The Geography of the Puranas c11.s6.t2.16

c11.s6.t2.16

Besides the janapadas discussed above, the various Purāṇas contain the names of a few more janapadas, which vary considerably from Purāṇa to Purāṇa. Perhaps some of the known janapadas mentioned in one Purāṇa lost their importance at the time the other Purāṇas were composed. It is not certain whether the names of janapadas were changed by accident or by design. In the latter case it is possible that some of the janapadas suffered extinction or transformation in human content or extent in course of time, and janapadas with new names came into being. However, the janapadas whose names appear to have been distorted in various Purāṇas but not changed or replaced, are indicated on the accompanying map with the help of other works. The rest have been omitted. The table below gives a complete list of janapadas as given in the Vāyu Purāṇa and its variations in other Purāṇas. This may be helpful to future workers in this field.