Yaudheya Republic | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5th century BCE–4th century CE | |||||||||
![Yaudheya coin, imitative of Kushan coinage, 3rd-4th centuries CE. Obverse: Karttikeya standing facing, holding a spear with dvi (“two” in Brahmi) to the left of Karttikeya's head, peacock to lower right, Brahmi legend around: 𑀬𑁅𑀥𑁂𑀬 𑀕𑀦𑀲𑁆𑀬 𑀚𑀬 (yaudheya ganasya jaya, “Victory to the Yaudheya people”). Reverse: Devasena standing left, raising hand; flower vase to left, inverted nandipada to the right.[1] of](/mt/?noimg=&dark=on&url=https%3a%2f%2fen.wikipedia.org%2fwiki%2fFile%3aPost-Kushan_(Yaudheya)._Kushan_imitative._3rd-4th_centuries_CE.jpg) Yaudheya coin, imitative ofKushan coinage, 3rd-4th centuries CE.Obverse:Karttikeya standing facing, holding a spear withdvi (“two” inBrahmi) to the left of Karttikeya's head, peacock to lower right,Brahmi legend around: 𑀬𑁅𑀥𑁂𑀬 𑀕𑀦𑀲𑁆𑀬 𑀚𑀬 (yaudheya ganasya jaya, “Victory to the Yaudheya people”).Reverse:Devasena standing left, raising hand; flower vase to left, invertednandipada to the right.[1] | |||||||||
 Location of the Yaudheya relative to other groups: the Audumbaras, the Vemakas, the Vrishnis, the Kunindas, the Pauravas and the Arjunayanas | |||||||||
| Capital | Rohtak | ||||||||
| Government | Aristocratic Republic | ||||||||
| Legislature | Sabhā | ||||||||
| History | |||||||||
• Established | 5th century BCE | ||||||||
• Disestablished | 4th century CE | ||||||||
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Yaudheya (Brahmi script: 𑀬𑁅𑀥𑁂𑀬) orYoddheya Gana (Yoddheya Republic) was an ancient militaryganasangha (republic) based in the Eastern region of theSapta Sindhu. The word Yaudheya is a derivative of the word from yodha meaningwarriors[2][3] and according toPāṇini, the suffix '-ya', was significant of warrior tribes,[4] which is supported by their resistance to invading empires such as theKushan Empire and theIndo-Scythians.[5]Rudradaman I of theWestern Satraps notes in hisJunagadh rock inscription that the Yaudheyas were 'heroes among allKshatriya' and 'were loath to surrender'. They were noted as having arepublic form of government, unique from otherJanapadas which instead maintainedmonarchies.[6]
According toAnant Sadashiv Altekar, numismatic evidence indicates that the territorial dominion of the Yaudheyas extended fromBahawalpur in the South-West toLudhiana in the North-West, encompassingDelhi in the South-East andSaharanpur in the East.[7] However, his research suggests that the Yaudheyas comprised not just one unified entity, but rather three separate republics. In addition to the aforementioned region, another republic was situated in NorthernRajasthan while a further one existed in NorthernPañcāla.[8] He describes the capital as being situated in modern-dayRohtak.[9]
The Bijayagarh pillar inscription of the Yaudheyas, discovered in theBharatpur district, also serves as further evidence that reinforces the Yaudheyas establishing and maintaining territory within NorthernRajasthan.[10] According toAlexander Cunningham the Yaudheyas likely had a significant presence in southernRajasthan during theWestern Satraps invasion, suggesting that contact between the two would not have been possible otherwise.[11]
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The Yaudheyas emerged as an entity following the decline of theKuru Kingdom (c. 1200 BCE–c. 525 BCE). The Yaudheyas would eventually encompass the land formerly belonging to the Kurus, including their former capitalsIndraprastha,Hastinapur, andĀsandīvat. The Kuru Kingdom which was the prominent power in theVedic age fell in importance when compared to the otherMahajanapadas.
