Here is the digital version of “Datang Xiu Ji” - the descriptive geography of the “Western World” by Hiuen Tsang (Xuan Jang), translated by Samuel Beal. It is highly entertaining, different regions of India ca. ~630 AD are described with a lot of color.
mbingenheimer.net/tools/beal/xiy…
mbingenheimer.net/tools/beal/xiy…
I think the map above is not fully accurate. The Chinese names of Indian regions are not very clear.
Hiuen Tsang described many kingdoms and mentioned their circumferences and distances in the Chinese unit of “Li”, which in the Tang Dynasty period was apparently 332 m (~1/3 km).
Hiuen Tsang described many kingdoms and mentioned their circumferences and distances in the Chinese unit of “Li”, which in the Tang Dynasty period was apparently 332 m (~1/3 km).
There are serious questions about the accepted timelines in Indian history when we compare with the text of Hiuen Tsang’s description. In 630 AD, the Godāvari delta region was supposed to be ruled by the Vēngi Chālukya kings (freshly conquered). They are not mentioned at all.
Another strange aspect in Southern India is with Chōla kingdom. In the English translation, Chōla are identified with “chu-li-ye” mentioned to the north of Drāvida (capital at Kanchi). This “Chu-li-ye” is most likely (western) “Chālukya” kingdom, which makes geographical sense.
The actual geography of Chōlamandalam was mentioned as “mo-lo-Kim-cha” (translated as “Malakūta”), where the Malaya mountains are explicitly mentioned.
So the geography of various kingdoms described by Hiuen Tsang doesn’t seem to align with the chronology of South Indian kings.
So the geography of various kingdoms described by Hiuen Tsang doesn’t seem to align with the chronology of South Indian kings.
Since the Indian chronology of kings was made up by the British, I suspect this is something messed up (intentionally?). It will be good to cross compare with the original Chinese text, if anybody can read Chinese.
In the following, I will post some interesting things I found in this treatise by Hiuen Tsang. It is not a full review.
Read the text, people ! It is translated into English. At least, look for Tsang’s description of your ancestral homeland. 😄
Read the text, people ! It is translated into English. At least, look for Tsang’s description of your ancestral homeland. 😄
One fascinating description of the geography of India is its mythical image as the “Jambū Dwīpa”, which has much philosophical imagery. As a devout Buddhist, Hiuen Tsang starts off with the description in Mahā Prajñaparāmita Sūtra.
wisdomlib.org/definition/ana…
wisdomlib.org/definition/ana…
The sacred lake of Anavatapta (अनवतप्त) is Mānasasarōvara. It is the origin of 4 rivers: Sindhu flows south, Gangā flows East, Vankshu (Oxus) flows west, and Sītā (Tarim) flows north. This is undoubtedly the inspiration of paradise imagery in many religions with such 4 rivers.
These 4 rivers are replicated as water canals in classical Islamic (Persian) gardens, known as Charbagh. Islamic mythology gives its own names to these rivers, but the Buddhist (and Hindu) iconography is more ancient.
Hiuen Tsang mentions the Buddhist iconography of the Chakravartin (wheel-ruler) with the 4 types of wheels:
1) Golden wheel who rules all 4 directions
2) Silver wheel who rules Sindhu, Gangā & Vakshu
3) Copper wheel who rules Sindhu & Gangā
4) Iron wheel who rules Sindhu only!
1) Golden wheel who rules all 4 directions
2) Silver wheel who rules Sindhu, Gangā & Vakshu
3) Copper wheel who rules Sindhu & Gangā
4) Iron wheel who rules Sindhu only!
So India had civilizational memory of all these regions.
The river basin of Sīta (Tarim) was called “Kuru dvīpa”. That was the first to get disconnected from Indic civilization.
The river basin of Vakshu (Oxus) was called “Godhanya”. That was the second to get disconnected.
The river basin of Sīta (Tarim) was called “Kuru dvīpa”. That was the first to get disconnected from Indic civilization.
The river basin of Vakshu (Oxus) was called “Godhanya”. That was the second to get disconnected.
The names of the metals were also likely corresponding to commonly used metals at different epochs in history, based on metallurgical advances. Gold and silver are the easiest to extract. Copper (and bronze) requires a bit more work. Iron (and steel) was the last to be exploited.
Hiuen Tsang recounts the principal sources of political strength in the 4 zones of the geography.
Horses, in the north
Trade, in the west
Elephants, in the south
Men, in the east
Indian kings were known as “aśwapati, narapati, gajapati” etc based on mastery of these resources.
Horses, in the north
Trade, in the west
Elephants, in the south
Men, in the east
Indian kings were known as “aśwapati, narapati, gajapati” etc based on mastery of these resources.
The stereotypes of the people’s character in the 4 directions of India are tallied by Hiuen Tsang when he describes the various kingdoms across Indian geography. But broadly speaking 😄
North: wild, aggressive
West: money-minded, impolite
South: quick-witted
East: wise, virtuous
North: wild, aggressive
West: money-minded, impolite
South: quick-witted
East: wise, virtuous
