Appendix 5 - Janapadas mentioned in the Vasudevahindi

Capital Campa [Vasudevahindi by Sanghadasa, 124] situated to the NorthEast of Magadha janapada on the left bank of the Gamga [Vasudevahindi by Sanghadasa, 305]. The janapada of Amga was inhabited by cowherds who had number of cattle (pabhuya-gomahisa) [Vasudevahindi by Sanghadasa 13]. The practice of the sale of women in the market of prostitutes (ganikahatta) was prevalent here in the times of the Vasudevahindi by Sanghadasa [ibid]¹. Anga was one of the sixteen Mahajanapadas and also one of the twenty-five and a half Aryan countries of the time of king Samprati of Maurya dynasty [See Motichandra, opecit., P.75]. According to the traditions of the Puranas this land was so called after an eponymous. King Anga, who was one of the sons of the queen of King Bali from sage Dirghatamas (MP, P.325) 1. In the Mbh [Karna, 30.83] the practice of selling ones wife & children is said to be peculiar to the Anga country.

689 Avanti : Capital Ujjeni [Vasudevahindi by Sanghadasa, 35-36, 49; Vasudevahindi by Dharmadasa,II.81a]. Described to have been inhabited by cheerful farmers who reaped rich harvests of various crops, and the learned who were humble because of their wisdom [Vasudevahindi by Sanghadasa, 35-36]. Auanti referred to in the Vasudevahindi seems to be the northern Avanti; the southern had its capital at Mahissati [Jain, op.cit., TH.69]. Anattha: One of the four janapadas on the western coast which was ruled by Balarama and Kanha Vasudeva from the city of Dvaraka [Vasudevahindi by Sanghadasa, 77]; the other three being Kusattha, Sarattha and Sukkarattha. According to the Puranic tradition this kingdom was founded by an eponymous king by name Anarta. Krsna and Balarama, through the fear of king Jarasandha, fled from Mathura and settled in this region. In the Uttaradhyayana Sutra also an indirect proof of this tradition has been offered: Vasudeva, father of Krsna, is said to have ruled at Soriyapura while Kanha and Balarama at Baraga i.e. Dvaraka [Uttara., 22.1-22]. The country of Anarta along with Sindhusauvira is described in the 'TortoisGeography' to be situated in the right hind foot of the Kurma [Markandeya Purana, 58.30-31] and Pargiter identifies it with the region around Dvaraka or Kusasthali which is modern Dvaraka (contd.)

690 On the sea-shore at the extreme west of the peninsula of Kathiawad (MP, p. 340; see also Sircar, op.cit., p. 33 and fn.). Shafer, however, is not sure about the exact location of Dvaraka, which according to him is difficult because of the conflicting data in the Epies. He tentatively places Anarta at or near the site of Mohenjodaro (Shafer, op.cit., pp. 118-19). Countries of Anarta and Surastra have been referred to in the inscription of Pulumayi (See Sircar, op.cit., p. 215). Kamaruva : A kingdom. The country had diplomatic relations with the king of Vedasamapura. from Kamaruva to the court of king Kavila of Vedasamapura (Vasudevahindi by Sanghadasa, 198). An envoy was dispatched It was the same as Kamarupa and was some portion of modern Assam. Reference to cordial relations between Harsa and the lord of Kamarupa have been referred to in the Harsacarita (HESA, p. 171). Kamarupa was one of the countries conquered by Samudragupta and has been referred to in the Prasasti (CII, Vol. III, p. 8). Kasi : The river Gamga touched the southern fringes of this janapada, keeping Pryaga and the Vindhya mountain on the right bank (Vasudevahindi by Sanghadasa, 305].

691 It has been included among the twentyfive and a half Aryan countries at the time of Samprati (Jain, op.cit., p. 295) and was one of the sixteen Mahajanapadas p. 75). It comprised the region around modern (Sarthavaha, p. 75). Banaras. Kiraya : Capital Manivaddhana. It was situated on the shore of the western sea near the Suvannadiva and in the vicinity of the Malaya Kikkim dhigiri (Vasudevahindi by Dharmadasa, II.75b]. According to the Vasudevahindi by Dharmadasa (II.77b] this mountain was also called Vanara malaya because of its association with the descendants of Vijjahara Suggiva in the form of monkeyes. The inhabitants of this country who are referred to as Kiratas [Vasudevahindi by Sanghadasa, 76b) are probably the same Lvi communities which lived along the sea-side and hills and practiced Kalavu form of marriage described in the Silappadikaram (see Dikshitar, V.R.R., Intro. p. 56). Such a secret wedding taking place in the case of Vasudeva and the princess of Manivaddhana, has been described in the Vasudevahindi by Dharmadasa [II.76b]. In this connection, it should be noted that the word for residents of coastal regions are referred n to as 'Karaiyar' in the ancient Tamil literature (Kanakasabhai, V., The Tamils Eighteen Hundred Years Ago, p. 22).

