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Template:Kambojas The Aśvakas or Aśvakayanas, classically called the Assacenii/Assacani, is the Sanskrit name of a people who supposedly lived in northeastern Afghanistan and the Peshawar Valley. They are/were believed to be a sub-group of the Greater Kamboja tribe profusely referenced in ancient Sanskrit/Pali literature and were partitioned into eastern and western Aśvakas [1]. They find mention in the Puranas, Mahabharata and numerous other ancient Sanskrit and Pali texts. Today, their descendants are mostly heterogeneous people.

The Sanskrit term aśva , Iranian aspa and Prakrit assa means horse. The name Aśvaka/Aśvakan or Assaka is said to be derived from Sanskrit Aśva or Prakrit Assa and it literally denotes someone connected with the horses---hence: a horseman, or a cavalryman [2] or "breeder of horses" [3]. The Aśvakas were especially engaged in the occupation of breeding, raising and training war horses, as also in providing expert cavalry services to outside nations, hence they also constituted an excellent class of Kshatriyas (warriors). Like tribal term Kamboja, the tribal term Aśvaka is also interpreted as "land or home of horses".

Panini has styled the Aspa and the Aśvaka clans of the Kunar and Swat valleys (earlier Kafiristan--- modern Nuristan) [4] as Aśvayanas and Aśvakayanas respectively [5]. The Classical writers use the respective equivalents Aspasioi or Aspasii (Hippasii) and Assakenoi (or Assaceni/Assacani). Based on evidence from Indika of Megasthenes (c. 350 BC-290 BC), Pliny (Gaius Plinius Secundus) (23 AD–79 AD) refers to clans like Osii (Asii), Asoi, and Aseni in his Historia Naturalis [6] [7] and locates them on river Indus mainly in the northern western frontier parts parts of modern Pakistan which region exactly constituted the ancient Kamboja. The Osii, Taxilae, Amanda, Peucolaitae, Arsagalitae (=Urasa + Gilgit), Asoi, Geretae and Aseni etc were all related clans and constituted mostly the Gandhara and Kamboja population. Amanda (Gandhara) [8], Taxilae, Peucolaitae etc belonged to the Gandhara set-up whereas Asoi (Aspasioi--the Aśvayanas), Geretaei (Guraeans) [9], Asii (Aśvakas/Aśvakayanas), Aurasa (=Hazaras),[10] (i.e. the Arsa-(Aurasa-) component of the Arsagalitae), and the Aseni etc belonged to the Kamboja. John Watson McCrindle [11] also regards the Asoi and Geretae to be respectively equivalent to the Aspasioi and the Gouraei of Arian--both being western-branch of the Assakenoi (Aśvakas). Bucephala was the capital of Aseni which stood on Hydaspes (Jhelum) [12]. Alexander had named this city after his horse Becephalus when it had died sometime in June of 326 BC after being fatally wounded at the Battle of Hydaspes with king Porus (Paurava) of Punjab. A view has been held that the clan names like Osii, Asioi, and Aseni of Indika of Megasthenes equate to Asii referred to by Strabo and Asiani as referred to in Historiae Philippicae by Trogue Pompey and further, they also equate to the Aspasioi (Aspasii, Hipasii) and Assakenoi (Assacenii/Assacani) clans of upper Indus [13] referred to as Aśvayana and Aśvakayana in Panini's Ashtadhyayi.

Geographical location

The Aśvakas, according to Hindu tradition, were resident in the eastern parts of modern Afghanistan, south of Hindu Kush and their population reached up to the Indus River and to parts of Punjab in Pakistan. Their metropolitan areas were believed to be in the area of Swat (near modern Kalash-Valley and Pakistani side of Nuristan) and in some part regions of Gandhara (today Peshawar), again in Pakistan.

Ancient Sanskrit literature also refers to another clan called Asmaka or Assaka (Asvakas) which represented an Indo-Aryan Janapada located on river Godavari in south-west India. Aśmaka literally means land of stone. Some scholars believe that the south-western Asmakas/Assakas were also an offshoot from the North-west Aśvakas.[citation needed]

Aśvakas: a branch of Kambojas

Buddhist Texts evidence

Aruppa-Niddesa of Visuddhimagga by Buddhaghosa describes the Kamboja land as the base of horses.[14]

Buddhist texts like Manorathapurni, Kunala Jataka, and Samangalavilasini speak of Kamboja land as the land of horses e.g:

Kambojo assa.nam ayata.nam...[15] or Kambojo asvdnda ayatanam... [16].
Translation:
Kamboja, "the land/home of horses" (assa) [17].

The cluster assa in the above expression of Sumangavilasini means horse [18], which on adding suffix -ka gives the Prakrit Assaka which term when considered in the context of the above expression denotes the following:

  • Assaka = The Kambojas connected with horses; horsemen; cavalry.
  • Assaka = The Kamboja land or Janapada.

Similarly, the Sanskrit Aśvaka can be derived from Sanskrit Aśva meaning horse [19] [20], which, likewise, denote the following:

  • Aśvaka = The Kambojas connected with horses; horsemen; cavalry.
  • Aśvaka = The Kamboja land or Janapada.

From the above statement, it is quite obvious that term Assaka or Aśvaka stood for the Kamboja land, Kamboja people, Kamboja horsemen or the Kamboja cavalry.

The formation of clannish name Aśvaka or Assaka from the Sanskrit "Aśva" or the Prakrit "Assa" has exactly a similar formation as followed by tribal terms such as Kambojika/Kambojaka (from Kamboja), Madaraka (from Madra) and Yonaka (from Yona), Lichchhivika (from Lichchhivi), Vrijika (from Vriji), Mallaka (from Malla), Jartaka (from Jarta = modern Jat) etc etc.

For justifiable reasons, the name Aśvaka has also been interpreted by scholars as the "land of horses" [21] [22] [23] [24] [25] [26] [27]. In ancient Buddhist and Hindu texts, Kamboja has repeatedly been styled as the "home of horses" [28] [29] [30] [31] [32] [33] [34] [35] [36] [37] [38]. Thus, based on the name and the geographical location of Aśvaka tribe, numerous scholars have concluded that the Aśvakas were a sub-branch of the more general tribal name Kamboja.

'Aśvaka' the "land of horse" simply equates to 'Kamboja' the "home of horses"

Arrian's and Asoka's evidence

Bevan and many other scholars have connected the Greek name Assakenoi and Asapasio with Sanskrit Asva i.e. horse [39].

It is important to note that the companions of Alexander (~326 BCE) do not record the names of Kamboja and Gandhara and rather locate numerous small political units in their territories [40].

Arrian [41] informs us that the region on west of Indus up to Kophen (Kabul) was inhabited by tribes called Assakenoi and Aspasioi. In the dominions of the Assakenoi there was a great city called Massaka, the seat of sovereign power, which controlled whole region. And there was another city called Peukelaitis which was also of great size and was not far from Indus. It was the seat of Astakenoi (western Gandharas). These settlements were on the west side of Indus and extended in the western direction as far as the Kophen. From Arrian we learn that the Aspasioi and the Assakenoi (Asvakas) were located west of Indus on river Kabul extending towards Hindukush. The Astakenoi (western Gandharas) had occupied Peukelaitis and their other section-- the Taxilae (eastern Gandharas) were located on east of Indus.

Fifth Major Rock Edict (~250 BCE) of king Asoka found at Shahbazgarhi and Mansehra in north-west frontier province of Pakistan (the supposed location of the Kambojas) enumerates the Yavanas, Kambojas and Gandhara in that order. Scholars believe that the order of enumeration implies that these people were geographically located in that order [42]. Asoka's Thirteenth Major Rock Edict (~250 BCE) found in the same locations speaks saliently of the Yonas and the Kambojas but excludes the Gandharas altogether. His Minor Rock Edict (~342 BCE) inscribed in Greek and Aramaic languages and located in Kandahahar is said to be specifically directed at the Yonas and the Kambojas [43]. His other three epigraphic inscriptions in Aramaic found in 1932, 1969 and 1973 in Lamghan valley at Pul-i-Darunta, Sultan Baba and Sam Baba respectively, and yet another one found in Kandhahar in 1964, again in Aramaic, undoubtedly speak high of the eminence of the Kambojas during Maurya rule [44] [45].

