Apracharajas - Knowledge

884:"Members of the Apraca family in the northwestern borderlands of Pakistan and Afghanistan made numerous Buddhist donations recorded in Kharosṭḥī inscriptions dated in the era of Azes. Although most of these inscriptions lack specific provenance, the domain of the Aparacas was probably centered in Bajaur and extended to Swat, Gandhāra, Taxila, and parts of eastern Afghanistan in the last half of the first century BCE and the early decades of the first century CE. Since the discovery of an inscribed reliquary casket from Shinkot in Bajaur donated by the Apraca king Vijayamitra (who evidently founded the dynasty), other inscriptions record donations of relics by at least four generations of kings, queens, and court officials. Apraca kings known from Kharosṭḥī inscriptions, coins, and seals included Indravasu, Visṇuvarman (perhaps identical to Viśpavarman), and Indravarman, but the dynastic genealogy remains uncertain." 809:

Viśpavarma and Śiśireṇa, the general's wife, are honoured. Indravasu, king of Apraca, and Vasumitra, who has a living son, are honoured. General Indravarma and Utara, the wife of the general, are honoured. Vijayamitra, the Avaca king, together with his wife, is honoured. The community of all relatives is honoured. All beings are honoured. All beings are brought to nirvana.The son of the general Vispavarma, the prince Indravarma, together with his wive, here these relics establishes in his personal stupa. The general Vispavarma and Śiśireṇa, the wife of the general, are honoured. Indravasu the Apaca king, and Vasumitra, who has a living son, are honoured. General Indravarma is honoured. Utara, the wife of the general, is honoured. Vijayamitra, king of Avaca, together with his wife, is honoured. The community of all beings is honoured and all beings are honoured. All beings are brought to nirvana.

2446:

predates all evidence we have for it, sometime in the early to mid 1st century BCE.... The presence of two Apracarājas, Viṣ̄uvarma and Vijayamitra, in this inscription previously presented issues to scholars as they are named without explicit reference as to who was the current or the former... Harry Falk argues that in the Indic Northwest the title was more restricted in its usage, denoting a widowed wife of a deceased ruler who is mother to a present ruler. This is true in the case of Uzaṃda, the still living (tiṣṭhatā) mother of the Oḍirāja Seṇavarma, as it is made explicit that the latter's father, Ajidaseṇa, is deceased. Applying this logic to the case of Rukhuṇa, Falk thus argues that her husband Viṣ̄uvarma is deceased and that Vijayamitra is the living son to whom the title refers and the current ruler. (ruling out the situation in which they reigned concurrently)

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Brahmā-merit along with mother Rukhuṇaka, the one who has a living son and wife of the Apracarāja, along with maternal uncle Ramaka, along with maternal uncle’s wife Daṣakā, along with his wives who are sisters, Vasavadata, Mahaveda, and Ṇika, and wife Utara. For the worship of father Viṣ̄uvarma, the Apracarāja. brother Vaga the General, is worshipped as well as Vijayamitra the Apracarāja. His maternal aunt Bhaïdata is worshipped. And having taken these relics from a Mauryan Period stupa they were established in a central location that is without danger, without trouble. vasia fifty.

2467:

III, and Indravarma—although the existence of the three Vijayamitras remains unclear, as does the identity of Indravarma. Underneath them were the Generals, of which four are named—Vaga, Indravarma I (who may have become Apracarāja), Viśpavarma, and Aśpavarma—but their positions in the dynastic lineage are again uncertain in many cases. Finally, several figures are called prince (kumāra)—Viṣ̄uvarma, Indravarma I, Indragivarma, and Indravarma II—of whom at least one was to become a general and two were to become rulers, indicating the status was reserved for potential successors.

726:

Aṭhayi, for the acceptance of the Kāśyapīya monks. All Buddhas are worshipped, all Pratyekabuddhas, Noble Ones, and Disciples are worshipped, all worthy of worship are worshipped. These relics were established along with wife Davili, sons Indraseṇa and Menandra. And mother and father are worshipped, brother Indraseṇa, the Lord Vijayamitra Apracarāja, and Indravarma the General, Ruler of Gandhāra, are worshipped, Rukhuṇaka, one who has a living son, and all worthy of worship are worshipped. Patrulaśiśara bathes the relics.

