| DARAD Darad
is one of The Mahabharat Tribes and a Kingdom. This kingdom is identified
to be the Gilgit region in Kashmir along the river Sindhu or Indus.
Daradi Sindhu River is mentioned by Panini in Ashtadhyayi.
History
:
Tej Ram Sharma writes that the term Sindhu was corrupted to Hindu in the old Persian inscriptions of Darius I (516-485 B. C.), and to Indus by the Ionian (=Panini's Yavan) Greeks. The word 'India' is derived from the river Sindhu or the Indus. Taking its rise from the snows of Western Kailash in Tibet, the Sindhu first flows north-west of Kashmir and South of little Pamir, and then takes a southward course along which lay some of the important cities of north India. Emerging from the Darad high-lands, the river (Daradi Sindhuh) enters the Gandhar country until it receives its most important western tributary the Kabul river at Ohind, a few miles north of Attock.
Jat
Gotras from Darad :
•
Darad - Dilip Singh Ahlawat has mentioned Darad Jat clan as one
of the ruling Jat clans in Central Asia.
Jat History :
Ram Swarup Joon writes about Draihayu, Drada, Dorewal : Draihau was the fourth son of Yayati. Their descendants are found in Jammu and Kashmir. In the Chandravanshi genealogical tables the Draihavu branch is not well known. To the North of Sialkot in the hilly regions are found people belonging to Daiyu, Drahaihayu, Dadraihayu, Sadhne and Drada, gotras. Most of them are now Muslims.
In the Mahabharat (Dron Parv) Drada (Darad) Kshatriyas are called the neighbors of Cheema Kshatriyas. These people took part in the Mahabharat.
Panini's Ashtadhyayi refers to Dradi Sindhu which means the River Sindhu which emerges from the country of Drada-s which indicates the area North of Kashmir. According to "Ptolemy" Dradas were the rulers of Afghanistan in the era of Mahabharat. In Dron Parv Shloka 17-58 it is mentioned that Lord Krishna and Arjun conquered the Dradas who were the rulers of Afghanistan and forced them to join their Rajasuya Yagya.
King Drupad said that Shaks, Palius and Dradas should be invited to join them in war. According to "Bhisham Parv", Dradas joined the Pandu's and fought well. The Dradas also took part in their Rajsuya Yagya. A region adjoining Kashmir is called Dradis-Stan and a tribe in Kashmir is called Drada. In Punjab Sikh Jats belonging to this gotra are found in large numbers. Sadhan, Sajra, Sadhie and Sadhnana are branches of this gotra.
Ram Sarup Joon writes that ....There is a story in Karn Parva / Mahabharat Book VIII Chapter 23 of the Mahabharat that when Dronacharya was killed in action, Karna was appointed Commander in Chief of Kaurav Army. He chose Raja Shalya of Sialkot as his charioteer. He was a Madrak Jat and a brother of Madri, mother of the Pandavs. When they were driving to the battle field Karan said, “0, Shalya, there is none equal to me in archery in the Pandav army. They will flee before my arrows”. Shalya was frank and said “No, my people don’t acknowledge your prowess with the bow and arrow as being superior to that of Arjuna.” Karan felt offended and remarked caustically’ “0 Shalya, what do you Jartikas living in the land of five rivers, know about archery and bravery. All your people, Arh, Gandhar, Darad, Chima, Tusar, Malhia, Madrak, Sindhaw, Reshtri, Kukat, Bahik and Kekay eat onion and garlic..... The gotras mentioned above are all Jats and are not found in any other community. However ungraceful the remark, it does prove the existence of Jats in that period and that people of Punjab were called Jatika or Jartik.
