Šhamšhapāyana said:
1. O holy lord, the two continents in the east and the west have been narrated to us. Now tell us about the people dwelling in the northern and southern continents as well as those on the mountains.
Sūta said:
2. South of the Shveta mountain and north of the Nila, there is a sub-continent called Ramaņaka1 where human beings are born.
1. Identified with ancient Sogdiana (AGP 85-84).
3. Animals (thereof) fulfill desires in all seasons. People are free from the stink of old age (They do not become senile or decrepit). They are a good-looking people descended from a noble, fair-complexioned race.
4. There is a great divine Nyagrodha tree (the Indian fig tree) called Rohina. The people subsist on the juice of its fruit.
5. Those excellent people are always delightful and happy. They live for eleven thousand five hundred years.
6. To the north of the Shveta and to the south of the mountain called Shrungavān, there is a sub-continent called Hiranyata2 (Hiranvat in A) where a river Hairaṇyati (Hairanvati in A) flows.
2. This Varşha is closely associated with the river Hiranvati (mod. Zarafshan). Both forms of the name mean ‘possessor or scatterer of gold’. Due to its association with this river, this Varşha must be presumed to be adjacent to Sogdiana - AGP 84-85.
7. Very strong and brilliant men are born there who are Sattvic in quality, bestower of desires in all seasons. They are rich and comely in appearance.
8. These people of unlimited splendour live up to twelve thousand five hundred years.
9. In that country there is the great Lakucha tree (Bread fruit tree) yielding six tastes. Men maintain themselves on the juice of its fruits.
10. There the Shruågavan mountain has three great and lofty peaks. Out of them one is full (lit. consists) of diamonds, the second, of gold and the third, full of all kinds of precious stones. They are embellished with mansions.
11. On the southern shore of the northern sea is the holy country of the Kurus1 which is resorted to by the Siddhas.
1. Kuru or Uttara-Kuru as described here and in other Puranas includes the basin of rivers Irtysh, Obe, Tobol i.e. modern western Siberia - AGP 84-85.
12. The trees there provide sweet fruits and flowers throughout the year. They put forth clothes and ornaments along with fruits.
13. Many are the charming trees that bear fruits desired by all. They exude excellent honey of exquisite taste, colour and fragrance.
14. There are other charming trees called Kşhirin. They always yield milk like nectar yet presenting six types of tastes.
15. The entire ground is full of jewels, even the fine sand being gold which is pleasant to touch. It is auspicious, free from impurities and thorns.
16. Descending from the world of Devas, people are born as auspicious men. They are born in fair complexioned families and have perpetual youth.
17. The charming women give birth to twins who imbibe the nectarine juice of the Kshirin (milk-yielding) tree.
18. The twins are born simultaneously and grow up together. They are of similar forms, traits and conduct of life. They also die together.
19. Like the couples of Chakravāka birds, they are affectionate to each other. They enjoy life, not knowing disease, sorrow or suffering.
20. They have great vigour and vitality. They live up to fourteen thousand five hundred years. They never resort to others’ women.
21. North of Järudhi, the king of mountains, are the northern Kurus. The land is glorified in all directions. Now listen to its detailed description.
22-23. There are two lofty Kula-Parvatas, Chandrakanta and Sūryakānta.1 They are embellished by many caves, crevasses, cavities and rivulets; they possess many bushes and hedges. They are decorated with minerals of various colours. They contain many kinds of metals; they are adorned with all kinds of mineral ores. They have trees with perpetual fruits, flowers and roots; they are resorted to by Siddhas and Charaņas.
1. Identified with mod. Tarbagatai and Jingar-Ala Tau mountains,
24-25. The whole of that country is pervaded by hundreds of their peaks and ridges. The great river Bhadrasoma2 flows in between the two mountains, Chandrakanta and Sūryakānta.
2. Mod. Irtysh river.
26. There are thousands of other rivers with pure and tasty water, sufficient for the Kuru people for drinking.
27. Similarly there are thousands of great rivers flowing with milk, honey, butter and the intoxicant beverage Maireya.
28. There are hundreds of pools full of curds. There is a huge mountain rich in tasty food, nectarine, ripe fruits of different kinds.
29. There are roots and fruits of sweet fragrance, taste and colour. Their fragrance can be smelt from a distance of five Yojanas.
