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[[File:AspavarmaCoinRev.JPG|thumb|Coin of the Apracaraja [[Aspavarma]] (reverse), featuring the [[Greek mythology|Greek]] goddess [[Athena]].]]
[[File:AspavarmaCoinRev.JPG|thumb|Coin of the Apracaraja [[Aspavarma]] (reverse), featuring the [[Greek mythology|Greek]] goddess [[Athena]].]]


The '''Apracas''' (also known as '''Avacas''') were an [[Eastern Iranian languages|Eastern]] [[Iranian peoples|Iranic]] people and [[Indo-Scythian|Scythian]] ruling dynasty in the [[Hindu Kush]], in the present-day [[Federally Administered Tribal Areas]] of [[Pakistan]] and neighboring districts of [[Kunar Province]], [[Afghanistan]]. The Apraca capital, known as '''Apracapura''' (also '''Avacapura'''), was located in [[Bajaur Agency]], in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas of modern-day Pakistan. Their kingdom existed from the 1st century BCE to the 1st century CE. Its rulers formed the dynasty which is referred to as the '''Apracaras'''. Apracan territory was the stronghold of the warlike [[Aspasioi]] tribe of [[Arrian]], recorded in Vedic [[Sanskrit]] texts as [[Ashvakas]]. The Apracas are known in history for having offered a stubborn resistance to the [[Macedon]]ian invader, [[Alexander the Great]] in 326 BCE.
The '''Apracas''' (also known as '''Avacas''') were an [[Eastern Iranian languages|Eastern]] [[Iranian peoples|Iranic]] people and [[Indo-Scythian|Scythian]] ruling dynasty of Western [[Pakistan]]. The Apraca capital, known as '''Apracapura''' (also '''Avacapura'''), was located in [[Bajaur]], [[Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa]], [[Pakistan]]. Apraca rule of [[Bajaur]] existed from the 1st century BCE to the 1st century CE. Its rulers formed the dynasty which is referred to as the '''Apracaras'''. Apracan territory was the stronghold of the warlike [[Aspasioi]] tribe of [[Arrian]], recorded in Vedic [[Sanskrit]] texts as [[Ashvakas]]. The Apracas are known in history for having offered a stubborn resistance to the [[Macedon]]ian invader, [[Alexander the Great]] in 326 BCE. Sometime during the course of their history, the Apracas, (unlike their [[Paratarajas|Parata]] vassals in [[Balochistan (Pakistan)|Balochistan]] abandoned their [[Zoroastrianism|Iranic]] religious practices and are known to have embraced [[Buddhism]]).