Thus, we see that the Yonas and the Kambojas are referenced more numerously and more prominently in king Asoka's edicts whereas the Gandharas find only lesser reference. This clearly implies that during Asoka's time, the Yonas and the Kambojas were more significant people of Afghanistan [46].

  • And his Gandharas were in Pushkalavati/Peshawar west of Indus (territory of the Astakenoi of Arrian) as well as in Taxila (the kingdom of Taxiles) on east side of river Indus [48].
  • Therefore, the Kambojas of king Asoka are left with no alternative other than to be placed exactly and precisely in the same position as the Assakenoi and Aspasioi of Arrian [49]. The Kambojas had accordingly occupied Paropamisadae (Kabul, Kunar and Swat valleys) where the Aramaic records of king Asoka have been found [50].
  • Cf: 'Where the Kambojas geographically should have been we exactly find the Assakenoi and the Aspasioi whose names were derived from the reputation they enjoyed for the excellence of their horse. And the Kambojas--found as they are in Indian traditions as the splendid horsemen and breeders of notable horses--surely are included among them' [51].
  • Cf:"The word Aśvaka derived from Aśva a horse signified merely the cavaliers (or horsemen); it was less an ethnic in the rigourous acceptance of the word than a general appellation applied by the Indians of Punjab to the tribes of the region of Kophes (Kabul) renowned from antiquity for the excellence of its horses. In popular dialect, the Sanskrit word took the usual form Assaka which reappears scarecely unmodified in Assakennoi" [52].

Since the Kophese (or Kabul valley) was precisely the seat of the Kamboja tribes, hence Aśvaka as an appellation was undoubtedly applied to this people i.e the Kambojas.

We, thus get another name for the Kambojas i.e Asvakas. Since the Kambojas were famous as cavalrymen (Asva-yuddhah-Kushalah); Aśvakas, 'horsemen' was the term popularly applied to them [53].

Further observations

The Yonas of king Asoka get adequately accounted for in Arachosia. And his Gandharas get adequately accounted for by the Astakenoi of Peukelaitis (eastern Gandharas) and the Taxilae located on east side of Indus (Eastern Gandharas). Could any scholar tell as to how can we account for the Kambojas unless we equate them to the Aspasioi and Assakenoi of Arrian?. Do we have any answer?

How could the Kambojas who otherwise find so prominent a mention (1) as independent rulers of a great Mahajanapada per Buddhist texts of 500 BCE [54]; (2) as a very salient Kshatriya tribe in Panini's Ashtadhyayi of 400 BCE [55]; (3) as an important self-ruling people in Arthashastra of Kautiliya (~300 BCE)-- the prime minister of Chandragupta Maurya which authority also gorifies the war horses of the Kamboja to be the foremost among the best breed of the known horses [56] whilest making no reference whatsoever to the Gandharas or their horses; and (4) lastly but not the least, also being so importantly referred to the Shahbazgarhi and Mansehra Rock Edicts of Asoka (~250 BCE) etc etc--- fell out of limelight so abruptly and becoming virtually extinct so suddenly in the intervening period of Alexander's invasion (326 BCE) just 50-60 years anterior to king Asoka's reign unless we equate them to same people as the Aspasioi and Assakenoi of the Greek writings? Do we have any answer?

It is quite notable that whereas the companions of Alexander (326 BCE) give very high prominence to the Aspasioi of Kunar valley, the Assakenoi of Swat valley and Astakenoi of Peukelaitis, the Edicts (~250 BCE) king Asoka, on the other hand give high prominence only to Yonas (in Arachosia) and Kambojas (in Paropamisadae) [57]. There is no mention of any Aśvaka people in Asoka's records. The contemporary Buddhist texts also repeatedly refer to the Kambojas and Gandharas but not to the Aśvakas of Kabul valley [58]. Also although the numerous Buddhist texts repeatedly style the Kamboja as the "home of horses"', there is absolutely no reference to any Gandhara horse or to the Gandhara being a "home of horses" in the same Buddhist sources.

This single and very important historical fact rules out any identification of the Aśvakas with the Gandharas as some writers erroneously tend to establish.

Thus, the expression "home of horses" specifically used by numerous Buddhist texts with reference to the Kambojas (and only the Kambojas) should clearly establish their identity and connection with the Aśvakas. Indisputably, the Aśvakas were a sub-section of the wider Kamboja tribe (K. P. Jayaswal)[59].

It is important to note that apart from the Buddhist sources, the epic Mahabharata as well as numerous Puranic texts also repeatedly refer to the excellent horses (Aśvas) of the Kambojas and also frequently style the latter people as "Aśva-yudha-Kushalah" (expert cavalry), [60] yet none of them makes even a slightest reference to the Aśvakas of Kabul or their horses [61]. Very interestingly, Mahabharata in its enumeration of best class horses, mentions the Kamboja, Aratta, Mahi, Sindhu and Vanayu horses only but makes no reference to the Gandhara as well as any Aśvaka horses[62]. Valmiki Ramayana also glorifies the horses of Kamboja, Bahlika, Vanayu etc and styles them as of foremost breed but it does not refer to any Gandhara or any Aśvaka horses at all [63]. Arthashastra of Kautiliya gives high prominence to the Kambhoja, Sindhu, Aratta and Vanayu horses and lesser to those from the Bahlíka (Bactria), Papeya, Sauvira and Taitala countries but this important text on state-craft also makes no reference to the Gandhara and Aśvaka horses [64]. Similarly, numerous other ancient Indian texts like Upamiti Bhava Prapancha Katha, Abhidhamma Ratanamala, Samaraiccakaha of Haribhadra Suri, Manasollasa of Chalukya king Somesavara III, Amarakosa of Amara Simha[65], Asvashastra of Nakula, Karanabhara of Bhasa etc etc refer to the horses from countries like Kamboja, Bahlika, Vanayu, Sindhu, Saka, Yavana, Tushara, Khorasan, Tajik, Turushaka etc but not mention any horses from Gandhara or Asvaka country. As a matter-of-fact, none of the numerous Hindu, Buddhist as well as the Jaina texts make even a slightest reference to the Aśvaka horses while references to the Kamboja horses loom very large in all of these texts.

The Bengal recension of Ramayana [66], Mahabharata [67], Vayu Purana [68], Brahamanda Purana [69], Vishnudharmottara Mahapurana [70] Matsya Purana, and Markendeya Purana [71] etc etc all refer to the southern Asmakas (Assakas of the Buddhist texts) only [72] but has no reference to the Kabul Asvakas. Padma Purana however, seems to locate the Asmakas in northern [73] as well as in southern India [74]. Brhat-Samhita of Varaha Mihira (6th c. CE) mentions the Asmakas living near to the Madras in north-western division [75]. The northern Asmakas of Padama Purana as well as Brhatsamhita are obviously the same people as the Asvakas of Kunar/Swat valleys. Ashtadhyayi of Panini specifically refers to the Asvakas of the Kunar/Swat valleys as Asvayanas and the Asvakayanas [76] (highlander republican people) located south of Hindukush who are considered equivalent to Arrian's Aspasioi and Assakenoi respectively. They had constituted the Ganas of the Paropamisadian Kambojas. In his sutras, Panini also makes separate mention of the Asmakas of south and associates them with Avantis in a single appellation as Avantyasmakah, [77] thus obviously referring to the southern Asmakas located on Godavary.

Vishnudharmotra Purana/Agni Purana evidence

Puranic text like Vishnudharmotra Purana too specifically attests that the Kambojas and Gandharas were proficient in cavalry warfare i.e. in 'Aśva'-Yuddha.[78] [79]. A similar information is also provided in the Agni Purana [80]. This again seems to confirm a connection between the Kambojas and Aśvakas.

