Kamuia

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Kamuia or Kamuio is the family name used by some members of king Maues or Moga’s family. For example, in the Mathura Lion Capital Inscriptions, last name Kamuia has been used after the name of princess Aiyasi [1] and its modified form Kamuio after the name of her father, Yuvaraja Kharaosta [2].

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[edit] Etymology of Kamuia

Kamuia or Kamuio of the Lion Capital Inscriptions obviously represents Sanskrit Kamboja or Pali Kambojaka (or Kambojika).

  • The platal j can easily become soft y in Prakritic languages. This is not unusual. The Shabazgarhi Inscriptions of king Ashoka also write Kamboja as Kamboya.
Yona-KamboYa-Gamdharanam Rathikanam Pitinikanam ye va pi Aparamta..................................[3]
Yona-KamboY.esu.......................[4] [5].
  • The Uttaraadhyana-Sutra of Jaina Canon also writes Kamboja as Kamboya. For example see:
jaha se KamboYanam aiynne kanthai sya || [6]
  • To give few more illustrations, the terms , Javadvipa, SamJogita, SamaJa, Jajman, Jadu, Jogi and GaJni etc are also found written as Yavadvipa, SamYokita, SamaYa Yajman Yadu, Yogi and GaYni where also the platal J has become soft Y.
  • And the cluster mb in Kambojika first transforms to mm and then becomes m in Kharoshthi dialect.

Hence:

KamboJika == > KamboYika (j== >y)
Kamboyika == > kammoyika (mb == >mm)
Kammoyika == > Kamoyika (mm == >m)
Kamoyika == > Kamoika (yi == >i)
  • The penultimate letter k being sandwiched between two vowels gets eliminated in ancient Indo-Aryan languages following a documented procedure as noted by ancient Prakritic Grammarians. According to third century Prakritic Grammarian Acharya Varruchi, the consonants k, g, ch, j, t, d, p etc falling between two vowel sounds usually get elited[7].

Hence

Kamoika == > Kamoia (k == > 0 i.e zero)
  • Finally, in the Mathura Lion Capital inscriptions, Sodasa, the name of Rajuvula's son is found written as Sudase (See: inscription no C3) [3]. It is noteworthy that the common o in name Sodasa here has been replaced with u in the Lion Capital inscriptions. In a like manner, common o in the name Kamoia (=Kambojika) has also similarly been replaced with u in the same inscriptions, which is understandable.

Hence:

Sodasa == > Sudase (o == >u)
Kamoia == >Kamuia or Kamuio (o == >u)

Or alternatively, Kamuia can straightaway be derived from Iranian Kambujiya as follows:

Kambujiya == > Kambujia (Jiya == > Jia)
Kambujia == > Kambuyia (J == > y)
Kambuia == > Kamuia (mb == > mm==> m)

remembering that Sanskrit Kamboja (q.v.) appears as K.b.u.ji.i.y, Kabujiya or perhaps Kabaujiya and Kambujiya or perhaps Kambaujiya ( OR with -n- in place of -m- as Kanbujiya or Kanbaujiya) of Old Persian inscriptions, and Cambyses of Greek writings. The same name appears as C-n-b-n-z-y in Aramaic, Kambuzia in Assyrian, Kambythet in Egyptian, Kam-bu-zi-ya or Ka-am-bu-zi-ya in Akkadian, Kan-bu-zi-ia or Kan-bu-si-ya in Elamite, and Kanpuziya in Susian language [8]. It appears to have been quite a popular name among the ancient Iranians, of whom the ancient Kambojas are said to have formed a clan.

[edit] Some noted scholars on Kamuia

Dr Sten Konow: If we bear in mind that mb becomes m i.e mm in the dialect of Kharoshthi dhammapada, and that u is used for the common o in Sudasa in the Lion Capital Inscriptions, the Kamuia of the Lion Capital can very well represent a Sanskrit Kambojika [9].

Indian Culture: "The Kamuias, who are associated with the familiy of the Saka Mahakshatrapa Rajuvula of the Mathura Lion Capital inscriptions, are in fact, the Kambojas -- Kamuias being just the form we would expect in the dialect for an old Kambojika" [10].

H. W. Bailey: The Kamuias of Mathura Lion Capital Inscriptions have been traced to the Kambojas of Sanskrit and Pali texts [11] [12].

Dr K. P. Jayswal: "Dr Konow's recognition of Kamuia, occurring in Lion Capital Inscriptions of Mathura as = Kambojika is convincing" [13].

Dr R. K. Mukerjee: "Mathura Lion Capital inscriptions refer to names of several persons like Aiyasi Kamuia or Kambojaka, the chief queen of Rajuvula. She was the daughter of Yuvaraja Kharaosta, the heir-apparent to the position of king of kings after Moga. Kharaosta has also been addressed as Kamuio or Kambojaka. Kharaostas was son of king Moga's brother Arta, as is clear from his own coins " [14].