Daritai
by H. W. Bellew :
[Page-148]: The country of the ancient Daritai may be described as comprising all that cluster of lofty mountains lying directly to the south of the junction of the Tsungling portion of the Himalaya and the Hindu Kush in the great Taghdumbash (Taghnungbash) or " Head of the Mountains," glacier region ; and extending as far south as the watershed range of the Panjkora and Swat rivers, and of the Kanra-Ghorband valleys north of Boner, on the west of the Indus, and to the Pakli district and watershed ridge of the Kishanganga river on its east bank. On the west it includes the Mastoch Valley in the highest part of Kashkar; and on the east it is bounded by Baltistan, or Little Tibat, if it did not formerly include this tract also. The Dard country, or Dardistan, thus curves round the northern borders of the region we have previously assigned to the Gandarioi of the seventh satrapy, and, crossing the Indus, borders upon Kashmir and Baltistan on the south and north banks respectively of the western course of the Indus, before its bend to the south near Bunji. The country thus defined contains, in its northern half, the districts of Mastoch, Yasin, Ponyal, and Gilgit, together with the Kanjud country of Hunza and Nagar; all which, along with Baltistan further to the eastward, constitute the Bolor country. In its southern half, it contains the subordinate valleys of Gor, Darel, Tangir, Kandya, etc., on the west bank of the Indus south of Gilgit, and the Chilas, Astor, Kaghan, and Shinkari district of Pakli on the opposite east bank ; all which tract constitutes the Kohistan, or Shinkari territory of the Dard, part of which, on the west bank of the Indus, still retains its independence as a free country. Formerly the whole of the Pakli country seems to have been included in Dardistan ; its southern frontier corresponds to the Darvabhisara of the Rajatarangini, that is to the Dorh and Abhisara districts. From this Abhisara (the country of the Abissares mentioned by Arrian) is derived the modern Hazara, which includes Chach and Pakli.
Darad
the ancient people :
Location of Darads :
•
The Vayu Puran, Brahmand Puran and Vaman Purana mention the Darads
with the Kambojs, Chinas, Tushars and the Bahliks etc. The Bhuvankosh
of the Purans locates the Darads, Kambojs, Barbars, Bahliks, Lampaks,
etc in the Uttarpath division of ancient India. e.g.:
Fight with Arjun :
Sabha Parv of Mahabharat attests that Arjun had led a digvijay expedition against the Kashmirs, Urss, Abhisars, Sinhapurs, Suhms, Darads, Kambojs, Bahliks, Lohs, Rishiks and Param Kambojs etc.
Fight with Krishna :
Dron Parv of Mahabharat attests that Krishna had vanquished the Darads along with Ang, Vang, Magadh, Kashi, Kosal, Vats, Garg, Karush, Pundra, Avanti, Daserk, Kashmir, Urs, Madugals, Kambojs, Pisachs, Cholas, Malavs, Sakas, Yavans etc.
Darads in Yudhishtr's Rajasuya Yagya :
The Darads along with numerous other tribes from northwest had including the Bahliks, Kirats, Pahlavs, Parads, Kambojs, Shakas, Yavans, Trigarts, Kshudraks, Malavs, Angs, Vangs etc had joined Yudhishtr at his Rajasuya Yagya and brought him numerous gifts.
Darads in Kurukshetra war :
Darads had also participated in the Kurukshetra war fought between the Kauravs and Pandavs. They are variously listed with Sauvirs, Bahliks, Shakas, Yavans, Pahlavs, Parads, Kekayas, Kambojs, Madras, Malechs, northern and westerner tribes, etc.
Horses of Darads : Brahmanda Puran refers to the horses from Darad country.
Kashmiri Dar Clan is abbreviation of Ancient Darads of Mahabhart and are a branch of ancient Kambojs of Sanskrit.
Darads in Brahatsamhita of Varahamihir :
The Darads are mentioned with the Shakas, Yavans, Parads and the Kambojs in 6th c AD Brhatsamhit of Varahamihir. They are also mentioned with the Abhisars in the same text as living on the borders of Kashmir.
Darads in Tibetan chronicles :
The Darads are mentioned in the Tibetan chronicle Dpag-bsam-ljon-bzah (The Excellent Kalpa-Vrksa), along people like the Yavans, Kambojs, Tukhars, Hunas, Khasas etc.
