हिमालयं समारभ्य: यावत् इंदु सरोवरं |
तं देवनिर्मितं देशं हिंदुस्थानं प्रचक्षते ||
Starting from Himalayas and extending upto the Indian Ocean is the nation built by Gods, Hindustan. As a contradiction, a few people believe this appearance of 'Hindustan' word in Barhaspatya Sutra is due to the distortion of our scriptures by invaders to suit their agendas, but currently this is what is accessible to us.
A Vishwa Guru of the ancient world, India has been a treasure trove of valuable knowledge. The Indian way of ethical leadership, is what provides it the potential to again become the Vishwa Guru which can lead by example and create a deep impact and inspiration for other nations to follow and make universal harmony possible. As per Vishnu Purana,
उत्तरं यत्समुद्रस्य: हिमाद्रेश्चैव दक्षिणम् |
वर्षं तद् भारतं नाम: भारती यत्र संततिः ||
The land (varṣam) that lies north of the ocean and south of the snowy mountains is called Bhāratam; there dwell the descendants of Bharata." The unique Indian understanding of the world and the suitable ethical conduct creates leaders who have the power to create impact, develop empathy and resilience.
No country / civilization in the world demonstrates such enduring reverence / Rituals related to nature / ancient cult for the Great Mother Goddess, as does India. The Goddess is celebrated in every form, aspect and quality, through music, art, ritual, mantra and meditation, the Earth, nature and the transcendent beyond all expression. Bharata (India), is named after another Bharata who appeared in our history. Vishnu Purana further says,
ऋषभो मरुदेव्याश्च ऋषभात भरतो भवेत् |
भरताद भारतं वर्षं, भरतात सुमतिस्त्वभूत् ||
Rishabha was born to Marudevi, Bharata was born to Rishabh, Bharatavarsha (India) arose from Bharata, and Sumati arose from Bharata. Another interpretation of Bharata is the grammatical inference of the word Bharata itself. In Sanskrit, 'Bha' means 'knowledge/light' and 'rata' means 'devoted to'. We all know our country was the centre of knowledge and wisdom centuries ago. So the name 'Bharata' is a reference to this.
Most of the concepts in Vedas, Upanishads, Puranas, Ramayana, Mahabharata are based on the premise of 'Dharma'. Though there isn't any word in English that can come close to explain the correct meaning of 'Dharma', it can be translated as righteousness. Hence, the culture of our country is called as 'Sanatana Dharma', which means, 'the eternal and natural way of living'. The culture of our country has been Dharma-based which is universal for all the people irrespective of their sects, gender and gotra lineage.
The Sanatana Dharma includes present day Hindus, Buddhists, Jains and Sikhs. Or in other words it includes whoever stays in the land of Bharata and embraces Dharma. The land of Bharata started from the Himalayas to down South till the Indian Ocean. Bharata and its many parts was ruled by many famous dynasties.
This map is put on display in Purana Qila, which is the ancient Indraprastha of Mahabharata. Take a look at the map and see the name of your region during those days. Mahabharata is simply the encyclopedia of ancient India. The geographical details are very comprehensive.
To the northwest in Afghanistan is the country of Yavanas, who were the Bactrian Indo Greeks (Modern Begram). To their east in the Hindukush is the country of Ashvakas and Kambojas. The Kamviri Nuristanis of Afghanistan, Kamboj/Kamboh of Punjab and Kammas of Andhra Pradesh could be their partial descendants.
To their immediate east are the Chinas, Ladakas (Ladakh) and Ramathas (Bhotas). These were Tibetan people . Chinese were known as Maha Chinas.
To the south of Kamboja is the country of Gandhara with its capital at Takshashila (Taxila). This is the Attock-Swat-Charsadda-Peshawar-Islamabad region. To the south of Gandhara is the kingdom of Kekaya, which is the modern Dera Ismail Khan region between Jhelum and Indus.To their south is the kingdom of Sibi and its capital Sibipura (which is the modern Sehwan). To their east in the modern Majha region of Punjab is the ancient kingdom of Madra. To their east are Vahikas on the other side of river Iravati (Ravi). Bahlikas is misplaced in this map and they should really belong to Balkh, Afghanistan.
