The Apracharajas or Apracarajas (Gandhārī: 𐨀𐨤𐨿𐨪𐨕𐨪𐨗),Richard Salomon, The "Avaca" Inscription and the Origin of the Vikrama Era, Journal of the American Oriental Society. Vol. 102, No. 1 (Jan. - Mar., 1982), pp. 59–68. also known as Avacarajas (Gandhārī: 𐨀𐨬𐨕𐨪𐨗),Richard Salomon, An Inscribed Silver Buddhist Reliquary of the Time of King Kharaosta and Prince Indravarman, Journal of the American Oriental Society, Vol. 116, No. 3 (Jul. - Sep., 1996), pp. 418–452 were a local ruling dynasty of Gandhāra attested mainly in the 1st century BCE and 1st century CE. Their capital, known as Apracapura or Avacapura, was probably located in modern-day Bajaur, though from numismatic evidence and the reliquary inscriptions, it appears that their territory at times encompassed the wider region of Gandhāra. The official language of Apracharajas was Gandhārī, written in the Kharoṣṭhī script. They also adopted the Gandhārī title of gaṃdharaśpami (lit. 'Lord of Gandhāra').
Based on their inscriptions and coinage, the Apracharajas are known to have patronised Buddhism. They constructed stupas and donated reliquaries in honor of the Buddha. The exact genealogical relation of Apracharajas with each other and their origin, however, remains less certain, and reconstruction of it depends on the seventeen Gandhārī language inscriptions associated with them, although some, like Aśpavarma, are mentioned in the Gandhāran Buddhist manuscripts.
Apracharajas were contemporaries of Oḍirājas in Oddiyana, with whom they probably had matrimonial relations.
Background N. G. Majumdar has suggested the name 'apraca' to be a Gandhārī Prakrit form of Sanskrit 'apratya', literally '(kings) without rival', although H. W. Bailey contested this assertion, stating that it simply meant 'kings of Apraca'. According to Andrea Schlosser, consonant clusters containing y underwent assimilation in Gandhārī language, with dental consonants in such clusters subsequently undergoing palatalization, such as ty > c. It also developed reflex -śp from OIA for Sanskrit -sv, with Sanskrit names such as Aśvavarma appearing as Aśpavarma in the language.
Richard Salomon has argued the Apracharajas to be of Indo-Scythian descent as several women of the dynasty have names of Iranian origin. Several other members of the dynasty also have names of Greek or uncertain origin, while the majority of the Apracas have Indic Gandhārī names. A number of other scholars consider the dynasty to be of local origin from Gandhāra, with Luca M. Oliveiri arguing against the hypothesis of Saka or foreign origin of the dynasty.
Apracharajas issued their own dynastic era, and adopted the ancient Greek title of stratega. With the rise of Indo-Parthians, they aligned with them. They are also suggested to have descended from Aśvakas, an ancient people from Gandhāra known to have fought against Alexander the Great.
History The Apracharajas were mainly based in Gandhara, with their period extending from rule of Menander II to the era of the early Kushans. They were known for supporting Buddhism.
The dynasty appears to have been founded by Vijayakamitra, a vassal to Menander II according to the Shinkot casket. The Shinkot casket inscription further states that Vijayamitra, a descendant of Vijayakamitra, around half a century after the initial inscription, restored it after it was damaged. 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 Indravasu and then by Indravasu's grandson Indravarma II in c. 50 CE.
Some Apracharajas are documented in the Silver Reliquary (discovered at Sirkap, near Taxila) to have used the title of stratega, a Greek title denoting a position equivalent to senapati, such as Indravarma who was initially a general during the reign of the Vijayamitra. Indravarma is additionally noted for receiving the Silver Reliquary from the Indo-Scythian monarch Kharahostes, which he subsequently rededicated as a Buddhist reliquary. In another reliquary inscription, Indravarma is noted as the Lord of Gandhara. According to Apracha chronology, Indravarma was the son of Visnuvarma, the Apracharaja preceding Vijayamitra.
Indravarma's son Aspavarma ruled between 20 and 50 CE; based on numismatic evidence, his tenure overlapped with that of Indo-Scythian ruler Azes II and the Indo-Parthian ruler Gondophares. According to a Buddhist Avadana, Aspavarma and a Saka noble, Jhadamitra, discussed the establishment of accommodation for monks during the rainy seasons. A reliquary inscription dedicated in 50 CE by a woman named Ariasrava describes that her donation was made during the reign of Gondophares' nephew, Abdagases I, and Aspavarma.
In an inscription dated to 30 CE, Satruleka, identified as a maternal nephew of Vijayamitra, describes himself as a Satrap. This coincides with the invasion of the Indo-Parthians, suggesting that he was appointed as Satrap in an alliance with Gondophares.
During the period of the Indo-Parthians, Sases, a nephew of Aspavarma, gained significant power. Aspavarma, a preceding Apracharaja contemporaneous with Gondophares, was succeeded by Sases, and his coinage shows that he assumed an independent position following Abdagases I. The Kushan ruler Vima Takto is known to have over struck the coins of Sases, whilst in a hoard the coins of Sases were found together with that of Kujula Kadphises. In turn, Sases also over struck the coins of Nahapana of the Western Satraps, whose rule is dated between 40 and 78 CE.
Apracha reliquary inscriptions
Patronage of Buddhism The Apracharajas embraced Buddhism: they are known for their numerous Buddhist dedications on reliquaries. On their coins Hellenic designs, derived from the coinage of the Indo-Greeks, continued to appear alongside Buddhist ones.
Vijayamitra (ruled 12 BCE – 15 CE) personally dedicated in his name a Buddhist reliquary, the Shinkot casket."Afghanistan, carrefour en l'Est et l'Ouest" pp. 373. Also Senior 2003Des Indo-Grecs aux Sassanides, Rika Gyselen, Peeters Publishers, 2007, p. 103 Some of his coins bear the Buddhist triratna symbol. Indravarman, while still a Prince, personally dedicated in 5–6 CE a Buddhist reliquary, the Bajaur casket, now in the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Numerous Buddhist dedications were made by the rulers of the Apracas:
Genealogy
Significant Aprachas Ruler Image Filiation Approx. dates MentionsVisnuvarmac. Late 1st CEQueen: Rukhana Vijayamitra 2 BCE – 32 CE Queen: Prahodi Indravasu Son of Vijayamitra c. 20 CE Queen: VasumitraIndragivarmaSon of VijayamitraSatrulekaMaternal nephew of Vijayamitra and son of Subhutikac. 30 CEQueen: Davili Vispavarma Son of Indravasu Queen: Śiśirena Indravarman Son of Visnuvarma Queen: Utara Aspo or Aspavarmo Son of Indravarma 15 – 45 CE Sasan Contemporary of Kujula Kadphises and Mujatria.Dating and locating Mujatria and the two Kharahostes, Joe Cribb, p. 29
Family tree
See also Indo-Scythian Kingdom Indo-Parthian Kingdom
References