The earliest references of the existence of the Yaudheyas is inPāṇini'sAshtadhyayi (V.3.116-17 and IV.1.178) of (c.500 BCE) and theGanapatha. In his works the Yaudheyas are mentioned asayudha-jivin sanghas i.e., a community living by the profession of arms.[2]
The Yaudheyas were incorporated into theMaurya Empire byChandragupta Maurya. They also annexed thePauravas. Chandragupta, under the tutelage ofChanakya, won over local kingdoms and republics in Punjab before conquering theNanda Empire. Chandragupta heavily relied on the Yaudheya Gana in his campaigns.[12] His military had a high representation of the Yaudheya Gana and similar republicans. Additionally, Yaudheya elites and chiefs were appointed in imperial positions.
As recorded in the Bijoygarh inscription commissioned aroundAshoka's reign, the Yaudheya-gana-puraskrta appointed a chief who held the title ofMaharaja-Senapati.[12] This chief of the Yaudheya republic was appointed theMahasenapati (Field Marshal) for the Mauryan Army. TheArthashastra written by Chanakya described the field marshal as adept in all modes of warfare (sarvayudha), all weapons (praharana), possessing modesty and restraint (vidyavinita), and capable of controlling all four wings of the army (chaturangini sena).
Following the decline of theMauryan Empire the Western Punjab was captured by theIndo-Greek Kingdom. However, it was not until the reign ofMenander I that the Eastern Punjab supposedly came under their dominion. Subsequently, a series of conflicts ensued between the Indo-Greek successors and various Eastern Punjab republican entities. TheTrigarta Kingdom, for instance, minted their own coins, indicating their independent status. Meanwhile, the Yaudheyas andArjunayanas emerged victorious through military prowess, achieving triumph through the sword which is stated on their minted coinage.[14]
During the second century CE, the Yaudheya gana confronted theIndo-Scythians but they were defeated byRudradaman I.[16]
TheJunagadh rock inscription of Rudradaman (c. 150 CE)[17] acknowledged the military might of the Yaudheyas "who would not submit because they were proud of their title "heroes among theKshatriyas"", although the inscription claims that they were ultimately vanquished by Rudradaman.[18][19]
Rudradaman (...) who by force destroyed the Yaudheyas who were loath to submit, rendered proud as they were by having manifested their' title of' heroes among all Kshatriyas.
— Junagadh rock inscription[20]
Alexander Cunningham proposes thatRudradaman's victory over the Yaudheyas was likely plundering expedition rather than a claim of political control, as he does not assert their territory as part of his own kingdom.[21]
It is thought that theKushans then became suzerains of the Yaudheyas when they endeavored to hold theMathura area.[22] An indication is the fact that the Kushan rulerHuvishka featuredMaaseno on his coins, the Kushan incarnation of the Hindu godKarttikeya, orSkanda, whose epithet was "Mahasena". This god being particularly important to the Yaudheyas, it may have been incorporated into Kushan coinage when the Kushans expanded into Yaudheya territory.[23][22]
InKanishka's rockRabatak inscription, he describes campaigning into "the realm of thekshatriyas" in India, which presumably includes the Yaudheya's territories. Furthermore, Kanishka refers to commissioning statue of various local Iranian and Indian deities, including the deity Mahasena or Mahaseno (Kartikeya) which was the chief deity of the Yaudheyas and was often depicted in their coinage.
(Line 4) In the year one it has been proclaimed unto India, unto the *whole of the realm of the *kshatriyas..."
(Lines 10-11) ...and he is called Maaseno... and he likewise gave orders to make images of these gods who are written above..."
— Rabatak inscription of Kanishka
According toR. C. Majumdar, approximately 180 CE, the Yaudheyas, in conjunction with otherJanapadas situated in theCis-Sutlej region, such as theArjunayanas andKunindas, played a crucial role in dealing a significant blow to theKushans.[24] As a result, the Kushans ceased to have a presence in the Eastern Punjab. Numismatic evidence further supports this claim, as Yaudheyan coins proudly commemorate this victorious event. Notably, these coins exhibit a distinctive feature wherein the KushanKharosthi script is replaced by theBrahmi script, emphasising the significance of the triumph.[25] Yaudheya coinage from the postKushan period extend to modern dayHimachal Pradesh with a large hoard excavated inKangra, indicating their rule over the region.[26]
The Yaudheyas are mentioned in the Allahabad pillar inscription ofSamudragupta, a ruler of theGupta Empire. According to historical records, the Yaudheyas acknowledged the authority of Samudragupta and submitted to his rule, however this submission appears to have occurred without any armed resistance.Upinder Singh, a historian, notes that there is no specific mention of the Yaudheyas providing troops toSamudragupta, suggesting that their relationship with the empire was relatively loose.[28] Notably, Samudragupta's successful military campaigns in the regions ofĀryāvarta andDakshinapatha greatly enhanced his reputation. It is believed that his conquests and the resulting fame were significant factors in persuading frontier rulers and tribes, including the Yaudheyas, to submit to his authority willingly, without engaging in any hostilities.[29]
This particular period marked the gradual disintegration of the Yaudheya republic.
