List of ancient Indo-Aryan peoples and tribes


From the second or first millennium BCE, Indo-Aryan Vedic tribes turned into most of the population in the northern part of the Indian subcontinent – Indus Valley, Western India, Northern India, Central India, Eastern 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.

Ancestors

  • Proto-Indo-Iranians
  • *Proto-Indo-Aryans

    Vedic tribes

  • Alina people
  • Anu
  • 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 and Shutudri. The Bharatas are mentioned as the protagonists in the Battle of the Ten Kings in Mandala 7, 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 tradition. "Bhārata" today is the official name of the Republic of India.
  • Chedi
  • Dasa
  • Dasyu
  • Dṛbhīka
  • Druhyus
  • Gandhara
  • Guṅgu
  • Ikshvaku dynasty
  • Krivi
  • Kīkaṭa
  • Kuru
  • Mahīna
  • Malankhara
  • Maujavant
  • Matsya
  • Nahuṣa
  • Pakhta
  • Panis
  • Pārāvata
  • Parsu
  • Puru
  • Ruśama
  • Sārasvata
  • Srñjaya
  • Tritsu
  • Yadu: Of Indo-Aryan origin,Yadu is one of the five early Rigvedic tribes mentioned in the Rigveda. The Yadus had a tribal union with the Turvasha tribe, and were frequently described together. The Yadus were a Aryan tribe. 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.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. In Mandala 6, the Yadu-Turvashas are stated to have been "brought from far away" by Indra. The Yadu-Turvashas are treated relatively positively in Mandalas 5, 6, and 8, and are stated to be the occasional allies and enemies of the Puru-Bharatas. In the Battle of the Ten Kings, the Yadus were defeated by Bharata chieftain Sudas.

    Pancha Jana (Five tribes)

The pancha Jana are five tribes inexplicitly listed together during the
  • Anu
  • Druhyu
  • Puru
  • Turvaśa : The Turvashas were one of the five major peoples mentioned in the Rigveda. The Turvashas had a tribal union with the Yadu tribe, and were frequently described together. The Turvashas were a partly Indo-Aryan-acculturated Indus tribe. By the time of the arrival of the Puru and Bharata tribes, the Yadu-Turvashas were settled in Punjab. By the time of the Shatapatha Brahmana, the Turvashas are linked to the Panchalas. 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. 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. In Mandala 6, the Yadu-Turvashas are stated to have been "brought from far away" by Indra. The Yadu-Turvashas are treated relatively positively in Mandalas 5, 6, and 8, and are stated to be the occasional allies and enemies of the Puru-Bharatas.
  • '''Yadu'''

    Early Janapadas (c. 1700–1100 BCE)

