Ancient Kamboj Rashtra - 3

Article by L. S. Thind

PART - III

SECOND SCHOOL ON KAMBOJA LOCATION:

The pioneer of this school on location of ancient Kamboja is the front-ranking Indologist Dr J. C. Vidyalankar who has located his ancient Kamboja in Badakshan as well as in areas of Pamirs. Today, they form parts of North Afghanistan, Tajikstan, and southern parts of Kirgizstan and Turkemenistan. Few years ago, they constituted the southern parts of Russian and Chinese Turkistan. The entire region constitutes the southern of Central Asia. Dr Vidyalankar rejected altogether, the researches of Dr H. C. Raychaudhury and Dr D. R. Bhandarker and others and had established the above location of Ancient Kamboja based on original arguments and new evidences.

The above location of ancient Kamboja is also based on equally strong evidence and indisputable documentation coming from a host of foreign writers of ancient world which include Ptolemy, Hiuen Tsang, Arrian, Mkidisi, Ammianus Mercenninus etc. It is further confirmed by Kalhana's Rajatrangini, Kalidasa's Raghu Vamsa Drama as well as by Mahabharata shloka (7/12/20-25). Yasaka's Nirukuta is another strong documentation to confirm the location of ancient Kamboj in this region of Central Asia. The Tambuzoi of Ptolemy's Geography is another plume in the cap of this this school of thought.

EVIDENCE FROM YASKA AND LINGUISTIC SURVEY OF INDIA BY SIR GEORGE GRIERSEN. [Linguistic Survey of India, Vol X, pp 468, 474, 476, 500]

Yaska in his Nirukuta (2/2) writes about the langage of the Kambojas (700 BC).

Savtirgati karama Kambojesueva bhasyate Kamboja kambhalbhoja kamniyabhoja kambala kamniyo bhavti Vikarma-sy-aryesu bhasyante sava iti (Nirukuta 2/ 2)

"The verb s'avati, meaning 'to go', is used by the Kambojas only. Kambojas (are so called because) they enjoy blankets (Kambala), or beautiful things. A blanket (Kambala) is a desirable object (Kamani_ya). Its modified form s'ava is used by the other Aryans" (Nir. 2.2).

Sir George Griersen, a noted British linguist and historian has accepted the truth of Yasaka's above statement. Dr Griersen has extensively studied the languages of Central Asia around Oxus river and has produced samples from several Galcha dialects (Shigni, Srikoli, Jebaki, Ishkami, Munjani or Munji, Yidga and Yognobi) in his researches. He was surprised to learn that even after thousands of years, this peculiarity of the verb 'Savtir' (=to go), as spoken of by ancient Kambojas (and only the Kambojas as testified by Yaska in his Nirukuta 2/2) is still abundantly found in all the the above dialects of the Galcha (or old Persian). Dr Griersen gave numerous examples to prove his hypotheses. In 1911, he wrote an essay on the `The Language of the Kambojas' which appeared in the Journal of Royal Asiatic Society (Sir Grierson G. A.' The Language of the Kambojas, I.R. A. S, 1911, p 8-1-2). He had observed: "The word `Savti' used as verb (in the sense to go) does not occur in Sanskrit but is a good Iranian word" (IBID p. 802).

All these dialects as reproduced by Sir Grison in his article are still spoken in the region known as Galcha speaking area in Central Asia. This Galcha area covers Badakshan, Pamir as well as the eastern region in between the Oxus and Jaxartes river, towards the source of Juxartes and Zarphashan river, where the Yognobi dialect of the Galcha language is found to be spoken till date. The Munjani is mainly spoken in Badakshan area of Afganistan. According to Dr Griersen's researches, the Tajiks of Badakshan are found to ethnically belong to the same race as the Galcha speakers of the Tajikstan. (Op Cit., Vol X., p 456). According to Dr Motichander, Dr J. C. Vidyalankar, Dr S. K. Chatterjee, Dr Jya Lal, Dr Lassen etc the Tajiks of Tajikstan are the modern representatives (descendents) of the ancient Kambojas (Bhart Bhumi Aur Unke Nivasi, p 313-314, 226, BHARTYA Itihaas Ki Mimansa, p 335 by Dr J. C. Vidyalankar; Cultural Heritage of India, Vol I, p 44, Dr Suniti Kumar). Thus we have a very powerful linguistc evidence which locates ancient Kamboja in the predominantly in the Central Asia beyond Oxus River. This also verifies that the Tajiks are an Aryan tribe and the belong to ancient Kamboja tribe.

[cf: India as Known to Panini, p 48, Dr Aggarwal; cf: G. M. Dr Moti Chander, p 37; cf: Bharata Bhumi aur Uske Nivasi, 1930, p 297-303, Dr J. C. Vidyalankar].