30. There are thousands of flowers of different colours and shapes, large, pleasant and conducive to welfare.
31. There are forests of Tamāla, Aguru and sandal-wood pleasant to touch and rich in fragrance, colour and taste.
32. The forests are in full bloom. Bees hum and hover round. The forests abound in pleasant trees, hedges and creepers.
33. O excellent Brāhmaṇa, there are thousands of lakes abounding in lotuses and lilies wherein bees hum and birds chirp.
34-35. There are many charming grounds of sports affording pleasure in all the seasons. There foodstuffs, garlands. unguents, beds, seats and other articles of enjoyment are ever available. Birds of beautiful shape and variegated colours chirp there.
36. The grounds of sports are flourishing and richly embellished in gold and jewels. There are bowers and grottos of plantain and other trees as well as rocks.
37. There are thousands of bowers of creepers all around. They are very pleasant. There are hundreds of underground houses as lustrous and pure as conch shells.
38. The windows are made of gold adorned with a network of diamonds. They are very large and of various sizes with wonderful workmanship in gold and gems.
39. There are thousands of excellent trees. The clothes are of various shapes (and fashions). They are of fine texture and very pleasant (to the sight).
40. There are various musical instruments like Mrudanga, Veņu, flute, Panava which are widely used. There are hundreds and thousands of Kalpa trees bearing fruits.
41. There are parks of that description everywhere and so are the cities all over the Kurus). The whole land is joyous, full of men and women. The wind blows wafting the fragrance of different flowers.
42. That country is always the abode of happiness, providing relief from fatigue. There, the gods descend from heaven in the shape of human beings and take their birth. Thus this excellent land is heaven itself, (maybe) even better than that.
43. The men living on the eastern ridge of the Chandrakānta mount are dark in colour, while those on Süryakanta are dark as well as fair. They are excellent and happy.
44. In that land, there are excellent men, strong and valorous like the Devas. They always enjoy themselves as much as they please. They look very refulgent.
45. They are bedecked in bangles, bracelets, shoulderlets,
necklaces and earrings. They wear garlands of various colours and coronets. Their upper garments and clothes are of various colours.
46. They never grow old. They have perpetual youth. They are fond, affectionate and comely in appearance. They live up to many thousand years.
47. They do not procreate nor do they decline in numbers. Pairs are born of the tree unlike each other but befitting each other.
48-49. The riches are common to all. They do not have the sense of possession. There is no virtue, no vice, no sickness, no old age, no mental confusion, no feeling of exhaustion, On completing their full length of time, they disappear like bubbles of water.
50. They are extremely happy, devoid of all miseries. Being passionately attached, they do not observe (the restrictions of) Dharma. For Dharma grows from misery.
51-52. To the southern side of Northern Kurus, there is the famous country called Chandradvipa1 shaped like the disc of the moon. It is at a distance of five thousand Yojanas beyond the region of gods. (Being a seaside land) it is ever decorated with garlands of sea waves and is resonant with many sounds.
1. The Tuva region in southern Siberia where the river Yenisi flows.
53-55. It extends to one thousand Yojanas in area and is full of fruits and flowers. It is fertile and flourishing. It is one hundred Yojanas in breadth and so much in height. There is an excellent mountain Kumudaprabha in its centre, inhabited by Siddhas and Charanas. It has various gems equal in lustre to the moon. These have all good traits and shine in their lunar shape. There are lilies of diverse colours, parks and gardens of variegated hues. There are many rivulets and caves. It is deco rated with great ridges, precipices, crevasses and bushy hedges.
56. The excellent river of many waves, Chandråvartā flows from this mountain. It is full of pure and holy water, bright like the moon’s rays.
57. There is the excellent abode of the moon, the lord of stars. The moon, the lord of planets, always resides there.
58. There is a famous mountain known by the name of the moon. The great land called Chandradvīpa is famous both in this world as well as in heaven.
59. All the people here shine like the moon. They resemble the moon, with their faces shining like the moon. They are free from dirt and consider the moon their deity.
60. The people there, are very virtuous, gentle, truthful and brilliant. Their conduct is good and their span of life extends to a thousand years.
61-62. To the west of this western continent is the land called Bhadrakara four thousand Yojanas from the ocean. It is a circular zone ten thousand Yojanas in diameter. It looks splendid with different kinds of flowers.
