The Identification of Ptolemy's Dounga

Extract

In a paper entitled “Two Notes on Ptolemy's Geography of India” published in JRAS., 1941, pp. 208 ff., the late Professor E. H. Johnston discussed the location of a place named “Dounga” by Ptolemy, book vii, ch. 1, s. 6. He also examined the historical circumstances relating to Dounga and suggested its possible identity with Dhenukākaṭa mentioned in some of the cave inscriptions ofthe Bombay region. Professor Johnston, however, did not arrive at a sufficiently exact idea of the topography, possibly because he was without that local knowledge which adds so much to any reading of a map. Consequently, some of his suggestions appear to be susceptible of amendment.