Geographical and Economic Studies in the Mahabharata: Upayana Parva c6.151

c6.151

Prāgjyotiṣa: M.B., II, 47, 12—14. In some passages Prāgjyotiṣa is called a Mleccha Kingdom (M.B., II, 47, 12) ruled over by Bhagadatta who is spoken with respect. Prāgjyotiṣa was placed in the north (M.B., II, 23, 19-19), but was also considered to be in the east (*Mārkaṇḍeya Purāṇa* VII, 44). There must have been mountains near his kingdom as it is called Śailālaya (*Strī-parva*, XXIII, 644). Bhagadatta recruited his troops (M.B., II, 23, 19) from the Kirātas, Cinas and the soldiers who dwelt on the sea-coast. He is said to have lived with the confederacy of the kings on the Bay of Bengal (M.B., V, 4, 11). The country of Prāgjyotiṣa is represented by Assam, and probably some part of Northern Bengal.