Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v1.c7.s2.t9.1

v1.c7.s2.t9.1

Now a small decrepit town known as Rajgir, the ancient city of Rajgriha, was the famous capital of the mighty Magadh kingdom of ancient India until the rise of Patliputra in 5th century BCE. Located close to Nalanda (Bihar), it is about 100 km from Patna (Patliputra) and 75 km from Gaya. According to Ramayana and ancient Puranic texts, the city was founded by Brahma’s grandson King Vasu and was called Vasumati. In the period of Mahabharat, with the founding of a dynasty by B силуath, it became known as Brahadrathpur. A successor of this dynasty was the legendary king Jarasandh. It was then also known as Girivajra (ie, mountain-fenced or collection of hills) because it was surrounded by five hills. In the Mahabharat, these hills are mentioned as Vaibhara, Varaha, Vrishabh, Rishigiri and Chaityaka. The Pali texts identify them as Vebhara, Pandava, Vepulla, Gijjhakuta and Isigili. Later Buddhist and Jain texts as well as Xuanzang’s accounts. identify the city also as Kushagrapura. According to available historical evidence, it was King Bimbisara (6th century BCE) of the Haryanka dynasty who built or rebuilt it and named it Rajgriha meaning "the abode of royalty".