Mahabharata evidence

In the Anushasnaparava section of Mahabharata, the Kambojas are specifically designated as aśava.yuddha.kushalah (expert cavalry).[81]

Commenting on the above verse of Mahabharta, noted scholars like Dr K. P. Jayswal observe that "Since the Kambojas were famous for their horses (aśva) and as a cavalry-men (Aśva-yudhah kushalah), hence the Aśvakas i.e. horsemen was the term popularly applied to them".[82]

Shakti Sangham Tantra evidence

Shatt.panchashad.desha.vibhaga of Shakti Sangama Tantra also testifies that the Kamboja was not only famous for its fine horses (aśva) but also for its excellent horsemen [83] [84] [85].

Aśvaka coins and Arthashastra evidence

The coins of Aśvakas refer to themselves as vatasvaka (vata.asvaka), which in Sanskrit, equals varta-aśvaka i.e Aśvakas engaged in varta profession.[86]

The use of prikritic vata (Sanskrit varta) appellation by the Aśvakas in their coins reminds one of the Varta.shastr.opajivin descriptions of the Kambojas as attested by Kautiliya in his Arthashastra.[87]

The above view is further reinforced by Brahtsamhita of Varaha Mihira which also says that the Kambojas lived by shastr and varta.[88]

The Asvayanas (Kambojas) have been attested to be good cattle breeders and agricuturists by classical writers. This is clear from big number of the bullocks, 230,000 according to Arrian, of a size and shape superior to what the Macedonians had not known, which Alexander captured from them and decided to send them to Macedonia for agriculture.[89]

The Aśvaka Kambojas are also attested to have fielded 30,000 strong cavalry, 30 elephants and 20,000 infantry against Alexander.[90]

These above staggering figures about agricultural cattle and the war horses of the Aśvakas sufficiently prove the correctness of Kautiliya's statement on the Kambojas which portrays the Kambojas as living both by warfare (shastr.opajivin) as well as by agriculture/cattle-culture (varta.opajivin).

The above facts, when viewed in the light of time and space propinquity, evidently connect the Aśvakas with the varta.shastr.opajivin Kambojas of the Arthashastra.[91]

More opinions from scholars

Sir Thomas H. Holdich, in the his classic book, The Gates of India, writes that the Aspasians (Aspasioi) represent the modern Kafirs.[92] But the modern Kafirs, especially the Siyah-Posh Kafirs (Kamoz/Camoje, Kamtoz) etc are considered to be modern representatives of the ancient Kambojas [3], this shows that the Aspasioi (Aspas), who were the western branch of the Assakenoi (Aśvakas) of classical writings, represented a section of the Sanskrit Kambojas.

French scholars Dr E. Lamotte has also identified the Aśvakas with the Kambojas of ancient Sanskrit literature. "Par ailleurs le Kamboja est régulièrement mentionné comme la "patrie des chevaux" (Asvanam ayatanam), et cette reputation bien etablie valnut peut-etre aux eleveurs de chevaux du Bajaur et du Swat l'appellation d'Aspasioi (du v.-p. aspa) et d’assakenoi (du skt asva “cheval”)" [93]

While discussing Aspasioi and Assakenoi tribes living west of Indus and north of river Kabul in the valleys of Alishang, Kunar, Swat and Panjkora, in context of Alexander's invasion of India, Paul Goukowsky observes: "Pour les sources Indiennes, ce pays est celui des Kamboja eleveurs de chevaux. De fait, les tribus signalées dans cette région par les historiens d'Alexandre portent des noms tirés de celui du cheval (iranien aspa, sanscrit asva...). Panini connait deux peuplades les Asvayana (vallees de l'Alishang et du Kunar) et les Asvakayana (habitat l'Udyana, cest-a-dire le Swat le Buner et la vallee de la Panjkora. Les premiers paraissent correspondre aux Aspasiens/Hipasiens (par l'intermediate d'une forme Iranienne en Aspa); les seconds aux Assakeniens (la forme pracrite en Assa etant celle de la langue parlee a l'epoque le d'Alexandre). Il semble donc que la langue Iranienne predominait au nord du Kunar le pracrit au sud" [94]. Thus, Paul considers the Assakenoi and Aspasioi as sections of the Kambojas.

Cf: "Kamboja is regularly mentioned as the "homeland of horses" and it was this well-established reputation which possibly earned the horse-breeders of Bajaur and Swat the epithet of Aspasioi (from Old Pers Aspa) and Assakenoi (from Sanskrit Asva “horse”)" [95] [96].

While referring to a certain Sakya legend connected with Udyana locale (north-west frontiers province of Pakistan), James Fergusson connects the Udyana country with the Kambojas of the Hindu texts [97]. But the territories of Kunar, Udyana, Swat and Varana (Aorna of classical writers) etc were the very habitats of the Aśvaka Kambojas since remote antiquity...thus proving that the Asvakas were same as the Kambojas.

J. W. McCrindle says that the modern Afghanistan -- the Kaofue (Kambu) of Hiun Tsang was ancient Kamboja, and further says that the name Afghan evidently derives from the Aśavakan, the Assakenoi of Arrian. Thus it can be seen that Dr McCrindle clearly identifies the classical Assakenoi/Aspasioi with the Sanskrit Kambojas.[98]

While discussing Kambojas, Dr H. C. Raychayudhury, Dr B. N. Mukerjee write: "With the expression Assa.nam Ayata.nam---land of horses used by Pali texts in reference to the Kambojas, may be compared the names Aspasioi and Assakenoi given by classical writers to the sturdy people living in the Alishang and Swat valleys in the days of Alexander "[99].

According to John Muir[100], the Kambojas had inhabited north-west of India from river Indus to as far as Hindukush. They had the same Aryan origin as the Indians however, they were afterwards reckoned to be barbarians because their manners became changed afterwards and they were justly called Indians and barbarians by the Chinese [101] and the Greeks [102]. The same therefore, happened to the Kambojas although in a less marked manner as took place between the Zend people and the Indians in a more remote period". Since Fah-hien's Indians were people of Swat/Udyana, Hiuen Tsang's Indians were the people of Kapisa to Rajapura (Rajauri) and Arrian's Indians were the Assakenoi, Aspasio and Asteknoi localised in Kapisa/Swat/Kunar/Aornos regions of Paropamisadae in the west of Indus and north of Kabol as far as up to the Hindu Kush, hence, Johm Muir's Kambojas are exactly the same as the Aspasio, Guraeus, Assakenoi and Astekenoi of Arrian, or the people from Kapisa to Udyana/Swat territories, stated to be rude frontier Indians by Chinese pilgrims Hiuen Tsang and Fa-hien.

Dr S. M. Ali has identified the ancient Kambojas of the Puranic literature with the inhabitants of the Kafir valleys,[103] who, as we know from classical writings, were none else than the Aspasioi off-shoot of the Aśvakan Kambojas.

"History of Panjab" by Dr L. M. Joshi and Dr Fauja Singh (Ed) also identifies the Assakenoi and Aspasioi of the classical writings with the clans of the Kambojas.[104].

Dr R. C. Majumdar, Romila Thappar, noted historians of India also take the Aśvakas to be same people as the Kambojas and they all connect them with the people of Kafirstan.

Dr Buddha Parkash notes: "The Macedonian conqueror made short shrifts of the arrangements of Darius and over-running Achaemenian empire, dashed into modern Pakistan (achemenid satrapen) and encountered stiff residstence of the Kamboja tribes called Aspasioi and Assakenoi known in the Indian texts as Aśvayana and Aśvakayana " [105].

