List of the Mahabharata tribes

The Indian epic Mahabharata records the names of tribes existing at the time of the Great War. The tribal inventory has great historical value for modern scholars. Broadly, there are three principal lists in Mahabharata,

#comprising respectively the tribes defeated by Yudhisthira's four brothers (Sabha Parva, chs. 23-29);
#tribes bringing gifts at Yudhisthira's consecration as king emperor (Sabha Parva, chs. 45-48); and
#tribes mentioned in the 'geography' (Bhuvanakosa in Bhishma Parva, ch. X).

Mahabharata is the India's most famous history and epic poem. Yet it is far more than an ordinary narrative of events leading up to a great war, and encompasses both a philosophy of life as well as a code of conduct. The German Indologist Hermann Oldenberg observed:: "In the Mahabharata breathe the united soul of India and the individual souls of her people." [Sandhya Jain: Adideo Arya Devata, A Panoramic view of Tribal-Hindu Cultural Interface, Published in 2004 by Rupa & Co, New Delhi, p.109]

The Mahabharata itself states that that which is not found here cannot be found elsewhere, so comprehensive is its treatment of dharma and the philosophy of life.

Aryanization of native tribes

The incorporation of native tribes into Arya culture began at a very early stage. From the new evidence coming to light about tribal kingdoms in the Gupta and post-Gupta period, and their impulse towards cultural homogenization within their region through acceptance of the Sanskrit language and Brahmin priests and officers, we can surmise that this trend was most likely the result of a natural socio-cultural-political evolution rather than external stimuli. What makes the Mahabharata of special interest is the fact that it reveals a stage when the earliest tribal (kinship) grouping submitted to a larger regional national identity under the pressure of the emergence of some powerful Kshatriya kingdoms. The epic thus reflects a decline in tribal culture and transition to states. [Sandhya Jain: Adideo Arya Devata, A Panoramic view of Tribal-Hindu Cultural Interface, Published in 2004 by Rupa & Co, New Delhi, p.112]

The simplest definition of a tribe is a group of clans claiming common descent and united for a common purpose, such as war or sacrifice; it constitutes the oldest form of social organization and generally originates in a specific territory. The earliest terms used for such an organized human group in the Rig Veda were "jana" and "vis". Zimmer regarded vis as identical with the tribe and different from grama which, he felt, represented a clan and was midway between family (kula) and tribe (vis). A.C. Das believed that an aggregation of Vedic families formed a gotra, a group, of gotras constituted a gosthi, and gosthis became a grama. A number of gramas formed a vis, (district) and an aggregate of the latter formed a jana (tribe). The word vis implies settlers and marks a change from the nomadic state; it was probably an early form of the janapada, the term used in later Vedic texts. [Sandhya Jain: Adideo Arya Devata, A Panoramic view of Tribal-Hindu Cultural Interface, Published in 2004 by Rupa & Co, New Delhi, p.112]

Mahabharata Parvas with tribes

The epic Mahabharata Parvas which mention about the tribes are as under with chapters

Alphabetical list of tribes

Here is the alphabetical list of all tribes recorded in Mahabharata with the section where it appears in the epic:

A

• Abhira (II.29.9),• Abhisara (VI.10.52),• Adhiraja (II.28.3),• Adidaya (),• Agreya (),• Ajaneya (VIII.4.96),• Ambastha (II.48.14),• Amra (),• Anarta (V.7.4),• Andhaka (VI.20.14),• Andhra (VI.10.48),• Anga (VIII.17.2),• Antargirya (),• Anupaka (III.116.19),• Anupavrt (),• Aparanta (),• Aparaparyata (),• Aparaseka (),• Aparavartaka (),• Aparavartaka (VI.10.61),• Aratta (VII.165.69),• Arbuka (),• Arevaka (VI.47.7),• Ashmaka (VII.61.39),• Ashvataka (VI.47.15),• Atavisavara (),• Atreya (VI.10.67),• Audumbara (II.48.12),• Aupaka (VI.10.67),• Avanti (),• Avasira (),

B-D

• Babbar (),• Bahlika (),• Bahurvadya (VI.10.53),• Baliha (V.72.14),• Balirashtra (VI.10.43),• Barbara (XII.200.40),• Bhadra (VI.47.9),• Bhadrakara (II.13.25),• Bhardwaja (VI.10.67),• Bharga (II.27.10),• Bhargava (VI.10.49),• Bhoja (VI.20.14),• Bodha (II.13.25),

• Charmakhandika (VI.10.46),• Chedi (VI.10.39),• Chichchhila (VI.83.9),• China (VI.10.65),• Chitraka (II.46.21),• Chola (VI.46.50),• Chuchupa (VI.47.16),

• Dandaka (II.28.43),• Darva (VI.10.53),• Darvika (VI.10.53),• Dasam (),• Dashamalika (VI.10.65),• Dashameya 0,• Dashaparsva VI.10.54,• Dasar (),• Dasharna (VI.10.39),• Dasheraka (VI.112.108),• Diptaksha (V.72.15),• Dirghavenava (II.48.3),• Dravida (VI.10.57),• Dugula (VI.10.50),• Dvalpeya (),• Dvarapala (II.29.10),• Dwadashaksha (IX.44.54),