A recently discovered inscription in Kharoshthi on a [[Buddhist]] reliquary gives a relationship between several eras of the period and mentions several Apraca rulers:
A recently discovered inscription in Kharoshthi on a [[Buddhist]] reliquary gives a relationship between several eras of the period and mentions several Apraca rulers:
Line 15: Line 15:
This inscription would date to c. 15 CE, according to the new dating for the Azes era which places its inception c. 47 BCE.<ref>Falk and Bennett (2009)</ref> The rulers seem to have been related to [[Kharaostes]],<ref>See: [[Apracaraja Indravarman's Silver Reliquary]]</ref> which if true, would also certainly connect Apraca with Kamuia (q.v) or Kambojika (Kamboja) lineage. [[Kamuia]] (q.v) is a Kharosthised form of Kambojika (q.v) which is same as [[Kamboja (name)|Kamboja]] of [[Sanskrit]] or [[Pali]] texts. The Apraca rulers seem to have adopted honorific Vedic-Buddhist titles over their own [[Eastern Iranian]] names. The last two rulres of the Apraca Dynasty, [[Aspavarman|Aspa]] and [[Sasan]], seem to have retained their ethnic [[Eastern Iranian]] names instead of adopting a Vedic-Buddhist title like their predecessors. Apraca vassals administrating a southernly [[satrapy]] founded the [[Paratarajas|Pārata]] dynasty of [[Balochistan (Pakistan)|Balochistan]]. The Apracan vernacular, a branch of [[Bactrian language|Bactrian]] is often attributed as having been an old form of [[Pashto]]. '''Apracan''' is also attributed as being the word from which the word ''"Afghan"'' is derived (the later being the old [[Persian language|Persian]] pronunciation of '''Apracan''').
This inscription would date to c. 15 CE, according to the new dating for the Azes era which places its inception c. 47 BCE.<ref>Falk and Bennett (2009)</ref> The rulers seem to have been related to [[Kharaostes]],<ref>See: [[Apracaraja Indravarman's Silver Reliquary]]</ref> which if true, would also certainly connect Apraca with Kamuia (q.v) or Kambojika (Kamboja) lineage. [[Kamuia]] (q.v) is a Kharosthised form of Kambojika (q.v) which is same as [[Kamboja (name)|Kamboja]] of [[Sanskrit]] or [[Pali]] texts. The Apraca rulers seem to have adopted honorific Vedic-Buddhist titles over their own [[Eastern Iranian]] names. The last two rulres of the Apraca Dynasty, [[Aspavarman|Aspa]] and [[Sasan]], seem to have retained their ethnic [[Eastern Iranian]] names instead of adopting a Vedic-Buddhist title like their predecessors. Apraca vassals administrating a southernly [[satrapy]] founded the [[Paratarajas|Pārata]] dynasty of [[Balochistan (Pakistan)|Balochistan]]. The Apracan vernacular, a branch of [[Bactrian language|Bactrian]] is often attributed as having been an old form of [[Pashto]]. '''Apracan''' is also attributed as being the word from which the word ''"Afghan"'' is derived (the later being the old [[Persian language|Persian]] pronunciation of '''Apracan''').


Dr. Prashant Srivastava, an Indian professor from the [[University of Lucknow]], has recently written a research monograph which aims to highlight the significant role played by the Apraca Dynastical rulers, and has connected the Apraca kings to the Ashvaka clan of Vedic literature.<ref>''The Apracharajas: A History Based on Coins and Inscriptions'', ISBN 978-81-7320-074-8, 2007, Dr. Prashant Srivastava, Reader, Ancient Indian History and Archaeology, University of Lucknow.</ref> According to Srivastava [[Ashvaka]] clan was none else than a sub-branch of the greater Kamboja tribe spread towards the Pamirs.<ref>See [[Ashvakas]] as well as [[Kambojas]].</ref>
Dr. Prashant Srivastava, an Indian professor from the [[University of Lucknow]], has recently written a research monograph which aims to highlight the significant role played by the Apraca Dynastical rulers, and has connected the Apraca kings of [[Pakistan]] to the Ashvaka clan of Vedic literature.<ref>''The Apracharajas: A History Based on Coins and Inscriptions'', ISBN 978-81-7320-074-8, 2007, Dr. Prashant Srivastava, Reader, Ancient Indian History and Archaeology, University of Lucknow.</ref> According to Srivastava [[Ashvaka]] clan was none else than a sub-branch of the greater Kamboja tribe spread towards the Pamirs.<ref>See [[Ashvakas]] as well as [[Kambojas]].</ref>
The Apraca kings are also mentioned in the [[Bajaur casket]].{{Citation needed|date=January 2012}}
The Apraca kings are also mentioned in the [[Bajaur casket]].{{Citation needed|date=January 2012}}

Revision as of 15:11, 9 October 2013

Silver coin of the Apracaraja Vijayamitra in the name of Azes II. Buddhist triratna symbol in the left field on the reverse.
Coin of the Apracaraja Aspavarma (reverse), featuring the Greek goddess Athena.

