2409:4072:95:44E:96C5:1EA0:DBC2:BEF0 at 17:15, 16 June 2022

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{{Short description|People mentioned in ancient Indian literature}}
{{about|the people in ancient Indian literature|the political standpoint of having multiple Chinas|Two Chinas|the political standpoint of having all Chinas in one|One China|the plural of china|China (disambiguation)}}

The '''Chinas''' or '''Chīnaḥ''' ([[Sanskrit]] चीनः (''cīna'')) are a people mentioned in ancient [[Indian literature]] from the [[1st millennium BC|first millennium BC]], such as the ''[[Mahabharata]]'', ''[[Manu Smriti|Laws of Manu]]'', as well the [[Puranas|Puranic]] literature.

==Etymology==
The origin of the [[Sanskrit]] name "Cina" is commonly believed to have been the [[Qin Dynasty|Qin]] (''Tsin'' or ''Chin'' in older transliterations) dynasty which ruled in China from 221 BC, or the preceding state of [[Qin (state)|Qin]] which is traditionally dated to the 9th century BC.<ref name=yule>{{cite book |author=Yule, Henry |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SAqgAb41ifIC&pg=PA3 |title=Cathay and the Way Thither |year = 2005| pages= 2–3 |isbn= 8120619668}}</ref><ref name="Singh">Geographical Data in Early Puranas, 1972, p172, Dr M. R. Singh</ref>

There are a number of other suggestions for the origin of the word. Some Chinese and Indian scholars argued for the state of [[Chu (state)|Jing]] (荆) as the likely origin of the name, while other theories suggest it is derived from ''Zina'', the [[endonym]] of the inhabitants of [[Yelang]].<ref name="Wade">Wade, Geoff, "[http://www.sino-platonic.org/complete/spp188_yelang_china.pdf The Polity of Yelang and the Origin of the Name 'China']", ''Sino-Platonic Papers'', No. 188, May 2009.</ref>

==Mahabharata==
The Sanskrit [[Indian epic poetry|epic]] work ''[[Mahabharata]]'' contains certain references to China, referring to its people as the ''China'' tribe.<ref>[[Kisari Mohan Ganguli]], ''The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa Translated into English Prose'', 1883-1896.</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Austin |first1=Christopher R. |title=Pradyumna: Lover, Magician, and Son of the Avatara |date=2019 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-005411-3 |page=21 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4jCoDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA21 |language=en}}</ref><ref name="BrockingtonA">Brockington (1998, p. 26)</ref>

In the ''Mahabharata'', the Chinas appear together with the [[Kiratas]] among the armies of king [[Bhagadatta]] of Pragjyotisa ([[Assam]]). In the Sabhaparvan, the same king is said to be surrounded by the Kiratas, and the Cinas. Also in the Bhismaparvan, the army of Bhagadatta is said to consist of the Kirtas and the "yellow-coloured" Cinas{{Citation needed|date=June 2019}}.

Bhishamaparva of Mahabharata also lists the Cinas with the Mlechha [[tribe]]s of the north like the [[Yavana]]s, [[Kambojas]], Kuntalas, [[Huna people|Huna]]s, Parasikas, Darunas, Ramanas, Dasamalikas.<ref>MBH 6/9/65-66</ref> These verses date to 10th century BCE or before as they predate the emergence of Buddhism.

Shantiparvan of Mahabharata groups the Cinas with the tribes of the [[Uttarapatha]] viz the Yavanas, [[Kirata]]s, [[Gandhara]]s, Shabras, [[Barbaric|Barbaras]], [[Shaka]]s, [[Tushara Kingdom|Tusharas]], Kanakas, [[Pahlava]]s, [[sindhu]], [[Madra]]kas, Ramathas, and the Kambojas and states them as living the lives of Dasyus. These verses of epic expect these tribes to perform certain duties which are different from those performed by the [[Brahmana]]s, [[Kshatriya]]s, [[Vaishya]]s, and [[Shudra]]s.<ref>MBH 12/65/13-15</ref>

Vanaparvan of the Mahabharata states that the territory of the Cinas can be reached by a land-route across the country of the Kiratas in the mountain regions of the north.

