Historical Geography of Ancient India c6.709

c6.709

Vāhlīka.—The *Yoginitantra* (1/14) mentions it. The Meharauli Iron Pillar Inscription of Candra proves beyond doubt that the Vālhikas were settled beyond the Indus.¹ King Candra, who has been identified by some with Candravarman of the Allahabad Pillar Inscription of Samudragupta, as also with the king of the same name mentioned in the Susunia Rock Inscription, is described to have in battle in the Vaṅga country turned back with his breast the enemies, who uniting together came against him, and by whom having crossed in warfare the seven mouths of the Indus, the Vālhikas were conquered. The country of the Vālhikas has, therefore, been sought to be identified with the region now known as Balkh. The Vālhikas should be identified with the ‘Baktrioi’ occupying the country near Arachosia in Ptolemy’s time.² According to the *Rāmāyaṇa* (Kiṣkindhyākāṇḍa, 44, v. 13), the Vālhikas are associated with the people of the north. At any rate, the Vāhlika country should be identified with some region beyond the Punjab.