63. The place is rich and abounds in food grains. It is ruled over by many kings. It is joyous, prosperous and beautiful on account of the great mountains.
64. There is a very splendid seat of Vayu there, embellished with various jewels. There, the embodied form of Vayu is worshipped always on Parvan days.
65-66. The people living there have golden complexion. They are bedecked in gold. They are as refulgent as the immortal Devas. Their garments and garlands are of variegated colour. They are blessed, vigorous, joyous and truthful. They live up to five hundred years. They consider Väyu their deity.
Sūta said:
67. These are the natural characteristics of the countries in Bharata as seen by the knowers of the supreme truth. What else shall I narrate to you?
68. When this was said by the intelligent son of Sūta, the sages eager to listen to the sequal asked him thereafter.
The Sages said:
69-71. O excellent one, it is in this Bharata country that the fourteen Manus, Svayambhuva and others, are born at the time of the creation of subjects. We wish to know this further. Please narrate.
On hearing their words Sūta Lomaharşhana, well-versed in the Puranas and of pious mind, described this in detail to the sages of purified souls.
Sūta said:
72. The natural traits of the Kurus have been precisely recounted. Now I shall mention the features of Bharata.1 Understand them.
1. The description of Bhārata is repeated in other Purāņas also e.g. AP. 118, Bd.P. I.2.16, VP.II.3.
73-74. O excellent Brāhmaṇas, in the sacred centre to the south of the southern mountain Himavat, extending from east to west is the Bhārata sub-continent. It behoves you to listen now to the details of the countries in the Bharata Varsha and of the people there.
75. With its diverse features giving rise to auspicious and inauspicious results, this sub-continent is in the middle, to the north of the ocean and to the south of Himavat.
76. Since the country (Varsha) is called Bhārata the people are Bhāratis. Since Manu ruled over the people, he is called Bharata.2 Etymologically derived thus the Varsha (country) is called Bhārata.
2. This etymological explanation of ‘Bhārata’ attributing its credit to Manu who is called ‘Bharata’ due to his act of maintaining (and feeding) the people, supersedes the Jaina tradition which attributes it to Bharata, the son of Tirthankara Vruşhabha.
77. It is from here alone that one goes to heaven or attains salvation.3 The middle course-heaven as well as the end, the final emancipation is attained from here. Rituals for human beings are not ordained anywhere else on earth.
3. Due to this special importance of Bhārata, it is called Karma-bhümi. Cf. Bd.P.I.2.16.7, Bm.P.27.2, Mk.P. 55. 21-22, Mt.P. 114. 6-7, Siddhanta Shiromani III.41.
78. There are stated to be nine divisions of this Bharata Varşha.4 Being separated by oceans, they are mutually inaccessible.
4. Cf. Mk. P. 57.5, Mt.P. 113.7-9. The names of the nine regional divisions of Bhārata Varsha indicate a period when Hindu culture was assimilated by countries in South and South-East Asia, There are differences among scholars about their identification from the days of Al Biruni to De M.Ali and V.S. Agrawala. Thus Indradvipa is identified with Madhyadeśha (Al Biruni), region between Lanka and Mahendra Hills (Abul Fazl in Ain e-Akbari), Burma (Majumdar), Andamans (V.S. Agrawala), Trans-Brahma Putra region (M.Ali). These are mere speculations of scholars. After discussing the regional classification (AGP 126-132), M.Ali comes to the following conclusion:
Indradvipa=the trans-Brahmaputra region.
Kaseru= The coastal plain between the deltas of Godavari and Mahanadi.
Tämravarna=The sector of Indian Peninsula south of Käveri. Gabhastimān=The hilly belt between Narmada and Godāvari. Saumya=The coastal belt west of Indus.
Gandharva=The trans-Indus region,
Vāruņa=The western coast of India.
79-81. They are Indradvīpa, Kaseru, Tämravarna, Gabhastimán, Nagadvipa, Saumya, Gandharva and Väruna. This Bharata, the ninth among them, is surrounded by the sea. From south to north it extends to a thousand Yojanas, from Kumari to the source of Gangā. Sideways in the north it extends to nine thousand Yojanas.