Based on this numerous linguistic evidence, famous Indologist, Dr Lassen has established that the ancient Kamboja Mahajanapada comprised the modern Galcha speaking area in the north-east irrigated by Oxus river irrigated its tributaries. He has received further support from Sir George Grierson, the famous linguist and scholar of England, as stated above.

BHURIDATTA JATAKA EVIDENCE:

In 1904, a German Philosopher, Dr Ernst Kuhn wrote an essay titled 'Das Folk der Kamboja', (First series of Avesta, Pahlavi and Ancient Persian Studies in honor of the late Shams-ul-ulama Dastur Peshantanji Behramji Sanjana...Strassberg & Liepzig 1904, pp 213 ff) on the Kamojas of Yaska. Based on a Gatha from Bhuridatta Jataka of the Pali Texts Dr Kuhn had demonstrated that Kambojas were a Iranian tribe and they followed Persian culture, religion and customs and spoke Persian language. Because the geographical region which has historically been mostly a part of ancient Iran and been under its linguistic, religious and cultural influence has been the Trans-Hindukush/Trans-Oxian area i.e the Area of Badakshan and Pamir. This again certifies that the Bhuridatta Jataka refers to the Kambojas of Iranian affinities, living across the Oxus river or better across the Hindukush range (north of Hindykush) in those old times (5/4c BC). It has also to be noted that the Kambojas of south-east of Hindukush i.e. the Kabol regions were Vedic Indians and followed Vedic culture, religion and spoke Sanskrit language as is evident from Samveda, Rigveda, the war sections of Mahabharata as also from Ashoka's RE XII, V and Shar-I-kuna Inscriptions found in south-east of Hindukush in Kabul valley and Kandhar region.

MAHABHARATA EVIDENCE:

According to Dr J. C. Vidyalankar, in second c BC, Badakshan and most of its eastern region across the Oxus region (ancient Kamboja kingdom) had been predominantly occupied by Tuchharas (Yuches). Therefore, the Kamboja Country, for some time to come, started to addressed as Tuchhara desha, after its dominant inhabitants, the Tuchharas. But before this historical event, all this region was a part of the ancient Kamboja kingdom.

Mahabharata shloka `Kamboja-Bahlika': term of MBH shloka 6/75/17 testifies to this fact. It connects Kamboja with Bahlika or Bacteria (joint term). Scholars argue that this connection of Kambojas with Bahlikas verifies that the Kambojas were neighbors to Bacteria, which will require them to be located near Oxux on the north of Hindukush and not on its south side (i.e. Paropamisadae region).

Further examine the following shlokas of Mahabharata:

Grahitava tu balam saram Phalgun: Pandunandan: Dardan saha KAMBOJAIH rajyate pakshasini:

Lohan PARAM KAMBOJAAN Nrishkanutranpi Sahtastan mahadaj vayajayat pakshasin: (MBH 2/27/23-25)

In fact, the above Shlokas of MBH testify to the existence of TWO KAMBOJA COUNTRIES. One Kamboja is connected with Dardas which is inevitably to be placed somewhere on the Upper Indus. This country comprised Kabol, Kunar, Swat, valleys Kaffirstan province and south-east of Kashmir. It formed the so-called Paropamisadaen Kamboja of the Classical writers. But interestingly, Mahabharata specifies another Kamboja country across the Hindukush and probably across the Oxus river (=Param Kamboja country) which is connected with the Rshika tribe. These Rikishas are the `Rishikas of the north', identified by scholars with the Yuches or Kushans, who are described as neighbors to Lohas and Param Kambojas. As the Lohans and Rishikas were located beyond the Hindukush, to the north of Kashmir... the Himaparvata or Himalayans, their neighbors, the Kambojas therefore, have necessarily to be similarly located beyond the Hindukush mountain, somewhere in the Trans-Oxian regions of Central Asia. This Trans-Oxian Kamboja country in fact is the the Param Kamboja (MBH 2/27/25) the country which Dr J. C. Vudyalankar, Dr V. D. Aggarwal, Dr Shastri etc find connected with Bahlika Yavanas (the Bacterian Greeks ) and thus it has to be located across the Hindukush in the Badakshan and Pamirs and Juxartes/Oxus Doabs in Central Asia.

In 8th c AD, the Tucharas grew weak and the Badakshan region again resumed its ancient name i.e. Kamboja. This fact is strongly documented by Chinese traveler, Hiuen Tsong's writings as well as by those of Kashmiri Schlolar, Kalhana, the author of Rajatrangini (see below).