Dr K. A. Nilakanta Sastri: "According to newer view propounded by S. Konow, the name of the principal donor (in Mathura Lion Capital inscriptions) was Aiyasi Kamuia (Kambojaka, belonging to the Kambuja/Kamboja tribe) who was daughter of Yuvaraja Kharaosta, also Kambojaka and the mother of Nada Diaka (or Siaka) " [15].

Dr Buddha Parkash: "Along with the Sakas, the Kambojas also entered India and spread into whole of North India, especially in Panjab and Uttar Pradesh. The verses of Mahabharayta (12.105.5) composed and added around the beginning of Christian era also attest the conquest of Mathura by the Yavanas and Kambojas. There is also a reference to the Kambojas in the Lion Capitol inscriptions of Saka Satrap (Kshatrapa) Rajuvula found in Mathura [16].

RTAM observes: "The real name of Rajuvula's queen is Aiyasi Kamuia; where Kamuia seems to have been her family name....The Kamuia may be an adjective derived from Kamboja or old Persian Kambuja meaning 'the Kambojan'. Aiyasi Kamuia was the daughter of Kharaosta and mother of Nadadiaka. The name Nadadiaka is Iranian" [17].

Dr Chandra Chakraberty: "The Kambujas appear as Kamuias in Lion Capital inscriptions of Mathura, and are now the Kambohs of NW Punjab. They were branch of the Scythian Kambysenas of ancient Armenia, to west of Caspian sea". [18]. Also cf: "The kambojas were a clan of the Sakas-Kamuias (cf: Iranian Kambujiya-Kambyses)-the Kambohs of north-western Punjab" [19].

Journal of Indian History records: "Yuavaraja Kharosta (of the Mathura Lion Capital) is evidently identified with Kharaosta known from the coins. He is designated as Kamuia which can very well be Prakrit for Kambojika (i.e. Kamboja). ...Prof Levi has given good reasons to identify Kamboja with Kapisa i.e with trhe country the Chinese called Ki-pin" [20].

JRAS 1990 records: It has not, however, proved possible to interpret title of yuvaraja attached to Kharaosta in a satisfactory way, for the person entitled to be styled yuvaraja in the province of the Mahaksatrpa Rajuvula would naturally be his son Sodasa. It is a priori likely that the yuvaraja was something more than the heir of the Mahaksatrapa. It is however possible to explain Kamuia as corresponding to Sanskrit Kambojika, and at all events, it seems clear that Rajuvula’s chief queen was a Kamuia just as was the case with Kharaosta. Such designations are naturally inherited from the father and not the mother. Therefore, yuvaraja Kharaosta was father and not the son of chief queen Aiyasi Kamuia [21].

In addition, there are numerous other scholars who also accept the equivalence between the Kamuia of Mathura Lion Capital inscriptions and the Sanskrit Kamboja or Pali Kambojika [22].

[edit] Ptolemian Komoi

In Ptolemy's Geography, Komoi is the name of a people living to the north of Bactria [23]. This probably referred to the Kamboj people living in the Doab of rivers Oxus and Jaxartes in Central Asia. It is very important to note that with reference to the location of Kambojas, the ancient commentator on Bana Bhatta's seventh century creation, Harsha-Carita, also remarks: Kambojah Bahlika-desajaha i.e the Kambojas originate in Bahlika Desa (Bactria) [24].

[edit] Modern Kamo or Kamoi

In modern times, sometimes, the standard ancient term Kamboja is also found written/spoken in its highly prakrtised/vulgo form as Kamo or Kamoi, especially among the illiterate circles of Panjab population[25].

