41. KAJANGALA in Raj mahal district in Eastern Bihar, where king
Harsha (606-647 A.D.) held his court while campaigning in eastern
India.The Chiense pilgrim Huen-Tsang first saw Harsha here.
42. KAPISA It is the region near Kabul, probably Kipin as referred to
by Chineses writers. The presiding diety of the city according to
Chiense writers was zeus. The Greek god. The gold and silver coins
issued by the Greek kings have been discovered from this region in big
numbers. The Greeks were the first to issue gold coins in India. These
coins testify to the growing trade links between India and Central Asia
and China and also with the Roman world. Far more important is the
fact that these coins testify to the gowing worship of Vasudeva-krishna
or the Bhagavata cult which later repened as Vaishnavism.
43. KIPIN is identified with Kapisa or Kafirstan in Kashmir. It
indicated the wide region know in earlier times as the Mahajanapada
of Kamboja. It was ruled by the Sakas, the Kushans and the Hunas in
succession. The name Kamboja reappears as the name of kamboja, an
important of the mainland of South-East Asia.
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44. KAMPILYA was the capital of southern Panchalas, one of the
tribal communities of the Aryans. This fact proves that the Aryans, to
begin with in India, lived as various tribes. The tribes were in constant
war with eachother culminating in the emergence of the Magadha
Empire.
45. KUSAMDHVALA (Patliputara) Gargi-Samhita alludes that in the
2nd century B.C. the Yavanas (Indo-Bacterians) having reduced
Saketa, Panchala, and Mathura reached kusumdhvana. Demetrios,
was, most probably, the Yavana leader. He was defeated or he retired
withouth fighting.
46. KASI one of the 16 Janapadas of the 6th century B.C. with its
capital of the same name. It was also called Varanasi (69). It greatly
prospered under the rule of Brahmadatta.
47. KOSAL one of the 16 janapadas of the 6th century B.C. had three
different capitals (Saketa, Ayodhya and Sravasti) in three different
periods. It region roughly corresponded to modern oudh.
48. KUSINAGAR (Kusinara ?) moder Kasia, in Gorakhpur district in
UP was a small town where the Buddha attained Mahaparinirvana. It
was one of the two capitals of the Mall Janapada in pre-Buddhists
times. It was visited by Ashoka and the Chinese pilgrim Fa-hien.
49. KANYAKUBJA (Kanauj) on the bank of river Gangas in UP rose
to prominence during the time of Mukhar is, Harsha and Gujara-
Pratiharas. Under the pratiharas, Kanauj successfully resisted the
Arabs. In the 9th century A.D. It was disputed among the Palas of
Bengal, Prathiharas, and the Rashtrakutas. It was situated on a very
important trade-route linking north-Western regions of India with
Prayaga, Kasi, Vaishali, Pataliputra, Rajagriha, Tamralipti.
50. KAUSAMBI identified with the villagesof Kosam near Allahabad
was one of the earliest cities, so prominent that Anand, the Buddhist
monk, though it important enough for a Buddha to die in. Recent
excavation it here unearthed historically and culturally important
terracotta figures. It was built in the shape of a trapezium and was the
capital of the vastse Janapada. One of the Ashokan Pillars was located
here. It was also an inscription of the Kushan monarch.
60. KARNA-SUVARNA : refers to the region of Bengal and some
parts of Bihar and Orrisa, fuled by sasanka in the early 7th century
A.D. Harsha conquered the region from him after 619 A.D.
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61. KANHERI In Thana district near Bombay, has rock cut Chaitya
shrines with elaborately decorated railings belonging to the third
century A.D. One inscription of the last great ruler of the Satavahana
dynasty. Yajnasri Satakarni is found here. Kanheri Buddhist Tank
inscription makes mention of Matiemonial relationship between the
Sakas and the Satavahanas. It was the chief center of Buddhism in
Rashtrakuta times. Faint traces of the art of paintings may be traced in
the caves of Kanheri.
