Historical Geography of Ancient India c10.113

c10.113

*Bhilsī*.—It is situated at a distance of 535 miles from Bombay. It stands on the east bank of the Betwā river. According to Cunningham it was founded during the Gupta period. The remains consist of a series of sixty Buddhist stūpas, many of which contain relic-caskets. North-west of Bhilsā in the fork formed by the Betwa and the Besh rivers is the site of the old city of Besnagar which was a place of importance as early as the time of Aśoka. In the 4th and 5th centuries A.D. the Guptas held the town. In the 9th century it fell to the Paramāras of Malwa and in the 12th century it was held by the Cālukya kings (*Gwalior State Gazetteer*, I, pp. 203ff.). For further details vide *Vidiśā*.