The Ancient Geography of India. I. The Buddhist Period, including the Campaigns of Alexander, and the Travels of Hwen-Thsang c8.s5.1

c8.s5.1

From Dhanakaṭa, Hwen Thsang travelled to the south-west for 1000 *li*, or 167 miles, to *Chu-li-ye*, or *Jho-li-ye*, which he describes as a small district only 2400 *li*, or 400 miles, in circuit.* To enable us to fix the position of this unknown territory it is necessary to note the pilgrim's subsequent route to the south for 1500 or 1600 *li*, or about 260 miles, to *Kánchipura* or Conjeveram, the well-known capital of Drâviḍa. Now, the distance of Kânchipura from the Kistna is from 240 to 260 miles, so that Chuliya must be looked for somewhere along the south bank of that river, at 167 miles to the south-west of *Dháranikoṭṭa*. This position corresponds almost exactly with Karnúl, which is 230 miles in a direct line to the north-north-west of Kânchipura, and 160 miles to the west-south-west of Dháranikoṭṭa. M. Julien has identified Choliya with Chola, which gives its name to Chola-mandala, or Coromandel. But Chola was to the south of Drâviḍa, whereas the Choliya of Hwen Thsang lies to the north of it. If we accept the pilgrim's bearings and distances as approximately correct, the position of Choliya must certainly be looked for in the neighbourhood of Karnúl.