These Asvayana and Asvakayana clans had fought the invader to a man. When worst came to worst, even the Asvakayana Kamboj women had taken up arms and joined their fighting husbands, thus preferring "a glorious death to a life of dishonor".[106] Diodorus gives a detailed graphic picture as to how the Aśvakayanas (Kambojs) had conducted themselves when faced with the sudden treacherous onslaught from Alexander.[107]

Commenting on the heroic resistance and courage displayed by the Aśvakayanas (Kambojas) in the face of treacerous onslaught of Alexander, Dr Buddha Prakash remarks: "Hardly could any Thermopylae be more glorious !"[108]

Afghan and Aśvakan relationship

See article: Origins of the name Afghan Numerous scholars of note now believe that the name Afghan has been derived from Sanskrit Aśvaka or Aśvakan (Aśvakayana), the Assakenoi of Arrian[109]. This view was propounded by scholars like Dr Christian Lassen [110], Dr J. W. McCrindle [111], M. V. de Saint Martin [112] etc, and has been supported by numerous modern scholars [113] [114] [115]. In Sanskrit, the word aśva (Iranian aspa, Prakrit assa) means "horse", and aśvaka (Prakrit assaka) means "horseman" [116], "horse people" [117], "land of horses" [118]

Kamboja Cavalry in ancient wars

The Kambojas had been famous throughout all periods of history for their excellent breed of horses as well as famous horsemen or cavalry troopers [119] [120] [121] [122] [123]. They repeatedly appear in the characteristic Iranian roles of splendid horsemen and breeders of notable horses [124]. The epic, the Puranic and numerous other ancient literature profusely attest the Kambojas among the finest horsemen [125]. They were constituted into Military Sanghas and Corporations to manage their political affairs, as Kautiliya and Mahabharata amply attest for us. They are also attested to have been living as Ayuddha-jivi or Shastr-opajivis, which means that the Kamboja cavalry offered their military services to other nations as well. There are numerous references to Kambojas being requistioned as cavalry troopers in ancient wars by outside nations. V. R. Ramachandra Dikshitar observes: "Both the Puranas and the epics agree that the horses of the Sindhu and Kamboja regions were of the finest breed, and that the services of the Kambojas as cavalry troopers were requisitioned in ancient wars "[126].

Greek historiographers

Further information: Alexander's Conflict with the Kambojas

Herodotus attests that the Gandarian mercenaries (Gandharans/Kambojans) from the twentieth strapy of the Achaemenids were recruited in the army of emperor Xerxes I (486-465 BCE) which he led against the Hellas.[127]

Similarly, the men of the Mountain Land (Akaufaka), from north of Kabol-River equivalent to medieval Kohistan (Pakistan), figure in the army of Darius III against Alexander at Arbela with a cavalry and fifteen elephants.[128]

These mercenaries were the well known parvatiya Ayuddhajivins of Panini's Ashtadhyayi[129] located on either side of the Hindu Kush and who belonged to Kamboja/Gandhara group of a warrior caste.[130]

Sanskrit epics

Further information: Kambojas in the Mahabharata

General Sudakshina of the Kambojas was invited by Duryodhana, the Kuru king of Hastinapura to help him in the Mahabharata war against the Pandavas. Sudakshina Kamboj came to his side with one Akshauhini powerful army of ferocious Central Asian warriors which also included the Shakas and Yavanas, besides the Kambojas.[131] Of the ten distinguished Generals appointed by Duryodhana to efficiently manage his vast host of army, Sudakshina Kamboja was one such distinguished General.[132]

Bala Kanda of Valmiki Ramayana refers to a battle between sage Vasishtha and king Vishwamitra of Kanauj. Sage Visishtha had sought the military assistance of the Kambojas, Shakas, Yavanas, Pahlavas, Kiratas and other Mlechchas from the north-west. King Vishwamitra had lost all his sons in the battle. In remorse, he renounced the world and turned into an ascetic after the war.[133]

Mauryan period

The ancient Sanskrit drama Mudra-rakashas by Vishakhadatta and the Jaina work Parisishtaparvan refer to Chandragupta's alliance with Himalayan king Parvataka. The Himalayan alliance gave Chandragupta a formidable composite army made up of the Shakas, Yavanas, Kambojas, Kiratas, Parasikas and Bahlikas as attested by Mudra-Rakashas (Mudra-Rakshasa 2).[134]

With the help of these frontier martial tribes from Central Asia, Chandragupta was able to defeat the Greek successors of Alexander the Great and the Nanda/Nandin rulers of Magadha so as to found the powerful Maurya empire in northern India, at least for a short time till the Kushans and other ruler conquered north-west India.

The Kalika Purana, one of the eighteen Upa-Puranas of the Hindus, refers to a war between King Kalika and notes the Shakas, Kambojas, Khasas etc as a powerful military allies of king Kali. The Purana further notes these Barbarians as taking orders from their women,[135] which culture was typical of tribes located on Oxus/north-west.

Patanjali

Patanjali around 150 BCE and Yuga Purana chapter of Gargi-Samhita refer to second century BCE Yavana attack on Saketa, Panchala, Mathura and Pataliputra located in Majjhima-desa or Mid India. Anushasnaparava of Mahabharata attests that Mathura country in Mid India was under the joint control of the Yavanas and the Kambojas (12.101.05). The Kamboja royal family at Mathura is also attested from Mathura Lion Capitol inscriptions of Saka Strap (Kshatrapa) Rajuvula. Vanaparava of Mahabharata woefully deplores that the sacred earth (Indo-Aryan land), in Kaliyuga, would be ruled un-righteously by Mlechchha kings of the Yavanas, Kambojas, Sakas etc.[136] These references show that the Kamboja cavalry from north-west in conjunction with the Yavanas had invaded Mid India and ruled over it prior to Christian era [4] [5].

Puranas

According to numerous Puranas, the military Corporations of the Shakas, Yavanas, Kambojas, Pahlavas and Paradas, known as pānca-ganah (five hordes) as well as foremost of the Kshatriya or warrior clans (Kshatriya-ganah & Ksatriya pungvah), had militarily supported the Haihaya and Talajunga Kshatriyas in depriving Ikshvaku king Bahu (the 7th king in descent from Harishchandra), of his Ayodhya kingdom.

A generation later, Bahu's son, Sagara recaptured Ayodhya after totally destroying the Haihaya and Talajangha Kshatriyas in the battle. Story goes that king Sagara had punished these foreign hordes by changing their hair-styles and turning them into degraded Kshatriyas.[137]

Bhagavata Purana refers to a war between Jarasandha and Yadavas led by Sri Krshna. The Kambojas came as military allies of Jarasandha, king of Magadha. There is reference to the siege of Gomant Parvata where the Kamboja army was positioned on its east flank.[138] Bhagavata Purana[139] speaks of the Kamboja General as a powerfully armed mighty warrior (samiti-salina atta-capah Kamboja).

Pala Empire

Main article: Kamboja Dynasty of Bengal

The Palas employed mercenary forces and certainly recruited horses from Kambojas as is clear from their own Inscriptions.[140] According to Dr N. G. Majumdar, if horses could be brought from Kamboja, it is also perfectly reasonable to suppose that for trade and other purposes, some adventurers (from Kamboja) could also have found their way into that province.[141] Scholars like Dr R. C. Majumdar observe that the armed forces of Pala Dynasty of Bengal had included foreigners like the Khasas, Hunas, Kambojas, Kulitas, Karnatas, Latas and Malavas etc. Writes Dr R. C. Majumdar: "Mercenary soldiers (Specially cavalry) might have been recruited from the Kambojas and some of them might have been influential chiefs". According Dr Majumdar and many other scholars, some courageous military General of the Kambojas had later captured north-western parts of Bengal from the Palas and founded the Kamboja dynasty in Bengal.[142]

Scholars also state that the Kamboja cavalry had also formed part of the Gurjara-Pratihara armed forces in 8th/10th centuries AD. They had come to Bengal with the Pratiharas when the latter conquered part of the province.[143][144][145][146][147][148] In fact, there is stated to have been a separate regiment of the Kambojas in the army of the Pratiharas which was given the responsibility to defend the northern-eastern parts of their empire adjoining with the Palas of Bengal. When the fortunes of the Palas sagged low after the death of Narayanapala in early tenth century, these Kambojas, the military associates of the Pratiharas had seized Gauda from Pala king Rajyapala and laid the foundation of the Kamboja empire in north-west Bengal.[149][150]

