Andhras

The Āndhras were an ancient non-aryan tribe of south-central Indian subcontinent, whose existence is attested during the Iron Age. Andhras were mentioned in the ancient Hindu scriptures such as the Aitareya Brahmana, Ramayana, Mahabharata and Puranas. The kingdom inhabited and ruled by Andhras was called Āndhra or Āndhradeśa, and was based in the Deccan region. The modern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, derives its name from this historic tribe and region.

Andhras were mentioned in Aitareya Brahmana of the Rigveda (c. 500 BCE) as descendants of Sage Vishvamitra.^[1] In the Mahabharata the infantry of Satyaki was composed of a tribe called Andhras, known for their long hair, tall stature, sweet language, and mighty prowess. They lived along the banks of the Godavari river. Andhra communities were also mentioned in the Bhagavata Vayu, Skanda, Markandeya and Matsya Purana. Buddhist references to Andhras are also found.^[2]

Greek historian Megasthenes reported in his Indica (c. 310 BCE) that Andhras were living in the Godavari and Krishna river deltas, and were famous for their military strength which was second only to Mauryans in all of India. They had 30 fortified towns along the Godavari River and an army of 100,000 infantry, 2,000 cavalry and 1,000 elephants.^[3] They were also mentioned at the time of the death of the Mauryan Emperor Ashoka in 232 BCE. The Satavahanas were referred to as the Andhras, Andhra-bhṛtyas or Andhra-jatiyas in the Puranas.^[4]