Gandhara Kingdom

Ancient Hindu Kingdom

This article is about the kingdom as described in the Hindu epics. For the historic kingdom, see Gandhāra (kingdom). For the historic region, see Gandhara. For other uses, see Gandhara (disambiguation).

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Gandhāra (

Aswamedha

Yajna.

Astika, whose mother was a Naga. Nagas were considered as a super human tribe, in Puranas. Naga literally means a Serpent

or a serpent-god. The Nagas could be a group of people who inhabited India during epic periods who worshiped snakes.

It is speculated that another super human tribe called the

Gandharva Kingdom

).

The period ended c. 535 BCE, with the Achaemenid conquest of the Indus Valley.

References in Mahabharata

KĀŚĪ

BĀHLIKA

KAMBOJA

GANDHĀRA

MATSYA

AṄGA

MAGADHA

◇ ▷

class=notpageimage|

South Asia c. 500 BCE, with location of the Gandhara Kingdom.^[1][2]

Karna is mentioned to have subjugated Gandharas along with others like the Madrakas, the Matsyas, the Trigartas, the Tanganas, the Khasas, the Pancalas, the Videhas, the Kulindas, the Kasi-kosalas, the Suhmas, the Angas, the Nishadhas, the Pundras, the Kichakas, the Vatsas, the Kalingas, the Taralas, the Asmakas, and the Rishikas (8,8). Karna who vanquished all the Kambojas and the Amvashthas with the Kaikeyas, that puissant one, who, having for the accomplishment of his purpose vanquished the Gandharas and the Videhas in battle (8,9)

Karna's opinion on Gandharas

• Karna mentions that among the
  Brahmanas
  (8,40)

In the region called

Gandharas were naturally allied to Kauravas, due to Gandhari Prince Shakuni, a close companion of Duryodhana, being on the Kaurava Side. Gandhara army united with the Kaurava army right from the camping phase along with the chiefs of the Sakas, the Kiratas, and Yavanas, the Sivis and the Vasatis (5,198)

The following are other references that give valuable information on their role in Kurukshetra War:-

Gandhara heroes

• The Kekaya brothers, at the head of their troops, encountered in battle the five Gandhara princes with their troops. (6,45)
• Gaya, Gavaksha, Vrishava, Charmavat, Arjava, and Suka those brothers of Shakuni rushed against the foe (6,91)warriors in Kurukshetra War (6,91)
• Gandhara chief Vrishak and Achala battled with Arjuna (7,28)
• Abhimanyu slew Suvala's son Kalikeya (7,47)
• Shakuni and his son Uluka was followed by many fearless Gandhara horsemen armed with bright lances, and many mountaineers difficult to defeat (8,46)
• Shakuni slew the Kulinda king, the king of the mountaineers, in the Pandava army. (8,85)
• Madra army disobeyed Shakuni on 18th day and fought separately. (9,18). Dispute was resolved by Duryodhana (9,23)
• Uluka
  (9,28)

Gandhara army

• The mountaineers of Gandhara followed Shakuni (6,20)
• The Gandharas, the Sindhu-Sauviras, the Sivis and the Vasatis with all their combatants followed Bhishma (6,51)
• The Madras, the Sauviras, the Gandharas and the Trigartas were mentioned as battling united (6,71)
• The Madrakas, the Gandharas, the Sakunas were mentioned as battling united (7,20)
• The Kambojas, and Vanayus were mentioned united with the king of the Gandharas (8,7)

Arjuna's conquests

Arjuna conducted a military campaign after the Kurukshetra War. He then reached the Gandhara country. Arjuna reached the country of the five waters which swelled with population and prosperity. From there he proceeded to the country of Gandharas. Then occurred a fierce battle between Arjuna and the ruler of Gandharas, viz., the son of Shakuni (14,83)

Musical note

Gandhara was also the name of a musical note, a technical term in the art of music. Mahabharata has several mentions of the Gandhara musical note. (4,17), (13,17)

• The seven musical notes are Shadaja, Rishabha, together with Gandhara, Madhyama, and likewise Panchama; after this should be known Dhaivata, and then Nishada. (12,183), (14,50) AD

Rulers

Known Gandhara rulers are-

• Nagnajit
• Shakuni
• Subala
• Achala
• Kalikeya
• Suvala
• Vrishaka
• Vrihadvala
• Gaya
• Gavaksha
• Vrishava
• Charmavat
• Arjava
• Suka
• Kulinda
• Pushkarasakti (c. 535–518 BCE), last ruler of Gandhara kingdom probably at time of Achaemenid conquest of the Indus Valley
• Kandik, (late ruler)

See also

• Kingdoms in the Mahabharata
• Kingdoms in the Ramayana

References