Significant Buddhist Images In Panchala Museum: An Iconographic Study

Panchala emerged as a prominent centre of Vedic learning and intellectual activity during the Later Vedic period. The region is divided into two parts north Panchala with its capital Ahichchhatra and south Panchala with Kampilya as its capital. Panchala was the centre of Vedic studies and Upanisadic teachings. The Chandogaya Upanishad1 and the Brihdaranayaka Upanishad2 refer to Pravahana Jaivali, as a philosopher king of Panchala whose court was flocked with such eminent scholars as Uddalaka Aruni and his son Svetaketu Aruneya. By the 6th century B.C., it had developed into a significant political entity and was recognized as one of the sixteen Mahajanapadas.