The Geographical Dictionary of Ancient and Mediaeval India c5.s2.56.1

c5.s2.56.1

Baranasi—Benares situated at the junction of the rivers Barnu and Asi, from which the name of the town has been derived (Vāmana P., ch III). It was formerly situated at the confluence of the Ganges and the Gumti (Mbh, Anuśasana, ch 30). It was the capital of Kāśī (Rāmāyaṇa, Uttara, ch 48). At the time of Buddha, the kingdom of Kāśī formed a part of the kingdom of Kośala (see Kāśī). According to James Prinsep, Benares or Kāśī was founded by Kāśa or Kāśīrāja, a descendant of the Pururavas, king of Pratiṣṭhāna (see Pratiṣṭhāna). Kāśīrāja’s grandson was Dhanvantari, Dhanvantari’s grandson was Divodāsa, in whose reign Buddhism superseded Siva-worship at Benares, though it appears that the Buddhist religion was again superseded by Saivism after a short period. In 1027, Benaras became part of Gauḍa, then governed by Mahîpâla, and Buddhism was again introduced in his reign or in the reign of his successors Sthirapâla and Vasantapâla. Benares was wrested from the Pâla kings by Chandra Deva (1072-1096) and annexed to the kingdom of Kanauj. Towards the close of the twelfth century, Benares was conquered by Muhammad Ghuri who defeated Jaya Chand of Kanauj (James Prinsep's *Benares Illustrated*, Introduction, p. 8; *Vâyu P.*, Uttara, ch. 30). In the seventh century, it was visited by the celebrated Chinese traveller Hiuen Tsiang.