Pundravardhana

Establishment

At first, Pundra Kingdom was usually known as only 'Pundra'. The exact time when the Pundra kingdom was established has not been determined accurately even today. However, one of the first states that the Vedic people saw established in India after their arrival was "Pundra". The first mention of the Pundra kingdom and the Pundras is found in the Aita Brahmana. There, "Pundras" of ancient India are described as a non-aryan race and are mentioned as brothers of the Andhras, Shavars, Pulindas and Mutivas. However, King Vali's sons were thought as both of a mix of Non-Aryan and Aryan race, especially Pundra .^{[11][page needed]}

Naming

There are several theories about the origin of the name Pundra. According to one theory, the name Pundra is derived from Panduroga . Most of the people of Pundrakshetra (Pundrabhumi) suffered from this disease. According to another theory, Pundra is a type of sugarcane. And where sugarcane was starting to grown in abundance, it was named and known as Pundradesh or Pundrabhumi. According to the Vedic texts found in the 7th-8th century BCE, the Pundra were a non-Aryan tribe who lived east of the Gandaki River . The Mahabharata of the 1st century CE also supports this information. It was said the land where the "Pundras" lived was called Pundra.^[3]

Kurukshetra War and aftermath

According to Mahabharata's Sabha Parva (Book II, Chapter 27), The Pundra Kingdom were recorded as participants in the Kurukshetra War and were fighting on the side of Kauravas. But they were defeated by the Kuru Kingdom under Pandu. However, instead of being consumed by the Kurus after the war, it remained self-governed until Arjun's post-war military campaign against various dynasties which included it.^{[citation needed]}

The kingdom dissolved around 300 BCE. The land was later conquered by Nanda Empire between 345 BCE to 340 BCE.^[12] After the collapse of Nanda Empire ( predecessor of Mauryans), Pundra remained in control during the Mauryan period (successor of Nanda Empire). According to 5th century legendary text Ashokavadana, the Mauryan emperor Ashoka issued an order to kill all the Ajivikas (follower of nāstika or "heterodox" schools of Indian philosophy) in Pundravardhana after a non-Buddhist there drew a picture showing the Gautama Buddha bowing at the feet of Nirgrantha Jnatiputra(Mahavira). Around 18,000 followers of the Ajivika sect were said to have been executed as a result of this order.^[13][14] According to K. T. S. Sarao and Benimadhab Barua, stories of persecutions of rival sects by Ashoka appear to be a clear fabrication arising out of sectarian propaganda.^[15][16][17] Ashoka's own inscriptions Barabar Caves record his generous donations and patronage to Ajivikas.^[18]