Even on Islamization in 1896, the Nuristani Society is still divided into

(1}LAND-OWNING-LIVESTOCK-HERDING ELITE,
(2}a class of SKILLED CRAFTSMEN/CLASS OF UNSKILLED
CRAFTSMEN [called Slaves...See The Kafirs of Hindukush by Scott Robertson].

The first class is the relic of the 'Ayyo'[=Arya] and the later the 'Daso' [=Dasa, Slaves] of the Buddhist Text, Majhima Nikaya [II.149] with reference the YAVANAS and the KAMBOJAS of CENTRAL ASIA in ancient times.

cf "In Yona and in Kamboja, and also in the neighbouring countries, there are only two classes of people, masters and slaves, and that a master could become a slave or vice versa".

Yona-Kamboj.esu….. dve’va vanna…..Ayyo ca va daso ca
ayyo hutva daso hoti, da so hutva ayyo hotiDasavya mucceya [see Majjhima Nikaya II/149]

Note that since the Nuristanis had remained almost unaffected to the outside cultural influences due to their isolation in the impassable defiles of Hindukush mountain ranges, hence these people have kept up mayny of their ancient social/cultural and religious customs still intact as we already observed.


MODERN NURISTANI SOCIETY, EVEN AFTER ISLAMIZATION IN 1896, STILL CARRIES THE RELICS OF THE ANCIENT SOCIAL CUSTOMS PREVALENT IN KAMBOJA/YAVANA LANDS...... SEE BELOW.

"Nuristani community is pretty much the same as other communities in the world. Memberships in Nuristani communities are based on different cultural factors. Different villages speak different languages. Within the same valley Nuristani people make distinction based on location as well as reputation.Nuristani society is based on groups. People see themselves as belonging to different classes, an individual is either a member, by birth of a free land-owing and livestock herding class or he is not. If not, he belongs to craftsman class which makes him automatically belong to low status in Nuristani community. Craftmans don't own livestocks but these are the people who are builders, carvers, weavers, potters,smiths, and tanners in Nuristan. Craftmans play very important role in the community but still are not valued for their services. "
.................................................. .................................................. .............................

"These different classes are not found in every village in Nuristan; in some villages there are no families of craftsman. In yet other villages there are three distinct classes: the land-owing livestock-herding elite, a class of skilled craftsmen, and a class of unskilled craftsmen. Traditionally there were two ways in which a member of elite would compete for higher status; by being a successful warrior and by being public feast. Success was measured by the number of enemies killed or number of people attending the feast. Feast system is still very popular in Nuristan. (Jones 1969) "

http://members.rogers. com/gsahot0552/website/main.html

This is because the Syaposh clans [the Kams (Kamoz), Katirs (Kamtoz) etc] the dominant clans of Nuristan are stated to have descended from ancient Kambojas.

CLANS OF SIAPOSHE TRIBE:

FROM RICHARD STRANDS' WEBSITE [with gratitude]

The kacirc;t'a, k'om, mum'o, kSt'o, bini'o, jacirc;mc'o, and jacirc;Å¡'i

Native Names: kacirc;t'a, k'om, mum'o, kSt'o, bini'o, jacirc;mc'o, and jacirc;Å¡'i, all speaking dialects of a single language.

Other Names: kacirc;ntozi, kacirc;mozi, kuštozi (Pashto names), "Katir", "Kam" (Robertson [1896 ]), "Bashgali" (from Khowar bašgali 'Nuristani; person from bašgal [the lanDai sin Valley]').

