Historical Geography of Ancient India c5.s2.9

c5.s2.9

Childers (Pali Dictionary, p. 165) points out that when opposed to Sihaladīpa, Jambudvīpa means the continent of India.¹ It is difficult to be definite on this point. In Sanskrit Buddhist texts we have references to Jambudvīpa.² The Minor Rock Edict No. 1 of Aśoka mentions Jambudvīpa³ which denotes the vast country ruled by that great emperor. In the Epics and Purāṇas Jambudvīpa is described as one of the seven concentric islands, encircled by seven samudras.⁴ Of these seven islands the Jambudvīpa is the most alluded to in various sources and is one which is in its narrower sense identified with Bhāratavarṣa⁵ or the Indian peninsula.