40 Abode of Gods
which was the capital of the Katuris. Huen Tsang has referred
to it and in Kavyamimamsa of Rajsekhara we find definite
descriptions about this ancient city. It is just possible that
the ancient Kiratas established Kartikeyapura and later on
came to be recognised as Katyuris like Khasas and later on
recognised as Sakas. Instead of accepting the theory that all
great races like Aryans and Sakas came from outside, why we
can't accept the theory that these great races were born here
as is made explicit by the facts of history and discovery of
archaeological find that Aryans or Sakas were the original
inhabitants of Uttarakhand which has been so much eulogised
in our scriptures as the kingdom of Gods,
Definite traces of history
Definite traces of history are available in Uttarakhand since
and after the Mauryas, the positive piece of evidence being the
Ashokan pillar at Kalsi. Kunnindas followed Mauryas and
according to Menander territories falling between the Ganges
and Yamuna were parts of the famous kingdom of Kulinda
dynasty. In fact, the present Jaunsars seem to be their
descendants, Ptolemy has also placed them in this region.
Their coins have been found at various places. The coins of
Amoghbhuti whom Cunningham places in 150 B.C. are
similar to those of Sivapalita, and Hardatta, all of second
century B.C. Kunnindas had some sort of trade and inter-
communication with the Greeks. Kunnindas were also
contemporaries of the Yodheyas and Arjunayanas.
The physical aspect of the Khasiyas of Kumaon is distinctly
Aryan. Their language is almost pure dialect.
Imperial Guptas had definite influence over Uttarakhand
and probably their arms reached Kartikeyapura during the
reign of Samudragupta, mention about which is found in the
Allahabad pillar inscription. Some authors have identified
this Kartikeyapura with Baijnath (Kumaon). This contention
also does not seem tenable because Baijnath became Katyari
capital only after a branch of Katyuris had shifted from
Kartikeyapura (Joshimath) in about seventh century A. D.
Farishta mentions not only about the extensive sway of Gupta
arms but also of Rashtrakutas from south, upto the Himalayas.