But the answer to the many questions about Por Bajin's history may lie in the story of the conquest by Pradyumna, Sri Krishna's son, of a city by the name Vajrapur which existed during the times of the Mahabharata. The city of Vajrapur was constructed by an asura architect Nikumba for the asura Vajranabha described in the Harivamsa Purana - which consists of the description of Sri Krishna's life after the end of the Mahabharata war.
The ancient history of Por Bajin may be revealed by tracing the etymology of the name 'Por Bajin' itself, which can be decoded by studying the history of Vajrapur, later called Bajrapur, mentioned in the annals of ancient Indian history and literature. Many of these elusive texts were held by descendants of past royal families or by pandits in-charge of ancient Hindu temples, and some information from these texts has trickled down to us.
Lt. Col James Tod, the Political Agent of the East India Company, who was stationed in India in the latter part of the eighteenth century had befriended the Maharaja of Jaisalmer and gained access to the ancient annals of Rajasthan and western India that had been passed down to the Maharaja by his family. James Tod researched these ancient texts and in 1790 summarized his findings in his 'Annals and Antiquities of Rajasthan'*, which is now regarded as one of the major works that the British produced during their rule in India.
What James Tod wrote reveals interesting information about the ancient tribes of India, their activities, their emigration to other countries and their conquests. Colonel Tod says: “The Jaisalmer annals assert that the Yadu and the Balica branches of the Indu race ruled Korassan after the Great War, the Indo-Scythic races of Grecian authors. Besides the Balicas and the numerous branches of the Indo-Medes, many of the sons of Cooru dispersed over these regions : amongst whom we may place Ootooru Cooru (Northern Coorus) of the Puranas, the Ottorocurm of the Greek authors. Both the Indu and the Surya races were eternally sending their superfluous population to those distant regions.”
Lt. Col James Tod, the Political Agent of the East India Company, who was stationed in India in the latter part of the eighteenth century had befriended the Maharaja of Jaisalmer and gained access to the ancient annals of Rajasthan and western India that had been passed down to the Maharaja by his family. James Tod researched these ancient texts and in 1790 summarized his findings in his 'Annals and Antiquities of Rajasthan'*, which is now regarded as one of the major works that the British produced during their rule in India.
What James Tod wrote reveals interesting information about the ancient tribes of India, their activities, their emigration to other countries and their conquests. Colonel Tod says: “The Jaisalmer annals assert that the Yadu and the Balica branches of the Indu race ruled Korassan after the Great War, the Indo-Scythic races of Grecian authors. Besides the Balicas and the numerous branches of the Indo-Medes, many of the sons of Cooru dispersed over these regions : amongst whom we may place Ootooru Cooru (Northern Coorus) of the Puranas, the Ottorocurm of the Greek authors. Both the Indu and the Surya races were eternally sending their superfluous population to those distant regions.”
The Great War is a reference to the Mahabharata war fought between the Kurus and the Pandavas. Cooru refers to the Kurus, Ootooru Cooru and Ottorocurm is Uttara Kuru of the Puranas, which is identified as the region beginning north of the Himalayas, right up to the Artic circle. The Yadhus are also known as the Yadavas. The Balicas is the Balikha tribe of Mahabharata and Korassan is Khurasan, a region in eastern Iran.
In other words, in his study of the Rajasthan annals, Tod found that the 'Yadhu Tribe', of whom Sri Krishna and his three sons were the most prominent members, spread the Yadhu empire westward and northwards, beyond the geographical boundaries of present day India. He states that one of the cities that was conquered by the Yadhu tribe was called Vajrapur (वज्र-पुर्), later called Bajra-pur. The city was located far away beyond the Himalayan range. Col. Tod states in his Annals and Antiquity, Vol 1, page 85, “The sons of Krishna eventually left Indus behind and passed into Zabulisthan, and peopled those countries, even to Samarkand.” Zabulistan is the present day region of Kabul and Ghazni in Afghanistan. They also peopled territories north of Afghanistan.
Other ancient Indian sources such as the Harivamsa Purana state the same story. It sates that Sri Krishna's son Pradyumna extended the Yadhu Empire in the northern direction. One of the cities that he had had attacked was the city of Vajrapura, where he had defeated its king, known by the name Vajranabha. After his defeat, a truce was called and as a peace gesture Pradyumna married Vajranabha's daughter Prabhavati.
