Prachin Bharat Me Desh Ki Ekta

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text, "Prachin Bharat me Desh ki Ekta" (Unity of the Country in Ancient India) by Vasudev S. Agarwal:

The essay "Prachin Bharat me Desh ki Ekta" by Dr. Vasudev Sharan Agarwal explores the concept of national unity in ancient India, arguing that geographical unity serves as the fundamental basis for national unity, which is its essential outcome.

Geographical Unity as the Foundation:

• Agarwal begins by referencing the Puranas, specifically the "Bhuvan Kosh" chapters, which describe a seven-continent geography. In this model, Meru (identified with the Pamir Plateau) is the center, with four continents: Uttar Kuru (Siberia), Bhadrasva (China), Ketumal (regions west of Pamir along the Oxus River), and Bharatvarsha (the land between the Himalayas and the southern sea).
• Ancient Indian geographers had a clear understanding of Bharatvarsha's boundaries, extending from the northern sources of the Ganges to Kanyakumari in the south. The eastern borders were inhabited by the Kiratas (identified with the Mon-Khmer), and the western borders by the Yavanas (Greeks, specifically the Bactrian Greek kings who established their rule in the 3rd century BCE). This geographical definition was established well before the Shunga period.

The Concept of "Mahaprithvi" and Sovereignty:

• The Pali text, Dighanikaya, uses the term "Mahaprithvi" (Great Earth) to refer to the entirety of Bharatvarsha. This contrasts with "Prithvi," which referred to the territory ruled by a king, making him "Parthiva" (lord of the earth). "Mahaprithvi" signified a dominion stretching to the sea.
• Panini's Ashtadhyayi uses the term "Sarvabhumi" for Mahaprithvi, and the ruler of such a dominion was called "Sarvabhauma." The right to perform the Ashvamedha sacrifice (horse sacrifice) was reserved for the Sarvabhauma ruler, who was also known as a "Chakravarti" (universal monarch). The example of King Bharata, who became a Chakravarti through Ashvamedha sacrifices, is cited.

Diverse Ideas of Bharatvarsha's Configuration:

• The Dighanikaya also describes the physical shape of Mahaprithvi in three ways:
  • Kurma Sansthan (Tortoise Configuration): Varahamihira, in his Brihatsamhita, describes India's configuration as tortoise-like. He further divides this into nine parts, each corresponding to a specific region of India, indicating a detailed understanding of regional geography.
  • Karmuk Sansthan (Bow Configuration): The Puranas describe India as bow-shaped, with the southern peninsula forming the curved limb and the Himalayas representing the drawn string of the bow.
  • Shakatamukh Sansthan (Cart-Mouth Configuration): The Dighanikaya's description of the northern plains and mountains as rectangular and the southern peninsula as a narrow, cart-mouth-like projection is considered the most direct and vivid, akin to a modern map.

Geographical Unity Supporting Other Forms of Unity:

• The essay emphasizes that this inherent geographical unity was further reinforced by economic, religious, and cultural factors. It also served as a constant inspiration for political unity.
• While India was divided into numerous "Janapadas" (regions or kingdoms), which fulfilled the local aspirations of the people and served as strong bonds of local unity, the ideal of a greater political organization was present from the Vedic period.

Political Ideals and the Path to Unity:

• The coronation oaths of Vedic kings, particularly the "Aindra Mahabhishak," reveal aspirations for dominion over the entire earth, reaching the furthest limits of the four directions, and becoming a Sarvabhauma and Ekrat (sole ruler) up to the sea.

• The essay discusses various forms of political organization that emerged:

  • Sarvabhauma/Chakravarti: This involved conquering or subjugating other kings to establish a unified dominion.
  • Adhirajya: This involved receiving tribute from other rulers while allowing them to retain their existing sovereignty.
  • Samrajya: This was a more rigorous form of rule, characterized by aggressive expansion and assimilation of all territories, based on sheer power.
  • Paramashthya/Ganarajya: This was prevalent in republics, based on clans where the eldest member of a family was called "Raja." Peace and respect for individual dignity were the foundations of this system.

