A History of Indian Literature v2.c24.4

v2.c24.4

speaks rather in favour of the date 410-432. *Geiger* refers to the fact that, according to his chronology King Meghavaṇṇa of Ceylon reigned from 352 to 379 A. D., and according to a Chinese account (*Lévi*, l. c., p. 316 f.) this king sent an embassy to Samudragupta, who reigned from 326 to 375 A. D. (*Smith*, Early History, in the 4th edit. gives 330-380). However, even the old dating of Meghavaṇṇa, *viz.*, 304-332 A. D. would not contradict the Chinese account, if the embassy had taken place between 330 and 332 A. D. *Smith*, Early History, p. 345, does, it is true (obviously on the basis of *Geiger’s* chronology), give the date of about 360 A. D. for King Meghavaṇṇa’s embassy.