The Apracas (also known as Avacas) were an Eastern Iranic people and Scythian ruling dynasty of Western Pakistan. The Apraca capital, known as Apracapura (also Avacapura), was located in Bajaur, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Apraca rule of Bajaur existed from the 1st century BCE to the 1st century CE. Its rulers formed the dynasty which is referred to as the Apracaras. Apracan territory was the stronghold of the warlike Aspasioi tribe of Arrian, recorded in Vedic Sanskrit texts as Ashvakas. The Apracas are known in history for having offered a stubborn resistance to the Macedonian invader, Alexander the Great in 326 BCE. Sometime during the course of their history, the Apracas, (unlike their Parata vassals in Balochistan abandoned their Iranic religious practices and are known to have embraced Buddhism).

A recently discovered inscription in Kharoshthi on a Buddhist reliquary gives a relationship between several eras of the period and mentions several Apraca rulers:

"In the twenty-seventh year in the reign of Lord Vijayamitra, the King of the Apraca; in the seventy-third year which is called of Azes, in the two hundred and first - 201 - year of the Yonas (Greeks), on the eighth day of the month of Sravana; on this day was established [this] stupa by Rukhana, the wife of the King of Apraca, [and] by Vijayamitra, the king of Apraca, [and] by Indravarma (Indravasu), the commander (stratega), [together] with their wives and sons."[1]

This inscription would date to c. 15 CE, according to the new dating for the Azes era which places its inception c. 47 BCE.[2] The rulers seem to have been related to Kharaostes,[3] which if true, would also certainly connect Apraca with Kamuia (q.v) or Kambojika (Kamboja) lineage. Kamuia (q.v) is a Kharosthised form of Kambojika (q.v) which is same as Kamboja of Sanskrit or Pali texts. The Apraca rulers seem to have adopted honorific Vedic-Buddhist titles over their own Eastern Iranian names. The last two rulres of the Apraca Dynasty, Aspa and Sasan, seem to have retained their ethnic Eastern Iranian names instead of adopting a Vedic-Buddhist title like their predecessors. Apraca vassals administrating a southernly satrapy founded the Pārata dynasty of Balochistan. The Apracan vernacular, a branch of Bactrian is often attributed as having been an old form of Pashto. Apracan is also attributed as being the word from which the word "Afghan" is derived (the later being the old Persian pronunciation of Apracan).

Dr. Prashant Srivastava, an Indian professor from the University of Lucknow, has recently written a research monograph which aims to highlight the significant role played by the Apraca Dynastical rulers, and has connected the Apraca kings of Pakistan to the Ashvaka clan of Vedic literature.[4] According to Srivastava Ashvaka clan was none else than a sub-branch of the greater Kamboja tribe spread towards the Pamirs.[5]

The Apraca kings are also mentioned in the Bajaur casket.[citation needed]

Apraca Dynastical Rulers and their Queens

See also

Notes

  1. ^ "Afghanistan, carrefour en l'Est et l'Ouest" p.373. Also Senior 2003
  2. ^ Falk and Bennett (2009)
  3. ^ See: Apracaraja Indravarman's Silver Reliquary
  4. ^ The Apracharajas: A History Based on Coins and Inscriptions, ISBN 978-81-7320-074-8, 2007, Dr. Prashant Srivastava, Reader, Ancient Indian History and Archaeology, University of Lucknow.
  5. ^ See Ashvakas as well as Kambojas.
  6. ^ e.g.: Aspa.bhrata.putrasa. See: An Inscribed Silver Buddhist Reliquary of the Time of King Kharaosta and Prince Indravarman, Jounranal of the American Oriental Society, Vol 116, No 3, 1996, p 448, Richard Saloman.
  7. ^ Op. cit, p 448, Dr Richard Saloman.

References

  • An Inscribed Silver Buddhist Reliquary of the Time of King Kharaosta and Prince Indravarman
  • "Afghanistan, carrefour en l'Est et l'Ouest"
  • Senior, R.C. (2006). Indo-Scythian coins and history. Volume IV. Classical Numismatic Group, Inc. ISBN 0-9709268-6-3. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)

Falk and Bennett (2009). “Macedonian Intercalary Months and the Era of Azes.” Harry Falk and Chris Bennett. Acta Orientalia 70, pp. 197–215.

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