1847-] Periplus of the Erythrean Sea, fy-c. 55 



and the Bautes, or the Sanpoo and the Brahmaputra, of which they are 

 formed. This division of the river into parallel branches is mentioned 

 in connexion with one of the oldest traditions regarding Assam, namely, 

 that the original territory occupied by Khuntai, the first king of that 

 country, included two very long islands formed by branches of the 

 Brahmaputra.* 



Several nations or people are mentioned by Ptolemy as inhabiting 

 Serica — a certain proof that this valley was one of great extent ; and 

 with reference, therefore, to its situation on the north of India extra 

 Gangem (Burmah) it can be no other than Assam. Ptolemy mentions, 

 Anthropophagi on the northern parts of Serica. Below them were the 

 Annibi, who derived their name from their own mountains (gens ejusdem 

 nominis cum montibus quibus superjacet). They are the Abor tribes, 

 who occupy a range of hills on the northern side of Assam. In the 

 same situation, namely, the northern side of Serica, Ptolemy mentions 

 the Auxacii, who appear to be the Aukas. Between them and the 

 Annibi were a people called Sizyges. Many of the names mentioned 

 by Ptolemy closely resemble the names of places or tribes of people in 

 Assam in the present day : thus the Damnee appear to be the Doms : 

 the Gurincei — the Garos : the Nabannce (rendered Rabannce by Berthius 

 and other commentators) — the Rabhas : the Asmeraeei, the Mirees : the 

 Oechardce — the people of Chardwar : the Bates — the Booteahs : the 

 Ottorocorrce, the people of Outtergorah. The situations or relative 

 positions which Ptolemy assigns to these different nations, do not in every 

 instance correspond with the localities inhabited by the tribes or people 

 of Assam bearing the same names in the present day ; but though this 

 is not the case, there can be little doubt from the close affinity that exists 

 between them, that they are the people that are alluded to. 



Ammianus Marcellinus gives a general account of the physical aspect, 

 extent, fertility, and nations of Serica. He describes it as a valley 

 extending to the Ganges, and as abounding in silk, from which it may 

 be inferred that Assam is the country that he alludes to. 



'* Ultra hscc utriusque Scythise loca, contra Orientalem plagam in 



orbis speciem consertse celsorum aggerum summitates ambiunt Seras 



ubertate regionum et amplitudine cirenmspectos : ab occidentali latere 



Scythis adnexos : a Septentrione et orientale nivosoe solitudini cohserentes : 



* Vide Buchanau in Martin's Eastern India, Vol. III. p. 002. 



