Political History of Ancient India, from the Accession of Parikshit to the Extinction of the Gupta Dynasty c14.s3.84

c14.s3.84

Rapson¹ seems to think that the Gandhāras, Kambojas, Yavanas, Rishṭikas, Bhojas, Petenikas, Pāladas and Andhras lay beyond Aśoka's dominions, and were not his subjects, though regarded as coming within his sphere of influence. But this surmise can hardly be accepted in view of the fact that Aśoka's *Dharma-mahāmātras* were employed amongst them "on the revision of (sentences of) imprisonment or execution , in the reduction of penalties, or (the grant of) release" (Rock Edict V).² In the Rock Edict XIII, they seem to be included within the *Rāja-Vishaya* or the King's territory, and are distinguished from the real border peoples (*Amta, Prachaṁta*), *viz*., the Greeks of the realm of Antiochos and the Tamil peoples of the south (*Nīcha*). But while we are unable to accept the views of Rapson, we find it equally difficult to agree with Dr. D. R. Bhandarkar³ who denies the existence of Yonas and others as feudatory chieftains in Aśoka's dominions. The case of the *Yavana-rāja* Tushāspha clearly establishes the existence of such vassal chiefs whose peoples undoubtedly enjoyed partial autonomy though subject to the jurisdiction of special Imperial officers like the *Dharma-mahāmātras*.