Location: the kt'ivi (Kacirc;ntivacirc;) Valley in central Nuristacirc;n, the Racirc;mg'al and kul'em Valleys of upper Laghmacirc;n (western Nuristacirc;n), the lacirc;nDacirc;i s'in Valley of eastern Nuristacirc;n, some tributary valleys of the kun'aR (Kunar) River in Afghanistan, and pockets along the Afghanistan border in Chitracirc;l District, Pakistan.

http://users.sedona.net/~strand/Nuri...a/kamkata.html

KAM/KAMOZ KATIR/KAMTOZ
[FROM SIAPOSH KAMBOJ TRIBE]

[1]

"Gul Mohammad (Nuristani tribe, sub tribe of Kamozi* or Kam) is originally from Kamdesh. One of the biggest authorities in the District is Mullah Sadiq, who is the Head of Kamdesh shura. Also Mohammad Omar, who is one of the elders."

"Kamdesh district is located alongside the Kunar River in a very beautiful valley and it borders with Narai district of Kunar (South) and - Bargimatal district of Nuristan (North). To the East, Kamdesh borders with Chitral agency of NWFP of Pakistan and Central Nuristan - to the West. "

"Administration is located in the building (occupied school) on the main road, right at the bottom of the hill, on top of which Kamdesh village itself is situated. "

"The only reported conflict is between two sub-tribes of Nuristani tribe: Kamozi [=i.e Kamoz of Robertson, Caumoje of Elphinstone] and Kantozi (or Kate). Both live in Kamdesh district. Kantozi** tribe is the minority (residing in three villages: Kushtuz, Mandagal and Oja Rostom). "

"Around 600 families of Kantozi tribe were displaced from Kushtuz village after Kamdesh armed attack to the village in 1997. "

http://www.ecoi.net/pub/17354_D_Kamdesh.pdf

[2]

"The District is hosting around 150 IDP families from Kushtuz village (Kamdesh district)."

"These families were displaced from Kushtuz due to armed conflicts between Kamdesh (Kamozi* sub-tribe) and Kushtuz (Kantozi sub-tribe) tribes in Kamdesh district. Currently IDP families are temporarily settled with the host community (same tribe: Kantozi) in and around Nikmok village."

"Around 150 Kushtuz IDP families, who fled in 1997 from Kamdesh district (Kushtuz village) as the result of violent raid on their village by Kamdesh tribe. They are settled in the areas of Nikmok village. Reportedly IDP and local communities are having good relationships and no tensions have been reported. However, as mentioned by one of the Bargimatal shura members, a group of Kantozi** tribe living in Bargimatal supports Kushtuz in the conflict (this group reportedly has link and support from Mullah Afzal, the leader of Lashkari-Tayab in Pakistan, while another group is unhappy with other’s link with Mullah Afzal and tries to convince the other group to maintain neutrality in the conflict."

http://www.ecoi.net/pub/17355_D_Bargi_Matal.pdf

*NOTE Kamozi [=Kam or Kamoz of Robertson, Camoje Caumoje of Elphinstone]: The Kamoz clan is predominant in Bashgul valley/Kamdesh.

**NOTE: Kantozi [=Katir or Kamtoz of Robertson, Camtoz of Elphinstone]: Kamtoz or Katir clan is predominant in Karirgul valley.


[a]KOM/KAM or KAMOZ CLAN [Richard Strands]

Native Name: k'om.

Other Names: "Kam" (Robertson [1896]), kacirc;mozi (Pashto name), "Bashgali" (from Khowar bašgal'i 'Nuristani; person from bašg'al [the lanDai sin Valley]').

Location: the lower LanDai Sin basin and an adjoining portion of the Kunar Valley. This land is traditionally called kacirc;m'aston in ancient Kom songs.

http://users.sedona.net/~strand/Nuri...a/Kom/kom.html

[b] KATIR/KAMTOZ [Richard Strands]

Native Name: kacirc;t'a. The population of the Racirc;mg'al and kul'em Valleys in western Nuristacirc;n were sufficiently propagandized at the time of their conversion to Islacirc;m to renounce their native name as synonymous with "infidel." They now prefer simply to be called "Nuristacirc;ni."