692 Kunala Capital Savatthi. : King Eniyaputta was ruling here at the time of Vasudeva. (Vasudevahindi by Sanghadasa, 269%; Vasudevahindi by Dharmadasa, 1.9a]. One of the twenty-five and a half Aryan countries at the time of Samprati (Sarthavaha, p. 75). It is the region around modern Saheth-Maheth, which has been identified with aucient Sravasti. Kuru: Capital Hatthinaura. The Gamga flowed through (majjhenam) this janapada and by the side of Hatthinaura [Vasudevahindi by Sanghadasa, 305]. Samti, one of the Cakkavattis and Titthayaras, was born as a prince to Vissasena who was the king of this country (Vasudevahindi by Sanghadasa, 340]. It was one of the twenty-five and a half Aryan countries at the time of Samprati (Sarthavaha; p. 75), and may have comprised the region around Hastinapura, in the present Meerat district, (Sircar, op. cit., p. 21), on both sides of the Gamga. Kusattha: One of the four janapadas under the rule of Kanha Vasudeva and Balarama; the remaining three being Anattha, Surattha and Sukkarattha (Vasudevahindi by Sanghadasa, 77). It is included in the list of twenty-five and a Its capital half Aryan kingdoms at the time of Samprati. was Soriya (Sarthavaha, p. 75). Soriyapura, which is the

693 same as Soriya, of the Samprati list, has been given in the Vasudevahindi by Sanghadasa [p. 111] as the capital of king Sori who was the grandfather of Vasudeva, and also as the capital of Vasudeva in the Uttaradhyayana Sutra (22.1). As stated earlier, (see Anatta janapada) Kanha must have left Soriyapura through the fear of Jarasandha, but might not have ceased to rule the kingdom around Kusattha for it was under his control. The inclusion of the janapada in Madhyadesa according to the Brahmanda Purana (Sircar, op.cit., p. 22) supports the above location of the janapada. Kosala: Earliest capital Viniya (Vasudevahindi by Sanghadasa, 162]; later capitals : Sageya (Vasudevahindi by Sanghadasa, 283) and Ritthapura [Vasudevahindi by Sanghadasa, 364-65]. According to the Jaina tradition, this was the first kingdom of India, Usabhasami being the first king who ruled this janapada from the city of Viniya (Vasudevahindi by Sanghadasa, 162]. Bhagirahi, the secred river, is described to have flowed on the southern fringes of this janapada (Vasudevahindi by Sanghadasa, 305]. In another context, the Vasudevahindi by Sanghadasa describes the janapada as the foremost among all the janapadas. With its capital at Sageya, it has been described to be adjacent to (anamtario) and to the north of the Savatthi janapada (Vasudevahindi by Sanghadasa, 283]. A hill called Asitagiri associated with the attainment of omniscience by a Jaina monk was situated

694 near Ramanijjiya village in this Janapada (ibid.). In the times of Vasudeva, Ruhira, ruling at Ritthapura was the king of Kosala janapada [Vasudevahindi by Sanghadasa, 283]. From the description of the course of the Gamga, it seems that Kosala was bounded on the south by the Ganga, on east by Payaga and on the west by the Kuru janapada. The statement that Kosala janapada was to the north of Savatthi janapada, however, is confusing. 2) Capital Kosalapuri. According to the Jaina tradition, king Nala and his father ruled in this country (Vasudevahindi by Dharmadasa, II.6lb]. Nala's celebrated wife, Damadamti has been, in one place, referred to as Sakala-puvvadisasamini,i.e. the Empress of the entire Eastern quarter [Vasudevahindi by Dharmadasa, II.65b-66a]. In the times of Vasudeva, king Kosala, maternal uncle of prince Ruiradeva of Vesali, was ruling in this janapada. It comprised ninety-six thousand villages (channauim gamasahassaim) and eighteen forest kingdoms [Vasudevahindi by Dharmadasa, II.346]. It was situated to the SW of Vesali [Vasudevahindi by Dharmadasa, II.35a). The hills Jambuya, Camdapaya, and lake Hanisorasiya, all situated on the Vindhya high-way (Vimjhadavi paha) were within the boundary of this janapada (Wh(M), II.46a]. The country was famous for elephants of good breed (Vasudevahindi by Dharmadasa, II.205b], and diamonds (Vasudevahindi by Dharmadasa, 150a].