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 and Āryāvarta was becoming a very large area.
  • Aja –
  • Ambaśṭha –
  • Aṅga – Prachya Āryāvarta – Eastern Āryāvarta.
  • Anu – is a Vedic Sanskrit term for one of the 5 major tribes in the Rigveda, RV 1.108.8, RV 8.10.5 and, much later also in the Mahabharata. In the late Vedic period, one of the Anu kings, King Anga, is mentioned as a "chakravartin". Ānava, the vrddhi derivation of Anu, is the name of a ruler in the Rigvedic account of the Battle of the Ten Kings and at 8.4.1 with the Turvaśa. The meaning ánu "living, human" cannot be substantiated for the Rigveda and may have been derived from the tribal name.
  • Āyu
  • Bhajeratha
  • 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.
  • Bharadvāja –
  • Bhrigus
  • Bheda –
  • Bodha –
  • Druhyu – The Druhyu were a people of Vedic India. They are mentioned in the Rigveda, usually together with the Anu tribe. Some early scholars have placed them in the northwestern region. The later texts, the Epic and the Puranas, locate them in the "north", that is, in Gandhara, Aratta and Setu. 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" region. The word Druid, is partially derived from Proto-Indo-European vid "to see, to know' It has also been alleged that the Rg Veda and the Puranas describe this tribe as migrating North. However, there is nothing of this in the Rigveda and the Puranas merely mention that the Druhyu are "adjacent to the North".
  • Gandharis
  1. '
  2. '
  • Kārūṣa – later Cedi
  • Keśin
  • Kīkaṭa
  • Kosala
  • Krivi
  • Kunti
  • Madra
  • *Uttara Madra
  • Magadha
  • Mahāvṛṣa
  • Mahīna
  • Malankhara
  • Matsya
  • Mūjavana / Maujavant
  • Nahuṣa
  • Pāñcala '
  • Pārāvata
  • Pṛthu
  • Pūru
  • *Bharatas – The Bharatas are an Aryan tribe mentioned in the Rigveda, especially in Mandala 3 attributed to the Bharata sage Vishvamitra and in and Mandala 7. Bharatá is also used as a name of Agni, and as a name of Rudra in RV 2.36.8. In one of the "river hymns" RV 3.33, the entire Bharata tribe is described as crossing over, with their chariots and wagons, at the confluence of the Vipash and Shutudri. Hymns by Vasistha in Mandala 7 mention the Bharatas as the protagonists in the Battle of the Ten Kings, 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 tribes so that they continue to dominate in post-Rigvedic texts, and later in the tradition, the Mahābhārata, the eponymous ancestor becomes Emperor Bharata, conqueror of 'all of India', and his tribe and kingdom is called Bhārata. "Bhārata" today is the official name of the Republic of India.
  • **Kuru – Ancestors of the Kaurava
  • ***Uttara Kuru
  • **Pandu – Ancestors of the Pandava
  • *Tṛtsu The Tritsus are a sub-group of the Puru who are distinct from the Bharatas mentioned in Mandala 7 of the Rigveda. Under king Sudas they defeated the confederation of ten kings led by the Bharatas at the Battle of the Ten Kings.
  • Ruśama
  • Śālva '
  • Sārasvata – people that dwelt the banks of the Sarasvati river
  • Satvanta
  • Śigru
  • Śiva
  • Srñjaya '
  • Śvikna
  • Turvaśa '
  • Uśīnara '
  • Vaikarṇa '
  • Vaṅga '
  • Varaśikha '
  • Vaśa '
  • Vidarbha
  • Videha
  • Viśaṇin '
  • Vṛcivanta ''
  • Yadu
  • Yakṣu ''''''

    Late Janapadas (c. 1100–500 BCE)

