Pulinda (Sanskrit: Pulinda) were an ancient non-Ayran tribe of south-central Indian subcontinent, whose existence is attested during the Iron Age.[1][2] Pulindas were mentioned in Aitareya Brahmana of the Rigveda (c. 500 BCE) as descendants of Sage Vishvamitra, along with Andhras, Pundras, Sabaras, and Mutibas.
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Location
editDuring the later Vedic period, the Pulindas were living to the south-east of the Daśārṇas.[2]
Though clearly associated with the Vindhyan region, the Pulindas are sometimes believed to have had multiple tribal branches that ranged up to the Himalayan region and Assam.[3] In the Himalayan region, ancient Indian literature often mentions them in conjunction with the Kiratas.[3]
History
editIn hindu scriptures
editAitareya Brahmana of the Rigveda According to Aitareya Brahmana of the Rigveda, sage Vishvamitra had hundred sons, fifty of them were older than Madhuchhanda, and fifty were younger than him. The older ones were not pleased with (the installation of Sunahsepa to the primogeniture). Visvamitra then pronounced against them the curse, “ You shall have the lowest castes for your descendants. ” Therefore are many of the most degraded classes of men, the rabble for the most part, such as the Andhras, Pundras, Sabaras, Palindas, and Mutibas, descendants of Visvamitra...”[4]
Puranas
Srimada Bhagavatam refer Andhras, Pundras, Sabaras, Palindas, and Mutibas are referred to as Mleccha.
Early history
editThe Rock Edicts of Ashoka (269 BCE - 231 BCE) mention the Pulindas, their capital Pulinda-nagara, and their neighboring tribes. Vayu Purana mentioned their capital located in present-day Jabalpur District of Madhya Pradesh state.[5]
Likewise here in the king's (Ashoka ) territory, among the Yonas and Kambojas, among the Nabhakas and Nabhapamkits, among the Bhojas and the Pitinikas, among the Andhras and the Pulindas, everywhere (people) are conforming to Beloved-Of-God (Ashoka) instruction in morality.
— Ashoka, Rock Edict 13 , Kalsi Rock, South Portion
Basak identifies them with the hill tribes of the Vindhya and Satpura ranges, more specifically the Bhils.[6] Pulindas together with the Sabaras are mentioned by Kautilya in Arthashastra.[7]
References
edit- ^ Raychaudhuri 1953, p. 92.
- ^ a b Raychaudhuri 1953, p. 94.
- ^ a b D.C. Sircar (1990), Studies in the geography of ancient and medieval India, Motilal Banarsidass Publishers, ISBN 81-208-0690-5, retrieved 6 May 2010,
... The Pulindas were a hill tribe usually connected with the Vindhyan range. Partiger notices several branches of the Pulinda tribe, viz. (1) a western branch, (2) a Himalayan branch related to the Kiratas and Tanganas, and (3) a southern branch ...
- ^ Martin Haug (1922). Aitareya Brahmana Of The Rigveda.
- ^ Devadatta Ramkrishna Bhandarkar (2000), Aśoka, Asian Educational Services, ISBN 81-206-1333-3, retrieved 6 May 2010,
... in Rock Edict XIII ... we have to place them somewhere to the north or the north-east of the Andhras ... In the Vayu-Purana, the southern branch of the Pulindas has been placed side by side with the Vindhya-muliyas ... their capital is mentioned as Pulinda-nagara and their kingdom as contiguous with the Chedi country ... the Jubbulpur District ...
- ^ Radhagovinda Basak, AŚOKAN INSCRIPTIONS, Calcutta, 1959, pp. 75
- ^ Saletore, B. A. Wild Tribes in Indian History. p. 99.
Pulindas together with the Sabaras are mentioned by Kautalya in his Arthashastra.
Sources
edit- Raychaudhuri, Hemchandra (1953). Political History of Ancient India: From the Accession of Parikshit to the Extinction of Gupta Dynasty. University of Calcutta.
External links
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