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B r a h m a k û n d, in Brahmapûtra, above Assam, Lat. 27°, Long. 96° Wgrikrf Sanskr.

"Brahma's pool." K u n d is a hydrographical term very often used for designating deep back-waters, such as are formed in the curves of the large rivers; it is perhaps best translated by river pool; the word is also occasionally used for (natural) reservoirs of water, for wells, and springs.

The Brahmakûnd to the north-east of Sadia is a quiet, lateral pool of the Brahmapûtra, situated within the lower spurs of the . mountainous part of its river system and followed by a narrow defile with rapids.

It is a most sacred place to the Hindûs, and is not unfrequently found to be considered in India in general as the source of the river, although the Assamese never fail to distinguish them.

Other names for the Brahmakûnd, also mentioned by Wilson, in As. Res. Vol. XVII., p. 354, are: Deo-pani, God's water, and Prabhu-kuthar, Parasurdma's axe. The latter refers to the well-marked traces of the cutting of the rocks (by erosion).

Brahmapûtra, a river in Assam    y   (   '7 Sanskr., Hind.

"Brahma's son." Other names of this river are: Gabhasti, Hradana, Lohit (q. v.), Talu-ka, Zayö-chhu; compare also Dihông and Tsangbochû.

Brahmapûtra, the sacred Hindu name, is used for this river in general only as far north as to the Brahmakûnd ; along the upper course of this stream the Âbors call it Ssiang, the Mishmis and Sinh-phos give it the name Talu-ka; the Tibetans call it Zayö-chhu after the district Zayö through which it flows. (Compare Vol. II., p. 97). Ka is the Sinh-pho word for river; the Mishmi word is Thi (the Kamti is Nam).

In the Sanskrit literature many a name is found connected with the large Indian rivers in such a form that it often becomes difficult to decide whether it is an epithet only or whether it was used as a name., Compare Wilford, As. Ices., Vol. VIII., pp. 424 and 444. As such I mention for the Brahmapûtra Gabhasti, the sun, the ray of light. It is perhaps an allusion to the resplending line of water, with which the river is seen to bisect the valley of Assam. Another name of this kind is: Hradanâ,, from Hrada, lake; referring to the breadth of the river.

B r o g, in Balti, Lat. 35°, Long. 75°     CiTJZ11 'brog.

I   Ti

"Sommer village." Literally the meaning of the word is wilderness, isolated house, in contradistinction to the villages permanently inhabited and surrounded by cultivated grounds.

B il c h i Gang a, a river in Nepal    ‘.0■35.4 Nepal.

"Old river."

B u l a n d s h a h a r, in Hindostan, Lat. 28°, Long. 77°    , J.LL Pers.

"The great (properly high) town."