Other Names: kacirc;ntozi (Pashto name), "Katir" (Robertson [1896]), "Bashgali" (from Khowar bašgali 'Nuristani; person from bašgal [the lanDai sin Valley]').

http://users.sedona.net/~strand/Nuri...Kata/kata.html

KAFIRS KAMBOJ...
Another connecting link.

"Physically, the Kafir do not seem to differ much from their neighbours; they speak a language classed by some as Dardic. It is in their religion that their ethnic individuality is most strikingly expressed. They practice a form of polytheism; worship consists mainly in the sacrifice of animals. Dancing is important, and shamans practice divination. PRIOR TO MODERN LEGAL PROHIBTION OF THE CUSTOM, THE DEAD WERE DISPOSED OF, UNBURRIED, IN HEAVY WOODEN COFFINS. LARGE WOODEN STATUES OF ANCESTORS, OFTEN ON HORSE BACK***, TRADITIONALLY STOOD NEAR GRAVEYARDS, many of these works now reside in museums. Housing in Chitral and Nurestan consists of strong rectangular wooden buildings. The economy is based on agriculture and the raising of goats and oxen".

http://www.ibcsk. com/nl/ency/eb.people.htm

***COMMENT: The HORSE here again powerfully links the Nuristanis to the ancient Kambojas. The ancient Kambojas were noted for their love for horses and were remarkable horsemen/cavalary-men. Some of the Kafirs have a tradition that they moved from plain valleys into the impenetrable mountanous regions of Hindukush in wake of medieval Mohamadan invasions. In the impenetratble mountanous regions of Hindukush, the horse could not be reared/utilised to a advantage. Hence, though the intruding Kafirs stopped the practice of horse-reering, but they started erecting effigies of their 'ancestors on horsees' to commemorate the love/fad of their ancestors for the horses.

Besides HORSES, the ancient Kamboj was also famed for its ELEPHANTS.

ASPASIOS ASSAKANOIS [ASVAYANS ASHVAKAYANS OF PANINI]:

Read the following:
[1] "............................. the first lephants Alexander encountered were amongst the Assakenian Indians in mountainous north Pakistan. They were said (Arrian 4.25.5) to possess 30 beasts in their army that Alexander was "expressly anxious to find out about" (Arrian 4.30.6); so much so that of the Indians who were elephant hunters, "Alexander took pains to have them among his attendants" (4.30.8). Two of the elephants were lost during the subsequent expedition to snatch them from their grazing grounds, but the rest were successfully captured."

http://www.ne.jp/asahi/luke/ueda-sarson/Al-Ele.html

[2] Also, Chieftain Afrikes, the real brother of chieftain Assakenos [=Ashvaka Kamboja chief....see Political History of Ancient India, p 216-217, Dr Raychaudhury, Dr P. N. Banerjee] is said to have a a fleet of 15 elephants which he used against Alexandra. The name Afrikes obviously points towards Apryti (Afridis) [Ref: History of Panjab, Vol I, p 232, Dr L. M. Joshi, Dr Fauja Singh; Ancient Kamboja, People the Country, p 287; These Kamboj People, 1979, K. S. Dardi, p 128 ]

http://www.ne.jp/asahi/luke/ueda-sarson/Al-Ele.htmlbb

Besides 30,000 horses,the Ashvakas/Assakas had used 30 elephants against Alexander's army.

This shows that besides horses, the Kambojas also possessed elephants and used them in battles against Alexandra.

The Kambojas of Parapamisadea [Kabol/Kunar/Swat valleys] were noted for their fine breeds of oxes, horses and elephants. Alexandra had captured over 230,0000 of best variety of oxes, and had sent them to Macedonia.

cf "...It apears that the Asvayanas were good cattle breeders and agricuturists. This is clear from big number of the bullocks, 230,000 according to Arrian, of a size and shape superior to what the Macedonians had not known, which Alexander captured from them and decided to send them to Macedonia for agriculture" [History of Panjab, Vol I, p 226, Dr L. M. Joshi,
Dr Fauja Singh, op cit Dr Kamboj, p 247].

