Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v2.c13.s3.t2.105
Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v2.c13.s3.t2.105
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v2.c13.s3.t2.105
Originally, Varanasi was the capital of the ancient kingdom of Kashi. After the dissolution of the kingdom, the name Kashi also became the name of the capital city. In the Puranas, it has been mentioned as Avimukta Kshetra, Mahashamshan, etc. For a very brief time during the era of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, it was also called Mahmudabad. The name Kashi originated from the name of the 7th king of the first local dynasty, King Kasa.