DOCSLIB.ORG

JANAPADA Territory and Its Importance in Ancient Indian Warfare and Now

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
JANAPADA Territory and Its Importance in Ancient Indian Warfare and Now MANEKSHAW PAPER No. 82, 2019 JANAPADA Territory and Its Importance in Ancient Indian Warfare and Now D W LAN ARFA OR RE F S E T R U T D N IE E S C Kritika Punia CLAWS VI N CT IO OR VIS Y THROUGH D W LAN ARFA OR RE F S E T R U T D N IE E S C CLAWS VI N CT IO OR VIS Y THROUGH KNOWLEDGE WORLD Centre for Land Warfare Studies KW Publishers Pvt Ltd New Delhi New Delhi Editorial Team ND WA Editor-in-Chief : Lt Gen (Dr.)LA V K Ahluwalia RFA OR RE F S E T R U ISSN 23939729 T D N I D WA LAN RFA E OR RE F S E T R U T D N IE E S C E S C CLAWS VI N CT IO OR VIS Y THROUGH Centre for Land Warfare Studies RPSO Complex, Parade Road, Delhi Cantt, New Delhi 110010 Phone: +91.11.25691308 Fax: +91.11.25692347 email: [email protected] website: www.claws.in CLAWS Army No. 33098 The Centre for Land Warfare Studies (CLAWS), New Delhi, is an independent think-tank dealing with national security and conceptual aspects of land warfare, including conventional and sub-conventional conflicts and terrorism. CLAWS conducts research that is futuristic in outlook and policy-oriented in approach. CLAWS © 2019, Centre for Land Warfare Studies (CLAWS), New Delhi V Disclaimer: The contents IofC this paper are based on the analysis of materialsN accessed from open sources and are the personal TviewsO of the author. The contents, therefore,SIO may not be quoted or cited as representing the views or Rpolicy of the Government of India,VI or Integrated of the Ministry Y H of Defence (MoD) (Army), or the CentreT forH LandRO WUarfareG Studies. KNOWLEDGE WORLD www.kwpub.com Published in India by Kalpana Shukla KW Publishers Pvt Ltd 4676/21, First Floor, Ansari Road, Daryaganj, New Delhi 110002 Phone: +91 11 23263498 / 43528107 email: [email protected] l www.kwpub.com Contents Introduction 1 Evolution of the Concept of Territory in India; from Ancient Times to Present 2. The Economy of War; from CattleND toW LandAR 2 3. Territorial Aspect of the LStateA FA 3 OR RE 4. Territory in the Psychological F Domain S 4 E T 5. Case Study ofR Magadha: Understanding the Evolution of theU Concept of TTerritory D 5 N IE E Dynamic Way of Looking at Territory S C 6. Beyond the Land Frontier 7 7. Territorial Fixation 8 8. Changing Attitudes; Solving Indo-China Border Dispute 8 Importance of Janapada (Territory) in Warfare 9. War as Fundamental Function of State 11 10. Methodology 12 11. Changing Arena or Battlefield 15 12. Role of Territory in Twenty-firstCLAW CenturyS Hybrid War 15 V Importance of Foot Soldiers IC N 13. Declining Role of FootTO Soldiers? SIO 16 R VI 14. Dynamic Way of Looking Yat SToldiersHRO UGH 18 15. India is Largely a Land-Based Power and a Land-Based Force 18 16. Man or Machine? 19 17. Way Forward: Transforming India’s Armed Forces 21 18. Important Take-Aways 22 Notes 23 Acknowledgements 24 References 24 D W LAN ARFA OR RE F S E T R U T D N IE E S C CLAWS VI N CT IO OR VIS Y THROUGH JANAPADA 1 Territory and Its Importance in MANEKSHAW PA Ancient Indian Warfare and Now P ER Janapada = jana (people) + pada (where they put their feet). In simple terms, N O. 82, 2019 territory or land. D W Territory is integral to nationalistLAN discourseARF Afor its symbolic role in building national identity.O RIt is a multidimensional RconceptE which can be F S studied from a rangeE of perspectives. In addition to having Teconomic value it has social, geopolitical,R institutional and sentimental value.U These values D attached to territoryT make it an important projection of state. Both in the N IE past and at present,E this has made territory the prime reason forS war and chief componentC of warfare strategy. It also promotes peace, by defining borders, fixing identity and delineating sovereignty. Territory divides. Us from them. And it unites. By forging bonds of oneness. Introduction “Janapada” or territory is a multidimensional concept. Origin of the word territory can be traced to the Latin word “territorium” meaning agricultural and grazing land. This reflects an economic construct of the word. Territory is also deeply embedded in social