1899 .] 
UPPER COURSE OF TIIE YITASTA. 
101 
shall see that all the towns which from time to time were the capitals 
of the country, were built on the banks of the Vitasta, and that the 
great majority of other important places of ancient date were similarly 
situated. It is certain that then as now all produce of the country 
was brought to the great centres by water. Villages even when 
situated at a great distance, had, no doubt, just as at the present day, 
their landing places (Ks. yar a bcil ) on the river or the nearest navigable 
waterway. Kalhana’s description of the semi-legendary city of 
Narapurct shows how closely the busy “ coming and going of ships ” was 
connected in the Kasmirian mind with the splendour of a large 
town. 1 
The Gambhlra. 
64 . After these general remarks we may now proceed to follow 
the Vitasta’s course through the Valley noticing its tributaries in 
due order as we reach the confluences.. Below Khan a bal 2 3 the river 
receives in succession the several branches of the Ledarl and then passes 
the ancient town and Tirtlia of Vijayesvara, the present Vij^bror. 
About a mile lower down, its course lies between high alluvial plateaus 
or Karewas. One on the left bank, the Tsak a dar Udar, will be noticed 
below as one of the most ancient sites of the Valley (Cakradhara). 
About three miles further down and not far from the village of 
Marhom (the old Madavasramci ), the Vitasta 
is joined by the Vesau and Rembyar?' Rivers 
which meet a short distance above their common confluence with the 
Vitasta. This river junction is known to the Mahatmyas by the name 
of GambhIrasamgama (‘the deep confluence’) and is still visited as a 
Tirtha. s The short united course of the Vesau and Rembyar^ bears 
the old name of GambhIra and is referred to under this designation 
repeatedly by Kalhana. The Gambhlra is too deep to be forded at any 
time of the year, and being on the route from Vijayesvara to S'rinagar, 
is of military importance. It was twice the scene of decisive actions. 
King Sussala’s army on its retreat over the Gambhlra (a.d. 1122) 
suffered a complete rout. Six years later Sujji, his son’s general, gained 
an equally signal victory by forcing the passage in the face of a rebel 
army. 4 
1 See Bdjat. i. 201 sq. 
2 According to a gloss on NUamata 1307, Kkan a bal, the port, so to say, of 
Anatniig corresponds to the Khandapuccha Naga of that text. This Naga is else¬ 
where mentioned, but I have no distinct evidence for its identification. 
3 See Bdjat. iv. 80 note. Junctions of rivers and streams ( samgamas) are every¬ 
where in India favourite places for Tirthas. 
4 See Rdjat. viii. 10G3 sqq., 1497 sqq. 