82. On the eastern boundary are Kirātas and Yavanas at the western boundary.
83. Within it dwell Brāhmaṇas, Kşhattriyas and Vaisyas attending to sacrifices, war and trade respectively. The Shūdras live in different parts.
84. There are mutual dealings among these based on virtue, wealth and love. The different castes are engaged in their own functions.
85. People perform the duties of the five stages of life, the fifth being that of Sankalpa. They possess the human tendency to endeavour to attain heaven and salvation.
86. He who conquers this ninth Dvīpa entirely, along with the countries extending sideways, is declared an emperor (Samrāt).
87. He who conquers this world is remembered as Samrat, the conquerer of Antariksha as Virāt, while the conqueror of the other world is called Svarāt1. I shall explain this later on.
1. The precise meaning of terms Şamrat, Virāt and Suarat is worth noting.
A farfetched interpretation of this verse is suggested as follows: region is known as monarchical, Antariksha as non-monarchical (vi-rat) and other region as self-governing (sva-rät)".
88. There are seven great mountain systems with excellent knot-like ridges in this Varşha. They are Mahendra, Malaya, Sahya, Suktimān, Rukşhaparvata, Vindhya and Pariyatra.1
1. Out of these mountain systems, Mahendra, Malaya and Sahya ranges are well-known. The Vindhya of the Puranas includes the Satpura range, south of the Narmadā. According to De (p. 196) Shuktimān is that portion of the Vindhya range joining Päriyātra and Rukṣha mountains including the hills of Gondwan and Chhota Nagpur. But M. Ali in the topographical Map of Bharata, shows it as a ring of ranges encircling the Mahānadi basin, very nearly coinciding with Purāņic Dakşhiņa Kosala (mod. Mahakosal area in MP).
The Päriyātra mountain is a ring of ranges north of Narmadā, nearly encircling the catchment area of Chambal and Betwa and thus corresponds to the Aravallis and (modern) Western Vindhya.
The Rukşha mountain represents the modern Vindhya from the source of Sonar to the eastern ranges marking the catchment area of the river Shona (AGP 112-113).
89. There are other thousands of mountains adjacent to these. They are endowed with all qualities, and have broad and variegated summits.
90-92. The chief of them2 are the excellent mountain Mandara, Vaihāra, Dardura, Kolahala, Surasa, Maināka, Vaidyuta, Patandhama, Pandura, Gantuprastha, Krishnagiri, Godhana, Puşhpagiri, Ujjayanta, Raivataka, Shriparvata, Käru and Kūţaśhaila.
2. Mandara=A portion of Himalaya to the east of Sumeru in Garhwal (De, p.124- 25).
93. There are other smaller mountains with thin population. The land strips between them have a mixed population consisting of Aryas and Mlecchas.
94-96. The rivers rising from the foot of Himavat,3 of which those people drink the water are: Ganga, Sindhu, Sarasvati, Shatadru, Chandrabhaga, Yamunā, Sarayū, Iråvati, Vitastā, Vipaśhā, Devikā, Kuhū, Gomati, Dhūtapăpă, Bāhudā, Druşhadvati, Kaushikī, Trutīya, Niśhchira, Gandaki, Ikşhu and Lohita.
3. The mountain ranges described in note 1 above are watersheds which bound wholly or partly the catchment areas of important rivers in India.
It is significant that the names and order or enumeration is practically the same as in Mt.P. and Bd.P.
Here is the list of rivers rising from Himalaya. The modern names are given in brackets:
Shatadru (Sutlej), Chandrabhāga (Chenab), Iravati (Ravi), Vitastā (Jhelum), Vipāśhā (Beas), Devika (Deeg, a tributary of Ravi), Kuhu (Kabul), Dhūtapăpă (Sharada, with its headstreams), Bāhudā (Rapti), Druşhadvati (Chitang, a tributary of Ghaggar), Kaushiki (Kosi with its three headwaters), Lohita (Brahmaputra).
97-98 The rivers issuing from Pariyātra1 are: Vedasmruti, Vadavatī, Vrutraghnī, Sindhu, Varnāśha, Chandanā, Satiră, Mahati Parā, Charmaņvati, Vidiśhā, Vetravati, Shiprā and Avanti.
1. Päripatra is a variation of Päriyatra. The modern names of these rivers are mentioned in the brackets:
Vedasmruti (Banās), Vedavati (Berach), Vrutraghni (Bangangā-Utangan). These were big, perennial rivers of ancient Matsyadeśha (now a part of M.P.)
