Chinas
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Reverted edits by [[Special:Contributions/71.106.110.117|71.106.110.117]] ([[User talk:71.106.110.117|talk]]) to last version by Rinck17
The '''Chinas''' or '''Ciñas''' ([[Sanskrit]] चीन) are a people mentioned in ancient [[Indian literature]] from the [[1st millennium BC|first millennium BC]], such as the ''[[Mahabharata]]'', ''[[Manu Smriti|Laws of Manu]]'', as well the [[Puranas|Puranic]] literature. They are believed to have been [[China|Chinese]].
==Etymology==
The name China or Cina is believed to have been derived from either the [[Qin Dynasty|Qin]] (''Tsin'' or ''Chin'') dynasty which rule in China from 221 BC<ref>Geographical Data in Early Puranas, 1972, p172, Dr M. R. Singh</ref> or the earlier [[Qin (state)|Qin]] state which later became the Qin dynasty. If it is referring to the Qin dynasty, this forms a limit on the antiquity of the above references in question. Qin (Tsin or Chin) was the ancient appellation of the northern province of ''Shen-sy'', and this may have reached the [[Hindus]] from thence at an earlier period (Dr Wilson).
==Mahabharata==
{{Main|China in the Mahābhārata}}
In the [[Indian epic poetry|epic]] of the ''[[Mahabharata]]'', the [[China in the Mahābhārata|Chinas]] appear together with the [[Kiratas]] among the armies of king Bhagadatta of Pragjyotisa ([[Assam]]). In the Sabhaparvan, the same king is said to be surrounded the [[Kiratas]], and the Cinas. Also in the Bhismaparvan, the army of Bhagadatta is said to consist of the Kirtas and the "yellow-colored" Cinas.
Bhishamaparva of Mahabharata also lists the Cinas with the Mlechha [[tribe]]s of the north like the [[Yavana]]s, [[Kambojas]], Kuntalas, [[Huna]]s, Parasikas, Darunas, Ramanas, Dasamalikas <ref>MBH 6/9/65-66</ref>. These verses date to fifth century AD when the [[Hunas]] came into contact with [[Sassanian dynasty]] of [[Persia]]
Shantiparvan of Mahabharata groups the Cinas with the [[barbarous]] [[tribe]]s of the [[Uttarapatha]] viz the [[Yavana]]s, [[Kirata]]s, [[Gandhara]]s, Shabras, [[Barbaric|Barbaras]], [[Shaka]]s, [[Tocharians|Tushara]]s, Kanakas, [[Pahlava]]s, [[Andhras]], [[Madra]]kas, Ramathas, and the [[Kamboja]]s and states them as living the lives of Dasyus. These verses of epic expect these tribes to perform certain duties which are different from those performed by the [[Brahmana]]s, [[Kshatriya]]s, [[Vaisya]]s, and [[Sudra]]s <ref>MBH 12/65/13-15</ref>.
Vanaparvan of the Mahabharata states that the territory of the Cinas can be reached by a land-route across the country of the Kiratas in the mountain regions of the north.
==Ramayana==
''Kiskindhakanda'' of [[Valmiki]]'s ''[[Ramayana]]'' makes reference to Cinas as well as Parama-Cinas and associates them with the trans-Himalayan [[tribe]]s of the Daradas, [[Kambojas]], the [[Yavanas]], the [[Sakas]], the [[Kiratas]], the Bahlikas, the [[Rishika]]s, and the Tañkanas of the [[Uttarapatha]]. <ref>The Ramayana of Valmiki: An Epic of Ancient India, Volume 4, Kiskindhakanda, p 151, Rosalind Lefeber</ref>.
The [[Epic poetry|epic]] literature asserts that the Cinas, [[Khasas]], [[Huna]]s, [[Shakas]], [[Kambojas]], [[Yavanas]], [[Pahlava]]s, [[Kiratas]], Sinhalas, Mlechchas etc were created by [[Wise Old Man|sage]] Vashistha through the divine powers of cow Sabala or Nandini (Kamdhenu) <ref>Ramayana (1.52-55) & Mahabharata (1.174.6-48) </ref>.
==Puranas==
In the ''[[Kalika Purana]]'', the Cinas are again grouped with the [[Kambojas]], [[Shakas]], [[Khasa]]s and the [[Barbaric|Barabara]]s etc and are said to have sided with [[Buddhist]] king Kali in the war against [[Vedic civilization|Vedic]] king Kalika <ref>''Kalika Purana'' 20/40</ref>.
