Janapadas

Ancient Sanskrit texts like Ashtadhyayi (IV.4.168-175), Ramayana (IV/41-43), Mahabharata (VII/11/16-17; VIII/8/18-20)) and numerous Puranas (Bhuvanakosa list of countries) refer to many Janapadas of ancient times. Panini's Ashtadhyayi furnishes a list of fifteen Kshatriya monarchical Janapadas viz Salveya, Gandhari, Magadha, Kalinga, Surasena, Kosala, Ajada, Kuru, Salva, Pratyagratha, Kalakuta, Ashmaka, Kamboja, Avanti and Kunti. Besides, there were those foll ...

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Janapadas, Janapadas - Origins, Janapadas - Lists

Read more here: » Janapadas: Encyclopedia II - Janapadas - Lists

Uttarakuru was the name of ancient country and its people as numerously referenced in ancient Vedic, Brahmanical and the Buddhist texts and numerous other ancient Sanskrit texts. Sometimes the Uttarakuru country and its people are described as belonging to real world but at other times they appear to be mythical. Uttarakuru - Vedic Literature and Uttarakuru. Aitareya Brahmana makes first reference to Uttarakuru and Uttaramadra as real-life Janapadas and informs us that these two nations lied b ...

Including:

• Uttarakuru - Vedic Literature and Uttarakuru
• Uttarakuru - Puranas and Uttarakuru
• Uttarakuru - Mahabharata and Uttarakuru
• Uttarakuru - Ramayana and Uttarakuru
• Uttarakuru - Buddhist Texts and Uttarakuru
• Uttarakuru - Rajatrangini of Kalhana and Uttarakuru
• Uttarakuru - Foreign Sources on Uttarakuru
• Uttarakuru - Geographical Location of Uttarakuru

Read more here: » Uttarakuru: Encyclopedia - Uttarakuru

While his two ancestors were given the title of Maharaja, Chandra Gupta I is described in his inscriptions as Maharajadhiraj. He can therefore be considered the first Gupta emperor. According to the Puranas the Guptas ruled over territories (referred to as Janapadas) such as Prayag, Saket and Magadh. This description of the Gupta dominion precedes the reign of Samudragupta and hence must refer to the terri ...

Including:

• Chandragupta I - Sources

Read more here: » Chandragupta I: Encyclopedia - Chandragupta I

Vidarbha is the north-eastern region of Maharashtra state, now forming two divisions (Nagpur and Amravati). It is comparatively backward, and demands for separate statehood within India have been raised by various political factions. The main crop is cotton. Nagpur was the capital of the Bhonsle dynasty of Marathas, who in the mid eighteenth century created a state that covered much of east-central India. After their defeat in the Third Anglo-Maratha War in 1818, the Bhonsle dominions were reduced to Nagpur division, which was ...

Including:

• Vidarbha - Mythological Importance

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The political process among the ancient Indo-Aryans appears to have originally started with semi-nomadic tribal units called Jana (meaning tribe). Early Vedic texts attest several Janas or tribes of the Aryans, living in semi-nomadic tribal state, fighting among themselves and with other Non-Aryan tribes for cows, sheeps and green pastures. These early Vedic Janas later coalesced into Janapadas of the Epic Age. Term "Janapada" literally means the foothold of a tribe. The derivative meaning of Janapada from ...

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Mahajanapadas, Mahajanapadas - Overview, Mahajanapadas - Kasi, Mahajanapadas - Kosala, Mahajanapadas - Anga, Mahajanapadas - Magadha, Mahajanapadas - Vajji or Vriji, Mahajanapadas - Malla, Mahajanapadas - Chedi or Cheti, Mahajanapadas - Vamsa or Vatsa, Mahajanapadas - Kuru, Mahajanapadas - Panchala, Mahajanapadas - Machcha or Matsya, Mahajanapadas - Surasena, Mahajanapadas - Assaka or Ashmaka, Mahajanapadas - Avanti, Mahajanapadas - Gandhara, Mahajanapadas - Kamboja

Read more here: » Mahajanapadas: Encyclopedia II - Mahajanapadas - Overview

Aitareya Brahmana makes first reference to Uttarakuru and Uttaramadra as real-life Janapadas and informs us that these two nations lied beyond the Himalaya ranges (Hindukush). The Aitreya Brahmana adduces these two people as an example of republican (vairajiya) nations, where whole Janapada took the consecration of rulership. tasmad atasyam udichya dishi ye ke ca pren himvantam janapada uttarakurva uttaramadra iti vairajyaya te.abhishichyante — (Aitareya Brahmana, VIII/14) Aitreya Brahmana again notes t ...