EVIDENCE FROM RAJATRANGINI OF POET KALHANA (ref: SHLOKAS IV.165-66):

The Dig Vijay expedition accounts of celebrated king of Kashmir, named Laliditya Muktapida mentioned by Poet Kalhana, in his Rajatrangini, details the fight of Kambojas with king Laliditya Muktapida in north of Kashmir. After fight with Kambojas, there is mention of Tuchhars. (Rajtrangini, 4/165), who simply ran away without giving any fight to the great king Lalita Ditya Muktapida. Then there is mention of Turk tribes of Bhubhhuni and then Bhauttyas (Tibetan). The Dig Vijay account of poet Kalhana refers to king's Lalita Ditya Muktapida's expedition details in the north-east, north and north-west of Kashmir. The Dardas have been mentioned and they are located near Chitral to the east of Kasshmir. It is important to note that the Tuchharas (Yuches) were living in modern Badakshan during Kalhana's time. As the Badakshan formed a part of ancient Kamboja, thus the Kamboja, which was conterminous with Badakshan and was its earstwhile bigger brother, must be located somewhere in the Trans-Oxian region, neighboring Tuchara land. Based on other historical data of the time, the only possible north region where this location is possible are the Pamirs and some parts in between Syr (Jaxartes) and Amu (Oxus) Daryas. This fact again confirms that ancient Kamboja was on the north side of Amu or Oxus river, beyond the Hindukush mountain ranges. (ref: Bharat Bhumi Aur Unke Nivasi 1930, p 297-303 Raghu's line of Conquest along Indian Northern Border, Sixth Indian Oriental Conference, 1930, pp 101 ff; Bhartya Itihaas Ki Ruprekha, p 226-37, Bhartya Itihaas ki Mimsansa, p 221-22, Raghu Ka Dig Vijay Aur Kalidas Ka Rashtrya Adarash, Vishal Bharat, Bhag 7, Ank 6, June 1931, p 777-83, Kamboja people and the Country, 1981, 117-157 Dr Jya Lal, These Kambojn People, 1980 by K. S. Dardi).

EVIDENCE FURNISHED BY RAGHUVAMSA PLAY OF KALIDASA. (Ref: RAGHUVAMSA IV.60-70 ff).

Most scholars identify the Raghuvamsa hero of this Dig Vijaya to be king Vikrmadidya (57 BC), the originator of Samavata or Vikrami era. But others identify him with Chandra Gupta Vikarma Ditya-1, the contemporary of poet Kalidasa. Whosoever might be this king, this does not in any way affect the the information revealed from this Dig-Vijay. According to Raghuvamas play of Kalidasa, the great king starts on his war expeditions from Ujjaini, reduces all the independent kingdoms located on east and west coast of India. Then he proceeds via land route to fight with the Pharasas or Parsikas in Iran. The Parasika people give him tough fight but finally lose the battle. After reducing the Parsikas, the great king is shown to be proceeding to west coast of OXUS river. The Oxus/Vamkshu river (also called Amu darya) runs all the way from Pamirs, passes through Tajikstan and then Uzbekstan and finally meets Aral sea. The Hunas at this time are shown as living precisely on the west side of Oxus river. On the west bank of the river (modern Turkemenistan) the great king takes a breath and lets his horses also take one. The play also refers to `Kesra' trees (saffron trees) of this area and reveals that his horses were got covered by Kesra leaves from Kesra trees. This area, till date, is known as the prominent Kesra producing area in Central Asia. The Hunas did give a fight to Raghu but they lost badly. Then the victorious king, after crossing Oxus, meets the Kambojas on its east side which precisely is confirmed to be the Doab of Jaxartes (Syr darya) and Oxus (Amu Darya) i.e in the Trans-Oxian region of Central Asia. The poet here refers to `walnut trees' of the Kamboja country. It again has to be noted that the east Sogdiana/Fargana regions (the home of Kambojas) are still noted for their walnut produce. The Kambojas also submit to the great king and offer him rich presents of fine horses and enormous treasures (described as pearls/gems or ratanas by the poet Kalidas in the Play : ref Raghuvamsa IV. 60-70). After reducing the Kambojas, the king mounts the Himalyas. The scholars have critically examined the final details of this Play. It shows the route taken and the geographical kingdoms traversed by by the Raghuvamsa hero. The poet, Kalidas, seem to posses remarkable knowledge of the different countries, kingdoms, rivers, mountains and agriculture/horticulture of the respective geographical regions covered by the Victor king. According to scholars, the scenario/landscape of fight with Hunas and (west side Oxus) and then the Kambojas (east side of Oxus) and then from Kambojas, his proceeding to the mount of the Himalyans, conquering the Kinrata and Kinara and Kamrupa on the east and southern Himalyans and then descending into mainland India clearly establishes the fact that ancient Kamboja was located somewhere in the north of Himalyans, in trans-hindukush, the Trans-Oxian (Doab of Oxus and Jaxartes ) region, including famous Pamirs during this phase of Indian history i.e. start of AD era. (ref: Bharat Bhumi Aur Unke Nivasi 1930, p 297-303 Raghu's line of Conquest along Indian Northern Border, Sixth Indian Oriental Conference, 1930, pp 101 ff; Bhartya Itihaas Ki Ruprekha, p 226-37, Bhartya Itihaas ki Mimsansa, p 221-22, Raghu Ka Dig Vijay Aur Kalidas Ka Rashtrya Adarash, Vishal Bharat, Bhag 7, Ank 6, June 1931, p 777-83, Kamboja people and the Country, 1981, 117-157 Dr Jya Lal, These Kambojn People, 1980 by K. S. Dardi).

