Glossary

Early Historic Refers to the second emergence of urbanization in South Asia, dating to the early part of the first millenium BCE through to the mid-first millenium AD. Its historic references are derived from Vedic texts such as the Rig Veda and Mahabharata, texts. The period ends with the establishment of the Gupta Empire, which witnesses massive changes in both political and administrative structures.

Gandhara The name of one of the early Historic

Mahajanapadas, situated in northern Pakistan and Afghanistan. Gandhara was located primarily within the Kabul River valley, the Vale of Peshawar, Potwar Plateau, but had strong links to the Swat Valley. The main cities are Charsadda and Taxila. The name has been utilized throughout history to refer to this region and its inhabitants.

Janapada (and Mahajanapada) Janapada or ‘territory’ refers to the emergence of a number of settlements and their hinterlands during the first millenium BCE. Competition and internecine fighting between these settlements, resulted in individual centers expanding their control over neighboring janapada - resulting in the establishment of the classic sixteen Mahajanapadas or ‘Great Territories’.

Philhellene Someone who was an admirer of Greek culture, but not necessarily of Greek origin. In this sense, refers to a series of communities within Central and Southern Asia who adopted Greek architecture, coinage, religion, and script or language, but were not of Greek descent.

Satrapy A territory or province that was governed by a governor or client-king. Originating in the Persian Empire, conquered lands were run as politically and economically semi-autonomous states, whilst military aspects were centrally controlled and annual tributes/taxes were paid to the Empire. Satrapies were used by later philhellene empires in Central, Southern, and Western Asia.

Transhumance A method of subsistence in which livestock (sheep, goat, cattle) and humans move between different geographical and/or topographical regions on a seasonal basis. Generally, summers are spent in upland areas, whilst winters are spent in lower-lying regions.