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List of ancient Indo-Aryan peoples and tribes

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This is a list of ancient Indo-Aryan peoples and tribes that are mentioned in the literature of Indian religions.

From the second or first millennium BCE, ancient Indo-Aryan peoples and tribes turned into most of the population in the northern part of the Indian subcontinent – Indus Valley (roughly today's Punjab), Western India, Northern India, Central India, and also in areas of the southern part like Sri Lanka and the Maldives through and after a complex process of migration, assimilation of other peoples and language shift.[1][2][3]

Ancestors

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Map 1: Indo-European migrations as described in The Horse, the Wheel, and Language by David W. Anthony[1]
 
Map 2: Sintashta-Petrovka culture (red), its expansion into the Andronovo culture (orange) during the 2nd millennium BC, showing the overlap with the Bactria–Margiana Archaeological Complex (chartreuse green) in the south and also with the Afanasievo culture in the east. The location of the earliest chariots is shown in magenta. Several scholars associate Proto-Indo-Iranians with Sintashta-Petrovka culture.[2] These scholars also may associate some mentions in the Avesta (sacred scriptures of Zoroastrianism), like the Airyanəm Vaēǰō – "Aryans' Expanse", as distant memories that were retained by oral tradition of this old land of origin.[1] There are also mentions of Āryāvarta – "Aryans Abode" (in sacred Hindu scriptures such as Dharmashastras and Sutras), the Hindu counterpart of Airyanəm Vaēǰō, although it refers to Northern India and they are later.
 
Map 3: The extent of the Bactria-Margiana Archaeological Complex (BMAC), according to the Encyclopedia of Indo-European Culture. The BMAC culture and peoples influenced migrating Indo-Iranians that came from the north.
 
Map 4: The approximate extent of the Vedic period Āryāvarta is highlighted in pale yellow
 
Map 5: This detailed map shows the locations of kingdoms and republics mentioned in the Indian epics or Bharata Khanda.

Vedic tribes

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  • Alina people (RV 7.18.7)
  • Anu (RV 1.108.8, RV 8.10.5)
  • Āyu
  • Bhageratha
  • Bhalanas
  • Bharatas- The Bharatas are a major Aryan clan, especially in Mandala 3 attributed to the Bharata sage Vishvamitra. The entire Bharata clan is described as crossing over, with their chariots and wagons, at the confluence of the Vipash (Beas River) and Shutudri (Satlej). The Bharatas are mentioned as the protagonists in the Battle of the Ten Kings in Mandala 7 (7.18 etc.), where they are on the winning side. They appear to have been successful in the early power-struggles between the various Aryan and non-Aryan clans so that they continue to dominate in post-Rigvedic texts, and later in the (Epic) tradition. "Bhārata" today is the official name of the Republic of India (see also Etymology of India).
  • Chedi
  • Dasa
  • Dasyu
  • Dṛbhīka
  • Druhyus (Rigveda, RV 1.108.8, RV 8.10.5)
  • Gandhara
  • Guṅgu
  • Ikshvaku dynasty
  • Krivi
  • Kīkaṭa
  • Kuru
  • Mahīna
  • Malankhara
  • Maujavant
  • Matsya
  • Nahuṣa
  • Pakhta
  • Panis
  • Pārāvata
  • Parsu (Parśu)
  • Puru (Pūru)
  • Ruśama (RV Mandala 8)
  • Sārasvata
  • Srñjaya
  • Tritsu (RV 7.18, 7.33, 7.83)
  • Yadu: Of Indo-Aryan origin,Yadu is one of the five early Rigvedic tribes (panchajana, panchakrishtya or panchamanusha) mentioned in the Rigveda.[4][5][6] The Yadus had a tribal union with the Turvasha tribe, and were frequently described together.[7][8][page needed] The Yadus were a Aryan tribe.[6] By the time of the arrival of the Puru and Bharata tribes, the Yadu-Turvashas were settled in Punjab, with the Yadus possibly residing along the Yamuna River.[9]
    In Mandalas 4 and 5 of the Rigveda, the god Indra is stated to have saved the Yadu-Turvashas from drowning when they crossed rivers.[10][11] In Mandala 6, the Yadu-Turvashas are stated to have been "brought from far away" by Indra.[12][13] The Yadu-Turvashas are treated relatively positively in Mandalas 5, 6, and 8,[14] and are stated to be the occasional allies and enemies of the Puru-Bharatas.[10] In the Battle of the Ten Kings, the Yadus were defeated by Bharata chieftain Sudas.[15]

