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| ⚫ | '''The Pahlavas''' are a people mentionned in ancient Indian texts like the ], various ]s, ], ], Brhatsamhita etc. They are referenced in the ] and the ] literature as Pahlavas as well as ]s. They were ancient ] tribe, known as ''Pahlavi'', who migrated from ] to west, south-west and southern India and founded the Pahlava dynasties. They are said to be same as the Parasikas. | ||
| {{sections}} | |||
| ⚫ | According to P. Carnegy, the Pahluva are probably those people who spoke Paluvi or Pehlvi, a language pf ]. Buhler thinks that Phalvas and their Iranian prototype Pahlava are corruptions of ''Parthavas''. They are same as Parthians. The first reference to Pahlavas is found in the ]. Vartika of ] mentions ''Sakah-Parthavah'' showing that in fourth century BCE, the Parthavas or Pahlavas were known to the Hindus probably by way of commerce. | ||
| ⚫ | '''The Pahlavas''' are a people mentionned in ancient Indian texts like the ], various ]s, ], ], Brhatsamhita etc. They are referenced in the ] and the ] literature as Pahlavas as well as ]s. They are said to be same as the Parasikas. |
||
| The Pahlava were ancient ] tribe, known as ''Pahlavi'', who migrated from ] to southern India and founded the Pahlava dynasty. As Venkayya notes, | |||
| ⚫ | :''The Pallavas of Kāñcīpuram must have come originally from Persia, though the interval of time which must have elapsed since they left Persia must be several centuries. As the Persians are generally known to (p.220) Indian poets under the name Pārasīka, the term Pahlava or Pallava must denote the Arsacidan Parthians, as stated by Professor Weber." (Venkayya 1907, p.219-220)'' | ||
| ==Pahlavas in Puranic texts== | |||
| Pahlavas are referenced in various Puranic texts like Vayu Purana, Brahmanda Purana, Markendeya Purana, Matsya Purana, Vamana Purana etc. | Pahlavas are referenced in various Puranic texts like Vayu Purana, Brahmanda Purana, Markendeya Purana, Matsya Purana, Vamana Purana etc. | ||
| ===Geographical Location of Pahlavas=== | |||
| Kirfel's list of ] countries of the ''Bhuvanakosha'' locates the Pahlavas along with the ], ], Angalaukikas,], ]s, ], Bahlikas and other countries of the Udichya division of ancient India. e.g: | Kirfel's list of ] countries of the ''Bhuvanakosha'' locates the Pahlavas along with the ], ], Angalaukikas, ], ]s, ], Bahlikas and other countries of the Udichya division of ancient India. e.g: | ||
| :''ete desha udichyastu | :''ete desha udichyastu | ||
| Line 16: | Line 15: | ||
| :''(From Kirfel's Text of Bhuvanakosha )'' | :''(From Kirfel's Text of Bhuvanakosha )'' | ||
| ⚫ | Vayu Purana, Brahamanda Purana and several other Puranas mention the Pahlavas with the tribes of Uttarapatha or north-west. The sixth century text Markendeya Purana (57.35) lists the Pahlavas, Kambojas, Daradas, Bahlikas, Barbaras, Tusharas, Daradas, Paradas, Chinas, Lampakas etc as the countries of Udichya division i.e Uttarapatha, but 58th chapter of the Markendeya Purana also refers to yet other settlements of the Pahlavas and the Kambojas and locates them both specifically in the south-west of India as neighbors to the ], ] and Anarta (north ]) countries. Further the sixth century CE Brhatsamhita of Varaha Mihira also locates the Pahlavas and ] ]s in south-west India i.e around ]/] (See also: Geographical Data in the Early Puranas, 1972, p 134-135, Dr M. R. Singh). | ||
| ⚫ | Many Puranic texts refer to the Pallavas and Pahlavas indistinguishably, thus attesting that the Pallavas of southern India are also derived from the ]ian Pahlavas. While Vayu Purana mention Pahlava and Pahnava, the Brahmanda Purana and Markendeya Purana |
||
| ⚫ | Puranas like Vayu also state that the ] including the Pahlavas, Paradas, Gandharas, Sakas, Yavanas, Tusharas, Kambojas, Khasas, Lampakas, Madhyadesis, Vindhyas, Aprantas, Dakshinatyas, Dravidas, Pulindas, Simhalas etc would be proceeded against and annihilated by Kalki in ]. And they are stated to have been annhilated by king Pramiti at the end of Kali age as per ] evidence. | ||
