Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c7.65

c7.65

GĀNDHĀRA. A stretch of land of ancient Bhārata. It is believed that this land stretched from the shores of river Sindhu to Kābul. Subala was a mighty ruler of this country. His daughter Gāndhārī was the wife of Dhṛtarāṣṭra. (Śloka 11, Chapter 111, Ādi Parva). Agni Purāṇa points out a relationship between the Gāndhāras and the Drāviḍas. Descending in order from Viṣṇu were Candra—Budha—Purūravas—Āyus—Nahuṣa—Yayāti—Turvasu. In order from Turvasu were Varga-Gobhānu—Traiśāni—Karandhama—Marutta—Duṣyanta—Varūtha—Gāṇḍīra—Gāndhāra. From Gāndhāra arose the five different provincialists: Gāndhāras, Keralas, Colas, Pāṇḍyas and Kolas. (Chapter 277, Agni Purāṇa).