References

  1. ^ The History and Culture of the Indian People, 1968, p 49, Dr Ramesh Chandra Majumdar, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Bhāratīya Itihāsa Samiti - India; Hindu Civilization; 1936, p 283, Dr Radhakumud Mookerji - Civilization; Great Men of India, 1939, p 15, L. F. Rushbrook Williams.
  2. ^ Ethnic Settlements in Ancient India, 1955, p 51, Dr Sashi Bhusan Chaudhuri; Histoire du bouddhisme indien, 1967, p 110, Etienne Lamotte; East and West: A quarterly review for the study of missions, 1950, p 28, Istituto italiano per il Medio ed Estremo Oriente; The Ancient Geography of India: By Alexander Cunningham, 1975, p xvi, Alexander Cunningham; History of Indian Buddhism: From the Origins to the Saka Era, 1988, p 100, Etienne Lamotte, Sara Webb-Boin; The Indian Historical Quarterly, 1925, p 104, India; Cf: The History and Culture of the Indian People, 1977, p 45, Ramesh Chandra Majumdar, Achut Dattatrya Pusalker, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, A. K. Majumdar, Dilip Kumar Ghose, Vishvanath Govind Dighe.
  3. ^ Encyclopedia of Religions Or Faiths of Man Part 1: V. 1, 2003, p 555, J. G. R. Forlong; History of Indian Buddhism: From the Origins to the Saka Era, 1988, p 105, Etienne Lamotte, Sara Webb-Boin - History.
  4. ^ Hindu Civilization, 1936, p 283, Dr Radhakumud Mookerji - Civilization; Sīmevarūna parata jā!: Tīna aṅkī aitihāsika naṭaka, 1963, Bāḷa Kolhaṭakara, Balkrishna Hari Kolhatkar.
  5. ^ Ashtadshyayi: Sutra IV-1, 110; Nadadi gana IV-1, 99.
  6. ^ Pliny: Historia Naturalis, VI.21.8-23.11.
  7. ^ List of Indian races: "Then next to these towards the Indus come, in an order which is easy to follow, the Amatae, Bolingae, Gallitalutae, Dimuri, Megari, Ordabae, Mese; after these the Uri and Sileni. Immediately beyond come deserts extending for 250 miles. These being passed, we come to the Organagae, Abaortae, Sibarae, Suertae, and after these to deserts as extensive as the former. Then come the Sarophages, Sorgae, Baraomatae, and the Umbrittae, who consist of twelve tribes, each possessing two cities, and the Aseni, who possess three cities. Their capital is Bucephala, built where Alexander's famous horse of that name was buried. Hillmen follow next, inhabiting the base of Caucasus (Hindukush), the Soleadae, and the Sondrae; and if we cross to the other side of the Indus and follow its course downward we meet the Samarabriae, Sambruceni, Bisambritae, Osii, Antixeni, and the Taxillae with a famous city. Then succeeds a level tract of country known by the general name of Amanda, whereof the tribes are four in number the Peucolaitae, Arsagalitae, Geretae, Asoi. Many writers, however, do not give the river Indus as the western boundary of India, but include within it four satrapies,--the Gedrosi, Arachotae, Arii, Paropamisadae, making the river Cophes its furthest limit; though others prefer to consider all these as belonging to the Arii." (See: Ancient India as described by Megasthenes and Arrian, Trans. of the fragments of the Indika of Megasthenes collected by Dr. Schwanbeck and of the 1st part of the Indika of Arrian, by J.W. McCrindle. With intr., notes. Repr., with additions, from the 'Indian antiquary', 1877, pp 149-151 See link: [1]
  8. ^ Proposed by M. de St. Martini.
  9. ^ See: Arrian, Anabasis Alexandri, 4B, XXV.
  10. ^ Based on epic evidence (MBH 7.4.5), scholars state that "Hazara" and "Abhisara" had formed parts of ancient Kamboja (See: Political History of Ancient India, 1953, p 248, H. C. Raychaudhury; Studies in the Geography of Ancient and Medieval India,1990, p 203, D. C. Sircar; A History of India, 1973, p 71, Narendra Krishna Sinha, Anil Chandra Banerjee, Nisith Ranjan Ray).
  11. ^ Ibid., p 151, fn, para 2.
  12. ^ See: Alexander the Great, Sources and Studies, p 236, Dr W. W. Tarn; Political History of Indian People, 1996, p 232, Dr H. C. Raychaudhury, Dr B. N. Mukerjee
  13. ^ Annals and Antiquities of Rajasthan, Reprint (2002), Vol I, p. 64. Also see: pp. 51-54, 87, 95; Vol-2, P 2, James Tod; The Cyclopædia of India and of Eastern and Southern Asia, 1885, p 196, Edward Balfour; The racial history of India, 1944, p 814-15, Chandra Chakraberty - Ethnology; Literary History of Ancient India in Relation to Its Racial and Linguistic Affiliations, 1953, pp 148, 152, Chandra Chakraberty - Sanskrit literature.
  14. ^ Aruppa-Niddesa 10.28.
  15. ^ Samangalavilasini, Vol I, p 124.
  16. ^ The Murundas and the Ancient Trade-Route from Taxila to Ujjain, Journal of the Economic and Social History of the Orient, Vol. 9, No. 3, Dec 1966, pp 257-296, P. H. L. Eggermont.
  17. ^ Political History of Ancient India, 1953, p 149, Dr Hemchandra Raychaudhuri, University of Calcutta - India; Some Kṣatriya Tribes of Ancient India, 1975, Kshatriyas; Tribes in Ancient India, 1943, p 4, Dr Bimala Churn Law - Ethnology; Geographical and Economic Studies in the Mahābhārata: Upāyana Parva, 1945, p 36, Dr Moti Chandra - India; Dictionary of Pali Proper Names: Pali-English, 2003, p 526, G. P. Malalasekera - Reference; The Mahāvastu, 1949, p 179, John James Jones - Legends, Buddhist; Political and social movements in ancient Panjab, 1964, p 226, Dr Buddha Prakash - Punjab (India).
  18. ^ Note: In Prakrit, "Assa" means horse (See: Pali-english Dictionary, 1993, p 90, Dr T. W. Rhys Davids, Dr William Stede - Foreign Language Study; East and West: A quarterly review for the study of missions, 1950, p 28, Istituto italiano per il Medio ed Estremo Oriente - Art, Asian.
  19. ^ Linguistic Science in the Nineteenth Century: Methods and Results, 1931, p 22, Holger Pedersen, John Webster Spargo - Philology; The Discovery of Language: Linguistic Science in the Nineteenth Century, 1965, p 22, Holger Pedersen, John Webster Spargo.
  20. ^ Term Aśva/Aśwa may itself mean cavalier, horseman, Asvaka. See Mahabharata Sabhaparava, Section LXVII. Otherwise Asvaka/Aswaka = "of the Aswa/Asva".
  21. ^ Ethnic Settlements in Ancient India: A Study on the Puranic Lists of the Peoples of Bharatavarsa, 1955, p 51, Sashi Bhusan Chaudhuri - Ethnology.
  22. ^ Military History of India, 1980, p 38, Hemendra Chandra Kar - History.
  23. ^ Political History of Ancient India, 1953, pp 245,149, Hemchandra Raychaudhuri, University of Calcutta.
  24. ^ Inter-state and International Relations in Ancient India: Under the Mauryas and the Guptas‎, 2001, p 2, Shailendra Kumar Srivastava.
  25. ^ Proceedings... World Sanskrit Conference, 1985, p 783, International Association of Sanskrit Studies, International Association of Sanskrit Studies.
  26. ^ Der Islam: Zeitschrift für Geschichte und Kultur des islamischen Orients, 1960, p 58, Maymūn ibn al-Qāsim Tabarānī - Islam; Prisoner on a Bus: Travels Through Pakistan‎, 2003, p 131, Salman Rashid - Railroads.
  27. ^ Ancient Indian History‎, 1988, Madhavan Arjunan Pillai - History; Aspects of Political Ideas and Institutions in Ancient India: 2d Ed. 1968, p 224, Ram Sharan Sharma - India- Politics and government.
  28. ^ Aruppa-Niddesa 10.28.
  29. ^ Samangalavilasini, Vol I, p 124.
  30. ^ Manorathapūranī, Anguttara Commentary, Vol I, p 399 (S.H.B.).
  31. ^ Visuddhi magga, (P.T.S.), I, p 332.
  32. ^ The Mahāvastu‎, 1949, p 179, John James Jones.
  33. ^ Jataka ed. Fausboll, iv, p 464. Cf: MBH VI.90.3.
  34. ^ Some Kṣatriya Tribes of Ancient India, 1975, p 238, B. C. Law - Kshatriyas.
  35. ^ Geographical and Economic Studies in the Mahābhārata: Upāyana Parva‎, 1945, p 36, Moti Chandra.
  36. ^ Historie du Bouddhisme Indien, p 110, E. Lamotte; also: History of Indian Buddhism: From the Origins to the Saka Era‎, 1988, p 100, Etienne Lamotte, Sara Webb-Boin.
  37. ^ Political and social movements in ancient Panjab (from the Vedic age upto [sic] the Maurya period),1964, p 226, Buddha Prakash.
  38. ^ Dictionary of Pali Proper Names: Pali-English‎, 2003, p 526, G. P. Malalasekera.
  39. ^ The Indian Historical Quarterly, 1949-50, Vol 25-26, India; The Achaemenids and India: By Sudhakar Chattopadhyaya. 2d Rev. Ed, 1974, p 58, Sudhakar Chattopadhyaya.
  40. ^ Political History of Ancient India, 1996, p 577, fn 22, H. C. Raychaudhury, B. N. Mukerjee.
  41. ^ Arrian Anabasis, Book 4b, Chapters XXII, XXIII, XXIV, XXV, XXVI, XXVIII, trans. E.J. Chinnock (1893).