| ⚫ | ''Bhishama Parava'' of ] too references the Pahlavas as Pallavas: | ||
| ⚫ | According to Vayu Purana and Matsya Purana, river Chakshu (] or ] Darya) flowed through the countries of Pahlavas, ], Lampakas, ]s and the ] etc (Vayu Purana I.58.78-83). | ||
| ⚫ | :'' |
||
| ⚫ | :(MBH Bhishama Parava 6.11.66) | ||
| ===Pānca Ganahas or Five Hordes=== | |||
| ⚫ | Vayu Purana, Brahamanda Purana and several other Puranas mention the Pahlavas with the tribes of Uttarapatha or north-west. The sixth century text Markendeya Purana (57.35) lists the Pahlavas, Kambojas, Daradas, Bahlikas, Barbaras, Tusharas, Daradas, Paradas, Chinas, Lampakas etc as the countries of Udichya division i.e Uttarapatha, but 58th chapter of the Markendeya Purana also refers to yet other settlements of the Pahlavas and the Kambojas and locates them both specifically in the south-west of India as neighbors to the ], ] and Anarta (north ]) countries. Further the sixth century CE Brhatsamhita of Varaha Mihira also locates the Pahlavas and ] ]s in south-west India i.e around ]/] (See also: Geographical Data in the Early Puranas, 1972, p 134-135, Dr M. R. Singh). | ||
| ⚫ | Puranas associate the Pahlavas with the Kambojas, Sakas, Yavanas and ] and brands them together as ''Panca-ganah'' (fiver-hordes). These five hordes were military allies of the Haihaya and Taljunga Kshatriyas of ] line and were chiefly responsible for dethroning king Bahu of Kosala. Later, king Sagara, son of king Bahu, was able to defeat the Haihayas and Taljungas together with these five-hordes. According to Puranic accounts, king Sagara had divested the Paradas and other members of the well-known Pānca-gana (i.e. the Sakas, Yavanas, Kambojas and Pahlavas) of their Kshatriyahood and turned them into the Mlechchas. Before their defeat at the hands of king Sagara, these five-hordes were called Kshatriya-pungava (i.e. ''foremost among the Kshatriyas''). | ||
| ===Pahlavas vs Pallavas=== | |||
| ⚫ | According to P. Carnegy, the Pahluva are probably those people who spoke Paluvi or Pehlvi, a language pf ]. Buhler thinks that Phalvas and their Iranian prototype Pahlava are corruptions of ''Parthavas''. They are same as Parthians. The first reference to Pahlavas is found in the ]. Vartika of ] mentions ''Sakah-Parthavah'' showing that in fourth century BCE, the Parthavas or Pahlavas were known to the Hindus probably by way of commerce. | ||
| ⚫ | Many Puranic texts refer to the Pallavas and Pahlavas indistinguishably, thus attesting that the Pallavas of southern India are also derived from the ]ian Pahlavas. While Vayu Purana mention ''Pahlava'' and ''Pahnava'', the Brahmanda Purana and Markendeya Purana etc refer to them both as ''Pahlava'' as well as ''Pallava'' and the Vamana Purana and Matsya Purana etc note them as ''Pallava''. | ||
| ⚫ | ''Bhishama Parava'' of ] too references the Pahlavas as Pallavas: | ||
| ⚫ | Puranas associate the Pahlavas with the Kambojas, Sakas, Yavanas and ] and brands them together as ''Panca-ganah'' (fiver-hordes). These five hordes were military allies of the Haihaya and Taljunga Kshatriyas of ] line and were chiefly responsible for dethroning king Bahu of Kosala. Later, king Sagara, son of king Bahu, was able to defeat the Haihayas and Taljungas together with these five-hordes. According to Puranic accounts, king Sagara had divested the Paradas and other members of the well-known |
||
| ⚫ | :''Khashikashcha TukharAshcha '''Pallava''' girigahvarah'' ||66|| | ||
| ⚫ | Puranas like Vayu also state that the ] including the Pahlavas, Paradas, Gandharas, Sakas, Yavanas, Tusharas, Kambojas, Khasas, Lampakas, Madhyadesis, Vindhyas, Aprantas, Dakshinatyas, Dravidas, Pulindas, Simhalas etc would be proceeded against and annihilated by Kalki in ]. And they are stated to have been annhilated by king Pramiti at the end of Kali age as per ] evidence. | ||