E-H

• Ekapada (II.28.47),• Ekaprashtha (VI.10.40),• Ekasana (II.48.3),• Gandhara (VI.10.52),• Gargya (),• Gaya (II.48.15),• Giri-gahvara (),• Gopala (),• Gopalakaccha (VI.10.55),• Goparashtra (VI.10.42),• Goshringa (II.28.5),• Govasana (II.47.5),• Govinda (VI.10.42),• Guha (),• Haihaya (XIII.31.7),• Haimavata (II.47.19),• Hamsakayana (II.48.13),• Hamsamarga (VI.10.68),• Harahuna (II.29.11),• Harivarsha (II.25.7),• Hataka (II.25.3),• Huna (VI.10.64),

J-K

• Jaguda (III.48.21),• Jangala (VI.l0.37),• Jartika (),• Jata (IX.44.54),• Jathara (VI.10.41),• Jyoha (II.48.3),• Kaccha (VI.10.55),• Kaisika (),• Kaka (VI.10.63),• Kaksha (VI. 10.47),• Kalada (),• Kalakuta (II.23.14),• Kalamukha (II.28.45),• Kalatoyaka (VI.X.45),• Kalinga (III.114.4),• Kalkala (VI.10.60),• Kamboja (VII.67.67),• Kanana (),• Kanka (II.47.26),• Kara Bhanjaka (VI.10.68),• Karahataka (),• Karantha (VI.10.61),• Karaskara (II.46.21),• Karisaka (VI.10.54),• Karkakhanda (),• Karkotaka (II.9.9),• Karnapravarna (VI.47.13),• Karnata (II.31.6),• Karnika (VI.10.58),• Karpasika (II.47.7),• Karusa (VI.10.39),• Karvata (),• Kashi (VI.10.38),• Kashmira (VI.10.52),• Kaukuttaka (VI.10.58),• Kausija (),• Kayavya (II.48.12),• Kekaraka (II.28.45),• Kekaya (VII.61.39),• Kerala (VI.10.57),• Kevala (V.19.29),• Khasa ((II.48.3),• Kichaka (I.144.2),• Kirata (VI.20.13),• Kitava (II.47.10),• Kokanada (II.24.17),• Kolla-giri (II.28.45),• Konkana (VI.10.58),• Kopana (VI.10.59),• Koshala (VI.83.9),• Kratha (),• Krmi (),• Krvi (),• Kshudraka (II.48.14),• Kukkuta (),• Kukura (VI.47.7),• Kulaka (VI.10.61),• Kulata (),• Kuluta (VI.10.52),• Kumara (II.27.1),• Kunata (VI.10.50),• Kundamana (II.48.13),• Kundivisa (VI.46.49),• Kuninda (II.23.13),• Kuntala (II.31.11),• Kunti (VI.10.41),• Kuraka (VI.10.61),• Kurontha (VI.10.61),• Kuru (),• Kusala (VI.10.50),• Kusavindu (VI.10.54),• Kuttaparanta (),

L-M

• Ladaka (),• Lalataksha (II.47.15),• Lalittha (VIII.4.46),• Lampaka (),• Langala (VI.l0.55),• Lata 0,• Loha (II.24.24),• Lohajangha (II.46.21),• Lohita (II 24.16),• Madaka (VI.46.49),• Madaviraka (II.27.9),• Madhumanta (VI.1 0.51),• Madhyamikeya (II.48.13),• Madra (II.29.13),• Magadha (VIII.17.2),• Mahechchha (II.29.6),• Mahishaka (VI.10.57),• Mahishakarshika (VI.10.45),• Mahishmati (II.28.11),• Malada (VI.10.48),• Malaka (VI.10.61),• Malava (VI.83.6),• Malavanaka (VI.10.58),• Malla (VI.10.45),• Manavarjaka (VI.10.48),• Mandaka (VI.10.42),• Maradha (VI.10.65),• Marudha (),• Matsya (II.13.27),• Mauleya (II.48.14),• Mavellaka (VIII.4.47),• Mekala (VI.10.39),• Moda-giri (II.27.19),• Modana (),• Modapura (II.24.10),• Moka (VI.10.38),• Mudgala (),• Munda (III.48.21),• Murachipattana (II.28.45),• Mushaka (VI.10.57),

N-P

• Naimisha (VIII.30.60),• Nairrta (VI.10.50),• Nalakalaka (VI.10.50),• Nandivega (V.72.17),• Narayana (VII.66.38),• Narayana (),• Navarastra (II.28.6),• Nipa (II.46.21),• Nishada (VI.10.50),• Odra (II.28.48),• Pahlava (VI.20.13),• Pamsu Rashtra (II.48.26),• Panchakarpata (II.29.6),• Panchala (VI.10.40),• Panchanada (II.29.10),• Pandya (VI.46.50),• Panibhadraka (VI.47.9),• Panitaka (VI.10.42),• Para Samcaraka (VI.10.60),• Parada (VI.83.7),• Parahuta (VI.10.45),• Parantangana VI.9.63,• Parasika (VI.10.51),• Parataka (),• Paratangana (VI.46.49),• Paravrsheya (VI.10.49),• Parostha (VI.10.60),• Pasu (II.48.3),• Patachchra (VI.46.47),• Pattana (),• Pattibhanjaka (VI.10.62),• Pauraka (II.48.13),• [Paurava (VI.46.47),• Pichchhanda (II.28.47),• Pishacha (VI.83.8),• Prabhadraka (VI.52.14),• Prachya (VI.10.57),• Pradara (),• Prakustaka (VI.10.51),• Pramuda (),• Prasthala (VI.83.10),• Pratimatsya (VI.6.50),• Prayaga (VI.46.46),• Pulinda (VI.83.7),• Pundra (VI.46.49),