In other words, in his study of the Rajasthan annals, Tod found that the 'Yadhu Tribe', of whom Sri Krishna and his three sons were the most prominent members, spread the Yadhu empire westward and northwards, beyond the geographical boundaries of present day India. He states that one of the cities that was conquered by the Yadhu tribe was called Vajrapur (वज्र-पुर्), later called Bajra-pur. The city was located far away beyond the Himalayan range. Col. Tod states in his Annals and Antiquity, Vol 1, page 85, “The sons of Krishna eventually left Indus behind and passed into Zabulisthan, and peopled those countries, even to Samarkand.” Zabulistan is the present day region of Kabul and Ghazni in Afghanistan. They also peopled territories north of Afghanistan.
Other ancient Indian sources such as the Harivamsa Purana state the same story. It sates that Sri Krishna's son Pradyumna extended the Yadhu Empire in the northern direction. One of the cities that he had had attacked was the city of Vajrapura, where he had defeated its king, known by the name Vajranabha. After his defeat, a truce was called and as a peace gesture Pradyumna married Vajranabha's daughter Prabhavati.
The poetic versions of this war says that Pradyumna is transported from Dwarka by geese to a land far far away before he attacks the destination city of Vajrapur. The Harivamsa Purana describes this city in some detail and states that it was a magnificent city, known as the city of jewels. It was located far beyond the Himalayan range and was surrounded by a lake. That Pradyumna is carried by geese to this city indicates the great distance he had to travel. An analysis of the description in the verses reveals that the geese were aerial cars or vimanas.
For example, in Vogel's 'The Goose in Indian Literature & Art', the author says that the powerful geese fly in military like formations leaving behind what he describes as 'strips of white sandalwood paste emitted from the golden tips of the wings'. This undoubtedly is a description of airplanes leaving behind chem- trails.
For example, in Vogel's 'The Goose in Indian Literature & Art', the author says that the powerful geese fly in military like formations leaving behind what he describes as 'strips of white sandalwood paste emitted from the golden tips of the wings'. This undoubtedly is a description of airplanes leaving behind chem- trails.
Scholar Hari Bilas Sarda arrived at the same conclusion in his research. In his book 'Hindu Superiority', Har Bilas Sarda, quoting Harivamsha Purana states that a band of Hindu settlers left India for Siberia, where they founded a kingdom, with Vajrapur, which later came to be called Bajrapur, as its capital. It is related that on the death of the king Vajranabh of that country in a battle, Pardyumna, Gad and Sambha, three sons of Sri Krishna, with a large number of Brahmans and Kshatriyas went there, and the eldest brother succeeded to the throne of Vajrapur. On the death of Sri Krishna, the three sons paid a condolence visit to Dwarka.
As mentioned above one of the cities that was conquered by the Yadhu tribe was Vajra-pur (वज्र-पुर्), later called Bajra-pur. An analysis of the verses of Harivamsa Purana and the location of 'Por-Bajin' bring us to the conclusion that the name Por Bazin is a distortion of 'Pur-Bajra' - or 'Bajra Pur' in reverse. That perhaps is the only explanation. The ancient name 'Vajra', is commonly pronounced as 'Bajra' in India. In Sanskrit, 'Vajra' (वज्र) means 'impenetrable', 'Pur' (पुर्) means a city. Archaeologists at 'Por Bajin' have described the fortress there to be amazingly sturdy and have stated that in ancient times the fortress must have been almost completely 'impenetrable'. That is exactly how the city is described in the Harivamsa Purana.
In the local 'Tuvan' language 'Por Bajin' translates as 'Clay House' which contradicts the fact that the one feature that stands out is the sturdiness of the Por Bajin structure. In fact, the Sanskrit 'Vajra Pur' is a much more apt word for describing an 'impenetrable fortress'. It therefore becomes evident that the name Vajrapur distorted to Bajrapur and then transposed to Pur Bajra before taking on the form of Por Bajin which could then be explained by the local Tuvan language.
As mentioned above one of the cities that was conquered by the Yadhu tribe was Vajra-pur (वज्र-पुर्), later called Bajra-pur. An analysis of the verses of Harivamsa Purana and the location of 'Por-Bajin' bring us to the conclusion that the name Por Bazin is a distortion of 'Pur-Bajra' - or 'Bajra Pur' in reverse. That perhaps is the only explanation. The ancient name 'Vajra', is commonly pronounced as 'Bajra' in India. In Sanskrit, 'Vajra' (वज्र) means 'impenetrable', 'Pur' (पुर्) means a city. Archaeologists at 'Por Bajin' have described the fortress there to be amazingly sturdy and have stated that in ancient times the fortress must have been almost completely 'impenetrable'. That is exactly how the city is described in the Harivamsa Purana.
