[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) › c9.4 # The Ancient Geography of India. I. The Buddhist Period, including the Campaigns of Alexander, and the Travels of Hwen-Thsang c9.4 The Ancient Geography of India. I. The Buddhist Period, including the Campaigns of Alexander, and the Travels of Hwen-Thsang c9.4 - **Language:** English ### [c9.4](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.geography.cunningham-1871.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\*.\* - [Previous: c9.3](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.geography.cunningham-1871.c9.3) - [Next: c9.5](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.geography.cunningham-1871.c9.5) - [Up: c9](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.geography.cunningham-1871.c9) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.geography.cunningham-1871.c9.4](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.geography.cunningham-1871.c9.4) · Pramāṇa