Political History Of Ancient India

SR No.: 032292
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Hemchandra Raychaudhari
Publisher: University of Calcutta
Publication Year: 1950
Total Pages: 714
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 17 MB

Page 282

REALM OF THE SIVIS
253
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and the Chenab. They were probably identical with the Siva people mentioned in a passage of the RigVeda where they share with the Alinas, Pakthas, Bhalanases, and Visanins the honour of being defeated by Sudas. The Jatakas mention a Sivi country and its cities Ariṭṭhapura and Jetuttara.5 It is probable that Śiva, Śivi, Sibi, and Siboi were one and the same people. A place called Siva-pura is mentioned by the scholiast on Panini as situated in the northern country. It is, doubtless, identical with Sibipura mentioned in a Shorkot inscription edited by Vogel. In the opinion of that scholar the mound of Shorkot marks the site of this city of the Sibis."
The Siboi dressed themselves with the skins of wild beasts, and had clubs for their weapons.
The Mahabharta refers to a rashtra or realm of the Sivis ruled by king Usinara, which lay not far from the Yamuna. It is not altogether improbable that the Usinara country 10 was at one time the home of the Sivis. We find them also in Sind, in Madyamikā (Tambavati nagari ?) near Chitor in Rajputana,11 and, in the Dasa-kumara-charita, on the banks of the Kaveri.12
1 Inv. Alex., p, 232.
2 VII. 18. 7.
3 Vedic Index. Vol. II, pp. 381-382. A 'Saibya' is mentioned in the Aitareya Brahmana (VIII. 23; Vedic Index, 1.31).
4 Ummadanti Jataka, No. 527; cf. Panini, VI. 2. 100.
5 Vessantara Jataka, No. 547. See also ante, p 198, n 6.
6 Patanjali, IV, 2. 2; Ved. Ind., II, p. 382. IHQ, 1926, 758.
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7 Ep. Ind., 1921, p. 16.
8 III. 130-131.
9 Cf. Siba (Cunn. AGI., revised ed., pp. 160-161).
10 Vide pp. 65, 66 ante.
11 Vaidya, Med. Hind. Ind., 1, p. 162; Carm. Lec., 1918, p. 173. Allan, Coins of Anc. Ind. cxxiii.
12 The southern Śivis are probably to be identified with the Chola ruling family (Kielhorn, List of Southern Inscriptions, No. 685),