China is mentioned as one among the northern kingdoms:
Mahabharata, Book 6, chapter 9 (MBh.6.9) mentions like this:- Among the tribes of the north are the [[Mleccha]]s, and the Kruras, the [[Yavana Kingdom|Yavanas]], the Chinas, the [[Kamboja Kingdom|Kamvojas]], the Darunas, and many Mleccha tribes; the Sukritvahas, the Kulatthas, the [[Huna Kingdom|Hunas]], and the Parasikas; the Ramanas, and the Dasamalikas.
Chinas were mentioned along with Chivukas and [[Himalaya Kingdom|Pulindas]] and [[Khasas (Mahabharata)|Khasas]], Hunas, [[Pahlava Kingdom|Pahlavas]], [[Saka Kingdom|Sakas]], Yanavas, [[Sora people|Savaras]], [[Pundra Kingdom|Paundras]], Kiratas, [[Kanchi Kingdom|Kanchis]], [[Dravida Kingdom|Dravidas]], [[Sinhala Kingdom|Sinhalas]] and [[Kerala Kingdom|Keralas]]. Here they were described as the protectors of sage [[Vasistha]] and his cow against the attack of king [[Viswamitra]]. (1,177)

Pahlavas and the [[Darada Kingdom|Daradas]] and the various tribes of the Kiratas and Yanavas and Sakas and the [[Hara Huna Kingdom|Harahunas]] and Chinas and [[Tushara Kingdom|Tukharas]] and the [[Sindhu Kingdom|Sindhavas]] and the Jagudas and the Ramathas and the Mundas and the inhabitants of the kingdom of women and the Tanganas and the [[Kekeya Kingdom|Kekayas]] and the [[Malava Kingdom|Malavas]] and the inhabitants of [[Kasmira Kingdom|Kasmira]] were mentioned at (3,51) as bringing tribute to [[Pandava]] king [[Yudhishthira]].

The Yanavas, the [[Kirata Kingdom|Kiratas]], the [[Gandharva Kingdom|Gandharvas]], the Chinas, the Savaras, the Barbaras, the Sakas, the Tusharas, the Kankas, the Pathavas, the [[Andhra Kingdom|Andhras]], the [[Madra Kingdom|Madrakas]], the Paundras, the Pulindas, the Ramathas, the Kamvojas were mentioned together as tribes beyond the kingdoms of [[Aryavarta]]. The Aryavarta kings had doubts on dealing with them. (12,64)

China is mentioned in the travel-descriptions of the Pandavas. The passage below, describes these Chinas, to be located somewhere in the high [[Himalayas]]:
Mahabharata book 3, chapter 176 (MBh 3.176):- Leaving the place called Badari ([[Badrinath]] in [[Uttarakhand]]) and crossing the difficult Himalayan regions, and leaving behind them, the countries of China, Tukhara, Darada and all the climes of Kulinda, rich in heaps of jewels, those warlike men viz the Pandavas, reached the capital of Suvahu, the king of Pulindas (Kiratas).

[[Bhima]] mentions a "China king" Dhautamulaka, who caused the destruction of his own race <ref>{{Cite web|title=Mahabharata Udyoga Parva Chapter 74|url=https://en.krishnakosh.org/krishna/Mahabharata_Udyoga_Parva_Chapter_74|access-date=2021-10-23|website=en.krishnakosh.org|language=en}}</ref>(5,74). The name "Dhautamulaka" translates to "clean root", and might be a reference to the [[Jie of Xia|last Xia emperor Jie]] (1728–1675 BC).

"Deer skins from China" are mentioned at (5,86). King [[Dhritarashtra]], wanted to give as present, a thousand deer-skins from China, to [[Krishna in the Mahābhārata|Vasudeva Krishna]]:- ''I will give him a thousand deer-skins brought from China and other things of the kind that may be worthy of his praise.'' <ref>{{Cite web|title=Mahabharata Udyoga Parva Chapter 86|url=https://en.krishnakosh.org/krishna/Mahabharata_Udyoga_Parva_Chapter_86|access-date=2021-10-23|website=en.krishnakosh.org|language=en}}</ref> During the [[Han Dynasty]] (between the 2nd century BC and 2nd century AD), [[Economy of the Han Dynasty#Variations in currency|deer skins]] were used to make token money notes representing 400,000 coins.

==Ramayana==
''Kiskindhakanda'' of [[Valmiki]]'s ''[[Ramayana]]'' makes reference to Cinas as well as [[Parama China Kingdom|Parama-Cinas]] and associates them with the trans-Himalayan tribes of the Daradas, Kambojas, the [[Yavanas]], the [[Sakas]], the Kiratas, the Bahlikas, the [[Rishikas]], and the Tañkanas of the Uttarapatha.<ref>The Ramayana of Valmiki: An Epic of Ancient India, Volume 4, Kiskindhakanda, p 151, Rosalind Lefeber</ref> They sent tributaries to Ayodhya and were protector of Dharma in northern Asia from Siberia to modern China.