''Bhuvanakosha'' section of numerous [[Purana]]s locates the Cinas along with the [[Tocharians|Tusharas]], [[Pahlava]]s, [[Kamboja]]s, and [[Barbaric|Barbaras]] in the [[Uttarapatha|''Udichya'']] or northern division of ancient India. <ref> ''":ete desha Udichyastu
:Kambojashchaiva Dardashchaiva Barbarashcha Angaukikah || 47 ||
:'''Chinashchaiva''' Tusharashcha Pahlavadhayata narah || 48 ||
:— ''([[Brahma Purana]] 27.44-53)''"''</ref>.
According to ''[[Vayu Purana]]'' and the ''[[Matsya Purana]]'', the Cinas and several other tribes would be annihilated by king Kalika or Pramiti at the end of Kali age <ref>Vayu I, 58.78-83; Matsya 114.51.58</ref>.
In the Matsya Purana, the Chinas are said to be unfit for performing shraddhah.<Matsya Purana, 16.16</ref>.
There is yet another reference to China as ''Cina-maru'' as referred to in the ''[[Vayu Purana]]'' and ''[[Brahmanda Purana]]''. However, at the same place, ''[[Matsya Purana]]'' mentions ''Vira-maru''. China-maru or Vira-maru has been identified with the lands of [[Turkestan]] situated above ''And-khui'' in the north of [[Afghanistan]] (Dr K. P. Jayswal, Dr M. R. Singh).
==Buddhist literature==
The Cinas also find reference in the [[Buddhist]] play, ''[[Mudrarakshasa]]'', where they are listed with other contemporary tribes, such as the [[Shakas]], [[Yavana]]s, [[Kiratas]], [[Kambojas|Cambojas]], [[Bactria|Bhalikas]], [[Pahlava|Parasikas]], Khasas, [[Gandhara]]s, Kalutas, etc.
[[Buddhist]] text ''Milindapanho'' (see: Sacred Books of the East, xxxvi, 204), associates the Chinas with the [[Sakas]], [[Yavanas]], [[Kambojas]] and Vilatas(?) etc, and locates them in the western [[Tibet]]/[[Ladakh]], according to Dr Michael Witzel <ref>Early East Iran, And The Atharvaveda, 1980, (Persica-9), p 106, Dr Michael Witzel.</ref>.
==Other literature==
[[Chanakya]] (c. 350-283 BC), the [[prime minister]] of the [[Maurya Empire]] and a professor at [[Takshashila University]], refers to Chinese [[silk]] as "cinamsuka" (Chinese silk dress) and "cinapatta" (Chinese silk bundle) in his ''[[Arthashastra]]''.<ref>Tan Chung (1998). [http://ignca.nic.in/ks_41019.htm ''A Sino-Indian Perspective for India-China Understanding''.]</ref>
The ''Sanmoha Tantra'' speaks of the [[Tantra|Tantric]] culture of the foreign countries like the Bahlika ([[Bactria]]), [[Kiratas|Kirata]], Bhota ([[Tibet]]), Cina, Maha-Cina, [[Pahlava|Parasika]], Airaka, [[Kamboja]], [[Huna]], [[Yavana]], [[Gandhara]] and [[Nepal]]a.
Around the 2nd century BC, the ''[[Manu Smriti|Laws of Manu]]'' describes the downfall of the Chinas, as well as many foreign groups in India:
:''"43. But in consequence of the omission of the sacred rites, and of their not consulting [[Brahmana]]s, the following tribes of [[Kshatriya]]s have gradually sunk in this world to the condition of [[Shudra]]s;''<br>
:''44. (Viz.) the Paundrakas, the [[Choda]]s, the [[Dravidas]], the [[Kambojas]], the [[Yavanas]], the [[Shakas]], the [[Paradas]], the [[Pahlavas]], the '''Chinas''', the [[Kiratas]], the [[Daradas]] and the [[Khashas]]."'' <ref>''Manusmritti (Laws of Manu)'', X.43-44</ref>
Besides ''China'' and ''Parama-China'', there is also a reference to ''Mahachina'' in the ''Manasollasa'' which text mentions the fabrics from Mahachina.<ref>Op cit, 1972, p p 172, Dr M. R. Singh.</ref> It is thus possible that ''China'' probably referred to western [[Tibet]] or [[Ladakh]], ''Mahachina'' to Tibet proper, and ''Parama-China'' to [[Mainland China]].
==References==
{{reflist}}
==See also==
*[[China in the Mahābhārata]]
*[[Parama China Kingdom]]
*[[Sino-Indian relations]]
[[Category:Exotic tribes in Hindu scripture]]