695 From the above description it is quite clear that the region was the same as Mahakosala in the Chota Nagpur region. According to Motichandra (Sarthavaha, p. 215), however, diamond mines of ancient Kosala are the same those at Panna. Gamdhara: Capital Pokkalavai. Kanha Vasudeva married princess Gamdhari, daughter of king Naggal who was ruling this janapada [Vasudevahindi by Sanghadasa, 78). The janapada comprised districts of Peshawar and Rawalpindi in the north Punjab, according to Sircar (op.cit., p. 29 and fn.). Chalaya : A janapada (?). Situated at the foot of Vipura a peak in the Malaya range (Vasudevahindi by Dharmadasa, II.154a). Dabhala Capital Pedhalapura : Capital Pedhalapura or Pedhapura. In the times of Vasudeva, king Haricamda was ruling this janavau (Vasudevahindi by Dharmadasa, II.39a). It was adjacent to the Kosala janavaya [idho anamtaram kosala janavau, Vasudevahindi by Dharmadasa, II.61b). Vasudeva, while starting for Pedhapura from Kosalapuri, capital of Kosala janavaya, proceeded in the northen direction (Vasudevahindi by Dharmadasa, II.54a).

696 Dabhala kingdom, together with eighteen forest kingdoms (Sastadasatavirajyabhyantaram) has been referred to in the epigraph of Panivrajaka Maharaja Sanksobha, dated A.D. 528-29. [Fleet, CII, Vol. III, p.114 (1.8)). Fleet equates the words Dabhala with Dahala, which according to him, represents the modern Bundelkhand (op.cit., p. 113-14). In the light of the information from the inscription of king Sanksopha stating that he had inherited the kingdom of Dabhala from his forefathers along with the eighteen forest kingdoms, it is interesting to note that Kosala, which is said to be just adjacent to Dabhala in the VH(M) is said have included within it eighteen forest kingdoms and ninety-six thousand villages [Vasudevahindi by Dharmadasa, 34b). Damila : Capital Nagapura. In the times of Vasudeva, the janapada was ruled by king Sihamuha. It was to the SE of Kiraya janapada and separated from Kiraya by a river [salilamtario); (Vasudevahindi by Dharmadasa, II.78a]. Counted as a non-Aryan country in the Jaina literature (Jain, op.cit., p. 259), it might be the same as Tamilnad. Magadha : Capital Rayagiha (Vasudevahindi by Sanghadasa, 31 or Magahapura [Vasudevahindi by Sanghadasa, 54] or Kusaggapura [Vasudevahindi by Sanghadasa, 27]. Situated on the

697 right bank of the Bhagirathi (Vasudevahindi by Sanghadasa, 305). This janapada has been showered with the highest praise by the author of the Vasudevahindi by Sanghadasa He describes it as a forehead-mark of the Bharahavasa (Vasudevahindi by Sanghadasa, 350]. It has been further described as follows : a janapada studded with villages in which prosperous and pious families of house-holders lived%;B which was adorned with groves of trees which yielded shade, fruits and flowers; and which had, in all its lakes and ponds, as though arrested Kamala (goddess Laksmi) in her abode, the lotuses (Vasudevahindi by Sanghadasa, 2). Magadha is said to have excelled the rest of the janapadas because of its merits (Visesagunasampado%3B Vasudevahindi by Sanghadasa, 247]. All this splendour and charm around Magadha janapada sprang from the sovereignty which this country enjoyed during various epochs of ancient Indian history. Echoes of such an attachment towards Magadha can be heared in the remarks of Kalidasa : 'rajnvatimahuranena bhumim', about a king of Magadha. In the Vasudevahindi, Jarasandha who ruled the country at the time of Vasudeva and Kanha has been described as the most prominent king in the half of Bharata. [Vasudevahindi by Sanghadasa, 247; Vasudevahindi by Dharmadasa, II.101a]. Malaya : Capital Bhaddilapura. The country (desa) was in the vicinity of the kingdom of Vedasamapura, and the mt. Sammeya [Vasudevahindi by Sanghadasa, 214]. (Vasudevahindi by Sanghadasa, 209],

