ഇന്നത്തെ പഠനം
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അവതരണം
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Augustine Stephen D'souza
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വിഷയം
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ANCIENT INDIAN COINS
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ലക്കം
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16 MAHAJANAPADAS
13. Kamboja Mahajanapada
13. Kamboja Mahajanapada
Kamboja Mahajanapada may have stretched from the valley of Rajagiri in the south - western part of Kashmir to the Hindu Kush Range; in the south - west borders extended probably as far as the regions of Kabul, Ghazni and Kandahar. The capital of Kamboja was probably Rajapura (modern Rajauri).
The Kambojas were famous in ancient times for their excellent breed of horses and as remarkable horsemen located in Uttara - Patha or north - west. They were constituted into military sanghas and corporations to manage their political and military affairs. The Kamboja cavalry offered their military services to other nations as well. There are numerous references to Kamboja having been requisitioned as cavalry troops in ancient wars by outside nations. They are referred as 'Mlechas' (barbarians) with Yavanas, Sakas, Pahlavas etc.
It was on account of their supreme position in horse (Ashva) culture that the ancient Kambojas were also popularly known as Ashvakas ie horsemen. Their clan in the Kunar and Swat Valley have been referred to as Assakenoi and Aspasioi in classical wrightings, and Ashvakayanas and Ashvayanas in Panini's Ashtadhyayi. Alexander fought some of his most bitter battles with these fiercely independent warriors during his invasion of India. The Kamboj community still survives in India using their titular heritage proudly as their family name.
The coins bear minute symbols, are found mostly in Swat Valley of Pakistan weighs approximately 3 g and are dated to 500 - 400 BC.
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