Some Pre-Epic Period Tribes

[DrRajpalSingh]

In this thread we shall try to identify and enlist names of those tribes which find mention in the ancient literature prior to the composition of the Epics: Ramayana and Mahabharata..

As we go through the pages of Vedic literature several names of persons Royal or Risi also appear on whose names later on several gotra or sub caste names of Indian castes seem to have developed. At times, the name of a particular Risi appears representing gotra/sub caste/clan name of numerous castes of today. This is a perplexing phenomenon, not understandable to an un-attentive reader of evolvement of Indian social structure and hierarchy.

It is hoped that participants would contribute their reasoned views on this aspect of our past social evolution and its impacts on the course of history of India.

[DrRajpalSingh]

1.

'Puru' Tribe and their king find mention in Rig Veda [I.108.8; vii.18.23; vii. 8.4 and so on]. According to Macdonell and Keith, the victories of the Purus over the aborigines seem to be referred to in several passages of Rig Veda, The great kings of the Purus were Purukutsa and his son Trasadasyu, whose name bears testimony to his prowess against aboriginal foes, while a later prince was Trksi Trasadasyava. Trisdasyava, the patronymic of Kurusravana in Rigaveda [X.33.4], shows that the royal families of teh Kurus and the Purus were allied by inter-marriage. [ cited from Vedic Index of Names and places, pp. 11-12]

[DrRajpalSingh]

1.

'Puru' Tribe and their king find mention in Rig Veda [I.108.8; vii.18.23; vii. 8.4 and so on]. According to Macdonell and Keith, the victories of the Purus over the aborigines seem to be referred to in several passages of Rig Veda, The great kings of the Purus were Purukutsa and his son Trasadasyu, whose name bears testimony to his prowess against aboriginal foes, while a later prince was Trksi Trasadasyava. Trisdasyava, the patronymic of Kurusravana in Rigaveda [X.33.4], shows that the royal families of teh Kurus and the Purus were allied by inter-marriage. [ cited from Vedic Index of Names and places, pp. 11-12]

However, they are mentioned as enemies of the Tristsus in the hymn of Sudas victory [RV 18.13]; and in hymn [RV. VII. 8.4] of the Bharatas is celebrated as victories over the Purus probably a reference to the decisive overthrow.

Regarding their earliest home there is difference of opinion among the historians. Zimmer of the view that they lived on the banks of Sindhu river and MacDonell and Keith are of the view that they are referred to be living in indian Sarasvati region. However, in c.326-325 BCE, two Paurarva Princes were met by the Greek Invader, Alexander at the Hydepasses as recorded by Arrian.

Thus their original place of living was whether in the region beyond Indus or Sarasvati Region is a matter of dispute.

Views of the readers are solicited.

[DrRajpalSingh]

According to Macdonell and Keith, "Yadu is the name of a tribe and of the king of the tribe.

They are mentioned repeatedly in the Rigveda, normally in conjunction with Turvasa.

They seem to have taken part in the great battle against Sudas: the Yadu and Turvasa kings

seem to have escaped with their lives, while the Anu and the Druhyu kings perished.''

{For References from Rigveda, kindly see, Vedic Index of names and subjects, Vol. II, p. 185}.

[DrRajpalSingh]

3,

The Bharatas, who gave their name to the whole country, are one of the prominent Rigvedic Tribes.

They appear prominently in the Rigveda in relationship with Sudas and the Tristsus, and are enemies

of the Purus. They are mentioned as warriors who carried out successful campaigns both against

the Aryans on the west and the non-Aryans in East.

[DrRajpalSingh]

Das, Dasyu, Danava, Arya and Anarya-- these four words appear frequently in the ancient literature of India and some of these words find place at a few places in Iranian literature too. It would be interesting to know their real meaning to exactly understand the ancient social structure and tribes of India. Could somebody throw some light on their meaning !!!!

[maddhan1979]

According to Macdonell and Keith, "Yadu is the name of a tribe and of the king of the tribe.

They are mentioned repeatedly in the Rigveda, normally in conjunction with Turvasa.

They seem to have taken part in the great battle against Sudas: the Yadu and Turvasa kings

seem to have escaped with their lives, while the Anu and the Druhyu kings perished.''

{For References from Rigveda, kindly see, Vedic Index of names and subjects, Vol. II, p. 185}.

How old is the written form of "Veda" present today?
I hope u do not tell me that it was work of "Gods" and "Gods wrote it".
how many kings have ruled after the "oldest form of Veda" present today, was written?
How many priests have read it and rewritten it?
How many of the writers and re writers of these Vedas and similar books were driven by greed, self appraisal and false information.
I am not doubting the folk lore written in "Vedas", but the main point is: Through out ages any book written by a single human or group of humans has been transformed from its original form by the people who inherited these books, whosoever that be, where ever they were in the world. So, it becomes very precarious to believe the old texts.
What can be believed are the physical facts, which verify facts in present day scenario, this can bring people out of darkness.

[DrRajpalSingh]

How old is the written form of "Veda" present today?
I hope u do not tell me that it was work of "Gods" and "Gods wrote it".
how many kings have ruled after the "oldest form of Veda" present today, was written?
How many priests have read it and rewritten it?
How many of the writers and re writers of these Vedas and similar books were driven by greed, self appraisal and false information.
I am not doubting the folk lore written in "Vedas", but the main point is: Through out ages any book written by a single human or group of humans has been transformed from its original form by the people who inherited these books, whosoever that be, where ever they were in the world. So, it becomes very precarious to believe the old texts.
What can be believed are the physical facts, which verify facts in present day scenario, this can bring people out of darkness.

Good questions.

Since you want replies to your questions as per your choice as indicated in second line of your post,

it would be good if you could first share your answers by listing them taking one by one so that the issues raised by you

become understandable to others too !