Historical Geography of Ancient India c6.517

c6.517

Fa-hien saw many monasteries at Mathurā, full of monks.⁴ Buddhism was then growing in this city. Hiuen Tsang found it to be above 5,000 li and the capital about 20 li in circuit. The soil was very fertile, and agriculture was the chief industry. The country also produced a fine stripped cotton cloth and gold. The climate was hot. The manners and customs of the people were soft and complacent. There were Buddhist monasteries and deva-temples and the professed adherents of different non-Buddhist sects lived pell-mell.⁵ There also existed three topes built by Aśoka.