From roughly 1100 to 500 BCE Indo-Aryan peoples and tribes expanded even further throughout ancient northern India.
  • Abhīṣaha ' / Apanga / Aupadha / Alasa –
  • Āhuka / Kuhaka / Kuhuka –
  • Alimadra / Anibhadra / Alibhadra –
  • Aṅga –
  • Āntaranarmada / Uttaranarmada, Sunarmada –
  • Antargiri –
  • Anūpa / Arūpa, Annaja –
  • Aparānta / Purandhra, Aparīta –
  • Arthapa / Atharva –
  • Aśvakūṭa –
  • Ātreya / Atri –
  • Audumbara / Audambara / Audumvara –
  • Auṇḍra –
  • Bahirgiri –
  • Bhadra –
  • Bhadrakāra –
  • Bharadvāja –
  • Bhārgava –
  • Bharukaccha / Bhanukaccha, Bhīrukahcha, Dārukachchha, Sahakaccha –
  • Bhogavardhana / Bhokardan
  • Bhūṣika ' –
  • Bodha / Bāhya –
  • Brahmottara / Suhmottara, Samantara –
  • Carmakhaṇḍika ' / Attakhaṇḍika, Sakheṭaka –
  • Darada –
  • Darva –
  • Daśeraka ' / Karseruka, Kuśeruka –
  • Daśamālika ' / Daśanāmaka, Daśamānika, Daṅśana –
  • Daśarṇa '
  • Druhyu / Hrada, Bhadra –
  • Durga / Durgala –
  • Ganaka –
  • Gāndhāra / Gandharians – the people who lived in Gāndhāra and spoke Gandhari
  • Gonarda / Govinda, Gomanta, Mananda –
  • Haṃsamārga / Sarvaga in Matsya; Haṃsamārga in Vayu and Markandeya; Karnamārga and Haṃsamārga in Vamana; Haṃsamārga Haṃsabhaṅga in Brahmanda –
  • Hāramuṣika ' / Hāramūrtika, Hārapūrika, Sāmuṣaka –
  • Huhuka / Samudgaka, Sahūdaka, Sakṛtraka, Śahuhūka, Sahuhūka –
  • Ijika
  • Jaguda / Jāṇgala, Juhuḍa, Jāguḍa –
  • Jāṇgala –
  • Jñeyamarthaka / Jñeyamallaka, Aṅgiyamarṣaka, Gopapārthiva –
  • Kachchhika / Kāchchhīka, Kacchīya, Kāśmīra, Kacchipa –
  • Kālatoyaka –
  • Kaliṅga / Arkalinga –
  • Kaliṅga –
According to political scientist Sudama Misra, the Kalinga janapada originally comprised the area covered by the Puri and Ganjam districts.
  • Kalitaka / Kālītaka, Anīkaṭa, Tālīkaṭa, Kuntala –
  • Kalivana / Kolavana, Kālivala, Vāridhana, Kalivana –
  • Kantakara / Kanṭakāra, Raddhakaṭaka, Bahubhadra, Kādhara –
  • Kāraskara / Paraṣkara, Kaṭhākṣara, Karandhara –
  • Kārūṣa, later Cedi – Southern and Vindhyan Āryāvarta
  • Kāśi
  • Kasmira –
  • Kathas – in the River Chenab Valley
  • Kauśika –
  • Kekeya / Kaikeyya, Kaikeya, Kaikeya –
  • Khaśa / Khasha – Khaśa, Śaka –
  • Kisaṇṇa –
  • Koṅkaṇa –
  • Kośala –
  • Kośala –
  • Kukkuṭa –
  • Kulūta / Ulūta –
  • Kulya – only Central in Markandeya; only Southern in Vamana and Brahmanda –
  • Kuninda / Pulinda, Kaliṅga, Kalinda –
  • Kuśalya ' –
  • Kuśūdra ' –
  • Kuthaprāvaraṇa / Kuśaprāvaraṇa, Kuntaprāvaraṇa, Apaprāvaraṇa –
  • Lalhitta –
  • Lampāka / Lamaka –
  • Madguraka / Mudgara, Mudagaraka –
  • Madras – in the River Chenab Valley
  • Mādreya –
  • Magadha / Central and Eastern in Vayu and Brahmanda – Magadha
  • Maharāṣṭra ' / Navarāṣṭra – Maharashtra
  • Māheya –
  • Mālada / Mālava, Manada, Mansāda –
  • Malaka –
  • Malavartika – Mallavarṇaka, Mālavartin, Mānavartika, Baladantika –
