona\* of relics. - [Previous: c8.s4.44](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.geography.cunningham-1871.c8.s4.44) - [Next: c8.s4.46](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.geography.cunningham-1871.c8.s4.46) - [Up: c8.s4](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.geography.cunningham-1871.c8.s4) ## Cites (2) - [Takṣaśilā](https://indike.org/pramana/inp.site.taxila) - [Ahicchatra](https://indike.org/pramana/inp.site.ahichchhatra) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.geography.cunningham-1871.c8.s4.45](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.geography.cunningham-1871.c8.s4.45) · Pramāṇa