Pancha Jana (Five tribes)

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(पञ्च जना – Páñca Jánāḥ / Pancha-janah) The pancha Jana are five tribes inexplicitly listed together during the (Āryāvarta of this time, c. 1700–1500 BCE, roughly corresponds with the Punjab and closer regions) (see the map of Early Vedic Period)

  • Anu (in the southwest part of early Āryāvarta)
  • Druhyu (in the north part of early Āryāvarta)
  • Puru (ancestors of the Paurava) (in the centre and east parts of early Āryāvarta, including Sarasvati river region)
  • Turvaśa (Turvasha) (in the centre and south parts of early Āryāvarta): The Turvashas (Sanskrit: तुर्वश, Turvaśa) were one of the five major peoples[5] (panchajana, panchakrishtya or panchamanusha) mentioned in the Rigveda. [16] The Turvashas had a tribal union with the Yadu tribe, and were frequently described together.[7][17] The Turvashas were a partly Indo-Aryan-acculturated Indus tribe.[6] By the time of the arrival of the Puru and Bharata tribes, the Yadu-Turvashas were settled in Punjab.[18] By the time of the Shatapatha Brahmana (7th-6th centuries BCE),[19][20] the Turvashas are linked to the Panchalas.[18]
    Alfred Ludvig first conjectured that Turvīti and Vayya could have been connected with the Turvasha tribe, a notion that is still considered only speculation according to Witzel.[21][22] In Mandalas 4 and 5 of the Rigveda, the god Indra is stated to have saved the Yadu-Turvashas from drowning when they crossed rivers.[10][11] In Mandala 6, the Yadu-Turvashas are stated to have been "brought from far away" by Indra.[12][13] The Yadu-Turvashas are treated relatively positively in Mandalas 5, 6, and 8,[14] and are stated to be the occasional allies and enemies of the Puru-Bharatas.[10]
  • Yadu (in the southeast and south parts of early Āryāvarta)

Early Janapadas (c. 1700–1100 BCE)

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Map 6: Early Vedic Culture (1700–1100 BCE) and location of early Indo-Aryan peoples and tribes

After roughly 1700 BCE Indo-Aryan peoples and tribes were swiftly expanding through ancient northern India, therefore the number of peoples, tribes and clans was increasing (as well as the number of Indo-Aryan language speakers) and Āryāvarta was becoming a very large area (see the map on the right side).

