Jignasa Journal Of History Of Ideas And Culture Part 01

Author(s): Vibha Upadhyaya and Others
Publisher: University of Rajasthan

Page 216

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Jijñāsā
histories which refer to them as Mālavas, Malli or Mallai associated with the Oxydrakai, Sudracae, Hydrakai or Sydracae.'
Various scholars have discussed their geographical location. Among them V.A. Smith, McCrindle and H.C. Raychaudhuri are important. Probably, the view of Raychaudhuri is more acceptable .He locates them in the valley of the lower Hydraotes (Ravi) on both banks of the river. Dasgupta expresses his opinion about the geographical location of the Mālavas in following words, “Though the location of the Mālavas in the time of Alexander cannot be fixed with perfect accuracy mainly because of the subsequent change in the river courses concerned, there seems to be a little doubt that their territory in the fourth century B.C., was situated somewhere in the central Punjab either between Satluj and the Ravi or between the Satluj and the Chenāb. It is clear from the description of Mahābhārata that geographically during the different periods of Indian history various tracts were known as Mālava country.
Besides, the well known province in Central India, even today large part of southern Punjab Comprising the districts of Ferozepur and Ludhiānā ineluding the former states of Jind, Patiālā, Nābhā and Mālerkotla is also known as Mālava. The Mahabharata also confirms it. According to the epic, the Malavas were settled in the east, the north and the west :
सौवीरा कितवा प्राच्या प्रतीच्योदीच्यमालवा
संग्रामे ताजहुर्भाश्म वध्यमानाः शितैः शरै Thus, it can be inferred that during the third century B.C., the southern Punjab was not only tract occupied by the Mālavas.' In Sabhā-Parvan of the Mahābhārata, the Mālavas, Sibis and Trigartas are placed in Rajasthan (MARU) while in another place they are in Punjab. The Mälavas in chapter XXX, verse 8, are again mentioned with Matsyas. It also shows that during the second half of first century B.C., the Mālavas migrated to Rajasthan or Rajputana. According to Jayaswal, the various tribes like Sibis and Mālavas sacrificed their paternal homes and lands to preserve their political self and soul.? Even Grierson confirms, that the major part of the southern Punjab is still known as Mālavā. The dialect used in the region extending from Ferozepur to Bhatinda is also known by the name Mālavi.
Likewise the Mālavas, another important republic of Punjab which influenced the history of Rajasthan during the ancient period, were Sibis. Law says, "Sibis are probably alluded to for the first time in the Rigveda where the Sivas, doubtless the same people are Sibis, are grouped together with four other minor tribes, viz., the Alinas, Pakhtas, Bhalānasas and Vişāņins, who were all defeated by the combined army of King Sudas”. The Aitareya Brāhmana also mentions the Sibis. Even the Pāṇini mentions that a place Sivapura was situated in the northern country. According to the Shorkot Inscription, the Shorkot was the original home of the Sibis. Thus, it can be said without any hesitation that Sibis were a people inhabiting the Shorkot region in Jhang in the Punjab, lying between the Irāvati and the Chandrabhāgā rivers, and therefore included in the northern regions of Uttarāpatha.
It is very difficult to say about the migration of the Sibis in Rajasthan. Besides the Mahābhārata, the sivi Jātaka mentions a śivi King and his country with two of its cities, Aritthapura and Jetuttara. Probably the Aritthapura was the Dvärāvati and Jetuttara was the Nagari. Even Alberuni also refers that Jetuttara was the capital of Mewar. Thus, it can be said that Sibis, sometime in second century B.C., migrated from Punjab to Rajasthan to protect their freedom.