On Yuan Chwang's Travels in India, 629–645 A.D. v2.c22.s6: K'i-t'a
On Yuan Chwang's Travels in India, 629–645 A.D. v2.c22.s6
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K'i-t'a
v2.c22.s6.1
The narrative in the Records goes on to relate that from Mālava the pilgrim went north-west above 300 *li* (or, according to D, three days) to the *K'i-t'a* (or *ch'a*) country. This was above 3000, and its capital above 20 *li*, in circuit. It was a rich district subject to Mālava to which it bore a resemblance. There were above ten Buddhist monasteries with more than 1000 Brethren who were adherents of both "Vehicles"; and there were numerous members of other religions, with several tens of Deva-temples.
v2.c22.s6.2
In the Life the pilgrim goes on from Aṭali to *K'i-t'a*, and it makes the journey one of three days in a north-west direction; but the Fang-chih agrees with the Records in placing *K'i-t'a* three days' journey (that is, 300 *li*) north-west from Mālava. There is thus a serious difference between the Life and the other authorities. Julien suggests Khach as the possible restoration of the native name of the country. Cunningham in his usual manner alters the 300 *li* of the Chinese traveller to 1300 *li*, and makes *K'i-t'a* to be Kheda, "the true Sanskrit form of *Kaira* a large town of Gujarāt, situated between Ahmedabad and Khambay."[1] Fergusson dissents from this; and is inclined to place *K'i-t'a* about Cambay.[2] But there does not seem to be much in favour of either of these proposals, and the Khach, that is, Cutch, of Julien and St. Martin may be considered. In the Bṛihat-Saṃhitā there is a southern country called Kachchha which in Dr. Fleet's words, "is evidently the modern Kach, *vulgo* Cutch".[3]
v2.c22.s6.3
¹ A. G. I. p. 492.
v2.c22.s6.4
² op. c. p. 272.
v2.c22.s6.5
³ Fleet op. c. p. 179.
Linked texts (1)
- Bṛhatsaṃhitā — Varāhamihira, Sanskrit