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XXX. Some Remarks upon the ancient City of Anarajapura or Anarddhepura, 
and the Hill Temple of Mehentélé, in the Island of Ceylon ; by Captain 
I, J. Cuaruan, of the Royal Artillery, &c. &c. 
Read the 21st of July 1832. 
Iv December 1828, when quartered in Colombo (Ceylon), I joined a party 
on a shooting excursion, in the course of which we visited Anardjapura, 
and some other places of interest. Having made a few rough sketches and 
some memoranda, which I have been led to believe are not devoid of interest, 
and having found that the information which I procured on the spot is 
borne out and confirmed in a remarkable manner by the Mahdvansi, the 
Rajavali, and the R@aratndcari, three native histories, for translations of 
which, now in progress of publication* by Mr. Uruam, we are indebted to 
Sir ALExaNDER Jounston, I have been induced to lay a few of the outlines 
and memoranda before the Society. 
The remains of the ancient city of Anardjapura, or Anarddhepura, are 
situated in the interior of Ceylon, in about 8° 15’ N. lat. and 80° 35’ E, 
long., in the district of Neura Wanny. Its position is laid down, in the 
map to Davy’s Ceylon, under the name of Anarajahpoora. In a map 
published in 1822 by Captain Scuneiper, the surveyor-general of the island, 
it is called Anurajapoora; in Smitn’s Atlas, it is called Anarodgburro; in 
the map to Batpzus, its place is marked as ‘the 1,000 Pillars ;? in the map 
to Rozertson’s ‘ India,’ it is called Anurogrammum ; in Protemy’s ‘ Geo- 
graphy,’ by F. Berrivs, it is laid down as Anurogramum regia ; and in the 
works above named, it is called Anuwradhe-Pura. 
According to the native records, Anarddhepura was, during the long period 
of nearly thirteen hundred years, with occasional short intermissions, both the 
principal seat of the religion of the country and the residence of its kings. 
It is represented as having been very extensive and populous ; as abounding 
in sumptuous and magnificent buildings ; and as having been held in the 
* These works have been published since this Paper was read. 