365:. Research on reliquary inscriptions also further describes that Vijayamitra's direct predecessor to have been a Visnuvarma, however he has not been accurately dated. Notably, the administrative structure of the Apracha polity is characterized by a hierarchical arrangement, wherein absolute power is held by the patriarch (Apracharaja), followed by subordinate generals, denoted by the Greek term "Stratega" in inscriptions. Of particular interest is the case of Satruleka, an Apracha figure who is bestowed with the title 969: 68: 51: 1066: 898: 1042: 3314:

picture of my father and grandfather, they accompanied me, many of them armed with swords and bows, and our numbers increased daily ; and when we reached this city, the inhabitants, with torches lit at the altar of the Sun, and singing the praises of my father and grandfather, came out and welcomed me, and brought me hither.

450:, a descendant of Vijayakamitra, approximately half a century subsequent to the initial inscription, is credited with its restoration following inflicted damage. He is presumed to have gained the throne in c. 2 BCE after succeeding Visnuvarma, with a reign of three decades lasting til c. 32 CE before being succeeded by his son 786:

worshipped, the mother of the regional governor Śreṭha is worshipped, father-in-law, Viṣ̄nuvarma the Apracarāja is worshipped, the one who has a living son, Rukhuṇaka is worshipped, General Vaga is worshipped, the Apracarāja Vijayamitra is worshipped, Dhramasena, the monk and overseer of new constructions are worshipped.

3270:

How on this his father, then sixteen years of age, fled to the king beyond the Hydaspes, a greater king than himself, who received him kindly... he requested to be sent to the Brahmans; and how the Brahmans educated him; and how in time he married the daughter of the Hydaspian king, and received with

737:

In the twenty-seventh year in the ruler of Lord Vijayamitra the Apracarāja, in the seventy-third year of the one called Azes, in the two-hundred-and-first 201 year of the Greeks, on the eighth day of the month Śrāvaṇa. On this day a stupa was established by Rukhuṇā, wife of the Apracarāja, along with

3227:

The king then told how his father, the son of a king, had been left very young an orphan; and how during his minority two of his relatives according to Indian custom acted as regents, but with so little regard to law, that some nobles conspired against them, and slow them as they were sacrificing to

2466:

The Apracarājas thus installed their own political system, which was structured in terms of a dynastic hierarchy. At the head were the patriarchs, the rulers who were ubiquitously entitled Apracarāja. Six have been hitherto identified—Vijayamitra I, Viṣ̄uvarma, Vijayamitra II, Indravasu, Vijayamitra

2445:

Loṇa identifies herself as a woman of the inner court, a minor wife of Viṣ̄uvarma, who is here entitled prince. His status as prince indicates that he is eligible to succeed the current Apracarāja ruler, who is neither named here nor elsewhere.... All that can be concluded is that the Apraca dynasty

2487:

In particular, the etymology of the term Apraca remains obscure and currently there are two interpretations: N.G. Majumdar first proposed an underlying Skt. apratya ('without rival'), i.e., 'kings without rival', which long stood as the accepted interpretation. But H. W. Bailey later suggested that

808:

Of the son of the great satrap, the yagu king, Kharahostes, 28 staters, 4 dhānaka, 2 māṣa Of prince Indravarma, 28 staters, 1 drachm Of prince Indravarma, 43 staters The son of the general Viśpavarma, the prince Indravarma, with his wife, here these relics establishes in his personal stupa. General

785:

All Buddhas are worshipped, all past, future, and present Pratyekabuddhas are worshipped, all Noble Ones are worshipped. Utara, the wife of the prince, establishes relics of the Fortunate One along with Prince Indravarma . A stone pillar was erected…Sadaḍha, Ujiṃda… Utaraüta, Pupidrio, Uṣaṃveo are

725:

In the seventy-seventh year of the Great King Azes, deceased, on the twenty-fourth 24 day of the month Śrāvaṇa, by Śatruleka, Satrap, son of Subhutikă, and maternal nephew to the Apracarāja, relics of the Fortunate One Śākyamuni were established at a previously unestablished location in the village

2822:

The name of Aspavarma occurs four times in the eighth avadana of the above mentioned Buddhist manuscripts. The story in the avadana text involves some interaction between Aspavarman and Jhadamitra (a Saka noble) with regard to the provision of a place for the monks to stay during the rainy season.

