On Yuan Chwang's Travels in India, 629–645 A.D. v2.c23.s6: A-Li-Ni
On Yuan Chwang's Travels in India, 629–645 A.D. v2.c23.s6
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A-Li-Ni
v2.c23.s6.1
The narrative in the Records proceeding describes that to the north of Mungkan was the *A-li-ni* country. This country, which had been Tokhara territory, lay along both banks of the Oxus; it was above 300 *li* in circuit and its capital was about fourteen *li* in circuit; in its natural productions and in the ways of the people it bore much resemblance to the Huo country (Kunduz).
v2.c23.s6.2
In the Life this little state is merely mentioned as one of the countries lying to the side of Mungkan. It was probably not visited by the pilgrim, and in the account of his outward journey, as we have seen, it is simply mentioned as the district immediately before Mungkan. Yule thinks that the country "must have been close to Hazrat-Imām", and as that district "formerly bore the name Ahreng or Arheng", he proposes to identify this name with the *A-li-ni* of our pilgrim's account.¹ But, although the situation may correspond, we cannot regard *A-li-ni* as a transcription of Arheng or Ahreng. It may represent a word like Alni or Arin, and it may possibly be another name for *A-li-na* (阿 利 那). This is the name of a great dragon which plagued the Brethren in a monastery of the country called *Ki-pin* (Ka-pin, the Kashmir and Kabul territory according to some), until a Brother of strictly pure life succeeded in coaxing him away.²
v2.c23.s6.3
¹ op. c. p. 106.
v2.c23.s6.4
² Abhi-ta-vib., ch. 24 (No. 1268).
Linked texts (1)
- 阿毘曇毘婆沙論 — Classical Chinese