Panchala

Panchala was a state in Gangetic plain and Nepal (South Asia) that lasted from c. 1100 to 350 BCE, about 750 years. Its people spoke Indo-Aryan languages (Vedic, Sanskrit, Prakrit, Hindi, Bengali, Marathi, Sinhala).

The eastern partner of the Kurus in the Ganges-Yamuna doab and later one of the sixteen Mahajanapadas. Its court hosted debates recorded in the Upanishads, and the Nandas absorbed it.

See Panchala on the interactive timeline

Facts

Dates: c. 1100 to 350 BCE
Duration: 750 years
Type: State
Region: Gangetic plain and Nepal, South Asia
Language family: Indo-Aryan
Capital: Ahichchhatra, Kampilya

Events in South Asia during its time

1000 BCE Iron spreads across the Ganges plain
483 BCE Death of the Buddha

Neighbours in South Asia

Anuradhapura Kingdom 377 BCE to 1017 CE
Kuru Kingdom c. 1200 to 500 BCE
Achaemenid eastern satrapies c. 535 to 330 BCE
Magadha (Haryanka dynasty) c. 544 to 413 BCE
Avanti c. 600 to 350 BCE
Vajji confederacy c. 700 to 468 BCE
Kosala c. 700 to 475 BCE
Shakya republic c. 650 to 480 BCE
Gandhara c. 600 to 518 BCE
Shishunaga dynasty c. 413 to 345 BCE

Elsewhere in the world at the same time

Carthage c. 814 to 146 BCE, North and West Africa
Shang dynasty c. 1600 to 1046 BCE, East Asia
Roman Republic 509 to 27 BCE, Europe
New Kingdom of Egypt c. 1550 to 1069 BCE, North and West Africa
Greek city-states c. 800 to 338 BCE, Europe
Neo-Assyrian Empire 911 to 609 BCE, Middle East
Achaemenid Empire 550 to 330 BCE, Middle East
Athens 508 to 322 BCE, Europe

Questions

When did Panchala exist?

c. 1100 to 350 BCE, about 750 years. These dates are approximate, because the evidence for its beginning or end is uncertain.

Where was Panchala?

Gangetic plain and Nepal, in South Asia. Its capital was Ahichchhatra, Kampilya.

What language did Panchala speak?

Indo-Aryan. This family includes Vedic, Sanskrit, Prakrit, Hindi, Bengali, Marathi, Sinhala.