Darads
in Ramayan :
"There
in the north, the provinces of Malechs, Pulinds, that way Shurshens
- Prasthals - Bharats - Kurus - Madraks - Kambojs - Yavans shall
be scrutinized along with the cities of Shaka and Darad and then
search in Himalayas. [4-43-11,12].
Kalhan names several Darad rulers : Acalamangala, during the reign of Anant of Kashmir, A.D. 1028 to A.D. 1063, Vidhyadhar Shahi during the reign of Harsh, 1089-1101 A.D., Jagaddal during the reign of Uccal, A.D. 1101 to A.D. 1111, Manidhar during the reign of Sussala, A.D. 1112 to A.D. 1120), and Yasodhar during the reign of Jaysimha, A.D. 1128 to A.D. 1149.
Rajatarangini tells....When Manidhar, lord of Darad, came to see the king, the king went out to visit him and at the same time ordered Garg to be killed by his servants. After living for two or three months in prison, he and his three sons were violently killed at night by means of ropes tied round their necks. In the same way that the royal servants killed Garg, Vimbamukh tied a rope round his own neck and with his son threw himself into the water, and thus obtained fame. In the year 94, in the month of Bhadra, the king killed Garg to make his path easy, but he had to suffer misery, for he had to meet a great rebellion. (p.52)
Rajatarangini tells.... At one time Yashodhara, king of Darad, a place where good counsel did not prevail, was during Jaysimha's life time reduced to poverty. Though his kingdom was situated next to that of the king of Kashmir, yet he had become the favourite of the king of Kashmir by rendering great service in time of danger. His son was overpowered by the ministers and his condition was pitiable. For, his own minister Viddasimha snatched the kingdom from him, violated his queen and gave the kingdom to his minor son. (p.219-220)
Rajatarangini writes: In Karnata and in many other places through which he was seen to pass, some rose in rebellion and some became friendly. He planned to enter (the capital of Darad). Though he made grand preparations yet he artfully made his progress slow, and the king of Darad, inactive through indolence, overlooked him. The king of the world [Kashmir] sent Uday, lord of Dvara, with men. He brought riches to the peaceful and tumults to the turbulent. (p.223)
Rajatarangini writes: Defeat of the army of Darat: The proud soldiers of Darad, eager for battle, rode on horses, bore golden armours, and descended from the mountain caverns. The people feared that the countries attacked by the Turashks would be subjected to them and believed that the whole world would be overspread by the Malechs.* Dhanya, lord of Dvara, marched out without any help, except his sword, on which rested his courage, and obstructed the enemy's troops who shone brightly in their golden armour, even as a hill with waterfalls arrests the course of the forest fire accompanied with cloud like flames. The soldier of Darad, proud of their number, bent back Jaychandra and others who had been preventing their march to the front, and descended into the battle field. The son of Garg [Dhanya] with twenty [thousand] horse speedily went and opposed, their thirty thousand cavalry and defeatcd them.
* The army of Darad as stated before, consisted mostly of the Mahomedans. Their power had already speared all about Kashmir and the people of that country now began to fear of losing their independence.
Rajatarangini writes: ...men of Darad who were on the other side of the Madhumati.
Rajatarangini tells... He [the lord of Darad] suppressed, the meeting of those who were determined to rebel and resolved against all persuasion to die at the bridge on the rood. When his soldiers saw him, with servants mostly youths, about to die, they were afraid and became distressed. An offshoot of the River Balahari had destroyed the road, and seemed to speak in disparagement of the soldiers of Darad by the noise of its dashing waves.