In the local 'Tuvan' language 'Por Bajin' translates as 'Clay House' which contradicts the fact that the one feature that stands out is the sturdiness of the Por Bajin structure. In fact, the Sanskrit 'Vajra Pur' is a much more apt word for describing an 'impenetrable fortress'. It therefore becomes evident that the name Vajrapur distorted to Bajrapur and then transposed to Pur Bajra before taking on the form of Por Bajin which could then be explained by the local Tuvan language.
The existence of a Sanskrit name at this site is not surprising. Por Bajin lies close to Mongolia, and there is has been a huge influence of Sanskrit on the Mongolian language. For example, in Mongolian, Sanskrit weekdays name are still in use, such as Adiya for Sunday (derived from Aditya-Sun), Soumiya for Monday(derived from soma- moon), Angarag for Tuesday, Bud for Wesdnesday ,Barasbadi, derived from Brhaspati - Jupiter, Sugar for Friday, derived from Shukra or Venus and Sanchir derived from Sanischar or Saturn four Saturday. The ancient name of Mongolia is supposed to have been Mangala, Sanskrit for 'prosperity'. It obvious then that in antiquity Por Bajin must have been influenced culturally in a similar manner.
Now a look at the name of the lake that surrounds Por Bajin. The name is Tere-Kol, also called Tore-Kol. 'Kol' is an obvious distortion of Sanskrit kula (कूल) meaning 'lake', 'pond' or 'pool'. Though the most common Mongolian word for a lake is 'nuur', 'river' translates as both 'gol' and 'qol', the latter is a cognate of Sanskrit kula. In fact, the word qol appears as 'kol' in the names of many lakes in this region such as Ssayakol, Koshyarkol and Ala Kol.
A look at ancient Dwarka, the city from where Sri Krishna ruled and was built prior to Bajra-Pur, may reveal the answer. Dwarka located off the coast of Gujarat is now submerged. What is uncanny though is the close resemblance of the shape of the structure of Dwarka, as described in the Puranas, to that of Por Bajin. The Puranas describe Dwarka as a city built like a fortress, with high walls on the outside, and with four main gates on four sides. Within the city were built a palace, living quarters, temples, and military fortifications for the Yadava warriors
Aerial views of Por Bajin are almost identical to that of the description of Dwarka in Indian scriptures. Artifacts found at Por Bajin have been currently dated to no earlier than medieval times. Scholars state that and these artifacts reveal some links to Chinese architecture. However, one must remember, that China itself was heavily influenced by Hinduism in antiquity and then later by Buddhism. In any case, no artifacts could have survived from the times of Sri krishna. If Por Bajin had links to the Yadhu tribe of India, then the medieval structures that exist today at the site were constructed above or on top of what was built by the Yadhus in about 3000- 4000 BC. However, part of the foundations must even today be the same as that of the earliest structure.
The name Siberia, it is said, originates from the Tatar-Bashkirs word for 'sleeping land', Sibir; or 'beautiful land' (Siber). 'Siberia' translates as 'the beautiful land' from Sanskrit. In Sanskrit 'Su' (सु) means 'good' or 'beautiful' and 'Pura' (पुरा), 'Puri' (पुरी) or 'puram' (पुरम) all mean 'land' or 'city'. These is widely accepted in the Indian circles especially because the Harivamsa Purana clearly states in its description of Pradyumna's sojourn to Vajrapura, "Thereupon ascending the cars driven by Pradyumna, the great car-warrior Yadavas set out on the mission of the highly powerful celestials. Thereupon they arrived at Supura, a dependent city of Vajra". In other words Pradyumna made a stop at Supura before proceeding to Vajrapura.
Others have contended that 'Sibir' (शिबिर) means 'camp'. Archaeologists have conjectured that, in antiquity, Por-Bajin was possibly used only as a summer residence, or a camp, given the extreme weather conditions of Siberia. Some have therefore contended that the name of Siberia in ancient Indian texts is 'Shivir', in reference to the temporary 'camps' that were set up there by travelers, but this view is not accepted for lack of authenticity.
Some consider Por Bajin stronghold to be a temple and call it 'Russian Shaolin'. Others believe that this construction serves as the northern gates to sacred place Shambala.
