Bahlikas
Location of the Bahlikas in Bactria | |
| Alternative names | Bahli, Balhika, Vahlika, Valhika, Bahlava, Bahlam, Bahlim, Bahlayana, Bahluva |
|---|---|
| Race | Indo-Aryan |
| Religion | Hinduism |
| Language | Sanskrit |
| Geographical range | Bactria |
| Period | Iron Age |
| Dates | c. 1500 – 400 BCE |
| Type site | Balkh |
| Major sites | Balkh |
| 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.