- Uttamabhadras
The Uttamabhadras are an ancient Indian tribe described in the
Mahabharata . They lived in the Punjab. [Ethnic Settlements in Ancient India, p 25.] Uttamabhadras originally were people of Balkh who had entered India in Vedic times. In Vedic times, they were closely related toKurus and thePurus . InKurukshetra war , we also findMadras associated with the Kurus. [ Mahabharata 6.61.12; 4.71.14; 4.74.19; 8.7.15; 8.56.70] KingShalya had taken part in theMahabharata war, on behalf of the Kauravas. Madri, the mother ofPandava -putrasNakula andSahadeva , was a Madraprincess . Madri has also been referred to as Bahliki i.e princess of Bahlika janapada/tribe and king Salya has been referred to as Bahlika-pungava i.e foremost among theBahlikas . Epic also refers to king Ashvapati of Madra, the beloved of the Paura Janapadas, who was father of Savitri. King Vyusitashva was a descendent of Puru a famous king of Rigvedic times. [Geographical Data in Early Puranas, A Critical Study, 1972, p 155, Dr M. R. Singh.]Notes
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