The [[Epic poetry|epic]] literature asserts that the Cinas, [[Khasas]], Hunas, [[Shakas]], Kambojas, [[Yavanas]], Pahlavas, Kiratas, Sinhalas, Mlechchas etc. were created by [[Wise Old Man|sage]] Vashistha through the divine powers of cow Sabala or Nandini (Kamdhenu).<ref>Ramayana (1.52-55) & Mahabharata (1.174.6-48)</ref>

==Puranas==
In the ''[[Kalika Purana]]'', the Cinas are again grouped with the Kambojas, [[Shakas]], [[Khasas|Khasa]]s and the [[Barbaric|Barabara]]s etc. and are said to have sided with [[Buddhist]] king Kali in the war against [[Vedic civilization|Vedic]] king Kalika.<ref>''Kalika Purana'' 20/40</ref>

''Bhuvanakosha'' section of numerous [[Purana]]s locates the Cinas along with the Tusharas, Pahlavas, Kambojas, and Barbaras in the ''Udichya'' or northern division of ancient India.<ref>''":ete desha Udichyastu
:Kambojashchaiva Dardashchaiva Barbarashcha Angaukikah || 47 ||
:'''Chinashchaiva''' Tusharashcha Pahlavadhayata narah || 48 ||
:— ''([[Brahma Purana]] 27.44-53)''"''</ref>
There is yet another reference to China as ''Cina-maru'' as referred to in the ''[[Vayu Purana]]'' and ''[[Brahmanda Purana]]''. However, at the same place, ''[[Matsya Purana]]'' mentions ''Vira-maru''. China-maru or Vira-maru has been identified with the lands of [[Turkestan]] situated above ''And-khui'' in the north of [[Afghanistan]] (Dr K. P. Jayswal, Dr M. R. Singh).

==Buddhist literature==
The Cinas also find reference in the [[Buddhist]] play, ''[[Mudrarakshasa]]'', where they are listed with other contemporary tribes, such as the [[Shakas]], Yavanas, Kiratas, [[Kambojas|Cambojas]], [[Bactria|Bhalikas]], [[Pahlava|Parasikas]], Khasas, Gandharas, Kalutas, etc.

[[Buddhist]] text ''Milindapanho'' (see: [[Sacred Books of the East]], xxxvi, 204), associates the Chinas with the Sakas, [[Yavanas]], Kambojas and Vilatas(?) etc., and locates them in and beyond the western [[Tibet]]/[[Ladakh]], according to Dr [[Michael Witzel]].<ref>Early East Iran, And The Atharvaveda, 1980, (Persica-9), p 106, Dr Michael Witzel.</ref>

==Other literature==
[[Chanakya]] (c. 350-283 BC), the [[prime minister]] of the [[Maurya Empire]] and a professor at [[Takshashila University]], refers to Chinese [[silk]] as "cinamsuka" (Chinese silk dress) and "cinapatta" (Chinese silk bundle) in his ''[[Arthashastra]]''.<ref>Tan Chung (1998). [http://ignca.nic.in/ks_41019.htm ''A Sino-Indian Perspective for India-China Understanding''.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070606221357/http://ignca.nic.in/ks_41019.htm |date=2007-06-06 }}</ref>

The ''Sanmoha Tantra'' speaks of the [[Tantra|Tantric]] culture of the foreign countries like the Bahlika ([[Bactria]]), [[Kiratas|Kirata]], Bhota ([[Tibet]]), Cina, Maha-Cina, [[Pahlava|Parasika]], Airaka, Kambojas, Huna, Yavana, Gandhara and [[Nepal]]a.

Around the 2nd century BC, the ''[[Manu Smriti|Laws of Manu]]'' describes the downfall of the Chinas, as well as many foreign groups in India:

:''"43. But in consequence of the omission of the sacred rites, and of their not consulting Brahmanas, the following tribes of Kshatriyas have gradually sunk in this world to the condition of Shudras;''
:''44. (Viz.) the Paundrakas, the Chodas, the [[Dravidas]], the Kambojas, the [[Yavanas]], the [[Shakas]], the [[Paradas]], the [[Pahlavas]], the '''Chinas''', the Kiratas, the [[Daradas]] and the [[Khashas]]."'' <ref>''Manusmritti (Laws of Manu)'', X.43-44</ref>

Besides ''China'' and ''Parama-China'', there is also a reference to ''Mahachina'' in the ''Manasollasa'' which text mentions the fabrics from Mahachina.<ref name="Singh" /> It is thus possible that ''China'' probably referred to western [[Tibet]] or [[Ladakh]], ''Mahachina'' to Tibet proper, and ''Parama-China'' to [[Mainland China]].

==See also==
*[[Sino-Indian relations]]
*[[Chinese in India]]
*[[Indians in China]]
*[[Hinduism in China]]
*[[Sino-Tibetan and Tai peoples of Assam]]
*[[Ahom people]]

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

{{Tribes and kingdoms of the Mahabharata}}
{{China–India relations}}

[[Category:Exotic tribes in Hindu scripture]]
[[Category:Foreign relations of ancient India]]
[[Category:China–India relations]]

Chinas - Revision history

2409:4072:95:44E:96C5:1EA0:DBC2:BEF0 at 17:15, 16 June 2022