698 This was one of the twenty-five and a half Aryan countries at the time of Samprati (Sarthavaha, p. 75). Jain rightly places it to the south of Patna and to the SW of Bihar (op.cit., p. 310). In Maharattha : A janapada (?). Capital Vacchagumma. Vacchagumma, Vasudeva saw Maharattha and Abhira ladies [Vasudevahindi by Dharmadasa, II.207b). Vaccagumma which is stated to be the capital of Abhira janapada is referred to also as Maharatthanagara (Vasudevahindi by Dharmadasa, II.228a). It appears that in the Vasudevahindi by Dharmadasa, Maharattha and Abhira are treated as identical. See Abhira. Mahura: Village Suggama is said to be situated in the Mahura janavaya 【Vasudevahindi by Sanghadasa, 306]. Probably it was the same as Surasena janavata [Vasudevahindi by Sanghadasa, 232]. In the list of the twenty-five and a half Aryan countries at the time of Samprati, Mahura is given as the capital of the Surasena kingdom (Sarthavaha, p. 75). Greek writers say that Methora and Kleisobora were in Sourasenoi (Sircar, op.cit., p. 102) Shafer, however, states that originally Surasena and Mathura were different janapadas (Shafer, op. cit., p. 144). Vaccha : Capital Kosambi (Vasudevahindi by Sanghadasa, 356]. The southern limit of this janapada extended upto the Vimjhatavi,i.e. the forest on the Vindhya mountain (Vasudevahindi by Sanghadasa, 43].

699 It was one of the twenty-five and a half Aryan countries at the time of Samprati (Motichandra, Sarthavaha, p. 75), and at was also one of the middle countries (Sircar, op. cit., p. 22 and fn.). Vaiii: Capital Vesali. This is described as the stronghold of the Lecchai Khattiyas (Vasudevahindi by Dharmadasa, II.32a]. The Vajjis were a confederation of Vajji, Licchavi, Jnatrka, Videha and others making it a group of eight members. It may have comprised the district around Vaisali, i.e. the modern village Basarh in Mujaffarpur district in Bihar (See Law, HGAI, p. 265). Vidabbha: Capitals Kumdinapura (Vasudevahindi by Sanghadasa, 80] and Bhayakada (Vasudevahindi by Sanghadasa, 98]. Princess of Viyabbha janapadas is described by the maid-servant of Saccabhama as a daughter of a forest king (adaviraino dhuya) (Vasudevahindi by Sanghadasa, 82]. Princess of Bhoyakada, daughter of king Ruppi, has been referred to as Veyabbhi (Vasudevahindi by Sanghadasa, 80). King Nala's wife was the daughter of king Bhimaratha who ruled the country of Viyabbha [Vasudevahindi by Dharmadasa, II.61b]. Vidarbha janapada comprised modern Berar and adjoining regions (Sircar, op.cit., p. 30 and fn.). Sukkarattha : One of the four janapadas which were ruled by Kanha and Balarama (Vasudevahindi by Sanghadasa, 77].

700 If the name is to be rendered in Sanskrit as 'Sukra rastra', the janapada might have some connection with Bhrgukaccha. Surattha : One of the four janapadas under the rule of Kanha Vasudeva and Balarama [Vasudevahindi by Sanghadasa, 77]. City of Girinagara was in this region [Vasudevahindi by Sanghadasa, 50]. Savatthi : Capital Savatthi. Another name of the Kunala janapada [Vasudevahindi by Sanghadasa, 283]. Seva: Capital Poyanapura. Situated on the banks of the river Godavari. When Vasudeva visited the janapada king Vijaya was ruling this country [Vasudevahindi by Sanghadasa, 353]. Seya is the same as Asmaka or Asvaka in Sanskrit. Paudanyapura was the capital of the Asmaka kingdom [Shafer, op.cit., P.118].