Pulinda

Pulinda (पुलिन्द) was a country mentioned in Mahabharata. It has been identified with modern Bundelkhand.

Variants

• Pulindaka (पुलिन्दक)
• Pulinda Desha /Pulindadesha (पुलिन्द देश)

Genealogy

Lambodara ancestry

'A study of the Bhagavata Purana; or, Esoteric Hinduism' by Purnendu Narayana Sinha, pp 226-227 mentions that (10) ten kings of the Sunga dynasty shall reign for 112 years. These are:

Pushyamitra → Agnimitra → Sujyestha → (Vasumitra + Bhadraka + Pulinda):

Pulinda → Utghosha → Vajramitra → Bhagavata → Devabhuti

Vasudeva, the minister of Devabhuti, shall kill his master and become himself the king.

Vasudeva

↓

Bhumitra

↓

Narayana

↓

Susarman

These four kings shall be called Kanvas. They shall reign for 345 years. Susarman shall be killed by his servant Balin, a King of the Andhra clan, who shall himself usurp the throne. Balin shall be succeeded by his brother Krishna.

History

Pulindaka (122-119 BC) was a ruler of Magadha in the Shunga Dynasty (185-73 BC) with genealogy as under:

• Pusyamitra Shunga (185-149 BC), founded the dynasty after assassinating Brhadrata
• Agnimitra (149-141 BC), son and successor of Pusyamitra
• Vasujyeshtha (141-131 BC)
• Vasumitra (131-124 BC)
• Andhraka (124-122 BC)
• Pulindaka (122-119 BC)
• Ghosha
• Vajramitra
• Bhagabhadra, mentioned by the Puranas
• Devabhuti (83-73 BC), last Sunga king

इतिहास

बुन्देली क्षेत्र पर चेदि, मौर्य, शुंग, वाकाटाक, भारशिव, नाग, गुप्त, हूण, हर्षवर्धन, कलचुरी, चन्देल, अफ़ग़ान, मुग़ल, गौड़ और बुन्देलों का शासन रहा है। सम्राट अशोक के राज्य काल में इस क्षेत्र को 'पुलिन्द देश' के नाम से सम्बोधित किया जाता था। महाकवि कालिदास की कृति 'रघुवंश' में पुलिंद जाति का उल्लेख आया है। वह यहाँ की सत्ताधारी जाति थी। वेद, पुराण, अनेक शिलालेखों और ताम्रपत्रों में पुलिन्द नरेशों और पुलिन्द देश की स्थिति के संकेत मिलते हैं। कुछ विद्वानों का मत हैं कि यही ‘पुलिन्द’ शब्द आगे चलकर ‘बोलिन्द’ और कालान्तर में ‘बुन्देल’ हो गया। ब्राह्मी लिपि के एक भेद को 'बोलिन्दी' कहते हैं। इस क्षेत्र के अनेक प्राचीन शिलालेख बोलिन्दी में लिपिबद्ध हैं।

ब्रिटिश विश्वकोश में बुन्देलखंड का ‘जेजाक भुक्ति’ के रूप में उल्लेख किया गया है। जॉर्ज ग्रियर्सन ने 'गजेटियर ऑफ़ इंडिया' के आधार पर लिखा है कि- "बुन्देलखंड वह भू-भाग है, जो उत्तर में यमुना, उत्तर-पश्चिम में चम्बल, दक्षिण में मध्य प्रांत के जबलपुर और सागर संभाग तथा दक्षिण और पूर्व में रीवा अथवा बघेलखंड के मध्य में स्थित हैं और जिसके दक्षिण तथा पूर्व में मिर्जापुर की पहाडि़या हैं।

In Mahabharata

Pulinda (पुलिन्द) is mentioned in (II.26.10), (V.158.20), (VI.10.60),(VI.83.7),(VIII.51.19),

Pulindaka (पुलिन्दक) (VI.10.39),

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Sabha Parva, Mahabharata/Book II Chapter 26 mentions the countries Bhimasena subjugated that lay to the East. Pulinda (पुलिन्द) is mentioned in verse (II.26.10).....Then that prince of the Kuru race, endued with great prowess going into the country of Pulinda in the south, brought Sukumara and the king Sumitra under his sway.

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Udyoga Parva/Mahabharata Book V Chapter 158 mentions Pulinda (पुलिन्द) in (verse (V.158.20). ....Uluka, Duryodhana's messenger presented himself before the Pandavas. Mentions - swarming with the kings of the East, West, South, and North, with Kambojas, Sakas, Khasas, Shalwas, Matsyas, Kurus of the middle country, Mlechchhas, Pulindas, Dravidas, Andhras, and Kanchis, indeed, with many nations, all addressed for battle.

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Bhisma Parva, Mahabharata/Book VI Chapter 10 describes geography and provinces of Bharatavarsha. Pulinda (पुलिन्द) is listed in the other Provinces in south in verse (VI.10.60).

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Bhisma Parva, Mahabharata/Book VI Chapter 83 describes the array of the Kauravas army against the Pandavas. Pulinda (पुलिन्द) is mentioned in (VI.83.7).

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Karna Parva/Mahabharata Book VIII Chapter 51 describes terrible massacre and warriors who were killed on seventeenth day of War. Pulinda (पुलिन्द) is mentioned in (VIII.51.19).....the Tusharas, the Yavanas, the Khasas, the Darvabhisaras, the Daradas, the Sakas, the Kamathas, the Ramathas, the Tanganas the Andhrakas, the Pulindas, the Kiratas of fierce prowess, the Mlecchas, the Mountaineers, and the races hailing from the sea-side,

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Bhisma Parva, Mahabharata/Book VI Chapter 10 describes geography and provinces of Bharatavarsha. Pulindaka (पुलिन्दक) Province is mentioned along with Sindhu in verse (VI.10.39). .... the Chedi-Vatsas, the Karushas, the Bhojas, the Sindhu-Pulindakas, the Uttamojas, the Dasharnas, the Mekalas, the Utkalas;