  • Aja – (Madhya-desha Āryāvarta – Central Āryāvarta)
  • Ambaśṭha – (Madhya-desha Āryāvarta – Central Āryāvarta)
  • Aṅga – Prachya Āryāvarta – Eastern Āryāvarta (Madhya-desha and Prachya Āryāvarta – Central and Eastern Āryāvarta in Vamana).
  • Anu – is a Vedic Sanskrit term for one of the 5 major tribes in the Rigveda, RV 1.108.8, RV 8.10.5 (both times listed together with the Druhyu) and, much later also in the Mahabharata.[23] In the late Vedic period, one of the Anu kings, King Anga, is mentioned as a "chakravartin" (AB 8.22). Ānava, the vrddhi derivation of Anu, is the name of a ruler in the Rigvedic account of the Battle of the Ten Kings (7.18.13) and at 8.4.1 with the Turvaśa (tribe). The meaning ánu "living, human" (Naighantu) cannot be substantiated for the Rigveda[24] and may have been derived from the tribal name. (Pratichya Āryāvarta – Western Āryāvarta)
  • Āyu[25]
  • Bhajeratha[26]
  • Bhalana – The Bhalanas were one of the tribes that fought against Sudas in the Dasarajna battle. Some scholars have argued that the Bhalanas lived in South Central and Western Pakistan, and that the Bolan Pass, around which live the Brahui people, are the Bhalana people and abode.[23][27] (Pratichya Āryāvarta – Western Āryāvarta)
  • Bharadvāja – (Madhya-desha Āryāvarta – Central Āryāvarta)
  • Bhrigus[28]
  • Bheda – (Madhya-desha Āryāvarta – Central Āryāvarta)
  • Bodha – (Madhya-desha Āryāvarta – Central Āryāvarta)
  • Druhyu – The Druhyu were a people of Vedic India. They are mentioned in the Rigveda,[a] usually together with the Anu tribe.[29] Some early scholars have placed them in the northwestern region.[30] The later texts, the Epic and the Puranas, locate them in the "north", that is, in Gandhara, Aratta and Setu. (Vishnu Purana IV.17) The Druhyus were driven out of the land of the seven rivers, and their next king, Gandhara, settled in a north-western region which became known as Gandhāra. The sons of the later Druhyu king Pracetas too settle in the "northern" (udīcya) region (Bhagavata 9.23.15–16; Visnu 4.17.5; Vayu 99.11–12; Brahmanda 3.74.11–12 and Matsya 48.9.). The word Druid (Gallic Celtic druides), is partially derived from Proto-Indo-European vid "to see, to know'[31] [32] It has also been alleged that the Rg Veda and the Puranas describe this tribe as migrating North.[33] However, there is nothing of this in the Rigveda and the Puranas merely mention that the Druhyu are "adjacent (āśrita) to the North". (Pratichya Āryāvarta – Western Āryāvarta)
  • Gandharis[34] (Pratichya Āryāvarta – Western Āryāvarta)
  1. Guṅgu[35]
  2. Iksvaku[36] (Pratichya Āryāvarta – Western Āryāvarta)

Late Janapadas (c. 1100–500 BCE)

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Map 7: Late Vedic era map showing the boundaries of Āryāvarta with Janapadas in northern India. Beginning of Iron Age kingdoms in India— Kuru, Panchala, Kosala, Videha.

From roughly 1100 to 500 BCE Indo-Aryan peoples and tribes expanded even further throughout ancient northern India (see the map 6).

According to political scientist Sudama Misra, the Kalinga janapada originally comprised the area covered by the Puri and Ganjam districts.[44]

Mahajanapadas (c. 500 BCE)

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Map 8: Mahajanapadas roughly in 500 BCE.

महाजनपद – Mahajanapada Shodasa Mahajanapadas (Sixteen Mahajanapadas) The Mahajanapadas were sixteen great kingdoms and republics that emerged after the more powerful political entities (initially based on the territories of peoples and tribes) had conquered many others. According to the Anguttara Nikaya, Digha Nikaya, Chulla-Niddesa (Buddhist Canon)

According to the Vyākhyāprajñapti / Bhagavati Sutra (Jain text)

Mentions by Ancient Greek authors

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Map 9: Ancient regions of Iranian Plateau and part of South Central Asia showing ancient Iranian peoples and tribes; this map also shows ancient peoples of the Indus Valley in Northwest Ancient India.

Northwest Ancient India – Indus River Basin

Other regions of Ancient India (India Intra Gangem)

Indo-Aryan or other tribes (possible)

