Apraca

Apraca, or Avaca, was an ancient Indo-Scythian kingdom or satrapy in the area of Bajaur in modern Pakistan from the 1st century BCE to the 1st century CE. Its rulers formed a small dynasty, called the Apracarajas. The territory was the stronghold of the warlike Aspasioi of Arrian, a western branch of the Ashvakas (q.v.) of the Sanskrit texts, who had earlier offered stubborn resistance to the Macedonian invader, Alexander the Great in 326 BCE.

A recently discovered inscription in Kharoshthi on a Buddhist reliquary gives a relationship between several eras of the period and mention several Apraca rulers:

:"In the twenty-seventh - 27 - year in the reign of Lord Vijayamitra, the King of the Apraca; in the seventy-third - 73 - year which is called "of Azes", in the two hundred and first - 201 - year of the Yonas (Greeks), on the eighth day of the month of Sravana; on this day was established [this] stupa by Rukhana, the wife of the King of Apraca, [and] by Vijayamitra, the king of Apraca, [and] by Indravarma (Indravasu?), the commander (stratega), [together] with their wives and sons." ["Afghanistan, carrefour en l'Est et l'Ouest" p.373. Also Senior 2003] This inscription would date to circa 15 CE. The rulers seem to have been related to Kharaostes, which if true, would also certainly connect Apraca with Kamuia (q.v.) or Kambojika (Kamboja) lineage. Kamuia (q.v.) is dialectical variation of Kambojika (q.v.) which is same as Kamboja of Sanskrit or Pali texts.

Dr Prashant Srivastava, of University of Lucknow, has recently written a research monograph which aims to highlight the significant role played by the family of the Apraca kings in ancient Indian history, and has connected this family of the Apraca kings with the Ashvaka clan [The Apracharajas : A History Based on Coins and Inscriptions, ISBN : 8173200742, 2007, Dr. Prashant Srivastava, Reader, Ancient Indian History and Archaeology, University of Lucknow.] . But, the Ashvaka clan was none else than a sub-branch of the greater Kamboja tribe spread on either side of the Hindukush. See Ashvakas.

The Apraca kings are also mentionned in the Bajaur casket.

Rulers

* Vijayamitra (12 BCE - 15 CE), wife Rukhana
* Indravasu (c.20 CE), wife Vasumitra
* Visnuvarman or Vispavarman, wife Śiśirena
* Indravarman, wife Uttara
* Aspa [e.g.: "Aspa.bhrata.putrasa". See: An Inscribed Silver Buddhist Reliquary of the Time of King Kharaosta and Prince Indravarman, Jounranal of the American Oriental Society, Vol 116, No 3, 1996, p 448, Richard Saloman.] or Aspavarma (15 - 45 CE)
* Sasa [Op. cit, p 448, Dr Richard Saloman.]

Notes

References

* [http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0003-0279%28199607%2F09%29116%3A3%3C418%3AAISBRO%3E2.0.CO%3B2-O&size=LARGE&origin=JSTOR-enlargePage An Inscribed Silver Buddhist Reliquary of the Time of King Kharaosta and Prince Indravarman]
*"Afghanistan, carrefour en l'Est et l'Ouest"
*cite book
last = Senior
first = R.C.
authorlink =
coauthors =
title = Indo-Scythian coins and history. Volume IV.
year = 2006
language = English
publisher = Classical Numismatic Group, Inc.
location =
id = ISBN 0-9709268-6-3