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Uttarakuru, Uttarakuru - Vedic Literature and Uttarakuru, Uttarakuru - Puranas and Uttarakuru, Uttarakuru - Mahabharata and Uttarakuru, Uttarakuru - Ramayana and Uttarakuru, Uttarakuru - Buddhist Texts and Uttarakuru, Uttarakuru - Rajatrangini of Kalhana and Uttarakuru, Uttarakuru - Foreign Sources on Uttarakuru, Uttarakuru - Geographical Location of Uttarakuru

Read more here: » Uttarakuru: Encyclopedia II - Uttarakuru - Vedic Literature and Uttarakuru

Shantiparva of Mahabharata refers to a Kamboja warrior/king who had wrested the prized sword from Dhundhumara aka Kuvalashava, the celebrated king of Ayodhya (MBH 12/166/77). It was probably from this Kamboja that his country/tribe came to be called Kamboja (Puranic Encyclopaedia, Vettam Mani). Adiparva refers to a powerful king of Kambojas called Chandravarma and describes him as an incarnation of Asura Chandra, foremost among the sons ...

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Kambojas in Indian Literature, Kambojas in Indian Literature - Kambojas of Panini's Ashtadhyai, Kambojas in Indian Literature - Kambojas of Yasaka's Nirukuta, Kambojas in Indian Literature - Mahabharata Traditions, Kambojas in Indian Literature - Epic War and the Kambojas, Kambojas in Indian Literature - Puranic Literature, Kambojas in Indian Literature - Kautiliya's Arthashastra, Kambojas in Indian Literature - Buddhist Literature, Kambojas in Indian Literature - Kambojas in Manusmriti, Kambojas in Indian Literature - Valmiki Ramayana

Read more here: » Kambojas in Indian Literature: Encyclopedia II - Kambojas in Indian Literature - Mahabharata Traditions

Kuru India - Kuru-Puru-Bharata connection. Epic traditions reveal that the kings of Kuru belonged to the Puru-Bharata family. The Kuru-Puru connection is suggested by Rigveda (10.33.4) which attests Kuru-Sravana as the descendent of famous Puru king Trasadasyu. (4.38.1, 7.19.3). A connection of the Bharatas with Kurukshetra is attested by Rigveda 3.23, Satapatha Brahmana 13.5.4, Aitareya Brahmana 8.23 as well as the Mahabharata 7.66.8. The former Purus, Bharatas and several other minor clans were later fused together and amalgamated into ...

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Kuru India, Kuru India - Geographical Location of Kuru, Kuru India - Kurus of Bharata war, Kuru India - Kurus of Buddha's times, Kuru India - Kuru Dharma, Kuru India - Speculations on origins, Kuru India - Kuru-Puru-Bharata connection, Kuru India - Central Asian origin of Kurus, Kuru India - Puranic View of Kuru Origin

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In Nirukuta(II/2), besides commenting on the Kamboja language, Yasaka also attempts to etymologize the term Kamboja, defining it as kambal.bhoja and Kamaniya.bhoja: The Kambojas enjoy kambala (blankets) i.e they are Kambal.bhojas. Also the Kambojas enjoy beautiful (kamaniya) things i.e they are 'kamaniya.bhojah'. Hence they are called Kamboja. (Nirukuta 2/2). Numerous ancient commentators like Durga Acharya, Brahmuni Privrajika, Sikanda Swami etc have commented on Yasaka's Nirukuta including Yasakian terms ...

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Kambojas in Indian Literature, Kambojas in Indian Literature - Kambojas of Panini's Ashtadhyai, Kambojas in Indian Literature - Kambojas of Yasaka's Nirukuta, Kambojas in Indian Literature - Mahabharata Traditions, Kambojas in Indian Literature - Epic War and the Kambojas, Kambojas in Indian Literature - Puranic Literature, Kambojas in Indian Literature - Kautiliya's Arthashastra, Kambojas in Indian Literature - Buddhist Literature, Kambojas in Indian Literature - Kambojas in Manusmriti, Kambojas in Indian Literature - Valmiki Ramayana

Read more here: » Kambojas in Indian Literature: Encyclopedia II - Kambojas in Indian Literature - Kambojas of Yasaka's Nirukuta

Kautiliya's Arthashastra attests that the Kambojas followed republican constitution. Kautiliya contrasts Varta.shastr.opajivin (martial republican) Sanghas with the Raja.shabad.opajivin (king-council) Sanghas and includes the Kamboja and Surastra Kshatriyas in the 'Varta-shastr.opajivin' or 'martial republics' category. Kamboja. Surastra.ksatriya.shreny.aadayo 'vaartta.shastra.upajiivinah'. — (Arthashastra 11/1/4) i.e Corporations of warriors (Kshatriya shrenis) of the Kamboja and Surashtra and some other nati ...