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  • Alina (RV 7.18.7) (RV = Rigveda) – They were one of the tribes defeated by Sudas of the Bharatas at the Dasarajna (Ten Kings Battle).[47] It is suggested that they lived to the north-east of the Kambojas (possible ancestors of the Nuristani that live in Nurestan) because in the 7th century CE, the land was mentioned by the Chinese pilgrim Xuanzang.[47] It is possible that they are connected with the Alans or Alani people who are a nomadic Iranian tribe. Alans is a dialectal cognate of Aryāna, itself derived from the root arya-, meaning 'Aryan', the common self-designation of Indo-Iranian peoples. It probably came in use in the early history of the Alans for the purpose of uniting a heterogeneous group of tribes through the invocation of a common, ancestral 'Aryan' origin. The historian S. G. Talageri identifies them with the Greeks (Hellenes).[48] However, the dating of the Rigveda and the hypothetical historic time for the Dasarajna-yuddha (Battle of Ten Kings) occurred millennia before Hellenes were recorded in India.
  • Parsu (Parśu) – The Parsus have been connected with the Persians based on the evidence of an Assyrian inscription from 844 BC referring to the Persians as Parshu, and the Behistun Inscription of Darius I of Persia referring to Parsa as the home of the Persians. Pârsâ, is the Old Persian name for the Persis region Pars province as well as the root for the term Persian.
  • Shakya – a clan of Iron Age India (1st millennium BCE), habitating an area in Greater Magadha, on the foothills of the Himalaya mountains. This is also the clan in which Siddhartha Gautama (also known as Buddha or Shakyamuni – Sage of the Shakyas) (c. 6th to 4th centuries BCE) was born into, whose teachings became the foundation of Buddhism. According to Chandra Das, the name "Shakya" is derived from the Sanskrit word "śakya," which means "the one who is capable". Some scholars argue that the Shakya were of Scythian (Saka) origin (part of the Iranian peoples) and assimilated into Indo-Aryan peoples.[49][50]

Hypothetical Indo-Aryans

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See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ For example: RV 1.108.8; 7.18; 8.10.5; 6.46.8

