Another mention of Bhāratavarṣa
लक्ष्म भारतवर्षस्य निदेशात्तस्य भूक्षितः ।
अकारायद्दशपुरे प्राकाशेश्वरसद्म यः॥
...who has had the Prakāśeśvara temple, a beauty mark of 'Bhāratavarṣa', constructed in Daśapura at the order of that ruler.
[Risthal Inscription of Prakāśadharman]
Caste system or societal hierarchical system (based on division of labour) existed in almost all societies.
But only Hindus were demonized for it!!
This is the power of narrative!!!
मैं आज यह प्रतिज्ञा लेता हूं ..
मैं बुद्ध और बौद्धों का उतना ही सम्मान करूंगा जितना बौद्ध हमारे देवी देवताओं और हिंदुओं का सम्मान करते हैं।
सहमत है और आप हिंदू है तो यह प्रतिज्ञा आप भी करे !
The Huna king Mihirkula's ardent devotion to Śiva as recorded in the Sondani inscription of Yaśodharman
"Mihirkul, who never endured humiliation by bowing before anyone except Sthānu (Śiva) bowed before him, offered the flowers of his turban, & worshipped the pair of his feet"
A Mauryan era Punch-marked coin from Puṣkalāvati region of Gandhara depicts a Shivalinga behind railing
[Reading Śiva by Ellen M. Raven and Gerda Theuns-de Boer]
Ancient Brahmins followed Brahmacharya for different durations to study Vedas
An Avadana manuscript from Turkmenistan references the Brahmins who followed Brahmacharya for 48 yrs
Similarly, Buddha recalls the Brahmins who followed Brahmacharya for 48 yrs in Brahmadhammika sutta