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Kambojas in Indian Literature, Kambojas in Indian Literature - Kambojas of Panini's Ashtadhyai, Kambojas in Indian Literature - Kambojas of Yasaka's Nirukuta, Kambojas in Indian Literature - Mahabharata Traditions, Kambojas in Indian Literature - Epic War and the Kambojas, Kambojas in Indian Literature - Puranic Literature, Kambojas in Indian Literature - Kautiliya's Arthashastra, Kambojas in Indian Literature - Buddhist Literature, Kambojas in Indian Literature - Kambojas in Manusmriti, Kambojas in Indian Literature - Valmiki Ramayana

Read more here: » Kambojas in Indian Literature: Encyclopedia II - Kambojas in Indian Literature - Kautiliya's Arthashastra

In Adi-Kanda of the Ramayana (1/55/2-3), one reads that the Kambojas, Yavanas, Sakas and some other allied tribes of north-west were 'created' at the request of sage Vasistha by the Divine cow Shavala to defend sage Vasistha from the forces of king Vishwamitra (Dr B. C. Law). This poetical 'creation' of the Kambojas etc may point to some remote attempt on the part of some Brahmana rishi of Vasistha line to proselytize Iranian Kambojas and other allied clans of the ...

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Kambojas in Indian Literature, Kambojas in Indian Literature - Kambojas of Panini's Ashtadhyai, Kambojas in Indian Literature - Kambojas of Yasaka's Nirukuta, Kambojas in Indian Literature - Mahabharata Traditions, Kambojas in Indian Literature - Epic War and the Kambojas, Kambojas in Indian Literature - Puranic Literature, Kambojas in Indian Literature - Kautiliya's Arthashastra, Kambojas in Indian Literature - Buddhist Literature, Kambojas in Indian Literature - Kambojas in Manusmriti, Kambojas in Indian Literature - Valmiki Ramayana

Read more here: » Kambojas in Indian Literature: Encyclopedia II - Kambojas in Indian Literature - Valmiki Ramayana

Manusmriti (X/43-44) informs us that, in consequence of the omission of sacred Brahmanical rituals/codes and of their not heeding to the Brahmanans, the following noble Kshatriyas have gradually sunk in this world to the state of vrishalatam i.e become degenrate Kshatriyas: the Paundrakas, Chodas, Dravidas, Kambojas, Yavanas, Shakas, Paradas, Pahlavas, Chinas, Kiratas and Daradas. shanakaistu kriya-lopadimah Kshatriya-jatayah. / vrashalatvam gata loke brahmna-darshanen cha. //43See also:

Kambojas in Indian Literature, Kambojas in Indian Literature - Kambojas of Panini's Ashtadhyai, Kambojas in Indian Literature - Kambojas of Yasaka's Nirukuta, Kambojas in Indian Literature - Mahabharata Traditions, Kambojas in Indian Literature - Epic War and the Kambojas, Kambojas in Indian Literature - Puranic Literature, Kambojas in Indian Literature - Kautiliya's Arthashastra, Kambojas in Indian Literature - Buddhist Literature, Kambojas in Indian Literature - Kambojas in Manusmriti, Kambojas in Indian Literature - Valmiki Ramayana

Read more here: » Kambojas in Indian Literature: Encyclopedia II - Kambojas in Indian Literature - Kambojas in Manusmriti

The Anguttara Nikaya refers to Kamboja as one of the sixteen great nations of ancient times (Anguttara Nikaya, I. p 213; IV. pp 252, 256, 261). The same fact is also conveyed by one of the oldest Pali commentary, the Chullaniddesa. The Majjhima Nikaya attests that in the lands of Yavanas, Kambojas and some other frontier nations, there were only two classes of people...Aryas and Dasas...the masters and slaves. The Arya could become Dasa and vice versa: Yona-Kambojaseu annesu cha panchchantimesu janapadesu dvea vanna, ayyo ceva daaso ca ayyo hutva daaso hoti daaso hu ...