References

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  1. ^ a b c Anthony 2007.
  2. ^ a b Mallory & Adams 1997.
  3. ^ Parpola, Asko (2015), The Roots of Hinduism. The Early Aryans and the Indus Civilization, Oxford University Press
  4. ^ Singh, Upinder (2008). A History of Ancient and Early Medieval India: From the Stone Age to the 12th Century. Delhi: Pearson Education. p. 187. ISBN 978-81-317-1120-0.
  5. ^ a b Jamison & Brereton 2014, p. 54.
  6. ^ a b c Witzel 1999.
  7. ^ a b Witzel 2001.
  8. ^ Witzel 1995a.
  9. ^ Witzel 1995, p. 262.
  10. ^ a b c d Witzel 1995, p. 235.
  11. ^ a b Jamison & Brereton 2014, p. 605, 695.
  12. ^ a b Witzel 1995, pp. 222, 262.
  13. ^ a b Jamison & Brereton 2014, p. 829.
  14. ^ a b Witzel 1995, p. 237.
  15. ^ Witzel 1995, p. 239.
  16. ^ Singh, Upinder (2008). A History of Ancient and Early Medieval India: From the Stone Age to the 12th Century. Delhi: Pearson Education. p. 187. ISBN 978-81-317-1120-0.
  17. ^ Witzel 1995, p. 204.
  18. ^ a b Witzel 1995, p. 236.
  19. ^ Witzel 1995, p. 136.
  20. ^ Bremmer, Jan N. (2007). The Strange World of Human Sacrifice. Peeters Publishers. p. 158. ISBN 978-90-429-1843-6. Retrieved 15 December 2012.
  21. ^ Macdonell & Keith 1995, p. 317.
  22. ^ Witzel 1995, p. 234.
  23. ^ a b Talageri, Shrikant G. (2005). "The textual evidence: The Rigveda as a source of Indo-European history". In Edwin F. Bryant; Laurie L. Patton (eds.). The Indo-Aryan controversy: Evidence and inference in Indian history (PDF). London; New York: Routledge. pp. 332–340. ISBN 978-0-700-71463-6.
  24. ^ Mayrhofer, Manfred (1992). "Anu". Etymologisches Wörterbuch des Altindoarischen (in German). Vol. 1 (Band 1). Heidelberg: Winter Verlag. p. 74. ISBN 978-3-8253-3826-8.
  25. ^ Bloomfield, M. (1899). "The Myth of Purūravas, Urvaçī, and Âyu". Journal of the American Oriental Society, 20, 180–183.
  26. ^ Zimmer, S. (1986). "On a special meaning of jána- in the Rgveda". Indo-Iranian Journal, 29 (2), 109–115.
  27. ^ Macdonell & Keith 1995.
  28. ^ Weller, H. (1937). "Who Were the Bhriguids?". Annals of the Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute. 18 (3), 296–302.
  29. ^ Hopkins, E. W. (1893). "Problematic passages in the Rig-Veda". Journal of the American Oriental Society, 15, 252–283.
  30. ^ Macdonell & Keith 1995, I 395.
  31. ^ Le Roux, Françoise; Guyonvarc'h, Christian-J (1982). Les Druides (in French). Paris: Ouest-France. p. 37.
  32. ^ "druid | Etymology, origin and meaning". Etymonline. Retrieved 11 November 2023.
  33. ^ Raje, Sudhakar (15 February 2006). "Sanskrit in English". IndiaDivine.org.
  34. ^ Warraich, M. Tauqeer Ahmad (January–June 2011). "Gandhara: An appraisal of its meanings and history". Journal of the Research Society of Pakistan. 48 (1). PDF link – via University of the Punjab.
  35. ^ Grassmann, H. (Ed.). (1876). Rig-veda (Vol. 1). FA Brockhaus.
  36. ^ Pincott, Frederic (October 1887). "The First Maṇḍala of the Ṛig-Veda". Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society. 19 (4): 598–624. doi:10.1017/S0035869X00019717. Art. XIX.
  37. ^ Wilson, H. H. (Horace Hayman) (1857). Rig-veda Sanhitá: A collection of ancient Hindu hymns. Vol. 3: Constituting the Third and Fourth Ashtakas of the Rig-Veda. London: Trübner; W.H. Allen & Co.
  38. ^ Pike, Albert (1930). Indo-Aryan Deities and Worship as Contained in the Rig Veda. Council of Freemasonry, Southern Jurisdiction of the United States. [Kessinger Publishing (reprint) 1992.]
  39. ^ Perry, E. D. (1885). "Indra in the Rig-Veda". Journal of the American Oriental Society, 11, 117–208.
  40. ^ a b The Rig-Veda. Translated by Ralph T. H. Griffith. 1896.
  41. ^ Muller, F. M. (1869). Rig-veda-sanhita (Vol. 1).
  42. ^ Witzel, Michael (1999b). "Aryan and non-Aryan names in Vedic India: Data for the linguistic situation, c. 1900–500 B.C.". In Johannes Bronkhorst; Madhav Desphande (eds.). Aryan and non-Aryan in South Asia: Evidence, interpretation and ideology. Proceedings of the International Seminar on Aryan and Non-Aryan in South Asia, University of Michigan – 25–27 October 1996. Harvard Oriental Series: Opera Minora III. Cambridge, Mass. (US): Harvard University; South Asia Books. doi:10.11588/xarep.00000112. ISBN 9781888789041.
  43. ^ a b Frawley 2001.
  44. ^ Misra, Sudama (1973). Janapada state in ancient India. Vārāṇasī: Bhāratīya Vidyā Prakāśana. p. 78
  45. ^ a b Ian Worthington 2014, p. 219.[incomplete short citation]
  46. ^ a b Peter Green 2013, p. 418.[incomplete short citation]
  47. ^ a b Macdonell & Keith 1995, I 39.
  48. ^ Talageri, Shrikant G. (2000). The Rigveda: A Historical Analysis. New Delhi: Aditya Prakashan. pp. 397–408.
  49. ^ Attwood, Jayarava (2012). "Possible Iranian Origins for the Śākyas and Aspects of Buddhism". Journal of the Oxford Centre for Buddhist Studies. 3: 47–69.
  50. ^ Beckwith, Christopher I. (2016). "Prologue: Scythian Philosophy – Pyrrho, the Persian Empire, and India". Greek Buddha: Pyrrho's Encounter with Early Buddhism in Central Asia. Princeton University Press. pp. 1–21. doi:10.23943/princeton/9780691176321.003.0001. ISBN 978-0691166445.

Sources

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Further reading

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  • Pargiter, F. E. [1922] 1979. Ancient Indian Historical Tradition. New Delhi: Cosmo.
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