Viddsimha was put to shame by the ladies of his household, by the jealous Malech kings and by the undaunted soldiers, and he deserted the lord of Darad. Then the advanced guards broke the bridge and drove the enemy's soldiers to the other side of the river. Viddsimha arrived among the latter with the sound of trumpet which pierced all sides. [VIII (ii),p.264-265]
Rajatarangini tells.... The danger over, king Uchchal had other minor difficulties which arose and passed away. Bhimdev set up Bhoj, son of the late king Kalash, and brought Jagaddal, king of Darad, to help them. Sahl, a son of Harsh and Sanjpal, brother of Darshanpal, were in the party. The king of Darad came out to attack Uchchal but the wise king induced him, by friendly words to return to his own country. Sahl privately followed the king of Darad. Bhoj retired to his country, but his servant having accepted a bribe betrayed his master, and Bhoj soon received from the king the punishment befitting a robber. (p.19)
List
of Kings of Darad :
•
The first inscription is found on rocks where the present-day road
between Gilgit and Skardu crosses the Gilgit River, over a bridge
known as the Alam bridge, now called the Farhad bridge. The inscription
is in poor Kharoshthi, and Fussman has read "Daradraya",
meaning "King of the Darads".
1 T’o-leih: Eitel and others identify this with Darad, the country of the ancient Dardae, the region near Dardus; lat. 30d 11s N., lon. 73d 54s E. See E. H. p. 30. I am myself in more than doubt on the point. Cunningham (“Ancient Geography of India,” p. 82) says “Darel is a valley on the right or western bank of the Indus, now occupied by Dardus or Dards, from whom it received its name.” But as I read our narrative, Fa-hien is here on the eastern bank of the Indus, and only crosses to the western bank as described in the next chapter.
In
Mahabharat :
Sabha Parv, Mahabharat / Book II Chapter 24 mentions countries subjugated by Arjun that lay to the North. Darad is mentioned in Mahabharat verse (II.24.22).
Sabha Parv, Mahabharat / Book II Chapter 48 describes Kings who presented tributes to Yudhishthir. Darad is mentioned in Mahabharat verse (II.48.12).
Van Parv, Mahabharat / Book III Chapter 48 describes Rajasuya Yagya of Yudhisthir attended by the chiefs of many islands and countries. Darad is mentioned in Mahabharat verse (III.48.20).
Van Parv, Mahabharat / Book III Chapter 174 mentions about journey of Pandavs to the Kingdom of Suvahu... Darad is mentioned in verse (III.174.12). "Then all those warriors having in due course happily lived at Badari for one month, proceeded towards the realm of Suvahu, king of the Kirats, by following the same track by which they had come. And crossing the difficult Himalayan regions, and the countries of China, Tukhar, Darad and all the climes of Kulind, rich in heaps of jewels, those warlike men reached the capital of Suvahu.
Bhisma Parv, Mahabharat / Book VI Chapter 10 describes geography and provinces of Bharatvarsh. Darad is mentioned in Mahabharat in the list of other provinces to the south in verse (VI.10.66).
Bhisma Parv, Mahabharat / Book VI Chapter 46 describes the Pandavs who look the war arrangement and wait for battle. Darad is mentioned in verse (VI.46.49). And Yudhishthira, O king, with the Patachchars, the Huns, the Pauravkas and the Nishads, became its two wings, so also the Pisachs, with the Kundavishs, and the Mandaks, Madak, Kadak and Tangans other Tangans, Balhiks, Tittirs, and Cholas Pandya.
Bhisma Parv, Mahabharat / Book VI Chapter 47 describes immeasurable heroes assembled for battle. Darad is mentioned in verse (VI.47.16).
Bhisma Parv, Mahabharat / Book VI Chapter 112 describes war condition... Darad is mentioned in verse (VI.112.109).
Karna Parv / Mahabharat Book VIII Chapter 51 mentions them fighting and destroyed in Mahabharat War on seventeenth day for Kurus in verse VIII.51.18) along with: Tushars, the Yavans, the Khas, the Darvabhisars, the Darads, the Sakas, the Kamaths, the Ramaths, the Tangans the Andhraks, the Pulinds, the Kirats of fierce prowess.
Source :
https://www.jatland.com/ home/Darada |