“Lord of the Mlechchhas” (mlechchādhināth) is a title that refers to Salasthambha, the founder of the Mlechchha dynasty in Assam. This information is derived from an inscription from the era of a king in the later Pala dynasty.
Detailed Overview:
The Mlechchha dynasty, often referred to as the Mech dynasty, was a significant ruling family in Assam, founded by Salasthambha. This Bodo-Kachari chief is thought to have established the dynasty during a time when the Varman dynasty was losing its grip on power. An inscription from the later Pala dynasty even calls Salasthambha “mlechchādhināth,” which means “Lord of the Mlechchhas.” Some scholars suggest that the name “Salasthambha” originated from a Bodo-Kachari chief of Mech, which was later adapted into the term Mlechchha. In ancient Indian texts, “Mlechchha” referred to people from foreign lands, similar to how the ancient Greeks used the term “barbaros.” The Mahabharata also mentions other Mlechchha rulers and their conflicts with the Pandavas, such as Karna’s conquest of Mlechchha countries.