  42. ^ Hindu Polity: A Constitutional History of India in Hindu Times [Parts I and II], 1955, p 140, Kashi Prasad Jayaswal - Constitutional history.
  43. ^ Handbuch der Orientalistik, 1991, p 136, Mary Boyce, Roger Beck, Bertold Spuler, Frantz Grenet, Hartwig Altenmüller; Ancient Persia, 2001, p 111, Josef Wiesehofer, Azizeh Azodi; Political History of Ancient India, 1996, p 610-613, H. C. Raychaudhury, B. N. Mukerjee.
  44. ^ See: Political History of Ancient India, 1996, pp 601-608, Commentary, Dr H. C. Raychaudhuru, Dr B. N. Mukerjee.
  45. ^ It is important to note that the Aramaic epigraphic inscriptions of king Asoka have been found mostly in the Kamboja area, the Prakrritc in the Gandhara and the Greek in the Yona area (Ref: Political History of Ancient India, 19696, Commentary, pp 610, 617, B. N. Mukerjee). The Kambojas being Iranian understood the Aramaic language well which had been the administrative language of the Achaemenids and was also continued during Mauryan rule. The Aspasioi Kambojas living in Kabul/Lamghan/Begram regions were completely under the Iranian influence (as their name indicates (Iranian Aspa = horse) from whose territory three Aramaic inscriptions of Asoka have been discovered. The Assakenois (Asvakas -- Sanskrit Asva= horse) were ethnically related to the Aspasioi people but had different cultural/language set-up (Dr Buddha Prakash) since they were relatively closer to the Indian border and were thus more exposed to Indian cultural and linguistic influence and therfore understood the Prakrit language. Asoka's Rock Edicts V and XIII found at Shahbazgarhi and Mansehra are found written in Prakrit language and Kharoshti script.
  46. ^ On the "Kambojas finding a prominent mention as a separate (autonomous) unit even in the Thirteenth Rock Edict of king Asoka", see: Asoka and His Inscriptions‎, 1968, p 149, Beni Madhab Barua, Ishwar Nath Topa; Political History of Ancient India, 1996, p 256, H. C. Raychaudhury, B. N. Mukerjee.
  47. ^ Political History of Ancient India, 1996, pp 601, 610, H. C. Raychaudhury, B. N. Mukerjee.
  48. ^ Political History of Ancient India, 1996, pp 601, 610, H. C. Raychaudhury, B. N. Mukerjee.
  49. ^ Cf:Indian in New Light, 1989, p 263, K. D. Sethna; Hindu Polity, A Constitutional History of India in Hindu Times, 1978, p 140, K. P. Jayswal.
  50. ^ Political History of Ancient India, 1996, p 601, H. C. Raychaudhury, B. N. Mukerjee.
  51. ^ Cf: Indian in New Light, 1989, p 263, K. D. Sethna.
  52. ^ Ancient India as Described by Megasthenês and Arrian: Being a Translation of the Fragments of the Indika of Megasthenês Collected by Dr. Schwanbeck, and of the First Part of the Indika of Arrian, 1877, p 152-53, Megasthenes, Trans: E. A. Schwanbeck, Arrian, Trans: John Watson McCrindle.
  53. ^ Hindu Polity, A Constitutional History of India in Hindu Times, 1978, p 140, Dr K. P. Jayswal.
  54. ^ Anguttara Nikaya: Vol I, p 213, Vol IV, pp 252, 256, 260 etc.
  55. ^ Kshatriya Kamboja kingdom, Ashtadhyyayi IV.1.168-175; also as Parvatiya Asavakayana and Asvayana Kamboja clans of Ashtadshyayi: Sutra IV-1, 110 (Nadadi gana IV-1, 99) & Sutra IV.1.173 respectively.
  56. ^ Kautiliya's Arathashastra, 1956, Book II, Dr R. Shamashastri [2].
  57. ^ Asoka's Edicts mention Gandharas only once and thus give comparatively much less prominence to them compared to the Yonas and the Kambojas whom they refer directly and indirectly in three separate Inscriptions as noted afore.
  58. ^ IMPORTANT NOTE: The Buddhist texts do refer to the Assaka Mahajanapada located on Godavary in southern India (Deccan) but not to the Asvakas of Kabul valley.
  59. ^ Hindu Polity, Part I & II, 1978, p 121, Dr K. P. Jayaswal.
  60. ^ Aśva.yuddha.kushalah: Mahabharata 7.7.14; See also: Vishnudharmotra Purana, Part II, Chapter 118; Post Gupta Polity (AD 500–700): A Study of the Growth of Feudal Elements and Rural Administration 1972, p 136, Ganesh Prasad Sinha; Wisdom in the Puranas 1969, p 64, professor Sen Sarma etc.
  61. ^ Mahabharata (Bhismaparava, Chap 9) and Vishnupurana (Topographical Lists: Peoples and the Countries, 1864, p 164, Trans: H. H. Wilson), do refer to the Asvakas but place this people with the Vidarbhas, Rupavahikas, Pamsurastras and Goparastras etc in the southern division of ancient India.
  62. ^ .
    tatah Kamboja.mukhyanam nadijana.n cha vajinam |
    Arattanam Mahijana.n Sindhujana.n cha sarvashah || 3 ||
    Vanayujana.n shubhrana.n tatha parvatavasinam |
    ye chapare tittiraja javana vatara.nhasah || 4 ||
    (MBH 6.90.3-4)..
  63. ^ Ramayana I.6.22.
  64. ^ Kautiliya Arthashastra, R. Shamashastri, book, II, Ch 30.
  65. ^ Said to be one of the nine Gems of King Vikramaditya (Our Heritage‎, 1982, p 85, Sanskrit College (Calcutta, India). Dept. of Post-Graduate Training and Research).
  66. ^ Kishkindi Kanda, XLI, 17.
  67. ^ Mahabharata VIII.8.18-20 in reference to Karana's conquest, Mahabharata VI.9.
  68. ^ Vayu Purana 45.127.
  69. ^ Brahamanda Purana II.16.
  70. ^ Visnudharmottara Mahapurana, CXh IX.
  71. ^ Section LVII, 48.
  72. ^ See also: The Vishńu Puráńa,1865, p 164, Horace Hayman Wilson, Fitzedward Hall; Ancient Indian Tribes, ed 2007, p 86, B. C. Law.
  73. ^ Padama Purana, Svargakhanda, Ch. 6.39; Geographical Data in Early Puranas, 1972, p 287, M. R. Singh.
  74. ^ Padama Purana, Svargakhanda, Ch III; Journal of Indian History, 1949, p 88, fn 13, University of Kerala Dept. of History, University of Allahabad Dept. of Modern Indian History, University of Travancore, University of Kerala.
  75. ^ According Brhatsamhita, in the north-west are Mandavyas, Tusharas, Talas, Halas, Madras, Asmakas, Kulutas......See: Brhat Samhita of Varahamihira,1996, p 177, M.R. Bhat; See also: Trans. Kern, J.R.A.S. Vol V, p 85; Also: Topographical list of Brhat-Samhita, Indian Antiquarium, 1898, p 174, J.F. Fleet.
  76. ^ Ashtadshyayi: Sutra IV-1, 110; Nadadi gana IV-1, 99.
  77. ^ Ashtadhyayi IV.1.173....Avantyasmakah.
  78. ^ Vishnudharmotra Purana, Part II, Ch 118 .
  79. ^ Post Gupta Polity (AD 500-700): A Study of the Growth of Feudal Elements and Rural Administration 1972, p 136, Ganesh Prasad Sinha; Military Wisdom in the Purānas, 1979, p 64, Prof P. Sensarma; Ancient Indian Civilization, 1985, p 120, Grigoriĭ Maksimovich Bongard-Levin; Kashmir Polity, C. 600-1200 A.D., 1986, p 237, V. N. Drabu; Polity in the Agni Purāna, 1965, Bambahadur Mishra; etc etc.
  80. ^ Polity in the Agni Purāna, 1965, p 175, B. b. Mishra - Puranas, Agnipurāṇa.
  81. ^
    Sanskrit:
    tatha Yavana Kamboja Mathuram.abhitash cha ye |
    ete 'aśava.yuddha.kushalahdasinatyasi charminah || 5 ||
    (MBH 12.101.5, Kumbhakonam Ed).
  82. ^ Hindu Polity, A Constitutional History of India in Hindu Times, 1978, pp 121, 140, K. P. Jayswal.
  83. ^
    Sanskrit:
    Panchaldeshamarambhya mlechhad dakishinahpurvatah |
    Kambojadesho deveshi vajiraashi.prayanah || 24 ||
    Shakati-Sangam-Tantra, 'Shatpanchashadddeshavibhag' , Verse 24.
  84. ^ A View of the History, Literature, and Mythology of the Hindoos, 1818, p 559, William Ward - India.
  85. ^ History, Literature and Religion of the Hindoos, 1820, p 451, William Ward.
  86. ^ Journal of Royal Asiatic Society, pp 98-100: History and Culture of Indian People, the Age of Imperial Unity, Vol II, p 45, Dr A. D. Pusalkar, Dr R. C. Majumdar, Dr Munshi etc.
  87. ^ Arthashastra 11.1.4.
  88. ^ Brhatsamhita, 5.35
  89. ^ History of Panjab, Vol I, p 226, Dr L. M. Joshi, Dr Fauja Singh; Ancient Kamboja, People and the Country, 1981, p 247, Dr J. L. Kamboj; cf: A Historical Dictionary of Indian Food (Oxford India Paperbacks), p 91, K. T. Achaya February 2001.
  90. ^ Ancient India, 2000, p 261, Dr V. D. Mahajan.
  91. ^ Ancient Kamboja, People and the Country, 1981, p 11, 226.
  92. ^ The Gates of India, p 102-03.
  93. ^ Historie du Bouddhisme Indien, p 110, E. Lamotte.
  94. ^ Essai sur les origines du mythe d'Alexandre: 336-270 av. J. C:, 1978, p 152, Paul Goukowsky.
  95. ^ History of Indian Buddhism: From the Origins to the Saka Era, 1988, p 100 - History.
  96. ^ See also: East and West, 1950, pp 28, 157-58, Istituto italiano per il Medio ed Estremo Oriente, Editor, Prof Giuseppe Tucci, Co-editors Prof Mario Bussagli, Prof Lionello Lanciotti.