749:

The bowl was established by Vijayamitra These relics became broken, are not honoured and so have perished over time; neither śrāddha nor food and water are brought for the ancestors, and so the bowl is not fully covered. In the fifth year of Viyakamitra the Apracarāja on the 25th day of the month

3313:

When I crossed the Hydraotis, I heard that, of the usurpers, one was already dead, and the other besieged in this very palace; so I hurried on, proclaiming to the villages I passed through who I was, and what were my rights : and the people received me gladly; and declaring I was tho very

761:

In the sixty-third 63 year of the Great King Azes who has passed, on the 16th day of the month Kārttika at this moment of citra, Prince Indravarma, son of the Apracarāja establishes this relic of the Fortunate One Śākyamuni at a permanent, deep, previously unestablished location. He produces

3184:

Phraotes, in answer, said that he was moderate because his wants were few, and that as he was wealthy, he employed his wealth in doing good to his friends, and in subsidizing the barbarians, his neighbours, to prevent them from themselves ravaging, or allowing other barbarians to ravage his

686:

also recounts that his father, being the son of a king, had become an orphan from a young age. In accordance with Indian customs, two of his relatives assumed responsibility for his upbringing until they were killed by rebellious nobles during a ritualistic ceremony along the

2729:

A silver drinking vessel with an animal style ibex figure formerly belonging to the "Yagu king" Kharaosta that was rededicated as a Buddhist reliquary by Indravarman may indicate this object was given to the apracas as a gift in exchage for some form of tribute or

2864:

One figure named Śatruleka 2 , who names himself as the 'maternal nephew of the Apracarāja , was indeed a satrap...one cannot ignore also that the date of his inscription is 77 Azes (29/30 CE)...or that he was installed as part of a new Indo-Parthian

2648:

The first was dedicated by Prahodi, the woman of the inner court of Vijayamitra, and is dated 32 Vijayamitra (30/31 CE)...This year represents in all likelihood one of Vijayamitra's last as ruler, for the throne would subsequently be given to his son

2488:

spelling variations in the term evidence formative linguistic stages (apaca > avaca > apraca) suggestive of an Ir. baja, the prefix found today in the modern toponym Bajaur, whence several inscriptions of the Apracarājas, i.e. 'kings of Apraca'.

2843:

the Reliquary Inscription of Ariaśrava et al (No. 31), dated 98 Azes (50/51 CE), whose donor, Ariaśrava, stipulates her relic dedication was made in the reign of Gondopahres' nephew Abdagases and the General Aśpavarma, son of Indravarma

715:

against the usurpers. With fervent support from the populace, Phraotes led a triumphant entry into the residence of the usurpers, whilst the citizens brandished torches, swords, and bows in a display of unified resistance.

773:

Utarā, wife of the General, establishes a stupa at a previously unestablished location in the region of Tramaṇa. All Buddhas are worshipped, all past and future Pratyekabuddhas are worshipped, all Nobles Ones are

820:

In the ninety-eighth 98 year of the Great King, the Great Azes, on the fifteenth 15 day of the month Caitra. In the reign of Gondophares’ nephew Avakaśa. In the reign of General Aśpavarma, son of Indravarma

2600:

The apracas were also connected by marital alliance with the Odi kings in the Swat valley since a royal relative and officer named Suhasoma in a Buddhist reliquary inscription of Senavarman was married to

2885:

The interesting additional information we get from these coins is that Sasan, a former associate of Gondophares and afterwards one of his successors in the Taxila region, was the son of Aspa's brother

4530:

An Inscribed Silver Buddhist Reliquary of the Time of King Kharaosta and Prince Indravarman, Richard Salomon, Journal of the American Oriental Society, Vol. 116, No. 3 (Jul. - Sep., 1996), pp. 442

711:

king, whilst having one son that was Phraotes himself. Phraotes proceeds to narrate the opportune moment he seized to reclaim his ancestral kingdom, sparked by a rebellion of the citizens of

4541:

A Kharosthī Reliquary Inscription of the Time of the Apraca Prince Visnuvarma, by Richard Salomon, South Asian Studies 11 1995, Pages 27-32, Published online: 09 Aug 2010

3004:

Problems of Chronology in Gandhāran Art: Proceedings of the First International Workshop of the Gandhāra Connections Project, University of Oxford, 23rd-24th March, 2017

2977:

Problems of Chronology in Gandhāran Art: Proceedings of the First International Workshop of the Gandhāra Connections Project, University of Oxford, 23rd-24th March, 2017

299:, though from numismatic evidence and reliquary inscriptions, it is asserted that their territory encompassed the wider region of Gandhara, including the cities of 396:

may have been originally non-Indic, suggesting them to be of Indo-Scythian descent. Several other scholars consider the dynasty to be of local Gandhari origins.

552:

noble, Jhadamitra, engaged in discussions concerning the establishment of accommodation for monks during the rainy seasons, displaying that he was a patron of

2780:

Since Aspavarman's coins overlap with late or post-humous issues of Azes II and the Indo-parthian ruler Gondophares, he probably flourished from ca. 20-50 CE.

4247: 4154: 615:, after having ascended from a subordinate governance role to a recognized position as one of Gondophares's successors. He assumed the position following 2905:

The coins further show that Sasan, who was at first a subordinate ruler under Gondophares, subsequently assumed independent or quasiindependent status.

