India as Known to Panini: A Study of the Cultural Material in the Ashtadhyayi c7.s3.14

c7.s3.14

Varṇu, corresponding to Bannu on the other side of the river is mentioned in a *sūtra*, and also *Gaṇa-pāṭha*. The Bannu valley is drained by the rivers Kurram (Vedic Krumu) and the Gambila or Tochi which unite and flow into the Indus. The *Kāśikā* commenting on *sūtra* IV.2.103 speaks of Varṇu *deśa* named after the river Varṇu (*Varṇur-nāma nadas-tat-samīpo deśo Varṇuḥ*). It appears that the Kurram river after it left the Kurram Agency and from the point where it enters the Bannu valley was named Varṇu in ancient days. The place situated in proximity to Varṇu is mentioned as Vārṇava (IV.2.77, *gaṇa Suvāstvādi*). Although Bannu (Edwardesabad) is a modern town founded only in 1848, the valley after which the town was named is mentioned in ancient texts. Opposite Varṇu, across the river, was situated the famous Kekaya *janapada* mentioned in *sūtra* VII.3.2, comprising parts of the three modern districts Jhelum, Gujrat and Shahpur, adjoining which lay the Salt Range (Saindhava). To south of Kekaya was situated the Sindhu *janapada* lying north to south between the rivers Jhelum and Indus. Along the lowermost course of the river Sindhu was situated the ancient Sauvīra *janapada* (IV.1.148), now known as Sind.