On Yuan Chwang's Travels in India, 629–645 A.D. v2.c22.s13: Maheśvarapura
On Yuan Chwang's Travels in India, 629–645 A.D. v2.c22.s13
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Maheśvarapura
v2.c22.s13.1
The narrative proceeds to relate that from *Chih-chi-t'o* the pilgrim went north above 900 *li* to *Mo-hi-ssŭ-fa-lo-pu-lo* (Maheśvarapura). This country was above 3000 *li*, and its capital was above 30 *li*, in circuit. In its products and the ways of the people it resembled Ujayana; the people were not Buddhists; there were a few score Deva-temples, and the majority belonged to the Pāśupatas. The king was a brahmin, and was not a believer in Buddhism.
v2.c22.s13.2
All the texts and the Fang-chih give the direction of this country from Chih-chi-t'o as north, but the Life makes it north-east, the distance being the same. Cunningham in his usual manner changes north to south, and then finds our pilgrim's Maheśvarapura corresponds to the old town of Mandala, "the original capital of the country on the upper Narbada".¹ This "Śiva's city" is said to have been in "Mid India", but it does not seem to have been known by this name to other authors.