Central Asians in ancient Indian literature

In classical Indian tradition clans of the Shakas, Yavanas, Kambojas, Pahlavas, Paradas and others are also attested to have been coming as invaders and that they were all finally absorbed into the community of Kshatriyas.

[2] Chinese author Ma-twan-lin writes that, "The nomenclature of the early Sakas in India shows an admixture of Scythian, Parthian and Iranian elements.

Gandharis were from Gandhara, the Bahlikas are Bactrians, Mujavat (land of Soma) refer to Hindukush–Pamirs (the Kamboja region) and possibly the Muztagh Ata mountain.

[6] Manusmriti asserts that the Kambojas, Sakas, Yavanas, Paradas, Pahlavas, etc., had been Kshatriyas of good birth but were gradually degraded to the barbaric status due to their not following the Brahmanas and the Brahmanical code of conduct.

[10] The Uttarapatha or northern division of Jambudvipa comprised an area of Central Asia from the Urals and the Caspian Sea to the Yenisei and from Turkistan and Tien Shan ranges to the Arctic (Dr S. M.

Physical map of Central Asia from the Caspian Sea to the west, to Inner Mongolia in the east.
The 2nd century Kushan Empire .
Uma-Maheshvara : ithyphallic Shiva with spouse Uma riding the bull Nandi , Penjikent Temple II, 690-722 CE, National Museum of Antiquities of Tajikistan