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The Apracharajas (Kharosthi: 𐨀𐨤𐨿𐨪𐨕𐨪𐨗 Template:IAST, Template:IAST,[1] 𐨀𐨤𐨕𐨪𐨗 Template:IAST, Template:IAST[2]), also known as Avacarajas (Kharosthi: 𐨀𐨬𐨕𐨪𐨗 Template:IAST, Template:IAST[2]), were an Indo-Scythian ruling dynasty of western Pakistan. The Apracharaja capital, known as Apracapura (also Avacapura), was located in the Bajaur district of the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Apraca rule of Bajaur lasted from the 1st century BCE to the 1st century CE.
Origins
Before the arrival of the Indo-Greeks and the Indo-Scythians, Apracan territory was the stronghold of the warlike Aspasioi tribe of Arrian, recorded in Vedic Sanskrit texts as Ashvakas. The Apracas are known in history for having offered a stubborn resistance to the Macedonian invader, Alexander the Great in 326 BCE.
The Indo-Scythians of the Apracharajas dynasty were successors of the Indo-Scythian king Azes. It seems that they established their dynasty from around 12 BCE.[3] Their territory seems to have centered in Bajaur and extended to Swat, Gandhāra, Taxila, and parts of eastern Afghanistan.[4]
Buddhism
The Apracharajas embraced Buddhism: they are known for their numerous Buddhist dedications on reliquaries. On their coins Hellenic designs, derived from the coinage of the Indo-Greeks, continued to appear alongside Buddhist ones.
- Vijayamitra (ruled 12 BCE - 15 CE) personally dedicated in his name a Buddhist reliquary, the Shinkot casket.[6][7] Some of his coins bear the Buddhist triratna symbol.
- Indravarman, while still a Prince, personally dedicated in 5-6 CE a Buddhist reliquary, the Bajaur casket, now in the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Numerous Buddhist dedications were made by the rulers of the Apracas:
A recently discovered inscription in Kharoshthi on a Buddhist reliquary, the Bajaur reliquary inscription, gives a relationship between several eras of the period and mentions several Apraca rulers:
This inscription would date to c. 15 CE, according to the new dating for the Azes era which places its inception c. 47 BCE.[8] The rulers seem to have been related to Kharaostes.[9]
Dr. Prashant Srivastava, an Indian professor from the University of Lucknow, has in a research monograph highlighted the significant role played by the Apraca Dynasty rulers, and has connected the Apraca kings of Pakistan to the Ashvaka clan of Vedic literature.[10]
The Apraca kings are also mentioned in the Bajaur casket.[11]
Apraca Rulers and their QueensTemplate:Anchor
- Vijayamitra (12 BCE - 15 CE), Queen: Rukhana
- Indravasu (c. 20 CE), Queen: Vasumitra
- Vispavarma or Visnuvarma, Queen: Śiśirena
- Iṃdravarmo, Queen: Utara
- Aspo[9] or Aspavarmo (15 - 45 CE)
- Sasan[9]
See also
References
- ↑ Richard Salomon, The "Avaca" Inscription and the Origin of the Vikrama Era, Journal of the American Oriental Society Vol. 102, No. 1 (Jan. - Mar., 1982), pp. 59-68.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Richard Salomon, An Inscribed Silver Buddhist Reliquary of the Time of King Kharaosta and Prince Indravarman, Journal of the American Oriental Society, Vol. 116, No. 3 (Jul. - Sep., 1996), pp. 418-452
- ↑ Greek Gods in the East, Stančo, Ladislav, Charles University in Prague, Karolinum Press, 2012, p.45 [1]
- ↑ Neelis, Jason, Early Buddhist Transmission and Trade Networks: Mobility and Exchange., Brill, Leiden and Boston. 2011, pp. 117-118. Template:ISBN.
- ↑ Metropolitan Museum of Art notice [2]
- ↑ "Afghanistan, carrefour en l'Est et l'Ouest" p.373. Also Senior 2003
- ↑ Des Indo-Grecs aux Sassanides, Rika Gyselen, Peeters Publishers, 2007, p.103 [3]
- ↑ Macedonian Intercalary Months and the Era of Azes{{#if:Falk|, Falk}(2009)
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 [{{{url}}} An Inscribed Silver Buddhist Reliquary of the Time of King Kharaosta and Prince Indravarman]. Journal of the American Oriental Society.
- ↑ The Apracharajas: A History Based on Coins and Inscriptions{{#if:Srivastava|, Srivastava}. University of Lucknow(2007). ISBN 978-81-7320-074-8
- ↑ Loeschner, Hans."Kanishka in Context with the Historical Buddha and Kushan Chronology." In: Glory of the Kushans – Recent Discoveries and Interpretations. Edited by Professor Vidula Jayasval, Aryan Books, New Delhi, 2013, p. 142.