Varnāśhā is W.Banas which flows west of Aravallis, Nandana (Sabarmati); Sadăniră (Sarasvati) is probably the correct name for Satira. Pårå (Pārbati), Charmaņvati (Chambal), Vidiśhā (Bes), Vetravati (Betwa).
The names of Purāņic mountain ranges are so mixed in modern times that some rivers are attributed to both.
Shona, Mahanada and Narmada do not rise in Purāņic Rukṣha Parvata. Rivers from Mandakini onwards are from Bundelkhand (M.P.). The modern names of the rivers are juxtaposed in brackets:
Daśhārņā (Dhasan), Tamasa (Tons); Pippala and Shroni (Shyenā in Bd.P.) seems to be one river, viz. Pippali-Shyeni as in Mt.P. (mod. name: (Paishuni).
Vipāśhā is probably Viśhālā as in Bd.P. It is Bewas near Sagar in M.P.
Jambūlā (Jammi) a tributary of Betwa, Shuktimati (Ken) (AGP 118-119).
99-101. The rivers originating from Rukşhaāda and having crystal-clear water are: The great Nada Shona, Narmada. Sumahädruma, Mandakini, Daśhārņā, Chitrakūță, Tamasā, Pippalā, Shroni, Karatoya, Piśhāchikā, Nīlotpalā, Vipāśhā, Jambulā, Vāluvā hini, Siterajā, Shuktimati, Makruņā, and Tridivā.
102-103. The auspicious rivers of holy waters issuing from the slopes of the Vindhya mountains2 are: Tapi, Payosni, Nirvindhyā, Madrā, Nişhadhā, Venya, Vaitarani, Sitibāhu, Kumudvati, Toya, Mahāgauri, Durgā and Antaśhila.
2. As stated above, Puranic writers include even the Satpura hills in the Vindhya ranges.
The modern names of the rivers are given in brackets:
Tāpi (Tapti or Tāpi), Payoşhņi (Pain-ganga-De, p. 150), Nirvindhya between Ujjain and Vetravati (in Meghadūla) (mod. Newuj), Nişhadhã (Sind, on this Narwar, the capital of Nişhadhas was located).
Venyà (Van-gangā), Vaitarani (Baitarani), Kumudyati (Suvarna rekhi), Toya (Brāhmani), Mahāgauri (Damodara). Durga (difficult to cross) and anta-sila (full of rocks) are probably the adjectives of that wild river-AGP 120-121.
Most of the rivers are known by their old names with a few modi fications such as Bhimarathi (Bhima), Krishņā-vaiņi (also in inscriptions for mod. Krishņā), Vangula (Manjira), Suprayoga (Vedavati).
104. The rivers of the southern land rising from the slopes of Sahva mountains are the Godavari, Bhimarathi, Krishnävaiņi, Vañjula, Tungabhadrā, Suprayoga and Kåverī.
105. The rivers issuing from the Malaya mountains1 are Krutainālā, Tamravarņā, Puşhpajāti and Utpalavati. All of them are very splendid. Their waters are very cool.
1. The modern names are bracketed:
Krutamālā (Vai-gai), Támravarņā (Oparni), Puşhpajāti (Pambiar), Utpalavati (Periyar)—AGP 122-123.
106. The rivers originating from Mahendra mountains2 are Trisama, Rutukulya, Ikşhulā, Tridivä, Längūlini and Vamsadharā.
2. Modern names of these and explanatory remarks are siven in the brackets.
Trisamā (the three headwaters of the Ruşhikulyā, viz. Ghod-hada, Bhagava and Patana, have this collective name); Rutukulya is Ruşhikulya (repeated under rivers from the Shuktiman)
Tridivă (a collective name for Vegavati, Nāgavati and Suvarnamukhi the three headwaters of Längūlini, mod. Langulia).
107. The rivers issuing from the mountain Suktimān3 are Ruşhikā, Sukumāri, Mandagā, Mandavāhini, Kūpa and Palashini.
3. Modern names of these rivers are brackated.
Ruşhikå (probably Rushruikulyā mentioned above); Sukumäri (Suktel, joins the Mahānadi near Sonpur, Orissa), Mandaga (Mand), Manda-vähini (-gamini in Bd.P., Mahanadi proper), Kūpā (Krpa in Bd.P., Arpă), Palasini (Jonk in Raipur Dist. in M.P.)
