Alternative names | Bahli, Balhika, Vahlika, Valhika, Bahlava, Bahlam, Bahlim, Bahlayana, Bahluva |
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Race | Indo-Iranian |
Religion | Vedic religion |
Language | Sanskrit |
Geographical range | Bactria |
Period | Iron Age |
Dates | c. 1500 – 500 BCE |
Type site | Balkh |
Major sites | Balkh, Punjab |
Preceded by | Indo-Iranians |
Followed by | Greco-Bactrian Kingdom |
Cause of collapse | Conquered by Greeks (4th century BCE) |
Defined by | Puranas, Atharvaveda, Mahabharata |
The Bahlikas (Sanskrit: बाह्लिक; Bāhlika) were the inhabitants of a location called Bahlika (Sanskrit: बह्लिक, located in Bactria), mentioned in the Atharvaveda, Mahabharata, Ramayana, Puranas, Vartikka of Katyayana, Brhatsamhita, Amarkosha, and other ancient inscriptions. Other variations of Bahlika include Bahli, Balhika, Vahlika, Valhika, Bahlava, Bahlam/Bahlim, Bahlayana, and Bahluva.