Identification of Some Ancient Indian Place-Names
Summary
The text examines the identification of ancient Indian place-names, focusing on Devasabha, Indrapura, and related regions. Rajasekhara’s *Kavyamimamsa* describes five divisions of India, including the western division centered around Devasabha, with towns like Barinasi, Mihis-mati, and Prthudaka. While the locations of some towns remain uncertain, Devasabha is tentatively linked to modern Dewas in Malwa, supported by geographical and textual similarities. The region’s ancient *janapadas* (districts) align with modern towns and districts near Dewas, though Rajasekhara’s ordering of these entities remains debated. Indrapura is identified with Indor in Bulandshahr, Uttar Pradesh, based on a Gupta-era copper plate inscription. However, another Indrapura in the northwest, near Kapisa (modern Charikar, Afghanistan), is proposed, linked to Hiuen Tsang’s accounts and numismatic evidence showing Indra as its patron deity. The *Mahamayuri* text further associates Indra with this region. The analysis also notes the identification of Sivapura with Bhisand, referencing epigraphic and literary sources. Discrepancies in historical records and interpretations are acknowledged, particularly regarding Devasabha’s association with red sandal production and the uncertain archaeological evidence from Dewas. Overall, the study emphasizes textual correlations, geographical data, and numismatic findings to reconstruct ancient Indian geography, while highlighting unresolved ambiguities in historical identification.
AI-generated summary, automatically checked against the article text.
Conclusion
This study demonstrates the potential for precise identification of ancient Indian place-names through interdisciplinary analysis of textual and geographical evidence. The proposed identification of Devasabha with modern Dewas, supported by linguistic parallels, geographical alignment, and historical references, offers a compelling case for reconnecting Rajasekhara's janapadas with contemporary regions. The spatial correlation between the Kavyamimamsa's western division and modern Malwa Agency territories underscores the enduring topographical and cultural continuity in this area. While uncertainties remain regarding certain identifications, the methodology highlights the value of integrating epigraphic, archaeological, and literary data to resolve longstanding historical questions. These findings advance our understanding of ancient Indian geopolitical structures and contribute to more accurate reconstructions of historical South Asian geography.