Ghandari

The Gandharis (Sanskrit: गंधारी) are a tribe attested from the Rigveda (RV 1.120.1, 1.126.7) and later texts.

According to Zimmer, they lived on the Kubha river in Vedic times. [Macdonell and Keith, Vedic Index, 1912] In later times, they formed a part of the Persian empire. [Macdonell and Keith, Vedic Index, 1912]

The Gandharis, along with the Mujavantas, Angas and the Magadhas, are also mentioned in the Atharvaveda (AV 5.22.14), but apparently as a despised people. Gandharas are included in the Uttarapatha division of Puranic and Buddhistic traditions. Aitareya Brahmana refers to king Naganajit of Gandhara who was contemporary of Shah Janaka of Videha. The Ghandaris are also mentioned in the Chandogya Upanishad and the Srauta Sutras.

The Puranas record that the Druhyus were driven out of the land of the seven rivers by Mandhatr and that their next king Ghandara settled in a north-western region which became known as Ghandara. [Kandahar in Afghanistan possibly derives its name from Ghandara, Bryant 2001] The sons of the later Druhyu king Pracetas finally migrate to the region north of Afghanistan. This migration is recorded in the following Puranas: Bhagavata 9.23.15-16; Visnu 4.17.5; Vayu 99.11-12; Brahmanda 3.74.11-12 and Matsya 48.9. [see e.g. Pargiter [1922] 1979; Talageri 1993, 2000]

Gandharas and their king figure prominently as strong allies of the Kurus against the Pandavas in Mahabharata war. The Gandharas were a furious people, well trained in the art of war. According to Puranic traditions, this Janapada was founded by "Gandhara", son of Aruddha, a descendant of Yayati. The princes of this country are said to have come from the line of Druhyu who was a famous king of Rigvedic period. The river Indus watered the lands of Gandhara. According to Vayu Purana (II.36.107), the Gandharas were destroyed by Pramiti aka Kalika, at the end of Kalyuga.

See also

Ghandara

Notes