MAHARAJA PORUS : THE PRIDE OF KSHATRIYAS

 

MAHARAJA PORUS :  THE PRIDE OF KSHATRIYAS

  

                          
                      The battle of Kurukshetra ended in the fall and annihilation of the Kaurvas in spite of the support they acquired by them  of several chiefs of the Punjab clans like Jayadratha of Sindhu-Sanvira, Shakuni of Gandhara, Sudaksina of Kambojas, Susama of Trigarta, etc. Only Abhisara (Poonch-Rajori) stood on the side of the Pandavas.  The result of the fall of the Kaurvas defeat was their total demoralization and the rise of confusion and anarchy in the Punjab as well as North-west areas.

                        For our purpose it is important to mention that there is a reference in the Mahabharata  about  Pauravas  as having an on-going connection with the land of  Jhelum which developed into a full-fledged kingdom under Maharaja Porus in the fourth century B.C.

                        It is also true  that after the fall of the Kurus, some Persian and Iranian clans entered the Punjab during the reign of Achaemenians. He Persians settled in Takshila and eastern Gandhara but later on circumstances compelled them to move out to settle in the areas between the Ravi and the Beas rivers. Since this territory became the settlement of indisciplined foreigners and unlawful indigenous groups, crime like robberies and murders began to flourish. Predatory associations emerged under the umbrella of Achaemenids. While Strabo says that there were about 500 towns and cities between the Jhelum and the Beas rivers, Panini puts their number as 750.

Whereas there were several warrior groups in the North-west, the Mahabharata includes the Brahamanas called Goplava among the Kashtriyas and the Rajanyas. Panini suggests that such groups organized themselves into military associations, some of whom encouraged caste-based assemblages.

It is  worth mentioning  that those kshtriyas whose surnames are: Anands, Bhasins, Chadhas, Kohlis, Sethis, Sabharwals, Chandhoks, Sahnis, Suris, etc., were known as the Rajanyas i.e. the members of the royal families.

Panini also mentions a number of tribal units like Virka (now Virks), Dhartteya (now Dattas), Variteya (now Batras), etc.

All the above-mentioned groups lived an organized life, were dexterous, diligent, tough and always ready to play the role of fighters and warriors.

Panini also mentions two other groups of Madra state, Aparamadra, settled in the Gujarat district between the Jhelum and the Chenab rivers, and Purvamadra, inhabiting between the Chenab and the Ravi in Gujranwala and Sialkot districts. According to him the first loyalty of these groups was to their motherland, a quality of which Maharajas Porus was a perfect embodiment.

At the time of Alexander’s invasion, apart from the Kshtriyas whose surnames have already mentioned, there were Rohitakas, descended from Rohi, who christened modern Afghanistan as Boh.  Currently, they are the inhabitants of the Haryana State where Agrayas (modern Agrawals) are represented by Maharaja Agrasen. There are also members of the Vaish communities, engaged in commercial activities but competent enough to perform the role of soldiers both by choice and otherwise.

The origin of castes is lost in obscurity. We find its mention in the Gita.  Greek philosopher Plato   also divides the State into three classes, castes, or professions, namely, philosopher-rulers, warriors and masses.  The underlying principle of this categorization is division of labour.  Originally the castes were professional and subsequently became hereditary.  The system was evolved to keep the social fabric in harmonious condition; but in later ages it became divisive force. The original designers built the edifice of caste on the secure foundations of obligations; the lesser men who came after produced a caricature on the shifting sands of rights.

Modern statesmen and thinkers don’t have the same views about the caste system as it prevailed in the times of Maharaja Porus.  Today Kshtriyas are not only warriors but all sorts of businessmen, industrialists, educators, scientists, technologists, bureaucrats, and what not.  They are omnipresent in the whole world, contributing to the prosperity of those countries as well as helping their motherland in whatever way they can.

The question how is Maharaja Porus helpful in their present status both in their native land and abroad.  The answer is that Maharaja is probably the first example of unflinching loyalty to his native land.  He is a peerless model of bravery, courage and disinclination towards the tendency of surrender before any superior force or compelling circumstances.   These virtues of old dauntless Kshtriyas help their modern counterparts in almost every profession, vocation or sphere of life.  It is in this sense that Maharaja Porus is a constant source of inspiration to those who historically belong to the lineage of his caste and cult.