Political History of Ancient India, from the Accession of Parikshit to the Extinction of the Gupta Dynasty c9.s6.33

c9.s6.33

⁵ *Sutta Nipāta*, 977, *SBE*, X, pt. ii, 184 *Cf.* Asmagi (Bomb. *Gaz.* I. 1. p. 532; *Megasthenes and Arrian*, 1926, 145) of classical writers. Aśmaka is also mentioned by Pāṇini, IV. 1. 173. As the name signifies "the stony region", it can hardly refer to Aśvaka, the land of the Assakenoi in the north-west, which the *Cambridge History of India*, Vol. I, connects with the Sanskrit *aśva*, and Iranian *aspa*, horse. The Commentator Bhaṭṭasvāmin identifies Aśmaka with Mahārāshṭra. The capital was Potali or Potana (*Chullakāliṅga Jātaka* No. 301; *Assaka J.* (207); D. 2. 235; *Pariśishṭa parvan*, I, 92, nagare Potanābhidhe. Bomb. *Gaz.* I. 1. 535; Law, *Heaven and Hell in Buddhist Perspective*, 74; Mbh. 1. 177. 47; *cf* Pāḍana of Lüders' List, 616, and N. G. Majumder's List, 658 (*Monuments*, p. 365—Visākhasa Pāḍā(ṁ)yasa). Dr. Sukthankar points out that the Paudanya of the printed editions of the *Mahābhārata* is a late corruption. The older Mss. give the name as Potana or Podana This name reminds one of Bodhan in the Nizam's dominions which lies to the south of the confluence of the Mañjīrā and the Godāvarī. The city of Podana is said to have been founded by a prince of the Ikshvāku family, who is the eponymous hero of the land of Aśmaka. The neighbouring people of Mūlaka also claimed Ikshvāku descent (*Vāyu*, 88, 177-178).