To the North of Vahikas is the kingdom of Trigarta with its capital at Sakala(Sialkot). This is the Jammu-Sialkot region. To their north is the kingdom of Kashmir (Kashmira) with its capital at Rajapura (Rajouri). Remember that Shrinagara (Srinagar) was established by Ashoka who post dates Mahabharata. As such, it does not appear in this map. To the North of Kashmir is the kingdom of Daradas (dards of Gilgit-Chitral-Yasin). To the east of Trigarta is the kingdom of Audumbaras which is the ancient kingdom of Himachal. To their east is the kingdom of Khasas who are the Nepali people speaking Khas khura.
Interestingly, Malavas and Yaudheyas still inherit the Indus-Satluj region in the Mahabharata. In the post Mahabharata age , Malavas win over lands from east Punjab to Madhya Pradesh. Malwa of East Punjab(Ludhiana) and Malwa of Madhya Pradesh is still named after this tribe.
Yaudheyas also moved east and conquered Haryana region. They established their capital at Rohitaka (Rohtak). To the south of Punjab are Sauviras, who are the modern Saraiki speakers of Sindh-Multan.
To their east is the kingdom of Kuru, the modern Haryana region around Delhi. It had two capitals- Indraprastha (Delhi) and Hastinapura (Meerut). To their South-East is the kingdom of Panchalas. It also had two capitals. Ahicchatra in the north and Kampilya in the south. According to Mahabharata, Ahichhatra was conquered by Drona from Panchala king Drupada.
To the west of Panchalas is the kingdom of Yadus with its capital at Mathura. To their south is the kingdom of Kuntala (Gwalior) and Nishada (Bundelkhand). The west of Mathura was conquered by other Yadu tribes like Andhakas and Surasenas. The Matysa kingdom belonged to Jaipur region with its capital at Viratanagara( modern Bairat ).
Vatsa was the ancient kingdom of Prayaga region with its capital at Kaushambi. Magadha is the modern patna region with its capital at Girivraja (Rajgir). North Bihar (Mithila) region was inhabited by Videhas with their capital at Mithila. Vrijis had their capital at Sravasti (Balrampur). To their west was the kingdom of Kosalas with its capital at Ayodhya.
To the west of Andhra was the kingdom of Kuntala which is the modern day Uttara kannada and south Maharastra region. To the northwest of Kuntala was Goa which was then known as Aparanta. To the South of Kuntala is the kingdom of Karnata which is the Bangalore region.
To the south of Karnata, are the three countries of Tamilakam. The country of Dravidas and their capital of Kanchi. The country of Pandyas and their capital Madura (madurai) in the extreme south. The country of cholas on the banks of kaveri.The country of Keralas in the Malabar coast.
The city of Gokarna in the South Konkan region was already famous as the town of Shiva.
In the Central India roughly corresponding to Malwa region and western Madhya pradesh was the country of Avanti. Ujjayani (Ujjain) was the capital of Northern Avanti and Mahishmati on the banks of Narmada was the capital of Southern Avanti. According to Mahabharata, Mahishmati had a formidable fortress protected by Lord Agni himself. Nakula appeased the God by offering a Yajna before he went on to conquer the city.
To the north of Kalinga was the country of Odras which is today's western Odisha. This region was famous for the Mahendragiri mountain which according to Mahabharata and Ramayana was a resting place of Lord Parashurama. Its capital was Manipura near today's Kendrapara. Today's Manipur in NE India was actually founded by migrants from this place. To the north of Brahman river was the country of Utkalas. To its North in the Padma basing was the country of Vanga, which is today's Padma Delta of southern Bangladesh.
Tp its north in the Eastern Bangladesh was the country of Pundra. This region was ruled by the famous king Pundraka Vasudeva who imitated the attire of Lord Krishna. Today's Assam was known as Kamrupa in Mahabharata. The position of Pragjyotisha in the map is a little misleading because Pragjyotishapura in Mahbaharata was clearly a western kingdom affiliated to Yavanas. It was only later (perhaps after a migration?) that the capital of Kamrupa began to be known as Pragjyotishapura
Anga belonged to East Bihar and Purulia district of Bengal. It was the kingdom of Mahabharata hero Karna. What is today's Bengal was primarily known as Radha. The Chittagong region was known as Samatata. The south Padma belt was Vanga and north of it was Pundra.
To the west in Western Gujarat was the kingdom of Yadu tribe Vrishni and its capital Dvaraka.
According to Mahabharata, Ahicchatra was ruled by Drona’s son Ashvatthama. As Guru Dakshina, Arjuna brought before Drona the King Drupada as a captive. Drupada then gave the state of Ahicchatra to Droṇa and got his release. (Mahābhārata, Ādi Parva, Ślokas 73 to 76, Chapter 137).
