Studies in the Bhagavati Sutra

Author(s): J C Sikdar
Publisher: Research Institute of Prakrit Jainology & Ahimsa Mujjaffarpur

Page 536

Sec. V]
STUDIES IN THE BHAGAWATI SOTRA
511
Lbāsiyās (Nāsikyas ?)
The Lhāsiyās may correspond to the Násikyas of the Purānas! who were located in the Nāsika region of the present Mahārāstra state. But there is still uncertainty about their identity without further evidences.
Lausiyās (Lausikās)
The Lausiyās are not yet identified. Can they be the people of modern Laos in South-East Asia ?
Ārabīs (Arabs)
The Arabīs were the people of Arabia (Arab) whose relation with India may be traced even in the first Century A. D. and even earlier on the basis of the evidence of the Periplus of the Erythraean Sea. According to the Nausāri grant of Avanījanāśraya' the Governor of Pulakeśī II, the Cālukya king of Vātāpī repulsed the incursion of the Arabs into Thānā (near Bombay), Broach, the Gulf of Debal and Al-kikān (the district round Kelat) by inflicting a defeat on them in the 7th Century A. D. It is a well-known fact that they conquered Sindhu in 637 A. D. under the generalship of Md. Bin Käsim by making war on Dâhira, the then ruling king of the state.
The appearance of the Arabs at the time of Lord Mahāvīra seems to be a matter of historical controversy without further corroborative evidences, though the Periplus suggests their early relation with India in the B. Cs.
Damilīs (Drāviļas)
The Damilīs were the famous south Indian race, having the same name now known as the Tāmilas. They are also
Puranas-Markandeya Purāna LVII, 48, 51; LVIII, 24 ;
Väyu-Purana XLV; Matsya Purana CXIII, 50. 9 Periplus of the Erythraean Sea. 8 Nausäri grant of Avani-Janāśraya ; see also Aihole Ins
cription of Pulakesin II. Refer to Bombay Gazetteer Vol. 1. • Advance History of India - Dr. R. C. Mazumdar.