EVIDENCE FROM RAJATRANGINI-IV BY POET PARAJA BHATTA.

The author of Rajatrangini-IV, Parja Bhatta, while providing the details on Mughul dynasty in India, calls Mughul Emperor Babur as the Kamboj-yavanesh (the Yavana king from the Kamboja country): see below:

Kambhojayavaneyshen Babur-yen vipatit: Tadaiy Hastinpuryameybhrahemo nripeshvar (223)

(ref: Raghunath Singh, ShukaRajatranhgini Tatha Rajtrangini Sangraha p 110).

Now we know that Mughul emperor Babur, the founder of Mughul dynasty in India hailed from Fargana, which was located towards the north of boundaries of Pamir. This again shows that based on traditions, the Kashmiri scholars, up till 12th c AD, were fully conversant with and knowledgeable about the limits and boundaries of the Ancient Kamboja.

EVIDENCE FROM INDIAN PURANAS:

The Kumudadvipa of the Puranas (Vayu Purana etc) has been identified by scholars with Komdei country mentioned geographer Ptolemy. ".......In the anterior epic period, this Kumuda probably was the name given to high table land of Tartary, north of Himalyans range, from the neighborhood of which the Aryans (i.e. the Vedic/Iranian Aryans, the Sakas, the Kambojas, the Pahlavas and Sugadas tribes....recent research report by USA researcher: see ref: Ethnography of Ancient India, p 430 by Dr Robert Schaffer) race is supposed to have pushed their way southwards into India peninsula and have preserved this name Kumuda in their traditions as relic of old the mountain worship (Dr Thomson). In Puranas, this Kumuda is described as golden mountain located in the center of Jamudvipa........".(All the above text comes from the Classical Dictionary of India, N.Y, 1973 by Dr John Garett, p 392-394). This Kumudadvipa of Vayu Purana, has been written by the foreign writers variously as Komdei ( Ptolmey) Kumito (Hiun Tsong) Kumi ( T'ang), Kiomoche( Wu-k'ong) Kumeda or Kumadha (Moslem/Arab writers) Cambothi, Kambuson, Komedon, Kambysis (cassical writers), Komedas (Roman writer, Ammianus Marcellinus). Thus according to these foreign writers, the ancient Kamboja (Kumuda, Kumija, Kamedas, Komdei, Kamdesh etc) was located in the Pamirs or the Doab region of Juxartes and Oxus rivers.

EVIDENCE FROM AITREY BRAHMAN (8/14) AND VAMSA BRAHMANA OF SAMVEDA:

The Aitray Brahmana locates Uttara Kuru and Uttara Matdra tribes in the central Asia, beyond, in the north of Himalyans (Pareyan Himavantas: ref shloka 8/14, Aitray Brahmana). As refered to and discussed above also,in the Vamsa Brahman of the Sam-Veda, a hallowed sage Kamboja Aupamayava has been shown to be the desciple of sage Madargara. Sage Madragara belonged to Uttara Madra tribe living beyond Himalyans in the neighborhood of Uttarakurus, as documented above. Based on this evidence, Dr A. A. Keith and Dr A. B. Mcdonnel (Vedic Index, I, p 138; An Ancient People of Punjab, The Undumbras, Indian Antiquary, 1926, p-11 by Jean Przyluski) conclude that the Kambojas and Uttramadras were neighbors in the in the Uttarapatha. Further more, even Dr Zimmer has shown the ancient Kamboja as neighbors of Uttarakurus in north (Alt Indisches Leben, p. 102, Dr Zimmer).

