Page:Report of a Tour Through the Bengal Provinces of Patna, Gaya, Mongir and Bhagalpur; The Santal Parganas, Manbhum, Singhbhum and Birbhum; Bankura, Raniganj, Bardwan and Hughli in 1872-73.djvu/25



work of this season was spread over a large extent of country, as will be evident from the length of my route, amounting in the aggregate to more than 4,500 miles, of which 1,700 were not by rail, and the rest by railway.

The districts explored more or less were the following:—

Patna, Gaya, Mongir, Bhâgalpur, Sântal Parganas, Mânbhum, Singhbhum and Birbhum, Bânkurah, Râniganj, Mirzapur, Jaunpur, Allahabad, Bardwân, and Hughli.

Over a hundred and twenty photographs have been taken to illustrate the ancient remains visited, besides the plans and sections which accompany in 21 plates. This great city was anciently known by the name of Pâṭaliputrapura, or Pushpapura or Kusumapura, and although from Hwen Thsang it would appear that Pâṭaliputrapura and Kusumapura were distinct, yet they are spoken of as identical in the Mudra Râkshasa. It is perhaps possible that at the time when the Mudra Râkshasa was written (which was probably not far removed from the time when the Muhammadans established themselves in the country) the two had amalgamated into one large city, known indifferently as Pâṭaliputra or Kusumapura.

The origin of the great city is noticed in the Mahâparinibbàna Sutta (Turnour in Journal, Asiatic Society, VII, 992). It is there mentioned that on the last occasion when Buddha was going to Wesâli from Nâlanda, he came to Pâtiligâmo. where the inhabitants had built an "awasthagaran" (resthouse) in the middle of the city, as it was on the high road between Vaisâli and Râjgir. At that period two great ministers, Sunidho and Wessakaro, of the Raja of Magadha were building a "Nagaran" (citadel) there. Buddha then predicts that the village Pâtali is to become a great city, and that it is to suffer from fire, water, and treachery. The gate of the VOL. VIII.