India As Described In Early Texts Of Buddhism and Jainism

Author(s): Bimla Charn Law
Publisher: Bimlacharan Law

Page 58

50 "NDIA. AS DESCRIBED IN EARLY 1
Arga: The kingdom or country or viga, 4,000 li in extent according to Hiuen Tsang, lay to the east of Magadha, separated from the latter by the river Campā. On the north it was bounded by the Ganges. Arga, as described in the Mahābhārata, may be supposed to have comprised the districts of Bhagalpur and Monghyr. Its capital Campā on the right bank of the Ganges, formerly known by the name of Malini,1 stood at a distance of sixty yojanas from Mithilā.?, Bhaddiya and Assapura are two other cities that find mention. Apana is mentioned as a township in Anguttarãpa, a tract which lay 'north of the river Mahi, evidently a part of Arga on the other side of that river." The way from Bhaddiya to Apaņa lay through Anguttaräpa. Anga was a prosperous country and Campā was undoubtedly one of the most flourishing cities and a great centre of trade and commerce. In its neighbourhood was the famous tank of Gaggarā.
Kajangala: The country of Kajangala formed an eastern boundary of the Middle country just beyond which was a Brahmin village of Mahāsālā.
| Mahābhärata, xii, 5.6-7: Ya Malunyabhavat purā. Also Matsya Purāna, 48.97; Vāyu, 99.106; Harivamsa, 31.49.
Jätaka, vi, p. 32. 8 Majjhima, 1, p. 271; Dhammapada-athohatha, i, p. 384.
Malalasekera, op. cit., p. 22; Paramatthajotiko, II, p. 437. 'Vinaya, i, p. 248f.; Dhammapada-afthakatha, iii, p. 888. -Digha, i, p. I'll; Sumangalavilásint, i, p. 279.