| ⚫ | :(MBH Bhishama Parava 6.11.66) | ||
| ==Pahlavas in Valmiki Ramayana== | |||
| ⚫ | According to Vayu Purana and Matsya Purana, river Chakshu (] or ] Darya) flowed through the countries of Pahlavas, ], Lampakas, ]s and the ] etc (Vayu Purana I.58.78-83). | ||
| ⚫ | The Balakanda of the ] groups the Pahlavas with the Shakas, Kambojas, Yavanas, Mlechhas and the ] and refers to them as military allies of ] ] against Vedic king ] (55/2-3). | ||
| ⚫ | The Kiskindha Kanda of ] associates the Pahlavas with the ]s, ], ]s, ]s (Varadas), ] and the ]s etc and locates them all in the trans-] territories i.e. in the Sakadvipa (Ramayana Kisk. Kanda, 43-12). | ||
| ==Pahlavas in Mahabharata== | |||
| ===Pahlavas in Uttarapatha=== | |||
| ] attests that Pandava-putra ] had defeated the Pahlavas in the course of his western expedition. The kings of Pahlava were also present at the ] sacrifice of king ]. | ] attests that Pandava-putra ] had defeated the Pahlavas in the course of his western expedition. The kings of Pahlava were also present at the ] sacrifice of king ]. | ||
| The ] also associates the Pahlavas with the ], ], ]s, ] |
The ] also associates the Pahlavas with the ], ], ]s, ], ], Sabaras, Barbaras, etc. and addresses them all as the ] ]s of ]. | ||
| ===Pahlavas in south-west India=== | |||
| But the Udyoga-Parva of ] groups the Pahlavas with the ]s, ]s and the ]-] and locates them all in/around Anupa region in western India. | But the Udyoga-Parva of ] groups the Pahlavas with the ]s, ]s and the ]-] and locates them all in/around Anupa region in western India. | ||
| Line 48: | Line 55: | ||
| This epic refence implies that sections of the Pahlavas, Shakas, Paradas, Kambojas were also located in western India near Saurashtra/Maharashtra. | This epic refence implies that sections of the Pahlavas, Shakas, Paradas, Kambojas were also located in western India near Saurashtra/Maharashtra. | ||
| ==Pahlavas in Manusmriti== | |||
| ⚫ | The Balakanda of the ] groups the Pahlavas with the Shakas, Kambojas, Yavanas, Mlechhas and the ] and refers to them as military allies of ] ] against Vedic king ] (55/2-3). | ||
| ⚫ | ] (X.43-44) states that the '''Pahlavas''' and several other tribes like the ]s, ]s, ], ]s, ], ]s, ]s etc were originally noble Kshatriyas, but later, due to their non-observance of sacred ] codes and neglect of the priestly class, they had gradually sunken to the status of Mlechchas. | ||
| ⚫ | The Kiskindha Kanda of ] associates the Pahlavas with the ]s, ], ]s, ]s (Varadas), ] and the ]s etc and locates them all in the trans-] territories i.e. in the Sakadvipa (Ramayana Kisk. Kanda, 43-12). | ||
| ⚫ | As noted above, the Pahlavas settlements have been noted both in the north/north-west as well as in the western and south-west India in post Christian times. This shows that the Pahlavas had moved to western region around ] times. This movement of the Pahlavas appears to have been associated with the well known ] movements of several ] tribes like the Sakas, Yavanas, Kambojas, Tusharas, Rishikas, Paradas etc which had occurred around second century prior to ] era. | ||
| ==Pahlavas in Mudrarakshas Drama== | |||
| The ] drama Mudrarakshas by Visakhadutta and the ]a works Parisishtaparvan refer to ]'s alliance with ] king Parvatka. This Himalayan alliance gave Chandragupta a powerful composite army made up of the frontier martial tribes of the ], ], ], Parasikas (Pahlavas), Bahlikas etc (predominantly an Iranian army) which he utilised to defeat the ] successors of ] and the Nanda rulers of Magadha, and thus establishing his ] in northern India (See: Mudrarakshas, II). | The ] drama Mudrarakshas by Visakhadutta and the ]a works Parisishtaparvan refer to ]'s alliance with ] king Parvatka. This Himalayan alliance gave Chandragupta a powerful composite army made up of the frontier martial tribes of the ], ], ], Parasikas (Pahlavas), Bahlikas etc (predominantly an Iranian army) which he utilised to defeat the ] successors of ] and the Nanda rulers of Magadha, and thus establishing his ] in northern India (See: Mudrarakshas, II). | ||
