Historical Geography of Ancient India c8.521

c8.521

Vaiśālī was an opulent, prosperous town, populous, abundant with food; there were many high buildings, pinnacled buildings, pleasure-gardens and lotus ponds (*Vinaya Texts*, *S.B.E.*, Pt. II, p. 171; cf. *Lalitavistara*, ed. Lefmann, Ch. III, p. 21). This great city is intimately associated with the early history of both Jainism and Buddhism. It carries with itself the sacred memories of the founders of the two great faiths that evolved in north-eastern India five-hundred years before Christ.