Pre-Buddhist India: A Political, Administrative, Economic, Social and Geographical Survey of Ancient India Based Mainly on the Jataka Stories c7.18

c7.18

Here, it may be of use to know what was the Jātaka conception about the world in general and India in particular. The earth was recognised as a round sphere (Cakkavāḷa), surrounded on all sides by the sea,² and Jambudīpa was only a part of the bigger sphere.³ The earth was believed to be 24 nahuta yojanas in thickness, and split in two like unto a strong stout cloth garment.⁴