| ==Pahlavas in Brihat-Katha-Manjari== | |||
| The Brihat-Katha-Manjari of the Kshmendra (10/1/285-86) relates that around 400 AD, the Gupta king Vikramaditya (]) had "unburdened the sacred earth of the barbarians" like the Shakas, Mlecchas, Kambojas, Yavanas, Tusharas, Parasikas (Pahlavas), Hunas, etc. by annihilating these "sinners" completely. | The Brihat-Katha-Manjari of the Kshmendra (10/1/285-86) relates that around 400 AD, the Gupta king Vikramaditya (]) had "unburdened the sacred earth of the barbarians" like the Shakas, Mlecchas, Kambojas, Yavanas, Tusharas, Parasikas (Pahlavas), Hunas, etc. by annihilating these "sinners" completely. | ||
| ==Pahlavas in Kavyamimamsa== | |||
| The 10th century Kavyamimamsa (Ch. 17) of Pt Raj Shekhar still lists the Sakas, Tusharas, Vokanas, Hunas, Kambojas, Bahlikas, Pahlavas, Tangana, Turukshas, etc. together and states them as the tribes located in the Uttarapatha division. | The 10th century Kavyamimamsa (Ch. 17) of Pt Raj Shekhar still lists the Sakas, Tusharas, Vokanas, Hunas, Kambojas, Bahlikas, Pahlavas, Tangana, Turukshas, etc. together and states them as the tribes located in the Uttarapatha division. | ||
| ==Migration of Pahlavas== | |||
| The Pahlavas allied with Sakas, Kambojas and some other tribes from ] are stated to have entered India through ]. The Pahlavas had set up a dynasty under Venones in Balochistan and ]. The Pahlava rule in ], ] and ] was supplanted by that of ]s. | |||
| ⚫ | As noted above, the Pahlavas settlements have been noted both in the north/north-west as well as in the western and south-west India in post ] times. This shows that the Pahlavas had moved to western region around ] times. This movement of the Pahlavas appears to have been associated with the well known ] movements of several ] tribes like the Sakas, Yavanas, Kambojas, Tusharas, Rishikas, Paradas etc which had occurred around second century prior to ] era. Allied with the Sakas, Kambojas etc, the Pahlavas are believed to have entered India through ]. The Pahlavas had set up a dynasty under Venones in Balochistan and ]. The Pahlava rule in ], ] and ] was supplanted by that of ]s. | ||
| Venkayya notes: | |||
| ⚫ | ] (X.43-44) states that the '''Pahlavas''' and several other tribes like the ]s, ]s, ], ]s, ], ]s, ]s etc were originally noble Kshatriyas, but later, due to their non-observance of sacred ] codes and neglect of the priestly class, they had gradually sunken to the status of Mlechchas. | ||
| ⚫ | :''The Pallavas of Kāñcīpuram must have come originally from Persia, though the interval of time which must have elapsed since they left Persia must be several centuries. As the Persians are generally known to (p.220) Indian poets under the name Pārasīka, the term Pahlava or Pallava must denote the Arsacidan Parthians, as stated by Professor Weber." (Venkayya 1907, p.219-220)'' | ||
| ==See also== | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | ] | ||
Revision as of 18:45, 8 June 2006
The Pahlavas are a people mentionned in ancient Indian texts like the Manu Smriti, various Puranas, Ramayana, Mahabharata, Brhatsamhita etc. They are referenced in the Mahabharata and the Puranic literature as Pahlavas as well as Pallavas. They were ancient Persian tribe, known as Pahlavi, who migrated from Persia to west, south-west and southern India and founded the Pahlava dynasties. They are said to be same as the Parasikas.
According to P. Carnegy, the Pahluva are probably those people who spoke Paluvi or Pehlvi, a language pf Persia. Buhler thinks that Phalvas and their Iranian prototype Pahlava are corruptions of Parthavas. They are same as Parthians. The first reference to Pahlavas is found in the Rigveda. Vartika of Katyayana mentions Sakah-Parthavah showing that in fourth century BCE, the Parthavas or Pahlavas were known to the Hindus probably by way of commerce.