"....The earlier settlements of the Kurus were situated, as Zimmer has shown, near Kamboja in the territory of Kashmir......"). http://sarasvati.simplenet.com/angirasa.htm

cf:'Vamsa Brahmana mentions a Kamboja sage Aupanyava Kamboja. It is stated that Kamboja Aupanyava was a teacher of sage Madragara Shangayani. Sage Shangatani was called Madargara because he belonged to Madra desha. In the early Vedic times, the KAMBOJAS and the MADRA tribe were neighbors. During an early Vedic times, the Madras were a tribe living in Bahlika or Balkh (ref: Supra). This means that the Kambojas who were neighbors of Madras must also be identified or located near the same region i.e. around Oxus (in Central Asia).[ref: Geographical Data in Early Puranas, p 1972, p 164, Dr M. R. Singh)

Thus Aitreya Brahmana in association with Vamsa Brahmana of Samveda (1/18) also suggests location of ancient Kamboja beyond the Himalyans. (Also ref to Ancient Kamboja, People and the Country, 1981, p 265-66)

EVIDENCE FROM DASAM GRANTH:

While refering to the invasion of Alexandra of Macedonia (Shah Sikandar da dhaawa), the 10th Guru of the Sikhs, Sri Guru Gobind Singh ji,in Dasam Granth, uses the term `KAMBOJ' for the frontier people or Uttarpatha people, living on north-west frontiers of India ('Kamboj, Kilmak kathin pal me kat dare': vide Triya Chritra 217 page 1125 of Sri Dasam Granth Sahib 2024 published by Bhai Jawahar Singh, Bhai Kirpal Singh Amritsar; page 484, Shloka 14; also: Kashmir Kasi kar Kambuj (Kabuj) Kabul kau Keenu...kalanour,........Kaamboj Kilamaak kathin pal mey kat darey' Dasam Granth (M/S Bhai Chater Singh ji & Co by Bhai Narain Singh Ji Giani, corrections by Dr Ajit singh Ji Aulakh Ph D. The Kamboj has been mentioned as neighbor to Kashmir, Kabul and Kalanour but most importantly, as a people, the Kambojas have been associated with Kilmak people. This means that `Kilmaks' and `Kambojas' were neighbors to each other and were living in contigous geographical regions. The Kilmak people here are the Hunic Mongol people living to north-west of Oxus river above Bacteria at this phase of history. Hence, according to Dasam Granth also, most probably the Kamboja can safely be located in the contigous area of the Kilmaks, north of the Hindukush in Central Asia.

EVEDENCE FROM GEOGRAPHER PTOLEMY(2nd c AD):

The ancient Geographer, Ptolemy has mentioned a region in the Badakshan area, on the south bank of Oxus river and has called it as `Tambuzoi' as well as Ambaltai . Dr S. Levi has analyzed this Tambuzoi critically based on the science of linguistics, Furthermore, the Greek term `Ambautai' for this country has also been examined by Dr Michael Wintzel of Harvard University (Electronics Journal). Dr Levi and Dr Wintzel have proved that these terms are the Greek transliteration of the Austro-Asiatic spelling of the well known Sanskrit term Kamboja. This again verifies that an Ancient Kamboja country was located on the banks of Oxus river, in Central Asia, during the times of Geographer Ptolemy (2nd c AD).

For Tambuzoi= Kamboja [Indian Antiquary 203, 1923, p 54, cf: Mcgrindle, Ptolemy, p 268, Problems of Ancient India, 2000, p 1, Purana, Vol VI, No I, Jan 1964, p 208, K. D. Sethna, Geographical Data in the Early Purana...A Critical study, Dr M. R. Singh, p 165-166, Ancient Kamboja, People and the Country, 1981, p 44]

For Ambautai= Kamboja (Dr Michael Witzel). [The Electronic Journal, EJVS0501a Editor-in Chief Dr Michael Wintzel, Harvard University]. This Ambauta was also located in northern Afghanistan somewhere near Heart neighboring to Bacteria country. http://www1.shore.net/~india/ejvs/ejvs0501/ejvs0501a.txt

EVIDENCE FROM GEOGRAPHER IDRISI( 11TH C AD).:

Idrisi, the 11th century geographer gives in his writings, a vivid and pictorial description of Badakshan, its scenic beauty, its urvara bhumi, its horses, its ponies, its precious stones and musk etc and then finally states that The Kamboja was located on the boundaries of Badakshan. Undoubtedly, Idrisi refers to the Kamboja country located on the north side of Hindukush, beyond the Oxus river, and obviously it was the Pamirs lands and some parts in the Doab of Jaxartes and Oxus rivers. According to K. Dardi and, Dr J. C. Vidyalankar, and Dr Jya Lal, during the age of Idrisi (11th century), the boundaries of the ancient Kamboja land had been shrunk considerably in the North, as he (Idrisi) has identified Badakshan land (which originally was a part of ancient Kamboja of Central Asia) as a country separate from the Kamboja country of his era. This also shows that up to 11th century AD, the Kamboja country was `intact' in some form or the other, in Pamirs/Central Asia, though per Idrisi's evidence, its boundaries had been shrunk considerably at this time of history.