relationsCLAWS and practices. It revolves around societal questions of power, ideology, and authority. This provides a social V connotation to territory.IC A politico-institutional understandingN of territory can be developed by lookingT at its close relation to theI Onotion of state and OR VIS sovereignty. This adds anotherY dimension THRO toU GtheH concept. In the context of India, we see a gradual evolution of territory from a socio-economic entity to a political symbol of state. It evolved from jana (group of people) to janapadas (people in a defined territory) to mahajanpadas (empire/state system) to the modern Indian state. These economic-socio- political values attached to territory made it the prime reason for war and the chief component of state warfare strategy. Although significant research has been done on the doctrine and methodology of modern Indian warfare, one aspect has not been satisfactorily JANAPADA: TERRITORY AND ITS IMPORTANCE IN ANCIENT INDIAN WARFARE AND NOW addressed. This gap is the temporal understanding of evolution of India’s 2 warfare strategies. Study of the past can help us view the present and build MANEKSHAW PA the future on firm footing. This paper attempts to undertake a comparative analysis between the Ancient Indian Warfare Strategy and the Modern Indian Warfare Strategy. Kautilya’s Arthashastra constitute the basic source material for ancient India, supplemented by other texts such as Mahabharata, Ramayana and Dharmashastra to provide a holistic picture. The paper has been divided into the following four parts: y P Evolution of the Concept of Territory in India; from Ancient Times to ER Present N y Dynamic Way of Looking at Territory O. 82, 2019 y Importance of Janapada (Territory) in Warfare D W y Importance of Foot Soldiers LA N ARFA OR RE While looking at F these four dimensions an attempt Shas been made to E T contextualise differentR facets of warfare and understand their interrelationships.U In particular, caseT study of the ancient Indian janapada of MagadhD (part of N I present Eastern India) has been undertaken to provide a spatial context.E Specific E S attention hasC been paid to locate the extent and form in which “janapada” and foot soldiers were and continue to be essential to Indian warfare. Evolution of the Concept of Territory in India; from Ancient Times to Present The evolution of the concept of territory in India, from an economic entity to one with politico-institutional and sentimental value, was a gradual one as summarised below. The Economy of War; from CCattleLAW Sto Land Approximately 3,500 years ago during the Early Vedic age (1500 BCE- 1200 BCE) the mainV source of wealth was cattle as it was a mobile pastoral IC N community. There wasT no concept of land territory as IthereO was no defined OR VIS state territory or centralised Ypolitical THR control.OUG WH ar was fought for control of cattle wealth and not possession of territory. This is the reason for the fact that while the term Jana or people appears many times in Rig Veda, Janapada does not appear even once. Absence of the concept of territory meant that there was no regular standing army for its defence, the military functions being invested in the Vedic assemblies. By the Later Vedic period (1100 BCE-500 BCE), land became an important source of wealth due to establishment of settled agricultural communities. It also became an important source of state revenue (bali, bhaga, shulka and KRITIKA PUNIA kara). Ancient Indian texts (Arthashastra, Dharmasutra) mention territory of the state as the wealth of the nation (kosh). Kautilya’s “Saptang Theory 3 of State” mentions kosh as one of the seven vital elements of state, others MANEKSHAW PA being Swami (ruler), Amatya (minister), Danda (army), etc. Thus territory becomes an important limb of the state. Even today land is an important source of revenue in terms of land tax, agriculture and forest produce, etc. It is a source of wealth and development for the country and an important basis for sustaining war efforts. The slogan “Jai Jawan Jai kisan” displays the importance given to farmers, land P and soldiers in the Indian political discourse. Thus land continues to be an ER important aspect of the economy of war. N O. 82, 2019 