  • Mālava / Western Malla – they were a people from southern Punjab, including today's Multan city and region, south of the confluence of the Jhelum, Hydaspes for the Greeks, and Ravi, Hydraotes for the Greeks, rivers, they are mentioned by ancient Greek historians in the telling of Alexander III of Macedon's or Alexander the Great Mallian Campaign; Malada, Ekalavya
  • Malla / Eastern Malla / Śālva, Māla, Māia –
  • Maṇḍala / Mālava, Mālava –
  • Māṇḍavya –
  • Māṣa ' –
  • Mātaṅga –
  • Matsya / Yatstha –
  • Mekala / Rokala, Kevala –
  • Mūka –
  • Nāsikya / Vāsikya, Nāsikānta, Nāsika –
  • Nirāhāra / Nigarhara, Nihāra –
  • Pāṇavīya –
  • Pāñcala ' –
  • Pārada / Parita, Pāravata –
  • Paṭaccara ' / Śatapatheśvara –
  • Pūru – Ancestors of the Paurava
  • *Paurava – Descendants of the Puru
  • **Kuru – Ancestors of the Kaurava
  • ***Kaurava – Descendants of the Kuru
  • **Pandu – Ancestors of the Pandava
  • ***Pandava – Descendants of Pandu
  • ****Arjunayana –
  • *****Tomara / Tāmasa –
  • Pluṣṭa ' –
  • Prāgjyotiṣa ' –
  • Pravaṅga / Plavaṅga –
  • Prāvijaya / Prāviṣeya –
  • Priyalaukika / Harṣavardhana, Aṅgalaukika, Aṅgalaukika –
  • Puleya / Kulīya, Pulinda, Pulīya, Pauleya –
  • Rūpasa / Kūpasa, Rūpapa, Rūpaka –
  • Sainika / Pidika, Śūlika, Jhillika –
  • Śālva ' –
  • Saraja –
  • Sārasvata –
  • Sauśalya ' –
  • Sauvīra –
  • Śaśikhādrika ' –
  • Śatadruja ' / Śatadrava –
  • Ṣaṭpura / Padgama, Ṣaṭsura, Paṭava, Bahela –
  • Sindhu / Saindhava –
  • Sirāla / Surāla, Sumīna, Sinīla, Kirāta –
  • Śudra ' / Suhya –
  • Sujaraka –
  • Śulakara ' –
  • Surāṣṭra ' / Saurāṣṭra –
  • Śūrpāraka / Sūrpāraka, Sūryāraka, Sūryāraka –
  • Śūrasena ' / Braj –
  • Taittrika / Taittirika, Turasita, Kurumini, Tubhamina, Karīti –
  • Taksas – in Taksasila or Taxila
  • Talagana / Talagāna, Stanapa, Tāvakarāma, Tālaśāla –
  • Tāmasa / Chamara, Tomara, Tāmara –
  • Tāmas –
  • Tāmralipataka –
  • Taṅgaṇa / Apatha, Gurguṇa –
  • Taṅgaṇa / Tuṅgana –
  • Tāpasa / Svāpada, Tāpaka –
  • Tilaṇga –
  • Traipura –
  • Trigarta –
  • Tugras – in the Sutlej river basin
  • Tūrṇapāda –
  • Utkala –
  • Uttamārṇa / Uttama –
  • Vāhyatodara / Girigahvara –
  • Vaidiśa / Vaidika, Kholliśa –
  • Vaṅga – Central and Eastern in Vamana –
  • Vāṅgeya / Mārgavageya, Rāṅgeya, Vojñeya –
  • Vāṭadhāna –
  • Vatsa / Vamsa –
  • Vātsīya –
  • Vemaka –
  • Videha –
  • Vṛka –
  • Yadu
  • *Haihayas / Heheya '
  • **Avanti – Clan of the Haihayas
  • **Bhoja / Gopta – Clan of the Haihayas
  • **Sharyatas – Clan of the Haihayas.
  • ***Ānarta / Āvantya in Markandeya, Vamana – Subclan of the Sharyatas
  • **Tuṇḍikera / Śauṇḍikera, Tuṣṭikāra – Clan of the Haihayas.
  • **Vītihotra / Vīrahotra, Vītahotra – Clan of the Haihayas
  • *Cedi '' / Chaidyas
  • *Shashabindu / Shashabindava –
  • *Vaidarbha / Vidarbha – Vidarbha
  • *Yadava – Descendants of the Yadu
  • **Ābhīra –
  • ***Northern Ābhīra
  • ***Southern Ābhīra
  • **Kukura –
  • **Satvata –
  • **Vrishni –
  • ***Shainya / Shaineya
  • Yaudheya –