Pahlavas in Puranic texts
Pahlavas are referenced in various Puranic texts like Vayu Purana, Brahmanda Purana, Markendeya Purana, Matsya Purana, Vamana Purana etc.
Geographical Location of Pahlavas
Kirfel's list of Uttarapatha countries of the Bhuvanakosha locates the Pahlavas along with the Tusharas, Chinas, Angalaukikas, Barbaras, Kambojas, Daradas, Bahlikas and other countries of the Udichya division of ancient India. e.g:
- ete desha udichyastu
- Kambojashchaiva Dardashchaiva Barbarashcha Angaukikah ||
- Chinashchaiva Tusharashcha Pahlavadhayata narah ||
- ........................................................................................
- (From Kirfel's Text of Bhuvanakosha )
Vayu Purana, Brahamanda Purana and several other Puranas mention the Pahlavas with the tribes of Uttarapatha or north-west. The sixth century text Markendeya Purana (57.35) lists the Pahlavas, Kambojas, Daradas, Bahlikas, Barbaras, Tusharas, Daradas, Paradas, Chinas, Lampakas etc as the countries of Udichya division i.e Uttarapatha, but 58th chapter of the Markendeya Purana also refers to yet other settlements of the Pahlavas and the Kambojas and locates them both specifically in the south-west of India as neighbors to the Sindhu, Sauvira and Anarta (north Saurashtra) countries. Further the sixth century CE Brhatsamhita of Varaha Mihira also locates the Pahlavas and Kamboja kingdoms in south-west India i.e around Gujarat/Saurashtra (See also: Geographical Data in the Early Puranas, 1972, p 134-135, Dr M. R. Singh).
Puranas like Vayu also state that the Udichyas including the Pahlavas, Paradas, Gandharas, Sakas, Yavanas, Tusharas, Kambojas, Khasas, Lampakas, Madhyadesis, Vindhyas, Aprantas, Dakshinatyas, Dravidas, Pulindas, Simhalas etc would be proceeded against and annihilated by Kalki in Kaliyuga. And they are stated to have been annhilated by king Pramiti at the end of Kali age as per Puranic evidence.
According to Vayu Purana and Matsya Purana, river Chakshu (Oxus or Amu Darya) flowed through the countries of Pahlavas, Tusharas, Lampakas, Paradas and the Shakas etc (Vayu Purana I.58.78-83).
Pānca Ganahas or Five Hordes
Puranas associate the Pahlavas with the Kambojas, Sakas, Yavanas and Paradas and brands them together as Panca-ganah (fiver-hordes). These five hordes were military allies of the Haihaya and Taljunga Kshatriyas of Yadava line and were chiefly responsible for dethroning king Bahu of Kosala. Later, king Sagara, son of king Bahu, was able to defeat the Haihayas and Taljungas together with these five-hordes. According to Puranic accounts, king Sagara had divested the Paradas and other members of the well-known Pānca-gana (i.e. the Sakas, Yavanas, Kambojas and Pahlavas) of their Kshatriyahood and turned them into the Mlechchas. Before their defeat at the hands of king Sagara, these five-hordes were called Kshatriya-pungava (i.e. foremost among the Kshatriyas).
Pahlavas vs Pallavas
Many Puranic texts refer to the Pallavas and Pahlavas indistinguishably, thus attesting that the Pallavas of southern India are also derived from the Iranian Pahlavas. While Vayu Purana mention Pahlava and Pahnava, the Brahmanda Purana and Markendeya Purana etc refer to them both as Pahlava as well as Pallava and the Vamana Purana and Matsya Purana etc note them as Pallava.
Bhishama Parava of Mahabharata too references the Pahlavas as Pallavas:
- Khashikashcha TukharAshcha Pallava girigahvarah ||66||
- (MBH Bhishama Parava 6.11.66)
Pahlavas in Valmiki Ramayana
The Balakanda of the Ramayana groups the Pahlavas with the Shakas, Kambojas, Yavanas, Mlechhas and the Kiratas and refers to them as military allies of sage Vasishtha against Vedic king Vishwamitra (55/2-3).