• The essay notes the rise of Magadha as a dominant empire, akin to Sparta and Athens in Greece, after considerable political struggle. The trends initiated by Jarasandha of the Brihadratha dynasty were continued by the Shishunaga and Nanda dynasties. Initially met with public resistance, this expansionist tendency eventually became accepted.

The Maurya Empire as a Unifying Force:

• The Maurya Empire, particularly under Chandragupta Maurya, represents the most developed form of this unifying tendency. His empire, stretching from Afghanistan to Mysore, embodied the concept of Sarvabhumi or Mahaprithvi.
• The Maurya Empire brought about:
  • Uniform Institutions: Standardized administrative structures, departments, revenue systems, tax collection, trade routes, legal systems (civil and criminal), weights, and measures, leading to a sense of uniformity and strengthening the bonds of life for the populace. Kautilya's Arthashastra is presented as a testament to this uniformity.
  • International Consciousness: Increased awareness of neighboring countries through extended trade routes and diplomatic missions. Ashoka's edicts, mentioning foreign kings, highlight this international engagement. Ashoka's efforts also fostered connections with Tibet, Burma, Ceylon, Siam, and Cambodia, spreading Indian dharma and culture.

The Gupta Era and Cultural Expansion:

• The Gupta period further cemented the idea of India as the central jewel in the "golden necklace" of Jambu-dvipa. Indian influence spread from Central Asia to Indonesia and from China to Iran. This era witnessed a significant "dharmic victory" (cultural and religious influence).
• Kalidasa's concept of "Ekatapatram Jagatah Prabhutvam" (sole imperial dominion over the world) reflected the cultural ideal of Indian global influence, even if the geographical dominion was more contained. The Himalayas were seen as a measuring rod of India's east-west expanse, defining the extent of Indian culture and "dharmarajya."
• The concept of "Greater India" emerged, where territories beyond the Indian mainland were also considered part of "Bharat." This is evidenced by the use of terms like "Kumari Dwipa" for mainland India and "Bharat" for Greater India by Gupta-era Puranic writers.

Literary and Administrative Evidence of Unity:

• Digvarnana (Description of Directions): Throughout ancient and medieval literature, descriptions of directions (e.g., in the Raghuvamsa, Harsha Charita, Kiskindha Kanda of the Ramayana, and the Mahabharata) consistently include both internal Indian regions and external lands, indicating a holistic worldview.
• Economic Integration: The essay highlights the system of "Gramasankhya" (land settlement and tax assessment) as evidence of administrative and economic unity. Sukraniti and Aprajita Prichha provide details of such surveys and taxations in terms of silver coins (Karshapanas). The revenue figures for various regions demonstrate a structured economic system that extended across the subcontinent. The continuity of this system is seen in the Ain-i-Akbari.
• Shared Ideals and Practices: The political unity of the medieval period is reflected in the "digvijaya" (conquests) and ruling styles of numerous emperors, suggesting common ideals, life practices, and a shared sense of national consciousness. The presence of royal courts with foreign embassies and bustling ports with diverse merchants further underscores this interconnectedness.

The Enduring Spirit of Unity:

• Despite being divided into various states, a collective consciousness existed, encompassing regions from Khurasan, Balkh, and Pamir to Lanka. The list of regions in the Kumarika Khanda (describing the perambulation of India) includes diverse areas, showcasing this expansive understanding of the Indian sphere.
• The essay concludes by emphasizing that the history of India has flowed from the Vedic period to the medieval era, and throughout this, Indian culture has remained steadfast in its acceptance and insistence on fundamental unity and equality amidst diversity. This is powerfully encapsulated in the Vedic verses from Rigveda (10.12.3-4) which speak of a common mantra, common assembly, common mind, and shared spirit.