  97. ^ Tree and Serpent Worship Or Illustrations of Mythology & Art in India: In the 1st and 4th Century After Christ, 2004 edition, p 48, J. Fergusson.
  98. ^ Alexandra's Invasion of India, p 38; Megasthenes and Arrian, p 180, J. McCrindle.
  99. ^ Political History of Ancient India, 1996, p 133, p 216 ffn 2, p 576; Commentary Dr B. N. Mukerjee; cf: MBH VI.90.3.
  100. ^ Journal of Royal Asiatic Society, 1848, p 15.; Origin; Original Sanskrit Texts on the Origin and History of the People of India: Their Religion and Institutions, 1874, p 355/56, Johm Muir;
  101. ^ Yauan Chawang, Vol I, p 284 by Thomas Watters; Si-yu-ki, by Hiuen Tsang, pp 54/55, Trans S. Beal (1906); Records of Buddhist Kingdoms by Fa-hien, p 34, Trans James Legge (1886); Political History of Ancient India, 1996, p 133 fn 5, 134, Dr H. C. raychaudhury.
  102. ^ Anabasis Alexandri, 4B, chapter xxiii, xxiv, xxvi, by Arrian, Trans. E.J. Chinnock (1893).
  103. ^ Geography of the Puranas p 143.
  104. ^ History of Panjab, Vol I, (Editors): Dr Fauja Singh, Dr L. M. Josh, Publication Bureau, Panjabi University, Patiala; see also Ancient Kamboja, People and country, 1981, pp 271-72, 278, Dr J. L. Kamboj; These Kamboj People, 1979, pp 119, 192, K. S. Dardi.
  105. ^ Panjab Past and Present, pp 9-10, Dr Buddha Parkash; See also: History of Porus, pp 12, 38; Glimpses of Ancient Panjab, 1966, p 23, Dr Buddha Prakash - Punjab (India); Raja Poros, 1990, Publication Buareau, Punjabi University, Patiala; History of Poros, 1967, pp 12,39, Dr Buddha Prakash.
  106. ^ Diodorus in McCrindle, p 270; History of Civilizations of Central Asia, 1999, p 76, Ahmad Hasan Dani, Vadim Mikhaĭlovich Masson, János Harmatta, Boris Abramovich Litvinovskiĭ, Clifford Edmund Bosworth, UNESCO - Asia, Central.
  107. ^ Writes Diodorus: "Undismayed by the greatness of their danger, the Aśvakayanas (Kambojas) drew their ranks together in the form of a ring within which they placed their women and children to guard them on all sides against their assailants. As they had now become desperate, and by their audacity and feats of valour, made the conflict in which they closed, hot work for the enemy--great was the astonishment and alarm which the peril of the crisis had created. For, as the combatants were locked together fighting hand-to-hand, death and wounds were dealt round in every variety of form. While many were thus wounded, and not a few killed, the women, taking the arms of the fallen, fought side by side with their men. Accordingly, some of them who had supplied themselves with arms, did their best to cover their husbands with their shields, while the others, who were without arms, did much to impede the enemy by flinging themselves upon them and catching hold of their shields. The defenders, however, after fighting desperately along with their wives, were at last overpowered by superior numbers, and thus met a glorious death which they would have disdained to exchange for the life of dishonour" (See: Diodorus in McCrindle, p 269/270; History of Civilizations of Central Asia, 1999, p 76, Ahmad Hasan Dani, Vadim Mikhaĭlovich Masson, János Harmatta, Boris Abramovich Litvinovskiĭ, Clifford Edmund Bosworth, Unesco - Asia, Central; History of Punjab, 1997, p 229, Editors: Dr Fauja Singh, Dr L. M. Joshi; Classical Accounts of India, p 112-113; Ancient Kamboja, People and the Country, 1981, p 283-286, Dr J. L. Kamboj; The Kambojas Through the Ages, 2005, p 134, Kirpal Singh).
  108. ^ History of Punjab, Vol I, 1997, p 229.
  109. ^ Arrian writes them Assakenoi. Strabo also calls them Assakanoi, but Curtius calls them Assacani.
  110. ^ Indische Alterthumskunde, Vol I, fn 6; also Vol II, p 129, et al.
  111. ^ "The name Afghan has been derived from Asvakan, the Assakenoi of Arrian... " (Megasthenes and Arrian, p 180. See also: Alexander's Invasion of India, p 38; J. W. McCrindle).
  112. ^ Etude Sur la Geog Grecque & c, pp 39-47, M. V. de Saint Martin.
  113. ^ This includes Dr H. H. Wilson, L. Bishop, W. Crooke, H. K. Kakar, J. C. Vidyalnar, Chandra Chakravorty, Dr M. R. Singh, P. Smith, N. L. Dey, Henry Yule, A. C. Burnell, Dr J. L. Kamboj, S. Kirpal Singh and several others. http://books.google.com/books?vid=LCCN01005366&id=GJQn7XA6Cz4C&pg=RA12-PA156&lpg=RA12-PA156&dq=Ashvaka
  114. ^ Literary History of Ancient India in Relation to Its Racial and Linguistic Affiliations, 1970, p 17, Chandra Chakraberty.
  115. ^ Shi jie jian wen, 1980, p 68, Shi jie zhi shi chu ban she.
  116. ^ Ref: Sva, 1915, p 113, Christopher Molesworth Birdwood.
  117. ^ Al-Hind, The Making of Indo-Islamic World, 2002, p 84, Andre Wink; Journal of Indian History Golden Jubilee Volume, 1973, p 470, University of Kerala, Department of History.
  118. ^ Historical Geography of Madhya Pradesh, From Early Records, 1977, p 3, Dr P. K. Bhattacharya; Proceedings of the World of Sanskrit Conference. 1985, p 783, International association of Sanskrit.
  119. ^ The Indian Historical Quarterly, 1963, p 103; Some Kṣatriya Tribes of Ancient India, 1924, p 239, Dr B. C. Law.
  120. ^ Hindu Polity, 1978, pp 121, 140, Dr K. P. Jayswal.
  121. ^
    Sanskrit:
    Panchaldeshamarambhya mlechhad dakishinahpurvatah |
    Kambojadesho deveshi vajiraashi.prayanah || 24 ||
    (Shakati-Sangam-Tantra, 'Shatpanchashadddeshavibhag' , Verse 24).
  122. ^ History, Literature and Religion of the Hindus, 1820, p 451; A View of the History, Literature, and Mythology of the Hindus, 1818, p 559, William Ward - India.
  123. ^ India in Early Greek Literature: academic dissertation, 1989, p 225, Klaus Karttunen - Greek literature.
  124. ^ A history of Zoroastrianism: Zoroastraianism Under Macedonian and Roman Rule, 1991, p 129, Mary Boyce, Frantz Grenet, Roger Beck.
  125. ^ The Social and Military Position of the Ruling Caste in Ancient India, 1889, p 257, Edward Washburn Hopkins; Journal of the American Oriental Society, 1889, p 257, American Oriental Society - Oriental philology.
  126. ^ War in Ancient India‎, 1944, p 178, V. R. Ramachandra Dikshitar - Military art and science.
  127. ^ Herodotus, IV.65-66.
  128. ^ History of Persian Empire, p 232, Dr A. M. Olmstead; Arrian's Anabasis III, 8.3-6; Political History of Ancient India, 1996, p 216, Dr Raychaudhury.
  129. ^ Ashtadhyayi Sutra IV.3.91.
  130. ^ India as Known to Panini, pp 49, 437, Dr V. S. Aggarwala.
  131. ^ MBH 5.19.21-23.
  132. ^ MBH 5.155.30-33.
  133. ^ Ramayana, 1.54, 1.55.
  134. ^
    Sanskrit:
    asti tava Shaka-Yavana-Kirata-Kamboja-Parasika-Bahlika parbhutibhih
    Chankyamatipragrahittaishcha Chandergupta Parvateshvara
    balairudidhibhiriva parchalitsalilaih samantaad uprudham Kusumpurama
    (Mudra-Rakshasa 2).
  135. ^ Kalika Purana, III (6), 22-40.
  136. ^ MBH 3.188.34-36.
  137. ^ Harivamsa 14.1-19
  138. ^ Bhagvata Purana, 10.52.22.
  139. ^ Bhagavata Purana 2.7.35.
  140. ^ Munghyr Inscriptions B.8, V.13; See also: Epigraphia Indica, Vol XVIII, 1926-27, p 305; Ancient Kamboja, People and the Country, 1981, p 9-10, Dr J. L. Kamboj.
  141. ^ Epigraphia Indica, XXII.153.
  142. ^ History of Ancient Bengal, 1971, p 127, Dr R. C. Majumdar; The Dacca University Studies, Vol I, No 2, April 1936, p 132; Also: Indian Historical Quarterly, XV-4, Dec. 1939, p 511, Dr H. C. Ray; The Kambojas Through the Ages, 2005, pp 216, 228, S Kirpal Singh; Ancient Kamboja, People and the Country, 1981, pp 330-332.
  143. ^ Indian Historical Quarterly, XV-4, Dec, 1939, p 511 Dr H. C. Ray.
  144. ^ History of Ancient Bengal, 1971, pp 182-83, Dr R. C. Majumdar.
  145. ^ Indian Historical Quarterly, 1963, p 625.
  146. ^ Dynastic History of Magadha, 1977, p 208.
  147. ^ Epigraphia Indiaca, XVIII, p 304ff.
  148. ^ The Dynamics of Santal Traditions in Present Society, 2003, p 208 etc; Journal of Oriental studies, 1954, p 381, University of Hong Kong, Institute of Oriental Studies (Also see refs quoted by the authors)
  149. ^ The Dynastic History of the Northern India, p 311, fn.1, Dr H. C. Raychaudhury.
  150. ^ The Kambojas Through the Ages, 2005, pp 216, 228, S Kirpal Singh; Ancient Kamboja, People and the Country, 1981, pp 330-332, Dr Kamboj.