62. KANCHI modern canjeevaram, south-west to Madras is reckoned
among the seven sacred cities of the Hindus. It was an important
center of Jaina culture in the first half of the first millennium A.D. It
was one of the south Indian kingdoms conquered by Samudragupta. It
was visited by Huen-Tsang. It rose to prominence in 7th century A.D.
Under the Pallava king. It possesses the famous Kailashnath temple
(built by Pallava King Narsimhavarman - II) and Vaikuntha perumalla
(constructed sometime after the kailashnath). The Kailashnath temple
is a landmark in the development of dravida temple style with its
characteristic components-vimana, mandapa gopuram and an array of
vimanas along the walls of the court, i.e. peristyle cells.
63. KAVERIPATTANAM known as Puhar, was the Chola capital and
chief port in Sangam period (200 B.C.- 300 A.D.) with a large colongy
of foreigners. It was an important trade center. Ships sailing from here
to South-East Asia. A long poem on this Chola capital is the part of the
famous Sangam work pattupattu (Ten Idylls).
64. KURUKSHETRA near Thaneswar, to the north of Delhi in
Haryana, was the site of the great battle of Mahbharata. This battle
fought between the Kauravas and the Pandavas, formed the basis of
the story of the greatness of India epics the Mahabharata. It is in this
great war that Krishna prached his gospel of the Gita, to the Pandava
hero Arjuna who saw his own elders and kishmen arranged himself for
the fith and then early decided to renounce and retire. Krishna gave
him the message of disinterested perfomance of duty i.e. renunciation
in action but no renunciation of action. That a great war ws fought
between the cousin brothers - Kauravas and Pandavas is quite
possible.
65. MANYAKHET (modern Malkhed in Hyderabad region) was the
capital of Rashtrakuta Amoghavarsha I in the 9th century A.D.
66. MAHABALIPURAM is today a tiny coastal village 65 kms. south
of Madras. This port-city was founded by Pallava king
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Narasimhavarman in the 7th century A.D. Pallava kings created an
architecture of their own which was to be the basis of all the styles of
the south. In fact Mahabilipuram, the Pallava art with its monolithic
temples (rathas) and rocks sculptured in the shapes of animals with a
wonderfully broad and powerful naturalism, with whole cliffs worked in
stone frescoes, immenspictures unparalleled at the time in all Indian in
their order movement and lyrical value. The Descent of the Ganges,
the unique masterpiece of Pallava art was surely one of the most
remarkable compositions of all time (in which is portrayed the Ganges
coming down to earth, with gods, animals men and all creation in
adoration). The shore temple built by Rajasimha represents one of the
earliest examples of structural temples. the Pallvava monuments at
Mahabalipuram symbolize not only the transition from rockarchitecture
to structural stone temples but also significantly the
completion of the "Aryanisation" of South India during the Pallava
period.
67. MADHYAMIKA is identified with Nagari near Chitor in Rajasthan.
Patanjali alludes toYavana (Indo-Bacterian) invasion of Madhyamika.
68. MUSHIKAS on the lower Indus with its capital at Alord. Was the
greatest principality at the time of Alexander's invasion. Its king
mousikanas submitted to Alexander after brave resistance.
69. MATIPUR modern Mandawar in district Bijnor of UP was a center
of Hinayana Buddhist studies in the 6th and 7th centuries A.D. Huen-
Tsang stayed here for some time.
70. MADURAI popularly known as the city of festivals, was the seat
of the 3rd Sangam and was till the 14th century the capital of the
Pandyan kingdom which had sea-borne brade with Rome and Greece.
It is famous for the Minakshi temple.
80. MACCHA or Matsaya, was one of the 16 janapads. The Matsyas
ruled to the west of the Jamuna and south of the Kurus. Their capital
was at Viratnagar (modern Bairrat near Jaipur).
81. MALLA was one of the 16 Janapadas of the16th century B.C. The
territory of the Mallas was on the mountain slopes probably to the
north of the vijjain confederation. They had to branches with their
capitals at Kusinagar and Pawa. But in pre-Buddhist time the Mallas
were a monarchy.