(Lines 22–23) (Samudragupta, whose) formidable rule was propitiated with the payment of all tributes, execution of orders and visits (to his court) for obeisance by such frontier rulers as those ofSamataṭa,Ḍavāka,Kāmarūpa,Nēpāla, andKartṛipura, and, by theMālavas,Ārjunāyanas,Yaudhēyas,Mādrakas,Ābhīras, Prārjunas, Sanakānīkas, Kākas, Kharaparikas and other (tribes)."
Puranas (e.g. Brahmanda, Vayu, Brahma and Harivamsha) described Yaudheyas as the descendants ofUśīnara and Nrigu.[30]
There are other references to them namely in theMahabharata, Mahamayuri,Brihatsamhita,Puranas, Chandravyakarana and Kashika.
In theMahabharata, the land Bahudhanyaka is stated to be among the countries subjugated byNakula, the fourthPandava. Bahudhanyaka was the first to fall to Nakulas conquest in of the western direction towardSakastan, which agrees with theRohtak-Hisar area.[31]
Varahamihira in his Brihatsamhita (XIV.28 and XVI.22) placed them in the northern division of India.
They are mentioned inPāṇini'sAshtadhyayi andGanapatha.
The Yaudheyas only utilizedBrahmi script on their coins and seals.[32]
Alexander Cunningham divided the Yaudheya coins into two distinctive kinds; the older and smaller class A coins dating from before the 1st century BCE, and the larger Class B coins from the 3rd century CE during the decline of theIndo-Scythian power.[33] Cunningham states that the later coins evidently copied from the Indo-Scythians money.
John Allan classified Yaudheya coins into six classes, whileVincent Arthur Smith previously gave three types. The classification used by Allen has been mostly followed by scholars till today.
Yaudheya coins were found in the ancient capital ofKhokrakot (modernRohtak), andNaurangabad.[citation needed]
Based on the early coins produced by the Yaudheyas, it can be safely said thatKarttikeya was considered theirIṣṭa-devatā.
![Karttikeya shrine with antelope. Yaudheya, Punjab, 2nd century CE.[15]](/mt/?noimg=&dark=on&url=https%3a%2f%2fen.wikipedia.org%2fwiki%2fFile%3aKarttikeya_shrine_with_anteloppe_in_a_coin_of_Yaudheyas_Punjab_2nd_century_CE.jpg)
The findspots of its coins show that it extended from Saharanpur in the east to Bahavalpur in the west, from Ludhiyana in the north¬ west to Delhi in the south-east.
It was a confederation of three republics. Rohtak in the Punjab was the capital of one of them, and northern Panchala, known as Bahudhanyaka (rich in corn) country, was the centre of power of the second. Northern Rajputana seems to have been in the jurisdiction of the third.
Rohtak in the Punjab was the capital of one of them
Audumbaras, Trigartas, Kunindas, Yaudheyas, Arjunayanas - began to coin in the first century BC, which means that they had become independent kingdoms or republics; but the coins do not all tell the same story. Those of the two sounthernmost peoples begin somewhere about 100 BC and bear the legends 'Victory of the Arjunayanas' and (on their copper issue) 'Victory of the Yaudheyas', which point to their having won independence by the sword.
The foreign Greek and Ksharoshthi scripts were however replaced by the national Brahmi one and the legend, proudly proclaimed the victory of the new republic.
On the other hand, the post Kushan coins of the Yaudheyas having legends in the characters of the 3rd or 4th century a. d. are found in large hoards between the Sutlej and the Jumna, in the districts of Sahanmpur, Dehra Dun, Delhi, Rohtak, Ludhiana and Kangra. It is therefore quite clear that they were ruling over this territory as an independent power from the beginning of the 3rd century.
yaudheyas.