To the west of Panchalas is the kingdom of “Yadus” with its capital at Mathura. To their south is the kingdom of “Kuntala” (Gwalior) and “Nishada” (Bundelkhand). The west of Mathura was conquered by other Yadu tribes like ‘Andhakas” and ‘Surasenas.
The Matysa kingdom belonged to Jaipur region with its capital at Viratanagara (modern Bairat).
Vatsa was the ancient kingdom of prayaga region with its capital at ‘Kaushambi’. “Magadha” is the modern patna region with its capital at Girivraja (Rajgir).
North Bihar (Mithila) region was inhabited by ‘Videhas’ with their capital at ‘Mithila’. Vrijis had their capital at Sravasti (Balrampur). To their west was the kingdom of Kosalas with its capital at Ayodhya.
To the west of Andhra was the kingdom of ‘Kuntala’ which is the modern day “Uttara Kannada” and South Maharastra region. To the North-West of Kuntala was Goa which was then known as Aparanta. To the South of Kuntala is the kingdom of Karnata which is the Bangalore region.
To the South of Karnata, are the three countries of Tamilakam. The country of Dravidas & their capital of Kanchi. The country of Pandyas & their capital Madura(madurai) in the extreme South. The country of Cholas on the banks of Kaveri.The country of Keralas in the Malabar coast.
In the Karna Parva(12.15) of Mahabharata, all three kingdoms: Pandyas, Keralas and Cholas are clubbed as “Dravidas”.
Described as tall and broad chested warriors with courage like that of ruttish elephant.
Dravida= entire region comprising today’s Tamilnadu and Kerala.
In the Mahabharata war, the Pandya king fought on the side of Pandavas. He slaughtered the armies of Duryodhana.
He slaughtered the Bahlikas, Khasas, Kuntalas. His bravery was praised in Mahabharata. In the end, he was k!lled by the Drona’s valiant son Aśvatthāmā.
The city of Gokarna in the South Konkana region was already famous in Mahabharata (3.275 vulgate) as “the favorite resort of Lord Shiva”.
Agastya’s hermitage existed to the south of it. And it was here that Vatapi was “digested” by Agastya according to Puranic lore.
In the Central India roughly corresponding to Malwa region and western Madhya pradesh was the country of “Avanti”.
Ujjayani (Ujjain) was the capital of Northern Avanti and Mahishmati on the banks of ‘Narmada’ was the capital of Southern Avanti.
According to Mahabharata, Mahishmati had a formidable fortress protected by Lord Agni himself who had never been conquered in the past. Sahadeva appeased the God by offering a Yajna before he went on to conquer the city.
To the north of Kalinga was the country of “Odras” which is today’s “Western Odisha”. This region was famous for the Mahendragiri mountain which according to Mahabharata and Ramayana was a resting place of Lord Parashurama. Its capital was Manipura near today’s Kendrapara.
It must be mentioned that the Manipura of Mahabharata is near the Mahendragiri mountain (on the Andhra-Odisha border in Gajapati district/Srikakulam district).
Today’s “Manipur” in the North East got its name after 16th century. (It was earlier known as Kangleipak)
Today’s Manipur in NE India was actually renamed by Vaishnava migrants from this place.
To the north of Brahman river was the country of “Utkalas”. To its North in the Padma basin was the country of “Vanga”, which is today’s Padma Delta of southern Bangladesh.
These dynasties contributed immensely towards the art, culture, architecture, science, technology, literature, spirituality and many other fields of the country. With consistent efforts, understanding of the changing world order, and being able to understand the nuances of ancient Indian sensibilities and values and creatively applying those to discover new solutions, India can create a better tomorrow, not just for itself, but for the rest of the world.
On the contrary, most civilizations have been lost over centuries through invasions like Mesopotamian, Mayan, Mississippians, Greeks, Romans, etc. That is the true indicator of how strong our culture and traditions are. With our country having such a vast history and legacy of many famous warriors and rulers, it is the duty of each one of us to know about those who have played major roles in making India what it is today.