Territorial Aspect of the StateD W LAN ARFA The territorial aspect ofO theR state appeared by the LaterR EVedic period. By 500 BCE there was rise of Flarge tracts of consolidated territory, S janapadas, under E T the rule of a monarchR or ganasanghas (clans). These janapadasU combined to form mahajanapadas.T With the evolution of the state withD defined set I of borders, theN need for a standing army to defend the territoryE arose. A E S well-definedC institution emerged led by Senapati with specialised officials for different divisions—Padadhyaksha (infantry), Asvadhyaksha (cavalry), Navadhyaksha (navy), Ayudhagaradhyaksha (armoury). The division of the armed forces for the purpose of efficiency and specialisation exists even today. This was the beginning of the state system as we know today. It was characterised by a defined set of boundary, citizens that paid taxes and were governed by the law of the land, a political class for governance and a military for its defence.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • The Mahabharata
    ^«/4 •m ^1 m^m^ The original of tiiis book is in tine Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924071123131 ) THE MAHABHARATA OF KlUSHNA-DWAIPAYANA VTASA TRANSLATED INTO ENGLISH PROSE. Published and distributed, chiefly gratis, BY PROTSP CHANDRA EOY. BHISHMA PARVA. CALCUTTA i BHiRATA PRESS. No, 1, Raja Gooroo Dass' Stbeet, Beadon Square, 1887. ( The righi of trmsMm is resem^. NOTICE. Having completed the Udyoga Parva I enter the Bhishma. The preparations being completed, the battle must begin. But how dan- gerous is the prospect ahead ? How many of those that were counted on the eve of the terrible conflict lived to see the overthrow of the great Knru captain ? To a KsJtatriya warrior, however, the fiercest in- cidents of battle, instead of being appalling, served only as tests of bravery that opened Heaven's gates to him. It was this belief that supported the most insignificant of combatants fighting on foot when they rushed against Bhishma, presenting their breasts to the celestial weapons shot by him, like insects rushing on a blazing fire. I am not a Kshatriya. The prespect of battle, therefore, cannot be unappalling or welcome to me. On the other hand, I frankly own that it is appall- ing. If I receive support, that support may encourage me. I am no Garuda that I would spurn the strength of number* when battling against difficulties. I am no Arjuna conscious of superhuman energy and aided by Kecava himself so that I may eHcounter any odds.
    [Show full text]
  • The Emergence of the Mahajanapadas
    The Emergence of the Mahajanapadas Sanjay Sharma Introduction In the post-Vedic period, the centre of activity shifted from the upper Ganga valley or madhyadesha to middle and lower Ganga valleys known in the contemporary Buddhist texts as majjhimadesha. Painted grey ware pottery gave way to a richer and shinier northern black polished ware which signified new trends in commercial activities and rising levels of prosperity. Imprtant features of the period between c. 600 and 321 BC include, inter-alia, rise of ‘heterodox belief systems’ resulting in an intellectual revolution, expansion of trade and commerce leading to the emergence of urban life mainly in the region of Ganga valley and evolution of vast territorial states called the mahajanapadas from the smaller ones of the later Vedic period which, as we have seen, were known as the janapadas. Increased surplus production resulted in the expansion of trading activities on one hand and an increase in the amount of taxes for the ruler on the other. The latter helped in the evolution of large territorial states and increased commercial activity facilitated the growth of cities and towns along with the evolution of money economy. The ruling and the priestly elites cornered most of the agricultural surplus produced by the vaishyas and the shudras (as labourers). The varna system became more consolidated and perpetual. It was in this background that the two great belief systems, Jainism and Buddhism, emerged. They posed serious challenge to the Brahmanical socio-religious philosophy. These belief systems had a primary aim to liberate the lower classes from the fetters of orthodox Brahmanism.