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82. MUZIRIS modern canganors in Kerala at the mouth of the river
Periyar, an important port in Sangam period (20 B.C. - 300 A.D.)
abounded in ships with cargoes from Arabia and Roman world. Later
literature speaks of Roman settlements and a temple was built here ni
honour of Augustus.
83. NAGARJUNAKONDA is Krishna Velley, harboured a Neolithic
community with stone-axe-culture and primitive mode of agriculture.
With a few classical accidental looking sculptures in proves trade and
culture contacts with the Roman world. Survival of a Buddhist stupa
proves it to be a Buddhist center in early Christian centuries. The
beginning of Hindu temple architecture in south India are best traced
in the remains of the early brick temples of the Ikshavakus excavated
here anticipating the Nagara, Dravida and Vasars styles.
84. NASIK (also known as Naiskya and Govardhan) is famous for
exquisite rock-cut Buddhist temple (of the period 2nd BC - 1st A.D.)
with an engraved iscription of Gautami Balsari recording the
achievement of the Satavahanas ruler Gautamiputra Satakarni). A
large board of silver coins bearing the name, the titles of Nahapana
were discovered at Jogalthambi very close to the Nasik suggesting the
defeat of the Saka ruler bythe Satavahana knig. It is also famous for
the Chaitya and Vihar as pan-du-lonea.
85. PITHUNDA on the Godavari, was the capital of the Avapeople or
the Avamukta which was conquered as Samudragupta.
86. PADMAVATI was Nag capital is Gwalior region. Its king Ganapati
Naga was defeated by Samudragupta.
87. PRATISHTHANA (Paithan) at the mouth of the river godavri in
the Aurangabad district of Maharashtra, was the capital of Satavahana
kings. It was an important commercial mart linked with Sravasti.
88. PURUSHPURA (modern Peshawar) was the capital of
Kanishka's vast empire and the center of Gandhara art. It became the
chief center of Buiddhist activity and studies with building of number of
huge Chaityas and viharas and with one stupa. The Chiense pilgrims
refer to a many storied relic-tower in which some relics of Buddha
were enshrined. It is here that the icons of Buddha and other Hindu
gods were first finely carved. In provided the meeting place of the
marchants of India, China, central Asia, Persia, and the Roman world.
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89. PATTADAKAL near Aihole Badami is famous for magnificentrockcult
and sculptures temples in Chalukya and Pallava style. The number
of such temples is ten - four in the northern style and six in southern.
Most famous of these temples is lokesvara temple (now called
Virupaksha).
90. PANCHALA was one of the 16 janapadas of the 6th century B.C.
Its area correspondent to modern Bundelkhand and the portion of the
Central Doab. It had two divisions northern and southern, the Ganges
forming the boundary line. Their capitals were Ahicchatra and
Kampilya respectively. One of the early Panchalas kings, Durmukha, is
credited with conquests in all directions.
91. PUSHKALAVATI i.e. the "city of lotuses' in Afganisthan to the
north of the river Kabul (modern Charasadda) in the district of
Peshawar was conquered by Alexandar. It was the old capital of
western Gandhara. A gold coin (belonging to the 2nd century B.C.)
with the city goddess (Lakshmi) holding a lotus in her right hand and
an appropriate Kharoshthi legend "Pakhalavati devata" had been
discovered here pointing to the popularity of Indian goddess. It
remained under the rule of the Indo-Greeks, the sakas and the
Kushana. It was an important link in India's trade relations with
central Asia and China.
92. RAJAGRIHA moder Rajgir, near Patna in Bihar was and ancient
capital of Magadha under Bimbisara and Ajatsatru. It was here that
first Buddhist council was held after the death of Buddha. The
cyclopean walls of the this old commercial town are among themost
remarkable finds in India.
93. SAKALA modern Sialkot, capital of Menander, was the refuge of
Buddhist monks. It was here, according to Buddhist tradition, that
Pushyamitra Sungha declared to give an award of 199 dinars for the
head of a Buddhist monk.