The Kiskindha Kanda of Ramayana associates the Pahlavas with the Yavanas, Shakas, Kambojas, Paradas (Varadas), Rishikas and the Uttarakurus etc and locates them all in the trans-Himalayan territories i.e. in the Sakadvipa (Ramayana Kisk. Kanda, 43-12).
Pahlavas in Mahabharata
Pahlavas in Uttarapatha
Mahabharata attests that Pandava-putra Nakula had defeated the Pahlavas in the course of his western expedition. The kings of Pahlava were also present at the Rajasuya sacrifice of king Yudhishtra.
The Mahabharata also associates the Pahlavas with the Shakas, Yavanas, Gandharas, Kambojas, Tusharas, Sabaras, Barbaras, etc. and addresses them all as the Barbaric tribes of Uttarapatha.
Pahlavas in south-west India
But the Udyoga-Parva of Mahabharata groups the Pahlavas with the Shakas, Paradas and the Kambojas-Rishikas and locates them all in/around Anupa region in western India.
- Shakanam Pahlavanan cha Daradanam cha ye nripah.|
- Kambojarishika ye cha pashchimanupakashcha ye 15.||
- (MBH 5.4.15)
- Translation:
These kings of the Shakas, Pahlavas and Daradas (Paradas) and the Kamboja Rshikas, these are in the western riverine (Anupa) area. (It may be remembered that the Daradas in this passage appears to be a copyist's mistake since it is the Paradas and not the Daradas who are a member of the well known Puranic Panca-gana or five-hordes).
This epic refence implies that sections of the Pahlavas, Shakas, Paradas, Kambojas were also located in western India near Saurashtra/Maharashtra.
Pahlavas in Manusmriti
Manusmriti (X.43-44) states that the Pahlavas and several other tribes like the Sakas, Yavanas, Kambojas, Paradas, Daradas, Khasas, Dravidas etc were originally noble Kshatriyas, but later, due to their non-observance of sacred Brahmanical codes and neglect of the priestly class, they had gradually sunken to the status of Mlechchas.
Pahlavas in Mudrarakshas Drama
The Buddhist drama Mudrarakshas by Visakhadutta and the Jaina works Parisishtaparvan refer to Chandragupta's alliance with Himalayan king Parvatka. This Himalayan alliance gave Chandragupta a powerful composite army made up of the frontier martial tribes of the Shakas, Kambojas, Yavanas, Parasikas (Pahlavas), Bahlikas etc (predominantly an Iranian army) which he utilised to defeat the Greek successors of Alexander and the Nanda rulers of Magadha, and thus establishing his Mauryan Empire in northern India (See: Mudrarakshas, II).
Pahlavas in Brihat-Katha-Manjari
The Brihat-Katha-Manjari of the Kshmendra (10/1/285-86) relates that around 400 AD, the Gupta king Vikramaditya (Chandragupta II) had "unburdened the sacred earth of the barbarians" like the Shakas, Mlecchas, Kambojas, Yavanas, Tusharas, Parasikas (Pahlavas), Hunas, etc. by annihilating these "sinners" completely.
Pahlavas in Kavyamimamsa
The 10th century Kavyamimamsa (Ch. 17) of Pt Raj Shekhar still lists the Sakas, Tusharas, Vokanas, Hunas, Kambojas, Bahlikas, Pahlavas, Tangana, Turukshas, etc. together and states them as the tribes located in the Uttarapatha division.
Migration of Pahlavas
As noted above, the Pahlavas settlements have been noted both in the north/north-west as well as in the western and south-west India in post Christian times. This shows that the Pahlavas had moved to western region around Christian times. This movement of the Pahlavas appears to have been associated with the well known tribal movements of several Central Asian tribes like the Sakas, Yavanas, Kambojas, Tusharas, Rishikas, Paradas etc which had occurred around second century prior to Christian era. Allied with the Sakas, Kambojas etc, the Pahlavas are believed to have entered India through Bolan Pass. The Pahlavas had set up a dynasty under Venones in Balochistan and Kandhahar. The Pahlava rule in Afghanistan, Sindh and Punjab was supplanted by that of Kushanas.
Venkayya notes:
- The Pallavas of Kāñcīpuram must have come originally from Persia, though the interval of time which must have elapsed since they left Persia must be several centuries. As the Persians are generally known to (p.220) Indian poets under the name Pārasīka, the term Pahlava or Pallava must denote the Arsacidan Parthians, as stated by Professor Weber." (Venkayya 1907, p.219-220)