    [Show full text]
  • A Study of the Early Vedic Age in Ancient India
    Journal of Arts and Culture ISSN: 0976-9862 & E-ISSN: 0976-9870, Volume 3, Issue 3, 2012, pp.-129-132. Available online at http://www.bioinfo.in/contents.php?id=53. A STUDY OF THE EARLY VEDIC AGE IN ANCIENT INDIA FASALE M.K.* Department of Histroy, Abasaheb Kakade Arts College, Bodhegaon, Shevgaon- 414 502, MS, India *Corresponding Author: Email- [email protected] Received: December 04, 2012; Accepted: December 20, 2012 Abstract- The Vedic period (or Vedic age) was a period in history during which the Vedas, the oldest scriptures of Hinduism, were composed. The time span of the period is uncertain. Philological and linguistic evidence indicates that the Rigveda, the oldest of the Vedas, was com- posed roughly between 1700 and 1100 BCE, also referred to as the early Vedic period. The end of the period is commonly estimated to have occurred about 500 BCE, and 150 BCE has been suggested as a terminus ante quem for all Vedic Sanskrit literature. Transmission of texts in the Vedic period was by oral tradition alone, and a literary tradition set in only in post-Vedic times. Despite the difficulties in dating the period, the Vedas can safely be assumed to be several thousands of years old. The associated culture, sometimes referred to as Vedic civilization, was probably centred early on in the northern and northwestern parts of the Indian subcontinent, but has now spread and constitutes the basis of contemporary Indian culture. After the end of the Vedic period, the Mahajanapadas period in turn gave way to the Maurya Empire (from ca.
    [Show full text]
  • In the Name of Krishna: the Cultural Landscape of a North Indian Pilgrimage Town
    In the Name of Krishna: The Cultural Landscape of a North Indian Pilgrimage Town A DISSERTATION SUBMITTED TO THE FACULTY OF THE GRADUATE SCHOOL OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA BY Sugata Ray IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY Frederick M. Asher, Advisor April 2012 © Sugata Ray 2012 Acknowledgements They say writing a dissertation is a lonely and arduous task. But, I am fortunate to have found friends, colleagues, and mentors who have inspired me to make this laborious task far from arduous. It was Frederick M. Asher, my advisor, who inspired me to turn to places where art historians do not usually venture. The temple city of Khajuraho is not just the exquisite 11th-century temples at the site. Rather, the 11th-century temples are part of a larger visuality that extends to contemporary civic monuments in the city center, Rick suggested in the first class that I took with him. I learnt to move across time and space. To understand modern Vrindavan, one would have to look at its Mughal past; to understand temple architecture, one would have to look for rebellions in the colonial archive. Catherine B. Asher gave me the gift of the Mughal world – a world that I only barely knew before I met her. Today, I speak of the Islamicate world of colonial Vrindavan. Cathy walked me through Mughal mosques, tombs, and gardens on many cold wintry days in Minneapolis and on a hot summer day in Sasaram, Bihar. The Islamicate Krishna in my dissertation thus came into being.
    [Show full text]
  • Unit-3 Vedic Society 3.0 Objectives
    Unit-3 Vedic Society Index 3.0 Objectives 3.1 Introduction 3.2 Presentation of Subject Matter 3.2.1 Section I: Original Home of Vedic Aryans, Vedic Literature 3.2.2 Section II: Early Vedic period 3.2.3 Section III: Later Vedic period 3.2.4 Section IV: Position of Women 3.3 Summary 3.4. Terms to Remember 3.5 Answers to check your progress 3.6 Exercise 3.7 Reference for Further Study 3.0 Objectives From this unit, we can understand, G The Vedic people and debates regarding their original home G Two parts of Vedic period and reasons behind periodization G Life in Early Vedic Period G Life in Later Vedic Period G Position of Women in Vedic Period 71 3.1 Introduction In Unit -2, we studied India's development from Prehistory to Protohistory, We studied that India went through the processes of first Urbanization in Harappan period. However, mostly due to the environmental reasons, the affluent Harappan civilization and its architectural prosperity faced a gradual decline. After the decline of Harappan civilization, we find references of a certain kind of culture in the area of Saptasindhu region. Who were those and what was their culture is the matter of this Unit. 3.2 Presentation of Subject Matter 3.2.1 Section I: The Aryans and their Original Home a. Who were the Aryans? Near about 1500 BC, we find a new culture in the Saptasindhu region, which was of nomadic nature. They were pastoralists who used to speak a different language, i.e.
