The Ancient Geography of India. I. The Buddhist Period, including the Campaigns of Alexander, and the Travels of Hwen-Thsang c9.4

c9.4

Ptolemy calls the island *Salike*, which, as Lassen suggests, would appear to be only a sailor's corrupt form of *Sinhalaka*, or *Sihalaka*, shortened to *Silaka*. Ammianus calls it *Serendivus*, which is the same as the *Sieladiba* of Kosmas, both being derived from *Sihala-dwípa*, which is the Pâli form of *Sinhala-dwípa*, or "Sinhala's island." Abu Rihân gives the form of *Singal-dib*, or *Sirindib*, which is the *Serendib* of European sailors. From the same source came the Arabic *Zilan*, and our own Ceylon. Amongst the Hindus the most familiar name is *Langka-dwípa*, which is also mentioned in the ‘Mahâwanso’ under the Pâli form of *Lanka-dipa*.*