108. All of them are sacred like Sarasvati. All of them flowing into the sea are (holy like) Gangå. These are the mothers of the world and are declared as removers of the sins of the world.
109-111. The branches and tributaries of these rivers are hundreds and thousands. The countries in Central Region (Madhyadeśha)1 are chiefly Kurupāñcālas, Salvas, Jāngalas. Sūrasenas, Bhadrakāras, Bodhas, Shatapatheśhvaras, Vatsas. Kisaşhnas, Kulyas, Kuntalas, Käshikosalas, Tilangas in the border land, Magadhas and Vrukas.
1. At the time of the final redaction of the Purāņa, the following parts of India were included in "Madhyadeśha". These are originally the names of the tribes applied to the land where they were then settled:
Kurus--Between Ghaggar in the west and Gangă in the east and with forest belt on the south and the north.
Päñchālas-Co-terminus with modern Rohilkhand with the central portion of the Ganga-Yamuna doab added to it.
Shālvas-Near Kurukshetra to the west of Matsyadeśha. De thinks that it comprised some parts of former Jodhpur, Jaipur and Alwar states (Dc p. 175).
Jangalas Generally associated with Kurus as “Kurujāngala". Probably, it occupied the NE part of Kurus (AGP 135).
Bhadrakäras and Bodhas along with Shálvas occupied the borderland of the Madhyadeśha of Puranas.
112. Now along the northern half of Sahya mountains where the river Godāvarī flows is the most delightful region within the whole of this earth.
113-114. There is a heavenly city named Govardhana.2 It was built by the king of Devas for Rama’s spouse. Trees and herbs were planted by the sage Bhāradvāja for the sake of Rama’s spouse. He made this delightful wooded tract the private part of the palace.
2. Now a village in Nasik district of Maharashtra. Formerly it was an important centre of learning. Brāhmanas coming from that place formed a sub-caste ‘Govardhana Brāhmaṇas". It is mentioned several times in the famous Nasik inscription of Uşhavadāta (100 B.C.) (Epigraphica Indica VIII, P. 78).
115-119. The colonies of Kshattriyas3 are Vählikas, Vadhadhanas, Abhiras, Kālatoyakas, Aparītas, Shūdras, Pahlavas,
Charmakhandikas, Gāndhāras, Yavanas, Sindhus, Sauviras, Bhadrakas, Shakas, Hradas, Kulindas, Paritas, Härapūrikas, Ramatas, Raddhakatakas, Kekayas and Daśhamānikas. The tribes of Vaishyas and Shudras are: Kambojas, Daradas, Barbaras, Priyalaukikas, Pinas, Tuşhāras, Pahlavas, Bahyatodaras, Atreyas, Bharadvăjas, Prasthalas, Kaserukas, Lampākas, Stanapas, Pidikas and Juhudas.
3. Generally realms or countries are named after the names of tribes or peoples who colonise them. The identification of these realms is based on AGP pp. 137-147. D.C. Sircar’s GAMI is also referred to and only the page no. is mentioned.
(1) The Và (Ba) hlikas=People of Balistan region covered by the Bolon, Nari and Gokh rivers. It coincided with former British Baluchistan. But according to D.C. Sircar (P. 32) it is Balkh (N, Afghanistan).
(2) The Vädhadhānas (Vātadhānas)=Prob. Waziristan. But in Sircar (0.32) the Panjab-Rajastan region.
(3) The Abhiras=South of Sauvira but cast of the Indus=Western part of Hyderabad dist., Sind.
(4) The Kālatoyakas=Residents of Kalat region in Baluchistan,
(5) The Pahlavas=The region adjoining the Hingol valley on the Parikan river. They included Vaishyas and Shudras as well,
(6) The Charmakhandikas=At the mouth of the river Hab and the Churma island.
(7) The Gandharas=Kandahar-lower Kabul valley.
(8) The Yavanas=Ionians, Greeks.
(9-10) The Sindhus and Sauviras=Though usually linked together, they are different regions, Sauvira coincides with Rohri-Khairpur region of Sind and the remaining portion is Sindhus,
(11) The Shakas=Scythians,
(12) The Ku(Pu)lindas=Kunets of Kulu. But formerly they extended to Saharanpur and Ambala (Sircar, 33).
