Khasas - Antiquity and Origin

Antiquity and Origin

The Kashgar in Tarim Basin and Kashkar in Chitral are connected with the Khasas. But is seems more likely that these names come from ancient tribal people knowns as Kaskaras. The Kashgar and Kashkar can easily be derived from Kaskara. The Kaskara is Karaskara tribe which is first referenced by Baudhayana's Dharma Sutra as neighbors to the Arattas and is stated a despised and impure people. The Karaskaras are also referenced in Baudhayana Shrauta Sutra, Apastamba Shrauta Sutra and Hiranyakesi Shrauta Sutra. The Kaumudi Mahotsava drama refers to king Chandrasena who is called Karaskara. King Chandrasena is identified with Chandragupta I of Gupta dynasty by Dr Jayswal and Chandra of Meharauli Iron pillar inscriptions by others. The Kashkara of Chitral also connects with Kaskara or Karaskara. Some scholars identify Ch'ia-sha, Chieh-ch'a or Ch'ieh-shih of the Chinese classics with the Khashas and think them to be Iranians who had entered from the north. But again, it is more likely that these Chinese names referred to Kaskaras/Karaskaras. The Karaskaras are very ancient people and are attested in several Vedic texts whereas, the Khasas only find mention in later references. It is possible that the Karaskaras of the Vedic texts were later diversified into the Khasas.

Pāṇini does not refer to Karaskaras or Khasas but he refers to a plant Karaskara (Nux-Vomica), at least attesting that he was aware of the term Karaskara.

Later Sanskrit literature attests both Karaskaras and the Khasas.

Mahabharata refers to the Karaskaras, styling them as an impure people and also speaks of the Khasas of many realms, thus showing that there were many branches of the Khasas, one of them still attested by its former Vedic name Karaskara.

The Karaskaras or Kaskaras of later literature were found located in the Aparanta or western India in later period.

The Khakha tribe of the hills is said to be modern representative of the Khasas. The clan name Khokhar or Khukhar is said to have derived from Karaskaras or Kaskaras (Dr J. L. Kamboj).

Khasas: Khasas were people who moved from ancient Iran to westernTibet and established a Khasa Kingdom and ruled in Tibet.It was ruled by Khasas i.e non Mongolian.In Tibet they followed shamanism but converted in Buddhism and mixed with Chinese. Later some who did not mix with anyone, after 12th century when they moved in Karnali region of Western Nepal they converted in Hinduism but still retained shamanic and Buddhist elements. Shamanic statues and Buddhist inscriptions in Jumla of Nepal proves it. Ancient Tibetan books refer to Khasa king of non Asian origin. Hindu epic books refer to a kingdom of Khasa in western Tibet ruled by Khasa kings. People of Nepal still retain Khasa language which still have Iranic elements but is largely influenced by Tibeto-Burmese languages (e.g. Magar) and Sanskrit language. It is called "Khasa kura" which is the main language (lingua franca) of Nepal. It is also spoken in Bhutan, Sikkim, Darjeeling and in some part of Burma. It is also spoken by people living in India of Nepalese/Gurkha origin. It is the official language for all Gurkhas serving in the British army. Historians have found strong evidence to support these claims.There are many different kind of people and caste in Nepal. Almost all of the Bahun and Chhetri (Indo-Aryan origin) who are regarded as the highest caste people in Nepal and Damai, Kami and also some lower caste people known as "Sanojat" people of Nepal are Khas people. Scientists have also matched Khasa DNA with DNA of Iranian tribes which proves the movement of Khasa from Persia to Tibet and then to Nepal (which happened recently compared to other human movements.) Also Khasas do not look Mongolian and have physical and racial features resembling Kasmiris and Iranians.