Essay name: History, Culture and Antiquities of Tamralipta
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Affiliation: University of Kerala / Faculty of Oriental Studies
This Study deals with the History, Culture and Antiquities of Tamralipta: an ancient city-port and important Trade centre with a rich history of Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. Tamralipta corresponds to the modern Tamluk, situated in West Bengal (India) and witnessed prosperous times during the Gupta dynasty.
Chapter 2 - Political History of Tamralipta
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east after crossing the Beas; so Alexander had to retreat.
The Greek writer Qurtins records the following regarding the
causes of the retreat of Alexander's army. He writes: "The
farther bank of the Ganges was inhabited by the nations, the
Gang膩ridai, and the Prasioi, whose king Agrammes kept in the
field for guarding the approaches to his country 20,000 cavalry
and 200,000 infantry besides 2000 four-horsed chariots, and what
was most formidable force of all, a troop of elephants, which ran
#38
up to the number of 3000. Almost a similar description is
39 given by Plutarch. The truth of these statements is corroborated
by indigenous sources which also record the enormous wealth and
vast army of the Nanda ruler holding sway over the Gangaridai
40 and Pr膩sioi nations. It is believed that the king Agrammes
41 or Xandrames of Greek and Latin traditions is none but the Nanda
King Dhana Nanda, the son of the famous Nanda King Mahapadma
Nanda or Ugrasena as referred to by the classical writers.
Mahapadma Nanda "is said to have subverted many contemporaneous
powers, like the Ikshv膩kus, Kurus, Panchalas, Kasis, Surasenas,
Maithilas, Kalingas, Asmakas, Haihayas etc., and implacably
uprooted the Ksatriyas. For these conquests he is referred
to in the Pur膩峁嘺s as 'Sarvakshatrantaka' and 'Ekar膩t'
鈶�42
43 38. Ma Crindle, J.W. Ancient India Its Invasion by Alexander
the Great, PP. 221 22
39. Ibid., p. 310
40. Ray Chaudhuri, Political History of Ancient India, pp. 188鈥�91
41. Adhikari (Ed.), op.cit., p. 111. Ray,N.R., op.cit. p. 463
42. Tripathi, R.S., History of Ancient India, p. 110 ;
Ray, N.R., op.cit. p. 463
43. Ibid.
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