See also

Books and Articles

  • Geographical Data in Early Puranas, A Critical Study, 1972, p 179 Dr M. R. Singh
  • Dictionary of Greek & Roman Geography, Vol-I, 1966, William Smith, Phillip Smith
  • Geographical Dictionary of ancient and Medieval India, Dr Nundo Lal Dey
  • Itihaas Parvesh (Hindi), 1948, Dr Jaychandra Vidyalankar
  • Ancient India as Described in Megasthenes and Arrian, 1960, J. W. McCrindle
  • The Invasion of India by Alexander the Great, 1896, J. W. McCrindle
  • The Gates of India, Sir Thomas H. Holdich
  • Ancient Kamboja, People and the Country, 1981, Dr J. L. Kamboj
  • The Geographical Data in Early Purana, 1972, Dr M. R. Singh
  • Hindu Polity, Part I & II, 1978, Dr K. P. Jayswal
  • Panjab Past and Present, Dr Buddha Parkash
  • Historie du bouddhisme Indien, p 110, Dr E. Lammotte
  • East and West, 1950, pp 28, 157-58, Istituto italiano per il Medio ed Estremo Oriente, Editor, Prof Giuseppe Tucci, Co-editors Prof Mario Bussagli, Prof Lionello Lanciotti.
  • History of Indian Buddhism: From the Origins to the Saka Era, 1988, p 100 - History
  • Raja Poros, 1990, Publication Buareau, Punjabi University, Patiala
  • History of Poros, 1967, pp 12,39, Dr Buddha Prakash
  • Journal of Bihar and Orissa Research Society, Vol XX
  • Journal of Royal Asiatic Society, 1900
  • History and Culture of Indian People, Age of Imperial Unity, Vol II, Dr A. D. Pusalkar, Dr R. C. Majumdar
  • History of Panjab, Vol I, Dr Fauja Singh, Dr L. M. Joshi.
  • The Kambojas Through the Ages, 2005, Kirpal Singh.
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