Aparanta

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Aparanta, or Aparantaka (meaning "Western border") was a geographical region of ancient India, variously corresponding to the northern Konkan, northern Gujarat, Kathiawar, Kachch and Sindh.

The Junagadh inscription of Rudradaman mentions that during Ashoka's reign, a Yonaraja (Persian), Tushaspa was the governor of Aparanta[1]. A Buddhist text, the Mahavamsa states (xii.5) that at the conclusion of the Third Buddhist Council (c.250 BCE), a Yona (Greek) Thera (monk) Dhammarakkhita was sent here by the emperor Ashoka to preach Dhamma[2] and 37,000 people embraced Buddhism due to his effort (Mahavamsa, xii.34-6).

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ Thapar R. (2001), Aśoka and the Decline of the Mauryas, Oxford University Press, New Delhi, ISBN 019 564445 X, p.128
  2. ^ Thapar R. (2001), Aśoka and the Decline of the Mauryas, Oxford University Press, New Delhi, ISBN 019 564445 X, p.47
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