1899 *] 
SOUTHERN DISTRICTS OF KRAMARAJYA. 
201 
124 . The district through which the Vitasta flows immediately 
District of Kruhin before leaving the Valley, bears now the name 
of Kruhin. The ancient form of this name is 
unknown unless the Lokaprakasa’s ‘ Krodhanavisaya’ may be connected 
with the tract. Kruhin extends along both sides of the river, but its 
greater portion lies on the left bank. 
Proceeding on the road towards Baramula and at a distance of 
about six miles from the latter place, we pass on our right the village 
of Kanispor. It is identified by an old glossator of the RajataranginI 
and by the Persian Chroniclers with the ancient Kaniskapura. The 
latter is mentioned in the RajataranginI as a town founded by the 
Turuska king Kaniska, 1 whom we know as the great Indo-Scythian or 
Kusana ruler from the coins and Buddhist tradition. There are no 
conspicuous remains above ground at Kanispor, but old coins and carved 
stones are occasionally extracted from an old mound near the village. 
We have already had occasion to speak of the important position 
Varahamula occupied by the ancient twin towns Hug kapura 
and Varahamula. Built on the banks of the 
Vitasta immediately above the gorge through which the river leaves 
the Valley, they form the starting-point on the great route of com¬ 
munication to the west. It is unnecessary to refer here again to the 
commercial and other advantages which have made this site one of 
great importance from ancient times to the present day. 
Varahamula, situated on the right river-bank, has left its name to 
the present town of Varahmul , usually called Baramula by Panjabis 
and other foreigners. 2 The name Varahamula or Varahamula—both 
forms occur in our texts—is itself derived from the ancient Tlrtha of 
Visnu Adi-Varaha who was worshipped here evidently since early 
times. Prom it the site of the town and its whole neighbourhood 
received also the designation of VarahaJcsetra. Various legends related 
at length in the Varahaksetramahatmya and often alluded to in the 
Nilamata and the other Mahatmyas, connect this sacred site and the 
Tirthas of the immediate neighbourhood with the Varaha or Boar 
incarnation of Visnu. An abstract of these legends as well as an 
accurate description of the scanty remains of ancient date to be found 
at the several Tirthas, has been given by Prof. Biihler. 3 
1 Compare Rdjat. i. 168 note. General Cunningham’s suggested identification 
of Kaniskapura with ‘ Kampor,’ on the road from S'rinagar to S'upiyan, is unsupport¬ 
ed by any evidence. The place is really called Khampdr and has no ancient 
remains whatever. 
* For detailed references regarding Varahamula and Varahaitsetra , see Rdjat. 
vi. 186 note. 
8 See Report, pp. 11 sqq. 
J. i. 26 