"...The Ashvaka Kambojas had fielded 30,000 cavalry, 30 elephants and 20,000 infantry against Alexandra..".[Ancient Kamboja, People the Country,
p 248, Dr Kamboj]

MAHABHARATA
cf "....Sudakshina, O king, who had many thousands of wonderful elephants, hath been slain in battle by Arjuna....".

http://www.sacred-texts. com/hin/m08/m08005.htm

MAHABHARATA
kadalI mR^igamokAni kR^iShNa shyAmAruNAni cha .
kAmbojaH prAhiNottasmai parArdhyAnapi kambalAn .. 19..\
gajayoShidgavAshvasya shatasho.atha sahasrashaH .
triMshata.n choShTra vAmInA.n shatAni vicharantyuta .. 20..\
pR^ithagvidhAni ratnAni pArthivAH pR^ithivIpate .
Aharankratumukhye.asminkuntIputrAya bhUrishaH .. 21..\

http://www.alkhemy. com/sanskrit/mirrors/mahabharata/txt/02.txt

TRANSLATION OF ABOVE:
"..The king of Kambhoja sent unto him (as tribute) innumerable skins, black, darkish, and red, of the deer Kadali, as also numberless blankets of excellent textures. And hundreds and thousands and thousands of she-elephants and thirty thousand she-camels wander within the palace, for the kings of the earth brought them all as tribute to the capital of the
Pandavas..".

http://www.sacred-texts. com/hin/m02/m02048.htm

MAHABHARATA:
"...The king of Kamboja gave innumerable skins of the best king, and blankets made of wool, of the soft fur of rodents and other burroughers, and of the hair of cats,--all inlaid with threads of gold. And he also gave three hundred horses of the Titteti and the Kalmasha species possessing noses like parrots. And he also gave three hundred camels and an equal number of she-•••••, all fattened with the olives and the Pilusha..."

http://www.sacred-texts. com/hin/m02/m02050.htm

SOME MEANINGS OF CLANISH TERM KAMBOJ:

(1)The term horse and the Kamboj were so much interconnected interwoven together that a HORSE from the country of
KAMBOJ was also called Kamboj.

(2)The ancient lexicographers have rendered another meaning of Kamboj as an ELEPHANT

e.g.
Kambojo hastimede........[Ref: Nanamanjari 421; Ancient Kamboja, People the Country, p 247, Dr Kamboj]

(3)Yet Kambu/Kamboj also means SILVER. [Kautalyas's Arathshastra see below]

http://www.swaveda. com/Governance/Arthashastra/Book%202.htm

(4)Yet another meaning of Kamboj is GOLD

(5)....and yet another meaning of Kamboj is a Conch or Shell.

All these products were native to ancient Kambojas.

As is well known from ancient Sanskrit texts, in ancient times, a famed product from a certain country was also known by the name of that country. That a one meaning of Kamboja was a HORSE another was an ELEPHANT clearly attests that besides horses, elephants were also reared/found in plenty in ancient Kamboj country.


SEE MORE MEANINGS OF KAMBOJ BELOW:
[A] Kamboja

Kamboja as m. pl., N. of a people and its country

• m. the king of this people Pan. 4-1, 175

• a shell L

• a species of elephant L. (cf. kamboja.)

[B] Kamboja

kamboja mfn. (fr. kamboja g. sindhv-adi and kacchacirc;di), born in or coming from Kamboja (as horses) R. v, 12, 36 c

• m. a native of Kamboja (a race who, like the Yavanas, shaved the whole head

• originally a Kshatriya tribe, but degraded through its omission of the necessary rites W.

• a prince of the Kambojas MBh. i, 6995

• a horse of the Kamboja breed W

• (as), m. pl., N. of a people= Kamboja Mn. x, 44 MBh. R.: Ragh. BhP. Rajat

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http://students.washington.edu/prem/mw/k.html