(13) The Kekayas= People of the country between the Beas and the Sutlej.
(14) The Kambojas=People from Kafirstan who colonised the Kunar basin.
(15) The Daradas=The same ancient tribe living in the valley of the Kisenganga in Kashmir,
(16) Thc Barbaras=People migrated from Barbary or North Africa.
(17) The Tuşhāras=Tokharians in N. Afghanistan, but people on the Tochi according to AGP 142.
(18) The Lampakas=Lamghans associated with upper Kabul.
120. Apagas, Alimadras, Tomaras, Hamsamārgas, Kāśhmiras and Tanganas are the tribes of Kirātas.
121. These along with Chūlikas, Āhukas and Pūrņadarvas are the northern peoples. Now hear from me the people in the East.
122-123. People in the east:1 Andhravākas, Sujarakas, Antargiris, Bahirgiris, Pravangas, Vangeyas, Maladas, Malavartins, Brahmottaras, Pravijayas, Bhargavas, Geyamarthakas, Pragjyotishas, Mundas, Videhas, Tam(r)aliptakas, Malas Magadhas and Govindas are the counties in the east.
1. The ancient tribes and their locations from Eastern India are identified as follows:
Antargiri=Rajmahal hills in Santhal Pargana, Bengal (De 8). But Sircar locates Antargiri and Bahirgiri towards the north of Assam.
Vangeyas=Bengal proper-the deltaic triangle between Bhagirathi Hooghly (the main outlet of Ganga in ancient times) and Padma (AGP 151).
Maladas-A Part of the district of Shahabad-the site of Vishvamitra’s Ashrama in Buxar (De, 100); Malda district of Bengal, Rajashahi and West Dinajpur of Bengal (AGP, p. 151).
The Bhargavas=Probably the same as Bhargava-Angaya (in AGP, p. 152) ie, the Yamuna-Meghna Doab.
The Pragjyotishas=Kamarupa Dist. in Assam.
The Mundas=Chhota Nagpur, especially the Ranchi district (De, p. 134).
The Videhas=Tirhut country between the Kosi and the Gandak to the north of the Ganga (De, p. 35).
The Tamraliptakas-Tamluk in Midnapur district including Kontai (De, p. 203) (AGP, p. 152).
The Malas (The Mallas in Bd.P.)-The country round the Parasnath Hills (Part of Hazaribagh and Manbhum Districts). The Mallas were at Pava and Kushinagara at the time of the Buddha (De, p. 123).
The Magadhas=South Bihar,
The Govindas or Gonarda (in Bd.P., Mt.P.) =De (p. 71) identifies it with Gonda in Oudh.
124-131. Now the other people who dwell in the southern region1 are: Pandyas, Keralas, Chaulyas (Cholas), Kulyas, Setukas, Mushikas, Kumanas, Vanavasikas, Maharashtras, Mahishakas, Kalingas, Abhiras, Caishikas, excellent Atavyas, Pulindras, Vindhyamulikas, Paunikas, Maunikas, Ashmakas, Bhogavardhanas, Nairnikas, Kuntalas, Andhras, Udbhidas, Nalakalikas.
1. The following identifications are based on De, (page no. indicated in notes) and Sircar (GAMI).
The Pandyas-Modern districts of Tinnevelly and Madura in Tamil Nadu (p. 147).
The Chaulas (Cholas)=The Coromandal coast to the south of the Pennar including Tanjor (p. 151).
The Setukas People of Setubandha, Rameshwar (Sircar p. 38).
The Mushikas=Travancore on the Malbar coast (p. 134). But sircar (p. 36) suggests people living on the Muri river (in Nellore and Guntur dists., A.P.)
The Vanavasikas=Banwasi in North Kanara Dist. Karnatak (CGEIL p. 79). The Kingdom of the ancient Kadamba dynasties.
The Maharashtras–Roughly identified with Marathi speaking people.
The Mahishakas=Southern Mysore (p. 120), also Sircar (p. 39).
The Kalingas=South Orissa (Puri and Ganjam Districts)-Sircar (P. 39).
The Abhiras=South-eastern portion of Gujarat about the mouth of the Narmada (Sircar, p. 1).