    [Show full text]
  • 5. from Janapadas to Empire
    MODULE - 1 Ancient India 5 Notes FROM JANAPADAS TO EMPIRE In the last chapter we studied how later Vedic people started agriculture in the Ganga basin and settled down in permanent villages. In this chapter, we will discuss how increased agricultural activity and settled life led to the rise of sixteen Mahajanapadas (large territorial states) in north India in sixth century BC. We will also examine the factors, which enabled Magadh one of these states to defeat all others to rise to the status of an empire later under the Mauryas. The Mauryan period was one of great economic and cultural progress. However, the Mauryan Empire collapsed within fifty years of the death of Ashoka. We will analyse the factors responsible for this decline. This period (6th century BC) is also known for the rise of many new religions like Buddhism and Jainism. We will be looking at the factors responsible for the emer- gence of these religions and also inform you about their main doctrines. OBJECTIVES After studying this lesson, you will be able to explain the material and social factors (e.g. growth of agriculture and new social classes), which became the basis for the rise of Mahajanapada and the new religions in the sixth century BC; analyse the doctrine, patronage, spread and impact of Buddhism and Jainism; trace the growth of Indian polity from smaller states to empires and list the six- teen Mahajanapadas; examine the role of Ashoka in the consolidation of the empire through his policy of Dhamma; recognise the main features– administration, economy, society and art under the Mauryas and Identify the causes of the decline of the Mauryan empire.
    [Show full text]
  • The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa SALYA
    The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa SALYA PARVA translated by Kesari Mohan Ganguli In parentheses Publications Sanskrit Series Cambridge, Ontario 2002 Salya Parva Section I Om! Having bowed down unto Narayana and Nara, the most exalted of male beings, and the goddess Saraswati, must the word Jaya be uttered. Janamejaya said, “After Karna had thus been slain in battle by Savyasachin, what did the small (unslaughtered) remnant of the Kauravas do, O regenerate one? Beholding the army of the Pandavas swelling with might and energy, what behaviour did the Kuru prince Suyodhana adopt towards the Pandavas, thinking it suitable to the hour? I desire to hear all this. Tell me, O foremost of regenerate ones, I am never satiated with listening to the grand feats of my ancestors.” Vaisampayana said, “After the fall of Karna, O king, Dhritarashtra’s son Suyodhana was plunged deep into an ocean of grief and saw despair on every side. Indulging in incessant lamentations, saying, ‘Alas, oh Karna! Alas, oh Karna!’ he proceeded with great difficulty to his camp, accompanied by the unslaughtered remnant of the kings on his side. Thinking of the slaughter of the Suta’s son, he could not obtain peace of mind, though comforted by those kings with excellent reasons inculcated by the scriptures. Regarding destiny and necessity to be all- powerful, the Kuru king firmly resolved on battle. Having duly made Salya the generalissimo of his forces, that bull among kings, O monarch, proceeded for battle, accompanied by that unslaughtered remnant of his forces. Then, O chief of Bharata’s race, a terrible battle took place between the troops of the Kurus and those of the Pandavas, resembling that between the gods and the Asuras.