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Kambojas in Indian Literature, Kambojas in Indian Literature - Kambojas of Panini's Ashtadhyai, Kambojas in Indian Literature - Kambojas of Yasaka's Nirukuta, Kambojas in Indian Literature - Mahabharata Traditions, Kambojas in Indian Literature - Epic War and the Kambojas, Kambojas in Indian Literature - Puranic Literature, Kambojas in Indian Literature - Kautiliya's Arthashastra, Kambojas in Indian Literature - Buddhist Literature, Kambojas in Indian Literature - Kambojas in Manusmriti, Kambojas in Indian Literature - Valmiki Ramayana

Read more here: » Kambojas in Indian Literature: Encyclopedia II - Kambojas in Indian Literature - Buddhist Literature

Panini (Ashtadhyayi 4.1.168-175) notes Kamboja as one of the fifteen prominent Kshatriya Janapadas in north-west. He also gives a rule for the derivative to denote the king of Kambojas. He attests that the word Kamboja denotes not only the Kamboja Kshatriya clan or the Kamboja country but also the ruler of the Kambojas as well as a descendant of the Kamboja Kshatriyas. The Mayuravyamsakadi--Ganapatha on Panini's rule II.1.72 attests that the Kambojas and the Yavanas observed a social custom of supporting short head-hair (K ...

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Kambojas in Indian Literature, Kambojas in Indian Literature - Kambojas of Panini's Ashtadhyai, Kambojas in Indian Literature - Kambojas of Yasaka's Nirukuta, Kambojas in Indian Literature - Mahabharata Traditions, Kambojas in Indian Literature - Epic War and the Kambojas, Kambojas in Indian Literature - Puranic Literature, Kambojas in Indian Literature - Kautiliya's Arthashastra, Kambojas in Indian Literature - Buddhist Literature, Kambojas in Indian Literature - Kambojas in Manusmriti, Kambojas in Indian Literature - Valmiki Ramayana

Read more here: » Kambojas in Indian Literature: Encyclopedia II - Kambojas in Indian Literature - Kambojas of Panini's Ashtadhyai

Puranic literature groups the Kambojas with the Yavanas, Sakas, Pahlavas and Paradas and refers to a social custom prevalent among them which was against that of the Hindus. The Hindus by religion were ordained to support a sikha or knot on head and therefore, looked askance towards those who had their hair cropped short (mundah). Puranas say that with the help of ayudhajivi sanghas of above-said tribes known as five hordes (pañca.gana), the Haihaya and Talajangha Indo-Aryans had dethroned Vedic King Bahu ...

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Kambojas in Indian Literature, Kambojas in Indian Literature - Kambojas of Panini's Ashtadhyai, Kambojas in Indian Literature - Kambojas of Yasaka's Nirukuta, Kambojas in Indian Literature - Mahabharata Traditions, Kambojas in Indian Literature - Epic War and the Kambojas, Kambojas in Indian Literature - Puranic Literature, Kambojas in Indian Literature - Kautiliya's Arthashastra, Kambojas in Indian Literature - Buddhist Literature, Kambojas in Indian Literature - Kambojas in Manusmriti, Kambojas in Indian Literature - Valmiki Ramayana

Read more here: » Kambojas in Indian Literature: Encyclopedia II - Kambojas in Indian Literature - Puranic Literature

The first reference to the Magadhas occurs in the Atharva-Veda where they are found listed along with the Angas, Gandharis and the Mujavats as a despised people. The bards of Magadha are, however, referred to in early Vedic literature and are spoken of in terms of contempt. The Vedic dislike of the Magadhas in early times was due to the fact that the Magadhas were not yet wholly Brahmanised. Rigveda mentions a king Pramaganda as a ruler of Kikata. Yasaka declares that Kikata was a non-Aryan country. Later Vedic literatur ...

See also:

Mahajanapadas, Mahajanapadas - Overview, Mahajanapadas - Kasi, Mahajanapadas - Kosala, Mahajanapadas - Anga, Mahajanapadas - Magadha, Mahajanapadas - Vajji or Vriji, Mahajanapadas - Malla, Mahajanapadas - Chedi or Cheti, Mahajanapadas - Vamsa or Vatsa, Mahajanapadas - Kuru, Mahajanapadas - Panchala, Mahajanapadas - Machcha or Matsya, Mahajanapadas - Surasena, Mahajanapadas - Assaka or Ashmaka, Mahajanapadas - Avanti, Mahajanapadas - Gandhara, Mahajanapadas - Kamboja

Read more here: » Mahajanapadas: Encyclopedia II - Mahajanapadas - Magadha

Uttarakuru also finds numerous references in Buddhist literature, some times as a real land while at the other as a mythical region. In Digha Nakaya, Uttarakuru is said to to be the name of city. Lalita-Vistara describes the Uttarakuru as Pratyanta-dvipa or a frontier island. Sumangalavilasini says that the wife of a Chakravarti king comes either from Uttarakuru or else from a the race of a king Madda. Buddhaghosa records a tradition which states that, when Vedic king Mandhata returned to Jamb ...