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| The Por-Bajin Structure at 'Tere Kol Lake', Siberia Could this have been Lord Krishna's City Vajra-Pur or Bajra-Pur mentioned in ancient Indian annals. |
Now a look at the name of the lake that surrounds Por Bajin. The name is Tere-Kol, also called Tore-Kol. 'Kol' is an obvious distortion of Sanskrit kula (कूल) meaning 'lake', 'pond' or 'pool'. Though the most common Mongolian word for a lake is 'nuur', 'river' translates as both 'gol' and 'qol', the latter is a cognate of Sanskrit kula. In fact, the word qol appears as 'kol' in the names of many lakes in this region such as Ssayakol, Koshyarkol and Ala Kol.
Located about 25 km away, is a lake regarded as scared of them all is a lake by the name Kara-Khol, located in the Western Tuva, in Bai-Taiga region. The lake is surrounded by steep cliffs which lend a dark colour to its waters, hence the name Kara which means black in the Tuvian language. It is likely that it was the Sanskrit kāla (काला) or black', which was adapted as kara in languages where /r/ was more dominant, or/l/ was less stable. This could be a substrate influence from an earlier language like Sanskrit in Central Asian or Turkic tongues or a semantic borrowing where the meaning of 'black' or 'darkness' was retained, but the phonetics shifted.
Another lake not too far away is called Uvs Nuur. Mainstram scholars are of the view that the term Uvs stems from older Mongolic or Turkic words like' 'ubsa' or 'ubsaq', which refer to briny water or salt marshes. Yet, it is more likely that 'ubsa' and 'upsaq' either related to Sanskrit apsa (अप्सा) meaning 'giving water', or to arshana (अर्षण) which means flowing'. What makes this compelling is that the two Mongolian word for 'flow', 'ursa' and 'urus' are close cognates of Sanskrit apsa.
Another lake not too far away is called Uvs Nuur. Mainstram scholars are of the view that the term Uvs stems from older Mongolic or Turkic words like' 'ubsa' or 'ubsaq', which refer to briny water or salt marshes. Yet, it is more likely that 'ubsa' and 'upsaq' either related to Sanskrit apsa (अप्सा) meaning 'giving water', or to arshana (अर्षण) which means flowing'. What makes this compelling is that the two Mongolian word for 'flow', 'ursa' and 'urus' are close cognates of Sanskrit apsa.
Nuur, which means lake in Mongolian, derives from Proto-Mongolic root: naxur, appears to be linked to Sanskrit akshara (अक्षर) meaning water.
The Dating of Por Bajin:
Until now, the archaeologists have dated Por-Bajin site to only 8th century AD, but have not been able to figure out much else about it. But all fingers point to the fact that 'Por Bajin' might indeed have been the Yadhu city that was established by Sri Krishna's sons in Southern Siberia. Doubts had even been raised about the existence of Sri Krishna's city of Dwarka, but there certainly are remnants of old submerged structures in the Arabian Sea. Could it similarly be that the traces of the city of the Yadhus still exist somewhere deep inside the foundations of the ruined structure of 'Por-Bajin'?
A look at ancient Dwarka, the city from where Sri Krishna ruled and was built prior to Bajra-Pur, may reveal the answer. Dwarka located off the coast of Gujarat is now submerged. What is uncanny though is the close resemblance of the shape of the structure of Dwarka, as described in the Puranas, to that of Por Bajin. The Puranas describe Dwarka as a city built like a fortress, with high walls on the outside, and with four main gates on four sides. Within the city were built a palace, living quarters, temples, and military fortifications for the Yadava warriors
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| An artist's conception of Sri Krishna's city of 'Dwarka' based on descriptions in Hindu texts. The city is now being explored by marine archaeologists off the coast of Gujarat in India. |
Aerial views of Por Bajin are almost identical to that of the description of Dwarka in Indian scriptures. Artifacts found at Por Bajin have been currently dated to no earlier than medieval times. Scholars state that and these artifacts reveal some links to Chinese architecture. However, one must remember, that China itself was heavily influenced by Hinduism in antiquity and then later by Buddhism. In any case, no artifacts could have survived from the times of Sri krishna. If Por Bajin had links to the Yadhu tribe of India, then the medieval structures that exist today at the site were constructed above or on top of what was built by the Yadhus in about 3000- 4000 BC. However, part of the foundations must even today be the same as that of the earliest structure.