The Pulindras (also Pulindas) = Region between the Pranahita and Bandia rivers, both tributaries of the Godavari.
The Paunikas or Paurikas=A small territory occupying the valley of the Purna, a tributary of the Godavari.
The Ashmakas=Aurangabad district and Bodhana country round about in Nizamabad Dist. (Sircar, p. 40).
The Bhojavardhanas=The valley of the upper Purna river below the Sahyadri. Bhokardan about 30 miles from Ajanta (Sircar, P. 40).
The Kuntalas=The southern Maharashtra and northern Canara Dist.
The Andhras=Not the present big state in south India. Region comprising Krishna and Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh together with its neighbouring area (CGEIL p. 80).
Now hear from me the names of other people: Shurpakaras, Kolavanas, Durgas, Kalitakas, Puleyas, Suralas, Rupasas, Tapasas, Turasitas, all the Paraksharas, Nasikyas and others; those lands in the valley of Narmada1, viz: Bhanukacchas, Samas, Heyas, Sahasas, Shashvatas, Kacchiyas, Surashtras, Anartas, Anartas, Arbudas and Samparitas. Now listen to the residents of the Vindhya mountains.2
1. Some identifications proposed:
The Kacchast=Cutch, now in Gujarat state.
The Surashtras=Saurashtra (former Kathiawad) now in Gujarat.
The Anartag=Gujarat and a part of Malwa (De, p. 8).
The Arbudas=The country around Mt. Abu (De, p. 16).
2. The Malavas=Though Malavas settled in Avanti (around Ujjain) finally and gave their name to the ancient Avanti desha, it is possible that they were in south Marwar (in Rajasthan) at the time of this Purana.
The Karushas=The country around Reva (De, p. 95).
The Mekalas= Country around Amarkantak, the source of the Narmada
The Utkalas=Orissa.
The Dashainas=Modern eastern Malwa (Sircar, p. 43).
The Bhojas= Country around Bhilwara in the Chambal basin (AGP, p. 159). Sircar identifies them with the people of Vidarbha who founded a kingdom in Goa (p. 43).
The Kishkindhakas-Sircar identifies it with modern Kalyanpur, south of Udaipur Division (p. 43)
The Tosalas=The southern part of Kosala or Gondwan District around Tosali (mod. Dhanti) in Puri District (De, p. 43).
The Kosalas=Sircar identifies this with Dakshina (Southern) Kosala modern Raipur, Bilaspur and Sambalpur region (p. 43).
The Traipuras=The region around Tewar. This covers present Jabalpur, parts of Mandla and Narasimhapur Districts.
The Vaidikas=A misprint for Vaidishas: Eastern Malwa with Vidisha or Bhilasa as the capital (p. 43).
The Tumuras=Modern Tumain in Guna Dist., M.P.-(Sircar, p. 44). The Nishadhas=Marwar with Narwar as its capital (ibid).
The Anupas=South Malwa country about Nimar (De, p. 8).
The Tundikeras=The Narmada basin around the town Sainkheda (AGP 161).
The Vitihotras=The country around Satwar 30 miles north-west of Harda. It is bounded on the north-east and west by the Vindhyas and by the Narmada in the south.
The Avantis=The country around Ujjain.
132-134. Malavas, Karushas, Mekalas, Utkalas, Uttamarnas Dasharnas, Bhojas, Kihskindhakas, Tosalas, Kosalas, Traipuras, Vaidikas, Tumuras, Tumburas, Shatsuras, Nishadhas, Anupas, Tundikeras, Vitihotras, Avantis. These are the kingdoms on the Vindhya mountains.
135-137. Now I shall mention mountainous territories .1 These are: Nigarharas, Hamsamargas, Kshupanas, Tanganas, Khasas, Kushapravaranas, Hunas, Darvas, Hudakas, Trigartas, Malavas, Kiratas and Tamasas. The learned know of four ages in this Bharata, viz. Kruta, Treta, Dvapara and Kali. I shall explain their natural features later.
1. Sircar identifies some as follows:
The Hamsa-margas=People of Hunza in N-W Kashmir (p. 45.)
The Khasas=Mod. Khakkas. They lived in Kashmir.
The Trigartas=Modern Jalandhar region (Panjab).
The Kiratas=Himalayan Mountaineers.