    [Show full text]
  • Mahabharata Tatparnirnaya
    Mahabharatha Tatparya Nirnaya Chapter XIX The episodes of Lakshagriha, Bhimasena's marriage with Hidimba, Killing Bakasura, Draupadi svayamwara, Pandavas settling down in Indraprastha are described in this chapter. The details of these episodes are well-known. Therefore the special points of religious and moral conduct highlights in Tatparya Nirnaya and its commentaries will be briefly stated here. Kanika's wrong advice to Duryodhana This chapter starts with instructions of Kanika an expert in the evil policies of politics to Duryodhana. This Kanika was also known as Kalinga. Probably he hailed from Kalinga region. He was a person if Bharadvaja gotra and an adviser to Shatrujna the king of Sauvira. He told Duryodhana that when the close relatives like brothers, parents, teachers, and friends are our enemies, we should talk sweet outwardly and plan for destroying them. Heretics, robbers, theives and poor persons should be employed to kill them by poison. Outwardly we should pretend to be religiously.Rituals, sacrifices etc should be performed. Taking people into confidence by these means we should hit our enemy when the time is ripe. In this way Kanika secretly advised Duryodhana to plan against Pandavas. Duryodhana approached his father Dhritarashtra and appealed to him to send out Pandavas to some other place. Initially Dhritarashtra said Pandavas are also my sons, they are well behaved, brave, they will add to the wealth and the reputation of our kingdom, and therefore, it is not proper to send them out. However, Duryodhana insisted that they should be sent out. He said he has mastered one hundred and thirty powerful hymns that will protect him from the enemies.
    [Show full text]
  • Class-VI History, Chapter-6 A. Fill in the Blanks:- 1. the Original Home Of
    Class-VI History, Chapter-6 A. Fill in the blanks:- 1. The original home of the Aryans was Central Asia. 2. The main source of information about the Aryans are Vedas. 3. The Rigveda is the oldest of the Vedas. 4. The village headman was called the Gramini. 5. The king was assisted by a Senani in warfare. 6. Maya Danava was the founder of the tradition of Vastu Shastra. B. Match the following:- 1. God of Death d. Yama 2. Goddess of dawn c. Usha 3. Upholder of cosmic order b. Varuna 4. God of fire a. Agni 5. God of rain e. Indra C. Name the following:- 1. The four varnas or divisions in society. Ans.1 Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and Shudras. 2. Five elements worshipped during the Vedic Age. Ans.2 Earth, fire, water, air and sky. 3. Two occupations of the people. Ans.3 Cattle rearing and agriculture. 4. Two tribal assemblies that checked the power of the rajan. Ans.4 Sabha and Samiti. 5. Two metals used during this age. Ans.5 Copper and bronze. D. Answer the following questions:- 1. When was the Rigveda composed? How many slokas does it contain? Ans.1 The Rigveda is the oldest of the Vedic literature. It was composed in about 1500 BCE. It consists of 1028 slokas, which are divided into ten books. 2. What role did a rajan play in the janapada? Ans.2 Each tribe had a chieftain called rajan, who was chosen for his wisdom and courage. His chief function was to protect the tribe from external attacks and maintain law and order.
    [Show full text]
  • Wynne on Bronkhorst, 'Greater Magadha: Studies in the Culture of Early India'
    H-Buddhism Wynne on Bronkhorst, 'Greater Magadha: Studies in the Culture of Early India' Review published on Wednesday, July 20, 2011 Johannes Bronkhorst. Greater Magadha: Studies in the Culture of Early India. Handbook of Oriental Studies Series. Leiden: Brill, 2007. xix + 414 pp. $182.00 (cloth), ISBN 978-90-04-15719-4. Reviewed by Alexander Wynne Published on H-Buddhism (July, 2011) Commissioned by Daniel A. Arnold According to standard textbook histories of ancient India, Hinduism, or at least some similar form of Brahminism, was the dominant religion rejected by the Buddha, who, in response to the class privileges and rituals of the Brahmins, formulated a “new” Dharma. This understanding of the cultural and intellectual background to early Buddhism is firmly rejected in Johannes Bronkhorst’s Greater Magadha. Countering a view he believes is “largely mistaken,” Bronkhorst instead proposes that Buddhism originated in the non-Vedic culture of “Greater Magadha,” an area he defines as “roughly the geographical area in which the Buddha and Mahāvīra lived and taught. With regard to the Buddha, this area stretched by and large from Śrāvastī, the capital of Kosala, in the north-west to Rājagṛha, the capital of Magadha, in the south-east” (pp. xi, 4). The basic evidence for this alternative cultural history is outlined in the introduction. Bronkhorst first draws attention to early Brahmanical sources on the āryāvarta, “domain of the Aryas,” i.e., the area in which Vedic culture and religion flourished. According to Patañjali’sMahābhāṣya (ca. 150 BCE) and the Baudhāyana and Vasiṣṭha Dharma Sūtras, this area extended as far as the confluence of the Gaṅgā and Yamunā rivers.