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Prince Indragivarma, son of Apracarāja Vijayamitra, establishes relics in Śpadi at a previously unestablished location for the worship of all Buddhas.

502:

reliquary, indicating was a gift in exchange for tribute or assistance. According to another reliquary inscription Indravarma is noted as the Lord of

4208: 4410: 4406: 2387: 2366: 4418: 50: 4325: 4263: 4259: 4220: 4216: 4200: 2614: 1093: 369:, deviating from the typical hierarchical designations. Below these tiers were Apracha princes who were potential successors to the throne. 4251: 4243: 4236: 4212: 4162: 4158: 4150: 4074: 326:

Based on analysis of their inscriptions and coinage, the Apracharajas are widely believed to have served as significant benefactors of

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The domain of the Apracas was probably centred in Bajaur and extended to Swat, Gandhara, Taxila and other parts of Eastern Afghanistan

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is reported to have subsidized both barbarians and neighboring states, with the objective of averting incursions into his kingdom.

556:. A reliquary inscription dedicated to 50 CE, by a woman named Ariasrava, describes that her donation was made during the reign of 2765:

Early Buddhist Transmission and Trade Networks: Mobility and Exchange Within and Beyond the Northwestern Borderlands of South Asia

2714:

Early Buddhist Transmission and Trade Networks: Mobility and Exchange Within and Beyond the Northwestern Borderlands of South Asia

2684:

Early Buddhist Transmission and Trade Networks: Mobility and Exchange Within and Beyond the Northwestern Borderlands of South Asia

2585:

Early Buddhist Transmission and Trade Networks: Mobility and Exchange Within and Beyond the Northwestern Borderlands of South Asia

2410:

Early Buddhist Transmission and Trade Networks: Mobility and Exchange Within and Beyond the Northwestern Borderlands of South Asia

691:. This event led to the usurpation of the throne, compelling Phraotes' father to seek refuge with the king situated beyond the 3012: 2985: 2958: 2928: 2773: 2722: 2692: 2624: 2593: 2566: 2539: 2418: 750:

Vaiśākha this relic of the Fortunate One, Śākyamuni, the Perfectly Awakened One, was dedicated by Vijayamitra the Apracarāja.

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They are taken to the palace. They found the city divided by narrow streets, well-arranged, and reminding them of Athens.

3410:

Salomon, Richard (1996). "An Inscribed Silver Buddhist Reliquary of the Time of King Kharaosta and Prince Indravarman".

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History of civilizations of Central Asia: The Development of Sedentary and Nomadic Civilizations: 700 B.C. to A.D. 250

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More likely is that Indravasu governed until c. 50 CE, whereafter he was succeeded by his grandson Indravarma II

588:, suggesting the possibility that his appointment as Satrap may have been affiliated with an alliance alongside 404:

The Apracharajas were a historical dynasty situated in the region of Gandhara, extending from the governance of

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associated with them suggests a predecessor named Vijayakamitra, stated to have flourished during the era of

3455: 420:, this assertion is supported by swathes of discovered donations within their principal domain, between 3367: 910: 873: 377:

The etymological interpretation of 'apracharaja' has been subject to considerable scholarly discourse.

353:

The genesis of the Apracharajas is traced to the Apracharajas Visnuvarma and Vijayamitra, however the

4531: 4542: 3566: 2794:"Social Background of Buddhism in Gandhara(c.2 Nd Century Bce to the Middle of the 4th Century Ce)" 540:

whilst also describing him as 'Stratega' or general of the Aprachas. In accordance with a Buddhist

670:, being walled like a Greek city whilst also being shaped with Narrow roads, and further describe 4139: 3636: 3448: 17: 607:, emerged as a figure of significance. Aspavarman, a preceding Apracharaja contemporaneous with 428:. Archaeological evidence also establishes dynastic affiliations between them and the rulers of 2499:

Greek Gods in the East, Stančo, Ladislav, Charles University in Prague, Karolinum Press, 2012,

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the Lord Vijayamitra Apracarāja, and Indravarma the General, Ruler of Gandhāra, are worshipped

2556: 3835: 3819: 2500: 2348: 596: 585: 2394:, Journal of the American Oriental Society, Vol. 116, No. 3 (Jul. - Sep., 1996), pp. 418–452 2392:

An Inscribed Silver Buddhist Reliquary of the Time of King Kharaosta and Prince Indravarman

2373:, Journal of the American Oriental Society Vol. 102, No. 1 (Jan. - Mar., 1982), pp. 59–68. 330:. Translated inscriptions indicate the donation of stupas and reliquaries in honor of the 8: 3142:

and was the residence of a sovereign who ruled over what of old was the kingdom of Porus.