EVIDENCE FROM PETHUVATHU(verse 257-258) OF KHUDDHAK NIKAYA....... DARWAZ/DVARTKA BEING THE CAPITAL OF ANCIENT KAMBOJA:

As said earlier, Dr. T. W. Rhys David has located Kamboja somewhere in Northern India (Uttarapatha) and has identified its Capital as Davarka. (Buddhist India, p 17). In the Ankuravathu section of Petavathu (verse 257-258) of Khuddak Nikaya, we find Dawarka associated with Kamboja:

Yasaya atathaya gachcham Kambojam dhanharaka: Ayam Kamaddo yakho eemam yakham nayamasey: Eemam yakham ghathvan sadhuken pasham va: Yanam aropayatvan khippam gachcham Dwarka ti: (Pathuvathu Commentary)

This shloka of Patuvathu associates a city name `Davarka' with Kamboja. But it does not specifically mentions Davarka as the Capital of Kamboja anywhere, as Dr T. W. Rhys David has erroneously concluded. The reference in the commentary suggests that Dvarka must have been an important commercial city of Kamboj or alternatively, it could also be its Capital. Now as most Indian and foreign references seem to locate Kamboja in extreme north-west of India in the Cemntral Asia, this Dvarka associated with Kamboja country has been identified by Dr Motichandra as the modern `Darwaz' city located in the Trans-Oxian region (Doab of Jaxartes and Oxus rivers). [Dr Motichandra, Geographical and Economical Study in Mahabharta Upayana Parva (Lukhnow-1945), p 58, Also ref: India as Known to Panini by Dr V. D. Aggarwala, An Introduction to the Study of Indian History by D. D. Kosambi, 1956, p 119; Cultural Heritage of India, Vol I, 1958, p 51, 44, Dr Suniti Kumar Chatterjee; Ancient Kamboja People and the Country, 1981, p 154 by Dr Jiya Lal; Indian Buddhism , A. K. Warder; Introduction of Indian Civilization before Buddha...Diploma in Buddhism, Research Paper 2]. Further, Dr. Motichandra has stated this Dvarka (modern Darwaz ) as one of the important cities of ancient Kamboja.

Cf: "Kambojas are variously said to belong to Khorasan, Balkh, Bokhara, Afghanistan, Kaffirstan, Kashmir and Tibet etc with their Capital at an unidentified place called DVARKA, a name with Maga (Persian) associations [Hindu World Vol I, p 520, Benjamin Walker]

Thus we see that this evidence coming from an ancient Buddhist Jataka of 5/4c BC and confirmed by the modern researchers locates Davarka (=Darwaz) and therefore the ancient Kamboja probably in the Transoxian territories in Central Asia, and not on the south of Hindukush.

EVIDENCES FROM SOME MORE FOREIGN WRITERS:

Dr P. C. Bagchi writes on page 25 of his "India and Central Asia thus: " Kumito country was east to Khotlan. It has been accepted as Kumed. In the historical documents of Chinese Chronicler T'ang, it has been mentioned as Kumio; but in those of Wu-K'ong, it has been written as Kiumoche. Moslem writers including Arabs have written it as Kumadh. Mkidisi documents that this are was controlled by war like people whom he writes as Kumijis or Kumija (Kambojas). Probably they were of Turko-Iranian origin. The Greek writers have called this (Sogdiana/Fargana) area and its people variously as Cambothi, Kambuson, Komedon etc. The scholars have identified these people with Kambojas mentioned in the Indian literature" (Indian and Central Asia, p 25 by Dr P. C. Bagchi).