 |
| This tile excavated from Por-Bajin said to display Chinese Buddhist features may in all possibility be of Hindu origins |
The name Siberia, it is said, originates from the Tatar-Bashkirs word for 'sleeping land', Sibir; or 'beautiful land' (Siber). 'Siberia' translates as 'the beautiful land' from Sanskrit. In Sanskrit 'Su' (सु) means 'good' or 'beautiful' and 'Pura' (पुरा), 'Puri' (पुरी) or 'puram' (पुरम) all mean 'land' or 'city'. These is widely accepted in the Indian circles especially because the Harivamsa Purana clearly states in its description of Pradyumna's sojourn to Vajrapura, "Thereupon ascending the cars driven by Pradyumna, the great car-warrior Yadavas set out on the mission of the highly powerful celestials. Thereupon they arrived at Supura, a dependent city of Vajra". In other words Pradyumna made a stop at Supura before proceeding to Vajrapura.
Others have contended that 'Sibir' (शिबिर) means 'camp'. Archaeologists have conjectured that, in antiquity, Por-Bajin was possibly used only as a summer residence, or a camp, given the extreme weather conditions of Siberia. Some have therefore contended that the name of Siberia in ancient Indian texts is 'Shivir', in reference to the temporary 'camps' that were set up there by travelers, but this view is not accepted for lack of authenticity.
Some consider Por Bajin stronghold to be a temple and call it 'Russian Shaolin'. Others believe that this construction serves as the northern gates to sacred place Shambala.
Footnote: Related forms in other Mongolic languages suggest a shared etymological root for “salt” or “saline body”: Daur naur, Dongxiang no or noer, and Classical Mongolian ᠨᠠᠭᠤᠷ (naɣur). The name Uvs Nuur—a large saline lake in western Mongolia—likely reflects this linguistic heritage, its high mineral content echoing the semantic field of salt. A parallel can be drawn with India’s Sambhar Lake, whose name derives from Sanskrit sāmbhara (“salt”), reinforcing the tendency of ancient place-names to encode elemental qualities.
Bibliography:
Bibliography:
1. *Annals and Antiquities of Rajasthan' (published- 1829 AD) by Lt. Col. James Todd of East India Company.
2. Lake Baikal and Angara River, Siberia - The Sanskrit Connection
3. Dwarka or Por Bajin
4. Yoni Worship in Siberia
5. Por Bajin - Fortress of Solitude
6. Pradyumna
7. Hindu Superiority : Har Bilas Sarda : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive
8. vol 2, pt 1, stanza 12 c - The Secret Doctrine (theosociety.org)
9. History Of Ancient India (a New Version) : From 7300 Bb To 4250 Bc, - J.P. Mittal - Google Books
10. Pradyumna: Son of Krishna - Usha Narayanan - Google Books
11. Archaeology Magazine - Letter from Siberia - Fortress of Solitude - Archaeology Magazine Archive
12.Common World Inheritage: Yoni Worship in Siberia.
13. A Prose English Translation of Harivamsha (archive.org)
14.6 Chapter 2 - Gadre.pdf (hmlibrary.ac.in)
15.Altai sacred sites (unu.edu)
2. Lake Baikal and Angara River, Siberia - The Sanskrit Connection
3. Dwarka or Por Bajin
4. Yoni Worship in Siberia
5. Por Bajin - Fortress of Solitude
6. Pradyumna
7. Hindu Superiority : Har Bilas Sarda : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive
8. vol 2, pt 1, stanza 12 c - The Secret Doctrine (theosociety.org)
9. History Of Ancient India (a New Version) : From 7300 Bb To 4250 Bc, - J.P. Mittal - Google Books
10. Pradyumna: Son of Krishna - Usha Narayanan - Google Books
11. Archaeology Magazine - Letter from Siberia - Fortress of Solitude - Archaeology Magazine Archive
12.Common World Inheritage: Yoni Worship in Siberia.
13. A Prose English Translation of Harivamsha (archive.org)
14.6 Chapter 2 - Gadre.pdf (hmlibrary.ac.in)
15.Altai sacred sites (unu.edu)
16. A_Prose_English_Translation_of_Harivamsh.pdf
17. Anacalypsis, an attempt to draw aside the veil of the Saitic Isis; or, An inquiry into the origin of languages, nations, and religions. : Higgins, Godfrey, 1773-1833 : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive
18, Indian antiquities vol.I : Maurice, Thomas : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive
18, Indian antiquities vol.I : Maurice, Thomas : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive
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