1899.] 
ANCIENT SITES OF S'RINAGARA. 
147 
The east is secured by the Dal and the stream which flows from it. 
On the west there stretch the broad marches of the Anchor divided 
from the Vitasta by a narrow strip of firm ground. 
From the north, it is true, the city can be approached without passing 
such natural obstacles. But the map shows that just to the north of the 
S'arika hill inlets from the two lakes approach each other within a few 
tliousaud feet. The narrow passage left between them could at all 
times easily be guarded. It is curious to note that the successful attacks 
on the city of which the Chronicle tells us, were delivered from the 
north, treachery or the defenders’ weakness having opened this passage. 1 
The later and smaller portion of STinagar occupying the left river- 
bank, does not share the same natural advantages as the old one. The 
present level of the ground on which it stands appears to have been 
raised gradually by the accumulated debris of centuries. We do not 
know exactly when the extension of the city in this direction began. 
The number of ancient sites on this side is comparatively small. The 
royal residence was transferred to it only in the reign of Ananta 
(a.d. 1028-63). There too we find a natural line of defence. It is the 
Ksiptika or Kut a kul which flows round the western edge of this part of 
the city and is also often mentioned in the accounts of the later sieges. 
Section IV.— Ancient sites of S'rinagara. 
95. Having thus reviewed the origin and the general position of 
Hill of Marika ^ ie capital, we may proceed to a brief 
survey of the more important ancient sites 
which our available materials permit us to trace in it. We can conve¬ 
niently start on our circuit from the Hill of S'arika to which the 
legendary account of the city’s foundation had taken us. 
The goddess S'arika which has given to the hill its name, has been 
worshipped since ancient times on the north-west side of the hill. Certain 
natural markings on a large perpendicular rock are taken by the pious 
to represent that kind of mystical diagram which in the Tantrasastra 
is known as S'rlcakra? This ‘ Svayambhu’ Tirtha is still a much fre¬ 
quented pilgrimage place for the Brahmans of the city and has been so 
probably since early times. 8 The S'arikamahatmya now in use relates 
1 Compare for Uccala’s entry into S'rlnagar, vii, 1539 sqq. ; that of Sussala, viii. 
944 sqq .; compare also note viii. 1104-1110. 
* Compare Rdjat. note i. 122, regarding the worship of such diagrams. 
1 Compare Jonar, (Bo. ed.) 472, 767. 