R-S

• Rajanya (II. 48.13),• Rajika (),• Ramaka (),• Ramatha (II. 29.11),• Rasyakagana (),• Rathoraga (VI.10.53),• Rohitaka (II.29.4),• Roma (),• Romaka (VI.10.54),• Rshika II. 24.24,• Sahyottara (),• Saindhava (III.48.21),• Sairindhra (VI.10.56),• Sakala (II.23.15),• Sakshaddruha (VI.10.64),• Samanga (),• Samsthana (),• Sanjayanti (),• Sarmaka (),• Sarvasenaya (VI.10 59),• Satiya (VI.10.62),• Satrirajya (III.48.21),• Satvata (),• Saubalya (VI.10.38),• Saubdhida (VI.10.58),• Saudha (VI.10.40),• Saundika (II.48.15),• Sauvira (V.72.14),• Savara (VI.46.51),• Savitriputraka (VIII.4.47),• Sheka (),• Shaka (VI.20.13),• Shalva (VI.18.13),• [Shanavatya] (II.48.15),• Shanda (VI.10.42),• Shauvala (VI.10.52),• Shirisaka (II.29.6),• Shivi (II.29.6),• Shukara (II.48.24),• Siddha (VI.10.55),• Simhala (),• Simhapura (II.24.19),• Sindhu (VIII.4.11),• Sirala (VI.10.62),• Somaka (I.185.1),• Sopadesa (II.27.9),• Srnjaya (),• Stanapa (VI.10.62),• Sudamana (VI.10.53),• Sudesna (VI.10.45),• Sudra (VI.10.46),• Suhma (II.24.20),• Sukatya (VI.10.38),• Sumallika (VI.10.53),• Sundaka (),• Sundaravega (V.72.15),• Suparsv (II.27.7),• Sura (),• Surasena (VI.47.7),• Surastra (VI.10.47),• Surparaka (II.28.43),• Susthara (II.13.25),

T

• Talajangha (V.72.13),• Talakata (),• Talavan (II.28.48),• Tamara (VI. 10.68),• Tamradvipa (),• Tamralipta (II.48.17),• Tangana (VI.46.49),• Taratoya (VI.l0.51),• Tarkshya (II.48.14),• Tilaka (VI.l0.51),• Timingila (II.28.46),• Tiragraha (VI.l0.51),• Tittira (VI.46.50),• Trigarta (VI.47.7),• Tripura (),• Tryanga (VI.l0.60),• Tryasha (II.47.15),• Tumbupa (VI.46.51),• Tundikera (VIII.4.47),• Tushara (VI.10.66),

U-Z

• Udra (II.28.48),• Uluka (V.157.3),• Unntyaka (VI.10.57),• Upavrt (),• Uraga (II.24.18),• Usinara (XII.29.35),• Ustrakarnika (II.28.48),• Utkala (VI.10.39),• Utsavasanketa (II.29.8),• Uttama (VI.10.39),• Uttarajyoti (II.29.10),• Uttarakurava (II.48.6),• Vadhra (VI.10.54),• Vahika (VI.9.45),• Vairama (II.47.10),• Vaiyamaka (II.48.12),• Vakra (VI.10.43),• Vanarasya (VI.10.43),• Vanavasina (VI.10.57),• Vanayu (VI.10.54),• Vanga (VIII.17.2),• Varmaka (II.27.12),• Vasatis (VI.18.12),• Vastrapa (II.48.14),• Vatadhana (VI.52.4),• Vatajama (VI.10.53),• Vatsa (VI.10.39),• Venika (VI.47.7),• Vidarbha (VI.47.13),• Videha (VI.112.108),• Vijaya (VI.10.44),• Vikalpa (VI.10.57),• Vikarna (VI.47.15),• Vikunja (VI.52.9),• Vindhyap (VI.10.60),• Viraka (VIII.30.45),• Vrika (V.31.19),• Vrishnis (VI.20.14),• Vrndataka (II.29.10),• Yakrllomana (VI.10.44),• Yaudheya (II.48.13),• Yavana (I.80.26),• Yugandhara (VII.15.30),

See also

*Kingdoms of Ancient India

Notes

References

* [http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/mbs/index.htm Mahabharata Online]
*Sandhya Jain: Adideo Arya Devata, A Panoramic view of Tribal-Hindu Cultural Interface, Published in 2004 by Rupa & Co, 7/16, Ansari Road, Daryaganj, New Delhi,