    [Show full text]
  • Component-I (A) – Personal Details
    Component-I (A) – Personal details: Component-I (B) – Description of module: Subject Name Indian Culture Paper Name Outlines of Indian History Module Name/Title Mahajanapadas- Rise of Magadha – Nandas – Invasion of Alexander Module Id I C/ OIH/ 08 Pre requisites Early History of India Objectives To study the Political institutions of Ancient India from earliest to 3rd Century BCE. Mahajanapadas , Rise of Magadha under the Haryanka, Sisunaga Dynasties, Nanda Dynasty, Persian Invasions, Alexander’s Invasion of India and its Effects Keywords Janapadas, Magadha, Haryanka, Sisunaga, Nanda, Alexander E-text (Quadrant-I) 1. Sources Political and cultural history of the period from C 600 to 300 BCE is known for the first time by a possibility of comparing evidence from different kinds of literary sources. Buddhist and Jaina texts form an authentic source of the political history of ancient India. The first four books of Sutta pitaka -- the Digha, Majjhima, Samyutta and Anguttara nikayas -- and the entire Vinaya pitaka were composed between the 5th and 3rd centuries BCE. The Sutta nipata also belongs to this period. The Jaina texts Bhagavati sutra and Parisisthaparvan represent the tradition that can be used as historical source material for this period. The Puranas also provide useful information on dynastic history. A comparison of Buddhist, Puranic and Jaina texts on the details of dynastic history reveals more disagreement. This may be due to the fact that they were compiled at different times. Apart from indigenous literary sources, there are number of Greek and Latin narratives of Alexander’s military achievements. They describe the political situation prevailing in northwest on the eve of Alexander’s invasion.
    [Show full text]
  • Recognition Through Traditional Values a Literary Representation Of
    Cracow Indological Studies vol. XVIII (2016) 10.12797/CIS.18.2016.18.09 Piotr Borek [email protected] (Jagiellonian University, Kraków) Recognition through Traditional Values A Literary Representation of dāna* as an Essential Way of Boosting Royal Worthiness** SUMMARY: The present article is focused on the notion of dāna and its use in Śivrājbhūṣaṇ, a late 17th-century rītigranth composed by Bhūṣaṇ in the court of Śivājī Bhoṃsle, shortly before the coronation. The ruler had it composed in Braj, a vernacular that had already risen to the status of a transregional language. The poem, which used to be reduced by literary historians to a simple panegyric, belongs to South Asian early modern court literature, the authors of which were explicitly manifesting their fixture in Sanskrit literary tradition and simultaneously fulfilled complex political agendas. The royal patronage infused the poetry with political essence, but the liter- ary conventions dictated the ways in which the political substance should be weaved into the poems. Basing on the textual analysis of Bhūṣaṇ’s work, I draw attention to the high frequency and various ways of use of the notion of dāna by the poet. This aims to prove that poetical representation of royal generosity embodied in various * The transliteration for both Modern Hindi and Braj terms, names and titles follows the rules by McGregor as in The Oxford Hindi-English Dictionary, though anusvāras are transliterated as appropriate nasals when ever possible or as ṃ with a subscript dot in the other cases. How ever, in the cita- tions of Braj poetry final a (and the middle a in long words) never drops because of its metrical value.
    [Show full text]