Here are some of the famous dynasties of Bharata:
1. Mahajanapadas- 600 BC to 325 BC (275 years)
2. Haryanka- 544 BC to 492 BC (52 years)
3. Shishunaga -413 BC to 345 BC (68 years)
4. Nanda- mid 5th century BC to 322 BC ( 100 yeas approx.)
5. Maurya- 322 BC to 184 BC (138 years)
6. Sungas- 184 BC to 75 BC (109 years)
7. Kanva- 73 BC to 28BC (45 years)
8. Satavahanas- 200 BC to 300 CE (about 450-500 years)
9. Pallavas- 275 CE to 897 CE (622 years)
10. Kadamba- 345 to 540 CE (195 years)
11. Cholas-300 BC to 1279 CE (979 years)
12. Guptas- 4th to 6th century CE (200 years)
13. Pandya 6th to 10th Century CE (Later Pandyas-13th to 14th century CE) (500 years)
14. Cheras 2nd century BC to 5th century CE Later Cheras 9th to 12th century CE (1000 years)
15. Rashtrakutas 6th to 10th century CE (400 years)
16. Chalukayas 6th to 12th century CE (600 years)
17. Palas- 750 CE to 1161 CE (411 years)
18. Loharas 1003 CE to 1302 CE (290 years)
19. Hoysalas 1026 to 1343 CE (317 years)
20. Vijayanagara 1336 to 1646 CE (310 years)
The history of Bharata is vast, the list of dynasties as per my knowledge and resources. Only major dynasties have been listed. There were innumerable other dynasties present in India who have contributed to make what India is. Secondly, there may be a few discrepancies with regard to the time period of each dynasties. In many cases, no definitive evidences are found and approximate periods have been considered.
Our social studies and history textbooks only teach us a single line/paragraph about each of these dynasties. In many cases, they are not even mentioned. Bharata had flourished under each of these dynasties in different ways. They all ensured we were ahead of our times in many fields through our gurukula education system. If we hope to take present day India to higher levels, it is out duty to know about our history and take their legacy forward. We have a rich tradition of debate and dialogue in the pursuit of knowledge.
The Upanishads are an eloquent testimony to the constant, constructive dialogue between the teacher and the taught. Thanks to innumerable thinkers, researchers and teachers who absorbed the best in the world and charted out a path on their own, India emerged as a global centre of learning and was described as “Vishwaguru”. The world looked up to India.
India’s priceless contribution of the zero and decimal system and its advancements in the fields of metallurgy speak of its greatness as an early world civilisation. Kanad spoke of “anu” and its indestructible nature long before modern scientist propounded the atomic theory. Sushrutha is known as the father of plastic surgery. Ancient India was home to some of the famous centres of learning like Takshashila, Nalanda and Pushpagiri, which attracted knowledge seekers and savants from across the country and the world.
The Vedas and subjects such as agriculture, philosophy, mathematics, archery, military arts, surgery, medicine, astronomy, futurology, magic, commerce, agriculture, music and dance were taught at these centres of higher learning. In the 7th century AD, Xuanzang, a Chinese scholar, studied with many famous Buddhist masters at the famous university at Nalanda. Chanakya, the author of Arthashastra and Charaka, famous Ayurvedic physician, were products of Takshashila.
The excavations of urban settlements and buildings at Harappa and Mohenjodaro have proved that India was ahead of others in the world at that time. Salutations to our Rishi Parampara. India could achieve this excellence because it valued learning. It is also a country that welcomed good ideas from everywhere and said in the Rig Veda: आ नो भद्राः क्रतवो यन्तु विश्वतः (Let noble thoughts come to us from all sides). This assimilation, acceptance and adaptation, leading to ideation, lay at the heart of India’s progress in the realm of ideas.
The westernisation of India’s education system has robbed Indians of original thinking and made them develop a mindset of looking with awe at anything Western, while undervaluing one’s own culture and native ethos. The way to overcome this syndrome is to deepen our understanding of our intellectual lineage and draw lessons for the revitalisation of the education system. Keep improving your knowledge. Use whatever you have learnt and share your knowledge with others.
Respect the Hindu Gods and your ancestors. Look upon your parents, teachers and guests as Gods. Let’s promise to build a nation that is strong, developed, independent, capable, and sets an example for the world. With Pride in our souls, freedom in the mind, strength in the words, pureness in our blood, zeal in our hearts, let's salute our nation.
We should do everything that enriches and preserves the cultural heritage of our nation. India can develop a new yoga Shakti to help usher in a new yuga, a new world age for all humanity. Its yogic and meditation teachings are already bringing major changes into the world mind.
महान पूर्वीय पूर्वज महापुरुष प्रति नमन
Vande Mataram 👏 Jai Hind🇮🇳
NB: A Trueindology map
Authored by Dr Anadi Sahoo
