History of Garhwal, Kumaon, Haridwar (Uttarakhand) - Part 70

 Inhabitants and Towns/Villages of Garhwal, Kumaon, Haridwar (Uttarakhand) in Kalidasa Literature

 

History of Garhwal, Kumaon, Haridwar (Uttarakhand) - Part 70  

 

Historical Aspects of Classical Period of Haridwar -Kumaon-Garhwal (Uttarakhand), Himalayas-12   

 

Garhwal, Kumaon, Haridwar (Uttarakhand) in Kalidasa Literature- part -10

 

(This History chapter up is dedicated to great historian Dr Shiv Prasad Dabral, Rahul Sankrityayan, Garhwali poet Sada Nand Jakhmola, Editor of Satyapath, Lalita Prasad Naithani, Dr. Shiva Nand Nautiyal, Kunvar Singh Negi, 'Karmath', Srimati Kamla Ratnam, Banarasi Das Chaturvedi , Dr. Mayaram Uniyal  who did sound research on Kalidasa literature and Life)

 

                                                       By: Bhishma Kukreti

 

                  Inhabitants/ Occupants of Garhwal, Kumaon, Haridwar (Uttarakhand) in Kalidasa Literature

 

   Kalidasa describes following inhabitants of Garhwal, Kumaon, Haridwar (Uttarakhand) in his various works.

 

Kinnar and Kirat- the Himalayan capital Aushdhiprashtha was situated at bank of Ganga. There were Yaksha and Kimpurush (Kinnar).  The Kinnar women were very beautiful. Kirat and Kinnar were occupants of Bhagirathi valley.

Kinnar women were famous for their music instrument playing and singing expertise.

 

Utsav Sanket- Along with Kinnar- Kirat communities, there was another small community Utsav –Sanket community in Ganga Valley. Kinnar-Kirat did not have cordial relations with each other.  

 

Yaksha- Yaksha used to live near in and nearby territory of Alkapuri and Kailas (near today's Badrinath or Alaknanda valley). Many historians suggest Yaksha were Khasa of Mahabharata. However, Kalidasa describes Yaksha as prosperous community that does not tally with economic conditions of Khasa of that time.

 

Other minority communities- Apsarayen, Vidyadhar, Siddh, sages, Brahmachair were other minority communities.

 

  Urbanization, Civilization, Populations, Habits and Habitats of Occupants of Garhwal, Kumaon, Haridwar (Uttarakhand) in Kalidasa Literature

 

       Kalidasa described many dwellings of Himalayan region in his works.

 

Alka- Alkapuri was at foothills of Kailas. There were multistoried buildings. There were gardens. The dressings of occupants were exotic and excited.  The people were music lovers. The life was happy there.

 

Aushadhiprashtha- Aushadhiprashtha was capital of Himalaya. The city was more prosperous than Alkapuri.  Kinnar and Kirats were the occupants of Aushadhiprashtha. The poet states that elephants and horses were there.

  There were pubs in Aushadhiprashtha. Entertainment was the aim of life of people.

 The nearby forest had such grass that the forest used to shine by those plants in night. This seems to be imagery place.

 

Kankhal- Kankhal was in Gangadwar (today's Haridwar). Kalidasa states that it was capital of Dakshraj (father of Parvati). Ganga descends from Kankhal into plains.

 

Kanvashram-   Sage Kanva had his own Ashram.  Kanvashram was at foot hills of Himalaya at Malini River bank. There were students in Kanvashram.

 

Charanyas- This Ashram was near Ganga source.

 

Vashisthashram- The Vashisthashram was situated at Ganga bank in hills. Historians suggest the Ashram was near Lakshmanjhula.

 

Shakravatar- Shakravatar was village of Dhiwars.

 

Hemkut –Hemkut was at foothills and just above in Himalaya.

 

 

***Garhwal, Kumaon, Haridwar (Uttarakhand) in Kalidasa Literature to be continued…part -11

 

Copyright@ Bhishma Kukreti 11/06/2013

 

(The History of Garhwal, Kumaon, Haridwar write up is aimed for general readers)

 

History of Garhwal – Kumaon-Haridwar (Uttarakhand) to be continued… Part -71

Historical Aspects of -Classical Period of Haridwar -Kumaon-Garhwal (Uttarakhand), Himalayas to be continued…13 

 

Notes on History of Uttarakhand; History of Haridwar, Uttarakhand; History of Dehradun, Garhwal, Uttarakhand; History of Uttarkashi, Garhwal, Uttarakhand; History of Tehri Garhwal, Uttarakhand; History of Chamoli Garhwal, Uttarakhand; History of Pauri Garhwal, Uttarakhand; History of Rudraprayag Garhwal, Uttarakhand; History of Kumaon, Uttarakhand; History of Pithoragarh, Kumaon, Uttarakhand; History of Champawat, Kumaon, Uttarakhand; History of Bageshwar Kumaon, Uttarakhand; History of Nainital Kumaon, Uttarakhand; History of Almora, Kumaon, Uttarakhand; History of Udham Singh Nagar, Kumaon, Uttarakhand to be continued…               

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Regards
Bhishma  Kukreti