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ See: Mathura Lion Capital inscription no A3.
  2. ^ See: Mathura Lion Capital inscription no E/E.
  3. ^ Rock Edict No 5/12) (j == > y) .
  4. ^ Rock Edict 13/9) (j == >y).
  5. ^
    See: Shahbazgarhi Rock Edict No 5 [1] and No 13 [2].
  6. ^ Uttaraadhyana Sutra 11/16) (j == > y).
  7. ^ See: E. B. Cowel, The Prakrita Prakasha, preface pp ii-iv.
  8. ^ Cf: Ancient Kamboja in Iran and Islam, p 69, Dr H. W. Bailey.
  9. ^ See: Corpus Inscriptionum Indicarum, Vol II, Part I, p xxxvi; see also p 36, Dr Sten Konow.
  10. ^ Indian Culture, 1934, p 193, Indian Research Institute.
  11. ^ Ancient Kamboja in Iran and Islam, 1971, Editor C. E. Bosworth, Edinburgh, 1971, p 66, Dr H. W. Bailey.
  12. ^ See also: Geographical and Economic Studies in the Mahābhārata: Upāyana Parva , 1945, p 35, Dr Moti Chandra.
  13. ^ See: Journal of Bihar and Orissa Research Society, Vol XVI, 1930, Part III, IV, p 229, Dr K. P. Jayswal.
  14. ^ Ref: Ancient India, 1956, pp 220-21, Dr R. K. Mukerjee.
  15. ^ See: Comprehensive History of India, 1957, Vol II, p 270, Dr K. A. Nilakanta Sastri.
  16. ^ India and the World, 1964, p 154, Dr Buddha Parkash.
  17. ^ Ṛtam, p 46, by Akhila Bharatiya Sanskrit Parishad, Lucknow.
  18. ^ Literary History of Ancient India in Relation to Its Racial and Linguistic Affiliations, 1953, pp 165, 149, 46, 37 Chandra Chakraberty.
  19. ^ op cit, p 34, Chandra Chakraverty.
  20. ^ Jouranl of Indian History, 1921, p 21, University of Kerala, University of Alahhabad, Department of History.
  21. ^ Cf: Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland - 1834, p 141, Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
  22. ^ Khroshthi Inscriptions, No 15, A3; Notes on Indo-Scythian chronology, Journal of Indian History, xii, 21; Five Phases of Indian Art, 1991, p 17, K. D. Bajpai; Indological Studies: Prof. D.C. Sircar Commemoration Volume, 1987, p 106, Prof. D.C. Sircar Commemoration Volume, Upendra Thakur, Sachindra Kumar Maity - Social Science; Female Images in the Museums of Uttar Pradesh and Their Social Background, 1978, p 162, Padma Upadhyaya; Kunst aus Indien: Von der Industalkultur im 3. Jahrtausend V. Chr. Bis zum 19. Jahrhundert n ...1960, p 9, Künstlerhaus Wien, Museum für Völkerkunde (Vienna, Austria); The Śakas in India, 1981, p 97, Satya Shrava; Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain & Ireland, 1905, p 795, Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland; Journal of Indian History - 1921, p viii, University of Kerala, University of Allahabad Department of Modern Indian History, University of Travancore; Women, Patronage, and Self-Representation in Islamic Societies, 2000, p 113, D. Fairchild Ruggles; Development of Material Culture in India, 1986, p 118, Malati Mahajan; Development of Buddhism in Uttar Pradesh, 1956, p 390, Krishna Datta Bajpai, Nalinaksha Dutt; Ancient Kamboja, People and the Country, 1981, pp 41, 306-09, Dr J. L. Kamboj, Dr Satyavart Sastri; These Kamboj People, 1979, p 141; Kambojas Through the Ages, 2005, pp 168-69, Kirpal Singh Dardi; Balocistān: Siyāsī Kashmakash, Muz̤mirāt Va Rujḥānāt, 1989, Munīr Aḥmad Marri;تاريخ قوم كمبوه: جديد تحقيق كى روشنى ميں, 1996, p 221, Yusuf Husain; Cf: Geography in Ancient Indian Inscriptions, Up to 650 A.D. , 1973, p 11, Parmanand Gupta; Enlite, 1969, v.5, Light Publications etc.
  23. ^ J. McCrindle, Ancient India, Trans & Edit: Dr Majumdar, p 268; The Indian Historical Quarterly, 1963, p 403; Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland , 1990, p 200, Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland; Barrington Atlas of the Greek and Roman World: Map-By-Map Directory (2 Volume Set) , September 18, 2000, Richard J. A. Talbert.
  24. ^ See: Ancient Kamboja in Islam and Iran 1971, p 66, quoted by Dr H. W. Bailey.
  25. ^ E.g. Panth Parkash, Bhaasha Vibhaag, 1970, pp 531-32, 737, Gyani Gyan Singh.

[edit] See also

Kamboja
Kambojas
Aiyasi Kamuia
Kharaosta Kamuio
Arta Kamuia
Maues
Mathura Lion Capital

[edit] External links

[edit] References

  • Corpus Inscriptionum Indicarum, Vol II, part I, Dr Sten Konow
  • Journal of Bihar and Orissa Research society, Vol XVI, 1930, parts III, IV, Dr K. P. Jayswal
  • Ancient India, 1956, Dr R. K. Mukerjee
  • Comprehensive History of India, 1957, Vol II, Dr K. A. Nilkantha Shastri
  • Ancient Kamboja People & Country, 1981, Dr J. L. Kamboj
  • Tarikh-i-Qaum Kamboh, 1996, Chaudhury Muhammad Hasan
  • The Kambojas Through the Ages, 2005, S Kirpal Singh
  • The Prakrita Prakasha, Acharya Varruchi Trans: E. B. Cowel
  • India and the World, 1964, Dr Buddha Parkash
  • Sculptures of Mathura and Sarnath, 2002, Usha Rani Tiwari (br)
  • Female Images in the Museums of U.P. and their Social Background, P. Upadhyava