Historical Geography of Ancient India c9.47

c9.47

The *Divyāvadāna* (pp. 544–586) records a very interesting story accounting for the name of Bharukaccha or Bhṛgukaccha. It is said that Rudrāyana, king of Roruka (identified by some with Alor, an old city of Sind) in Sovira, was killed by his son, Śikhaṇḍin. As a punishment for this crime, the realm of Śikhaṇḍin, the parricide king, was destroyed by a heavy shower of sand. Three pious men only survived: two ministers and a Buddhist monk, who went out in search for a new land. Bhiru, one of the two ministers, established a new city, which came to be named after him—Bhiruka or Bhirukaccha, whence came the name Bharukaccha. The legend concerning the foundation of the Bhiru kingdom with its capital in the Buddha’s time cannot be believed for the simple reason that the kingdom and its seaport had existed long before.