Huna Kingdom
Hunas were a tribe close to Himalayas that, because of limited interaction with Indian kingdoms, were mentioned in the epic Mahabharata. They belonged to the Xinjiang province of China, east of Jammu-Kashmir. However, they were nomadic
people who changed their settlements from time to time.
References in Mahabharata
Huna mentioned as a kingdom of Ancient India (Bharata Varsha)
Among the tribes of the north are the Mlecchas, and the Kruras, the
tribes; the Sukritvahas, the Kulatthas, the Hunas, and the Parasikas; the Ramanas, and the Dasamalikas. (6,9).According to Dr V. A. Smith, this verse of Mahabharata is reminiscent of the period (4th/5th century AD) when the Hunas first came into contact with the Persia (See: Early History of India, p 339, Dr V. A. Smith; See also Early Empire of Central Asia, W. M. McGovern).
The origin myth of Huna tribe
Chinas
and numerous other Mlechchhas. (1,177)
- From the list it seems that it is a compiled list of Vedic Kingdoms.
- The above story of Mahabharata differs somewhat from the Shavala cow story of Kiratasetc [Ramayana, Bala Kanda, 55.1-4]. Ramayana list being older is often taken more authentic of the two lists.
Role in Kurukshetra War
Dhristadyumna, on the second day of the Kurukshetra War
. (6,50)
See also
- 36 royal races
- Middle Kingdoms of India
- Hunas
References
- Krishna Dwaipayana Vyasa, translated to English by Kisari Mohan Ganguli