Historical Geography of Ancient India c6.427

c6.427

The kingdom of Kāśmīra was about 7,000 li in circuit and was enclosed on all sides by high mountains. The capital of the country on the west side was bordered by a great river which was evidently the Vitastā. The soil was fertile, and hence cereals and fruits, and flowers could be grown profusely. The medicinal plants were found here. The climate was cold and stern. The people were handsome in appearance. They were fond of learning. There were heretics and believers among them. The stūpas and saṅghārāmas were also found here (Beal, Buddhist Records of the Western World, I, 148ff.). It was included in the Gandhāra kingdom. After the dissolution of the Third Buddhist Council Moggaliputta Tissa was sent to Kāśmīra for the propagation of Buddhism. In Aśoka’s time it was included in the Maurya dominion (see Watters, On Yuan Chwang, I, pp. 267-71).