310 



JOURNAL, R.A.S. (CEYLON). 



[Vol. X. 



THE ANTIQUITIES OF M EDAM AH AN UWARA. 

 By J. H. F. Hamilton, Esq., c.c.s. 

 (Read July 26 and Dec. 28, 1888.) 



I. — The Mdligdwa. 



~^HE ancient highway from Kandy to Bintenna 

 proceeded from the south-eastern extremity of 

 the city, skirted the right bank of the Maha- 

 weli-ganga for three miles, crossed the river by 

 a ferry at Kundasale, and thence diverged from 

 the river's path through the fertile valleys of Pata-Dumbara 

 to Teldeniya. From this point the modern road closely 

 follows the ancient track. Crossing the Hulu-ganga at Tel- 

 deniya, fifteen miles out of Kandy to the east, the road turns 

 sharply to the right, runs parallel for two miles with the 

 Hulu-gayga, and then turning to the left near the junction 

 of the Hulu-gayga with the Guru- (Galmal) oya, follows 

 closely the right bank of the latter stream for two and a 

 quarter miles through an unhealthy and uninhabited valley. 

 After passing the Guru-oya by a bridge close to the ancient 

 crossing, it climbs the hill to Urugala and Miriyahena (the 

 Nugetenna gap), which lie beneath the shadow of the 

 Medamahanuwara-kanda, and thence descends by tortuous 

 ways (the last part of the descent being formerly accomplished 

 by the Galpadihela) for twenty miles, until the Mahaweli- 

 ganga is again reached at Weragama. Here there is a ferry 

 boat, which will land the traveller on the opposite bank of 

 the river in the ancient city of Alutnuwara in Bintenna — 

 the Mahiyangana of legendary and historic fame. The 

 modern road is now open for cart traffic beyond Miriyahena, 

 and is being gradually extended by a circuitous route through 

 the Garideka. The ancient road was nothing more than a 

 narrow track. 



