101 
ANCIENT GEOGRAPHY OF KAS'MlR. [Extra No. 2, 
be ascertained now—joins the Mahasarit at this very point and turns 
the ground between it and the river into an island. This is now known 
by the name of MaySmim, derived from the ancient Mak^ikasvamin. 
We shall have to refer to it again in our account of the topography of 
STinagar. From Durgagalika downwards the Mahasarit or Tsunth Kul 
was in old times the south-eastern boundary for that part of Srinagar 
which lies on the right bank of the Vitasta. Being a natural line of 
defence it is frequently referred to in the narrative of the various sieges 
of the capital. 1 * 
The confluence of the Mahasarit and Vitasta which is just opposite 
to the modern palace, the Shergarhi, has been a Tirtha from early times 
and is mentioned by its correct name inMarikha’s description of Kasmir. 8 
STivara refers to it by a more modern name, Martsamgama , where 
Mari is an evident adaptation from the Ks. form Mar . 3 The latter 
name, itself a derivative of Mahasarit, is applied at the present day to 
another branch of the Dal outflow. This turning to the west passes 
through the marsh known as BraiTnambal ( Bhattaranadvald ) and then 
enters the city. 
This canal is of considerable importance for the internal traffic of 
the city as it opens a convenient waterway to the Dal and greatly 
facilitates the transport of its manifold produce. 4 After passing behind 
the whole of the city quarters on the right river-bank the Mar issues 
near the quarter of Narvot* (Skr. Nadavana ) into the marshes of the 
AnclPar. Through the latter a connection is thus secured with the Sind 
river delta. This extension of the Mar to the west seems, however, of 
later date, as STivara attributes the construction of a navigable channel 
towards the Sind to Zainu-l-‘abidin. 5 * * 
66. The lake which supplies the water of the Mahasarit, is in 
some respects one of the most favoured spots of 
the whole Valley. Its limpid water, the 
imposing aspect of the mountain amphitheatre which encloses it on 
three sides, and the charming gardens and orchards around it have 
made the Dal justly famous. 
The Dal lake. 
1 See Bdjat. viii. 733, 753, 3131. 
* See S'riTcanthac. iii. 24, Mahdsaridvitastayoh ... samgamah. Here too as in 
former translations of the Rajataranginl, Mahasarit has been wrongly taken as an 
common nonn and explained as ‘ great river.’ 
3 The term Mari is also elsewhere used in the later Chronicles and the Mahat- 
inyas; comp., e.g., S'riv. i. 442; iv. 298; Fourth Chron, 145, etc. 
4 It is this narrow canal, more picturesque than sweet-smelling, which has led 
to the frequent comparisons of S'rmagar with Venice. It has not received much 
attention in recent years and for want of dredging seems in danger of silting np. 
s See S'riv, i, 440 sg. 
