The Geographical Dictionary of Ancient and Mediaeval India c5.s5.55.2

c5.s5.55.2

The Smaśānam or cemetery was two or three *li* to the north of Beṇuvanavihāra, in a forest called Sitavana (*Memoirs of the Asiatic Society of Bengal*, vol. I; *Avadāna Kalpalatā*, ch. 9, ślk. 19), which may be identified with Vasu-Rājā-kā-Gaḍ, Vasu Rājā being the grandfather of Jarāsindhu and father of Bṛihadratha. Bimbisāra, in accordance with his promise that in whichever house a fire occurred through negligence, the owner thereof should be expelled and placed in the cemetery, abandoned his palace at Rājgir in the valley as it caught fire and went to reside at the cemetery; but apprehending an attack from the king of Vaisāli, or according to some account, from Chaṇḍa Pajjota, king of Ujjayinī, in this unprotected place which was not at all fortified, he commenced to build the new town of Rājagṛiha, which is at a distance of one mile to the north of old Rājagṛiha and was completed by his son Ajātaśatru. Near the western gate of the new Râjgir was situated the Stûpa which was built by Ajâtaśatru over the relics of Buddha obtained by him as his share Legge's Fa Hian, ch. 28). Thus the old Râjgir was abandoned, and new Râjgir became the capital of Magadha for a short period. Buddha died in the eighth year of the reign of Ajâtaśatru. The seat of government was removed to Pataliputra in the reign of Udâyi or Udayâśva, the grandson of Ajâtaśatru, who reigned from 519--503 B.C.