Geographical and Economic Studies in the Mahabharata: Upayana Parva c6.89

c6.89

Citraka (M.B. II, 46, 21). No direction is given. From the Buddhist literature (Aṭṭhasālinī, p. 350) we find a Cittala mountain which is also mentioned in the Visuddhimagga (p. 292).¹¹⁷ It may be identified with the modern Chitral State in Dir, Swat, and Chitral Agency with an area of 4500 sq. miles. It comprises the whole of Kashkār-bala or Upper Kashkār, i.e., the Tirich Valley, which runs northwards from Tirich-mir for 60 miles until it joins the Turikho Valley; thence the combined stream runs south for 40 miles through the Mulkho Valley and joins the Kho Valley below Mastuj. On the north stands Hindukush range, on the west Badakshān and Kāfiriṣtān, on the south Dir, and on east the Gilgit Agency, Mastuj and Yāsin.¹¹⁸