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is situated between 20 and 50 CE, during which numismatic evidence overlaps him with the

2935:

In the Indus valley Gondophares was succeeded by his nephew Abdagases and then by Sases.

839:: they are known for their numerous Buddhist dedications on reliquaries. On their coins 4448: 4280: 3646: 3550: 3415: 3371: 3304: 3261: 3218: 3175: 3133: 3091: 3049: 2857:"Buddhism and Society in the Indic North and Northwest, 2nd Century BCE–3rd Century CE" 2836:"Buddhism and Society in the Indic North and Northwest, 2nd Century BCE–3rd Century CE" 2813: 2743:"Buddhism and Society in the Indic North and Northwest, 2nd Century BCE–3rd Century CE" 2662:"Buddhism and Society in the Indic North and Northwest, 2nd Century BCE–3rd Century CE" 2641:"Buddhism and Society in the Indic North and Northwest, 2nd Century BCE–3rd Century CE" 2480:"Buddhism and Society in the Indic North and Northwest, 2nd Century BCE–3rd Century CE" 2459:"Buddhism and Society in the Indic North and Northwest, 2nd Century BCE–3rd Century CE" 2438:"Buddhism and Society in the Indic North and Northwest, 2nd Century BCE–3rd Century CE" 438:

The dynasty is argued to have been founded by Vijayakamitra, identified as a vassal to

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contested this assertion, stating that its significance is simply 'Kings of Apraca'.

3387:"Greek Buddhism? Early religious contacts in Greco-Bactrian and Indo-Greek Kingdoms" 2699:

Another important member of the Apraca lineage was the general (stratega) Aspavarman

631:, whilst a numismatic hoard had found coins of Sasan togethor with smaller coins of 3907: 3739: 2527: 2519: 1124: 651: 632: 389: 343: 272: 260: 91: 854:(ruled 12 BCE - 15 CE) personally dedicated in his name a Buddhist reliquary, the 4502: 4228: 4007: 3807: 3774: 3685: 868:, while still a Prince, personally dedicated in 5-6 CE a Buddhist reliquary, the 640: 425: 296: 219: 2856: 2835: 2742: 2661: 2640: 2479: 2458: 2437: 738:

Vijayamitra the Apracarāja, Indravarma the General, and their wives and princes.

576:

In an inscription dated to 30 CE, Satruleka, identified as a maternal nephew of

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Art and Landscape : Buddhist Rock Sculptures of Late Antique Swat/Uḍḍiyāna

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and general during the reign of Vijayamitra. According to Apracha chronology,

311:, their domain expanded to incorporate the former territory of the kingdom of 4559: 4354: 4119: 3902: 3533: 3528: 3509: 3471: 3300: 3257: 3214: 3171: 3129: 3087: 3045: 2809: 902: 869: 662:, whose coinage has been dated to 40-78 CE. They describe Phraotes' capital, 620: 433: 354: 4481: 4474: 4402: 4376: 4320: 4304: 4232: 4127: 4115: 4087: 3731: 3678: 3672: 2518:. Verlag der Österreichischen Akademie der Wissenschaften. pp. 33–34. 382: 350:, thereby highlighting the adherence of these rulers to Gandharan culture. 304: 3271:

her seven villages as pin-money, and had issue one son, himself, Phraotes.

2616:

Greco-Buddhist Relations in the Hellenistic Far East: Sources and Contexts

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Des Indo-Grecs aux Sassanides, Rika Gyselen, Peeters Publishers, 2007,

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Early Buddhist Transmission and Trade Networks: Mobility and Exchange.

3325:"Afghanistan, carrefour en l'Est et l'Ouest" pp. 373. Also Senior 2003 891:

Early Buddhist Transmission and Trade Networks: Mobility and Exchange.

880:

Numerous Buddhist dedications were made by the rulers of the Apracas:

470:, designating the title "Stratega," denoting a position equivalent to 4433: 4428: 4414: 4358: 4350: 4299: 4285: 4135: 4123: 4111: 4092: 4011: 3940: 3919: 3885: 3859: 3830: 3795: 3778: 3743: 3706: 3603: 3513: 2051: 1409: 1087: 987: 627:

is known through numismatic evidence to have overstruck the coins of

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and then further by Indravasu's grandson Indravarma II in c. 50 CE.

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This shows that the Aspavarman was a patron of the Buddhist Samgha.

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around 46 CE. The Gondophares who fits this date is Gondophares IV

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