94. SANCHI :near Bhopal famous for a Buddhist stupa and for one of
Ashoka's Minor Pillar Edicts. Sanchi sculptures along with Bharhut
Godh-Gaya represent the first organized art activity of the Indian
People. There are reliefs of the Jatkas on the stone walls around the
stupa. Sanchi revealed historically important inscription of the
Satavahanas and the Gupta kings. Kakanodbota probably was the
ancient name for Sanchi, which was inhabited by the tribal people
Kakar, and was conquered by the Samudragupta.
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95. SRAVASTI moder Saket-Mahet on the borders of the Gonda and
the Bahraich districts of U.P. On the river Rapti - It was a famous
center of trade in ancient times, from where three important trade
routes emanated linking it with Rajagriha, Pratishthana, and Taxila. It
was one of the early capitals of the Janapad of Kosal. Later, it served
as the provincial headquarters of the Gupta kings. Fa-hien visited it.
96. SAKETA region around Ayodhya, was invaded by Yavanas (Indo-
Bacterin) is attested to by Patanjali.
97. SARNATH near Varanasi, is the place where the Buddha delivered
his frist sermon in the Deer park, this event being known as the
"Turning of the Wheel of Law". It is the site of the famous Ashokan
Pillar of Polished sand-stone whose lion capital was adopted by the
people of Free India as the state emblem. It was also the famous seat
of Gupta sculpture. Gupta plastic art reached its perfection e.g. the
seated Buddha in preaching posture.
98. SRAVANA-BELGOLA in Hasan district of Karnataka, is famous for
the monolithic statue of Gometeswara- 85fit. High, erected in 980 A.D.
by Chemundya Rai, the chief minister of the Ganga king Rachmal.
99. SOPARA port town known to the Periplus and ptolmey, carried
most of the ancient Indian trade with foreign countries; gradually it
began to lose its importance to Berygaza and Barharium- Ist century
A.D. onwards. It ahs survived as a village 40 miles north of Bombay.
100. TOSALI (Dhauli) near Bhuaneshwar in Puri district of Orissa,
was the seat of one of the Mauryan viceroyalties as well as one of the
fourteen major rock edicts of Ashoka. The Tosali rock edict refers only
to the conquered province.
101. TRIPURI now village near Jabalpur, was the capital of the
Kalachuri dynasty. The Kalachuri kings became independent in 10th
century A.D. In 1939, Tripuri had the distinction of being the venue of
the 54th session of Indian National congress.
102. TAMRALIPTI Tamluk in the Midnapur district of Western Bengal
was one of the most important port-towns of ancient India. Outlet to
south-east Asia when there was trade boom.
103. TANJORE is famous for Rajarajeswava or Brihadeswara temple
of lord Shiva which is the largest and tallest of all India temples with
its vimana towering to a height of nearly 200 feet over the
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Garbhagriha with Pyramidal body in thirteen tiers. It was the seat of
Chola government in the 9th century A.D. and later of an independent
kingdom after the fall of ther Vijayanagar Empire. Weight of the cap
80 tonnes. Conceived on a gigantic scale. Stone relief as minute as
that of jewelers.
104. THANESWAR near Kurukshetra, to the north of Delhi in the
province of Haryana, was the capital of the Pushyabhuti dynsty. The
kingdom of thanesar emerged into a powerful state under Harsha's
(606-647 A.D.) father, Prabhakarvardhan who was in constant warfare
against the Huns on the frontier and with the rulers of Malwa. Harsha
shifted his capital from Thaneswar to Kannauj. According to Heun-
Tsang the people of this city were specially inclined to trade. Thus
thanesar was a principal center of trade. It was attacked by Mahmud
of Ghazni in 1014 A.D. it is here that ahmad Shah Abdali first defeated
the Maratha army in 1759 boding to the Maratha collapse at Panipat in
1761.
105. UJJAIN in Madhya pradesh was the capital of Avanti (6th
century B.C.) and Chandragupta II, and was one of the provincial
capitals of the Mauryas. It was the modal point of two ancient trade
routes, one from Kausambui and the other from Mathura, its chief
exports being agate, jasper and carnelian. It has an observatory built
by Maharaja Savai Jai Sing II (1686-1743).
