Historical Geography of Ancient India c8.252

c8.252

Kauśikī.—It is a river mentioned in the Nidhanpur charter of Bhāskaravarman, king of Kāmarūpa. The Rāmāyaṇa (Ādiparva, Ch. 34), the Mahābhārata (Ch. 110, 20-22), the Varāha Purāṇa (Ch. 140) and the Padma Purāṇa (Ch. 21) also refer to this river. It is also mentioned in the Kālikā Purāṇa as the Mahākauśikī issuing out of the Himalaya mountain (Ch. 14. 14, Ch. 14. 31). It is to be identified with Kusiara of Sylhet flowing through the area known as Pañca-Khaṇḍa. But there is a difference of opinion as to its identification (I.C., I, pp. 421ff.). Hunter points out that the Kuśi or the Kauśikī formerly joined the Karatoyā river (Statistical Account of Bengal, Purnea). There have been changes in the course of this river (J.A.S.B., LXIV, pp. 1-24).