Lesson plan
Rishikas
The Rishikas (also Rshika and Ṛṣika) was an ancient kingdom of Central Asia and South Asia, who are mentioned in Hindu and Sanskrit literary texts, including the Mahabharata, the Ramayana, the Brhat-Samhita, the Markendeya Purana and Patanjali's Mahabhashya. Some historians believe the Rishikas were a part of, or synonymous with, the Kambojas. However, the Mahabharata not only suggests a distinction, but also adds an internal division – sub-divisions within the Rishikas known as the Uttara ("northern") and the Parama ("supreme") . Classical literary texts state that the Rishikas were neighbors of the Parama Kambojas and the Lohas in Saka-dvipa ("Sakaland") (most likely Transoxiana). According to traditional accounts, during the 2nd century BCE a subgroup of Rishikas migrated to southwestern India and settled there, crossing Afghanistan, Balochistan, Sindhu and Sovira.
Article summary
The Rishikas (also Rshika and Ṛṣika) was an ancient kingdom of Central Asia and South Asia, who are mentioned in Hindu and Sanskrit literary texts, including the Mahabharata, the Ramayana, the Brhat-Samhita, the Markendeya Purana and Patanjali's Mahabhashya. Some historians believe the Rishikas were a part of, or synonymous with, the Kambojas. However, the Mahabharata not only suggests a distinction, but also adds an internal division – sub-divisions within the Rishikas known as the Uttara ("northern") and the Parama ("supreme") . Classical literary texts state that the Rishikas were neighbors of the Parama Kambojas and the Lohas in Saka-dvipa ("Sakaland") (most likely Transoxiana). According to traditional accounts, during the 2nd century BCE a subgroup of Rishikas migrated to southwestern India and settled there, crossing Afghanistan, Balochistan, Sindhu and Sovira.
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Discussion questions
- Summarise the article in your own words. Which single claim would you verify first, and why?
- Which claim in this article is most likely to be revised as the sources update? How would you check its current status?
- If two sources disagreed about one of these facts, what would you need in order to trust one over the other?
Bibliography
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Key claims and bibliography are generated from the same tracked claims and sources as the article page.