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Uttarakuru, Uttarakuru - Vedic Literature and Uttarakuru, Uttarakuru - Puranas and Uttarakuru, Uttarakuru - Mahabharata and Uttarakuru, Uttarakuru - Ramayana and Uttarakuru, Uttarakuru - Buddhist Texts and Uttarakuru, Uttarakuru - Rajatrangini of Kalhana and Uttarakuru, Uttarakuru - Foreign Sources on Uttarakuru, Uttarakuru - Geographical Location of Uttarakuru

Read more here: » Uttarakuru: Encyclopedia II - Uttarakuru - Buddhist Texts and Uttarakuru

Mahabharata sometimes figures the Uttarakuru as a fairy land. It is stated to be the ultimate abode of the blessed souls. The souls of the blessed ones and the Kshatriyas go to Uttarakuru after death (MBH 9/5/36-37; MBH 13/54). Adiparva of Mahabharata refers to a practice of free love among the women of Uttarakuru, like the one followed by birds and the beasts, and is not regarded sinful as it is stated to have the approval of the rishis and the sanction of antiquity (I.122.1-10) . At other times, the epic describes the Uttarakurus as real entit ...

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Uttarakuru, Uttarakuru - Vedic Literature and Uttarakuru, Uttarakuru - Puranas and Uttarakuru, Uttarakuru - Mahabharata and Uttarakuru, Uttarakuru - Ramayana and Uttarakuru, Uttarakuru - Buddhist Texts and Uttarakuru, Uttarakuru - Rajatrangini of Kalhana and Uttarakuru, Uttarakuru - Foreign Sources on Uttarakuru, Uttarakuru - Geographical Location of Uttarakuru

Read more here: » Uttarakuru: Encyclopedia II - Uttarakuru - Mahabharata and Uttarakuru

In later literature like Puranas, the Uttarakurus are sometimes described as mythical people and at other times their description seems indeed to belong to real world. Puranic cosmography divides our earth into seven concentric islands, viz. Jambudvipa, Plakasadvipa, Salmalidvipa, Kushadvipa, Krounchadvipa, Shakadvipa, and Pushkaradvipa, separated by the seven encircling seas. Insular continent Jambudvipa forms the innermost concentric island in the above scheme of continents. Jambudvipa includes nine varsa and nine mountains. Varsa o ...

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Uttarakuru, Uttarakuru - Vedic Literature and Uttarakuru, Uttarakuru - Puranas and Uttarakuru, Uttarakuru - Mahabharata and Uttarakuru, Uttarakuru - Ramayana and Uttarakuru, Uttarakuru - Buddhist Texts and Uttarakuru, Uttarakuru - Rajatrangini of Kalhana and Uttarakuru, Uttarakuru - Foreign Sources on Uttarakuru, Uttarakuru - Geographical Location of Uttarakuru

Read more here: » Uttarakuru: Encyclopedia II - Uttarakuru - Puranas and Uttarakuru

The Mallas are frequently mentioned in Buddhist and Jain works. They were a powerful people dwelling in Eastern India. Panduputra Bhimasena is said to have conquered the chief of the Mallas in course of his expedition of Eastern India. Mahabharata mention Mallas along with the Angas, Vangas, and Kalingas as eastern tribes. The Mallas were republican people with their dominion consisting of nine territories (Kalpa Sutra; Nirayavali Sutra), one of each of the nine confederated clans. Two of these confederations...one with Kusinara (modern Kasi ...

See also:

Mahajanapadas, Mahajanapadas - Overview, Mahajanapadas - Kasi, Mahajanapadas - Kosala, Mahajanapadas - Anga, Mahajanapadas - Magadha, Mahajanapadas - Vajji or Vriji, Mahajanapadas - Malla, Mahajanapadas - Chedi or Cheti, Mahajanapadas - Vamsa or Vatsa, Mahajanapadas - Kuru, Mahajanapadas - Panchala, Mahajanapadas - Machcha or Matsya, Mahajanapadas - Surasena, Mahajanapadas - Assaka or Ashmaka, Mahajanapadas - Avanti, Mahajanapadas - Gandhara, Mahajanapadas - Kamboja

Read more here: » Mahajanapadas: Encyclopedia II - Mahajanapadas - Malla