106. URAIYUR also known as Aragaru,on the river Kavari, was for
some time the Sangam chola capital, was famous for its pearls and
muslin, the latter being as think as the slough of the snake.
107. UTTARMERUR is a village of Tamil Nadu where nearly two
hundred inscriptions belonging to Pallava and Chola periods indicating
the nature and working of the village administration have been found.
According to Uttarmerur inscriptions Pallava and Chola villages enjoyed
maximum of autonomy inadministrative matters with popular village
assemblies like the Ur, Sabha, Mahasabha or Nagaram looking after
the village affains without any interference from royal officers. The
village of Uttarmerur was divided in thirty wards.
108. VATSGULMA modern Basim in the Ahoka district in the South of
Ajanta, was the capital of a Junior branch of the Vakatakas who are
mentioned in the Ajanta cave inscriptiona No. XVI.
109. VIDISA modern Besnagar, near Bhilsa, in East Malwa, was a
part of Sunga empire with Agnimitra, the sone of Pushyamitra Sunga
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as viceroy. The Vidisa guild of ivory worker was famous for these
workers carved the stone sculpture on the gateways and railings
surrounding the Sanchi Stupa. It indicates commercial prosperity. It
was also famous for the Garuda Pillar Inscription which testified its
erection by a Greak ambassabor named Heliodorus in honour of
Vasudeva Krishna, the god of the Bhagavatas.
110. VAISHALI indentified with modern Basali in Muzaffarpur district
of Bihar, was apulent and prosperous town in the Buddhist period. The
second Buddhist Councial was held here. It served as the capital of
lichchavis. Later, Ajatsatru annexed it to this kingdom. Ambapali, the
famous charming courtesan, lived here and hosted to the Buddha at
one time and later she became a convert to Buddhism.
111. VENGI (in Andhra Pradesh) one of the south Indian kingdoms
probably joined the Sangha conquered by Samudragupta. It was the
capital of the eastern Chalukyas, and was disputed between the
Chalukyas and the Pallavas.
MAKING USE OF THE MAPS AND THE ACCOMPANYING
NOTES
You have two maps on ancient India, one with place names along with
rivers and the other with numbers (accompanied by an index).
In the map outline for both, you will see that the outlines of Nepal,
Bhutan, Bangaladesh, Punjab, China and Burma are left out. There are
reasons for it. At times the examiners will provide you the map with no
outlines of other countries or with the outlines of one a couple of
countries. To avoid this risk, we have deleted all the outlines. Far more
important is the reason that every place and apporoximate boundary
of any area or empire confruning to either the coastline or the river
systems. It is these two that you have to master when you attempt
practicing for the map questions.
Talking of how exactly you have to make use of the notes the following
are the hints:
(a) Every time do remember whether the place time is along the
coastline or along or close to a river, it is the only way that you can be
nearly accurate inplacing the places names required in the
examination.
Dinesh Rathod Page 16 of 17
(b) Do like this. Do prepare a number of outline maps along with rivers
- doing the latter by hand, while for the former relying on a tracer with
outlines of the Indian sub-continent and a carbon paper along with a
plain sheet of paper. This part of preparing the map you must master
and it should be done in not more than three of four minutes, that is
your practice must bring downthe time involved in preparing the brae
outlines.
First of all study the map with place names. After some time pick up
the map with numbers. You should be able to remember which
number refers to which place name. Whether your memory is correct
or not, you can test from the index for the numbers. At that time try
to remember where exactly a practice lar place name is located along
the river (at the mouth. Away from the mouth or in the mid or the tail
end, etc.) Accurately grasp the distance, which is a must because the
size of the map that you would be getting in the examination would be
the same as the one before your. And at thattime please remember
whether you can remember the tributaries of any river involved Ina
place name. In other words. You must know at that measurement any
particular place name can be marked on the map with only the
coastline and the river systems. If in the first one or two attempts you
have gone wrong, please do not get discourgaged. Do it again and
again till the time you in attempting the and question, which is a
compulsory question in the examination.
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