Dr H. C. Seth states that : "The term Kamboj is made up of Kam+bhuj. This shows that Kambojs were bhujs (=`owners'0 of certain lands which were called `Kam' or `Kum'. Based on this vivechna, it appears that these Kamboja people were living in the Doabs of Vamkshu (Oxus) and Syr (Jaxartes) rivers, which constituted ancient Greek/Persian Strapy of Sogde. This included Sogdian, Fargana and vast areas lying to its east. All this vast area has also been called Komdei by famous geographer Ptolemy. It was irrigated by Oxus, Jaxartes and Zeraphshan rivers and their numerous tributaries. Aminanus Marcelinus has also called this Sogdian region as Komedas (=Kamboj desh). Ptolemy writes that this trans-oxian area is known by several names like Kamdei, Kamedas, Komdesh/Kamdesh and its occupants are variously called Kamoi, Kamroi, Kamdei, Khamoi or Khamroi etc (cf Kamboj. Ptolemy further writes that "the area in Badakshan, at the great bend of Oxus river is called Tambuzoi" (which according to Dr Silvain Levi is the Austro-Asiatic spelling of Kamboj (ref: Pre-Aryans and Pre_Dravidian in India by S Levi, Problems of Ancient India, 2000, p 1, Purana, Vol VI, No I, Jan 1964, p 207-208 by K. D. Sethna, Goegraphical Data in Early Puranas, 1972, p 165, Dr M. R. Singh). According to Greek writers, Geographer Ptolemy has further referred to another country as `Ambautai' located in Afghanistan/central Asia south of Oxus which according to Dr Michael Witzel of Harvard Unniversity is another case of Greek version of the Austro-Asiatic or Sanskrit name `Kamboja'. Ptolemy further writes that the Kamoi (cf: Kamboj of Sanskrit/Palli texts and Kambaujia/Kambujiya of O.P.) people have occupied all vast mountainous areas of central Asia lying between Oxus and Jaxartes river (ref: Central Asia Provinces of Mauryas Empire, p 403, Ancient India by McCrindle, Translated and edited by Dr R. C. Majumdar 1927, p 268, 275, 276, 278, 284, 325 etc)

According to Dr Budha Parkash: `The Komdei of Ptolemy is the Kumuda of our Vayu Puran and it identifies this `Komdei' of Geographer Ptolemy with the `Kamboja' tribes of Iranian affinities who were living beyond the Oxus river in Central Asia in Badakshan'. ( Dr Budha Parkash in India and the World 1964, p 71, Dr Jya Lal in Kamboja People and the Country p 300. For further references, see also researches of Dr Lassen, Dr Lewis, Dr J. C. Vidyalankar, Dr V. D. Agarwal, K. D. Sethna, Dr M. R. Singh etc).

Thus, from the above evidence of foreign writers of the ancient past, we again come the conclusion that the kamboja land in fact lied in Central Asia and covered the Pamirs, Badakshan and some parts of the Doab region in between Juxartes and Oxus river (Sogdiana/Fargana areas).

EVIDENCE FURNISHED BY NEPALI TRADITIONS:

Dr Foucher has stated that Tibet was the ancient Kamboja country and the Tibetean language was the ancient Kamboja language (Iconographie bouddhique p 134). According to Sir Charles Eliot also, the Kambojas were Tibeteans. (Hinduism and Buddhism, Vol I, p 268). Further, Dr G. G. Gokhale locates ancient Kamboja in Tibet. (Ancient History of India 1952, by Dr G. G. Gokhale). V. A. Smith also seems to place Kambojas in Tibet and the mountains of Hindukush (Early History of India., p 184). According Nepali Pt B. H. Hodgson, the name Kamboja desha applies to Tibet. This fact has also been supported by two MSS (No 7763, and 7777) described in the Catalogues of Sanskrit and Prakrit MSS in the library of India Office, Vol II., part II; History of Bengal, I 191, by Dr R. C. Majumdar, Distt Gazetteer (rajashahi), 1915, p 26, Some Historical Aspects of the Inscriptions of Bengal, p 342, f.n. 1 by Dr B. C. Sen). Dr S. K. Chatterjee and Dr R. P. Chanda have also accepted the above opinion of Dr Foucher and call Tibet or its border lands as the ancient Kamboja country. The later scholars have logically interpreted the above assertion of Dr Foucher, Dr Eliot and others by stating that the ancient Kamboja being located the Pamir abd Badakshan region of Central Asia, and when viewed from Nepal, it looks as if it formed the extended part of western Tibet. This was the reason behind the Nepalese traditions applying the name Kamboja to Tibet. But important fact that again emerges from the above is that Kamboja must have been in the Central Asia comprising the Pamirs region so as to satisfy or explain away the Nepalese tradition about ancient Kamboja desha being located somewhere in Tibet. The Kamboja of the Kabol valley does not satisy the Nepalese tradition. Another plus point for location of ancient Kamboja in Pamirs and Trans-Oxian region (Ancient kamboja, People and the Country, 1981, p 155.

