EARLY TRAVELLERS IN INDIA. 183 
EARLY TRAVELLERS IN INDIA. 
ABSTRACT OF REV. S&S. BEAL’S PAPER. 
(Read October 15th, 1874.) 
Tue lecture related to the earliest recorded notices of the geography 
and religion of India. First, as derived from the few words found 
in Scripture, where we read that the kings of Persia had extended 
their authority to India; and also that Solomon brought apes and 
peacocks from the same country. 
The next notice we have of this country is the mythical account 
given by Arrian and others respecting the invasion of Bacchus 
(Dionysus) and Semiramis. 
The Greek records of the visit of Megasthenes to the court of 
Sandrocottus at Patalibrotha (Patna) bring us within the historical 
period. | 
Alexander’s invasion, which took him as far as the Hydaspes 
(Chenab), is also a valuable guide so far as it goes; but as he did 
not reach the Ganges, its value is somewhat confined. 
The most minute and accurate information we possess is derived 
from the travels of Chinese Buddhist pilgrims who visited India 
during the early part of our era, 
Of these, two are specially valuable; viz., the travels of Fa- 
hian (4.p. 899) and Hwen Tsang (a.p. 600). The former passed 
down the Ganges, and took ship for Ceylon, whence he returned 
by sea (vid Java) to his own country. The second passed through 
every province of India from north to south, and during fourteen 
years’ residence in the country acquired an accurate knowledge of 
Sanscrit. 
It is from the published records of these travellers that our 
knowledge of India prior to the rise of Islam is now chiefly 
derived. | 
