India as Known to Panini: A Study of the Cultural Material in the Ashtadhyayi c12.s6.48

c12.s6.48

(2) *Śaubhreya*, probably named after an original ancestor called Śubhra referred to in *sūtra* IV.1.123 (*Śubhrādibhyaścha*). The name was possibly connected with the *Sabarcae* of Curtius, who are named as *Sabagrae* by Orosius. After the battle with the *Oxydrakai* (Kshudrakas) near the old junction of the Ravi with the Chenab, Alexander 'marched towards the *Sabarcae*, a powerful Indian tribe where the form of government was democratic and not regal (*Curtius*). Their army consisted of 60,000 foot and 6,000 cavalry attended by 500 chariots. They had elected three generals renowned for their valour and military skill;' (M'Crindle's *Alexander*, p. 252). The above description points to the *Sabarcae* having been an *āyudhjīvī Saṅgha*, which the Śaubhreyas of Pāṇini were. In this case the Greeks particularly noted the form of their government which was democratic and not regal.