RIDDLE OF TIBETAN KAMBOJA : Dr. R. R. Diwarker's views:

Dr R. R. Diwarker writes: "The Kambojas of ancient India are known to have been living in north-west, but in 9/10th c AD, they are known to have been living in the north-east India also, and very probably, it was meant Tibet. Thus Devapala might have come into conflict with these Tibetan Kambojas, there is nothing surprising in this because Tibetan sources claim that their kings Khri-Srong-Ide-Btson and his son Mu-Tag-Btsan-Po subdued India and forced Dharamapala to submit. Devapala may have also clashed with them and defeated them" (Bihar Through the Ages, G. Ed. R. R. Diwarkar, 1958, p 312). This is further confirmed from the fact that we some times se Tibetan kings bearing surnames like Gamboh or Gambos. The Tibetan king, who founded a dynasty in Tibet in 8th c AD has been called Gambos in Tibetan chronicles i.e. Srong-Btasan or Srongad Zan Gambo . This Gambo has been interpreted as the Tibatan version of the Sanskrit Kamboj (Ancient Kambojas, People and the Country, 1981, p 363 by Dr Jya Lal). This probably confirms the migration and occupation of Tibet by the Pamirian Kambojas in the later centuries.- Dr P. C. Bagchi argues that the Kambojas from north-west India had reached Indo-China from behind the Himalayas. According to Dr P. C. Bagchi "Kambojas were a nomadic tribe of Central Asia. One of their branch had crossed Hindukush in ancient times and had spread into India from the Punjab, Rajasthan. They had thoroughly mixed up, socially and culturally, with the local population that it is now very difficult to identify them from the rest of the population. It appears that another branch of these nomadic Kamboja people (from central Asia) had entered east Tibet as well as Mekong valley (Cambodia). With this assumption, we can straightway find the explanation as to why Mekong valley of Indo-China was called Kambuja. We can also find the trace of their name in the `Khambas' province in east Tibet. Some of their clans moved further on and finally landed in the Mekong valley in Indo-China (Cambodia). Probably, from this very place, these people had also descended on east Bengal in 8/9 c AD and wrested north-east Bengal from the Pala kings. (India and Central Asia p 117 by Dr P. C. Bagchi). This also matches very well with the above views of Dr R. R. Diwarker.

Dr A. M. Shastri comments : " Kamboja, a people and the country were located in the southwest division according to Brahta-Samhita (XVI.17). But on the strength of its association in literature with Gandhara and the mention in the Mahabharata (VII.4.5) of Rajapura, probably the same as Yuan Chwang's Holoshepulo (Rajapura) (Yuan Chwang I. P284) or Rajaori to south of Kashmir (CAGI p 148) in connection with the Kambojas, some scholars are inclined to believe that Kamboja must be located in this region and that its western boundaries might have reached Kaffirstan (PHAI pp148-9)".

"BUT THE BEST CRITERION for location of Kamboja is provided by Yaska who tells us that root 'Sava' meaning 'to go' was used only among the Kambojas (Savtir gati karma Kambojesu eva bhassyate, Nirukuta (I.2.1.4). This peculiarity is still current in the Galcha-Speaking areas of Pamir and Badakshan which therefore, must represent the ancient Kamboja (Bharata Bhumi Aur Unke Nivasi, pp 297-303; All India Oriental Conference Proceedings, Patna, Session p 109. For long drawn controversy on identification of Kamboja, see Purana V, pp 160-181, 355-359, Purana VI pp 221-229, 207-214, 215-220 etc )." [The above text quoted from 'India as Seen in the Brahta Samhita of Varaha-Mihira' 1969, by Dr A. M. Shastri, Reader in Indian History and Culture, Nagpur University)}

Dr Suniti Kumar Chatterjee, states that ancient Kamboja was located in Pamir and Badakshan The Tajiks, the inhabitants of Pamir and Badakshan (who have been identified as the descendents of ancient Kambojas by scholars like Jayswal, Moti Chander, Dr Kamboj, S. S. Nirmal etc)...an Aryan race, have held their own, in spite of centuries of Macedonian, Huna, Mongoitage of India, Vol I, 1970, p 45).

Dr Radha Kamal Mukerjee locates ancient Kamboja in Pamir and Badakshan region of Central Asia. (Culture and Arts of India, 1959, p 27).

Dr Devahuti states that the ancient Kamboja Mahajanapada was located in Pamir region along the Oxus river (Harsha, A political Study, 1970, p 190, 147).

Anand Parkash states "India had democratic traditions even in ancient times. Buddhist literature mentions the names of 16 "Mahajanpadas" (great republics) in northern India. It included Gandhara (Afghanistan) and Kamboja (Central Asia), which are no more parts of India. Although, geographically, Pakistan is part of that ancient India, it is no more part of that ancient Indian tradition and culture which valued democracy". (The Daily Tribune, Anand Parkash).

"Kamboja: the trans-Himalayan territory East of Kashmir(Pamir/Badakshan) in the ancient history of India in ancient History...." (By Franz Kafka-Henry Kuttner) http://www.magicdragon.com/UltimateSF/authorsK.html

Dr Vasudeva Aggarwala, has also concluded that Kamboja equivalent to Pamir-Badakshan satisfies all ancient references and data (Geographical Data in Panin's Astadhyayi, JUPHS.,Vol XVI., part I, . p 27, India as Known to Panini, pp 49-50).