Nishadas

Not to be confused with Niṣāda, Nishada (moth), or Nishadha.

Nishada (niṣāda) is a tribe mentioned in ancient Indian literature (such as the epic Mahabharata). The ancient texts mention several kingdoms ruled by this tribe.[1]

In the Mahabharata, the Nishadas are described as hunters, fishermen, mountaineers or raiders that have the hills and the forests as their abode.[2] Their origin is associated with a king called Vena who became a slave to wrath and malice, and became unrighteous. Sages killed him for his malice and wrongdoings.[3]

In the epic Ramayana, a king named Guha of the Nishada clan assists Rama during his period of exile. Ekalavya is stated to be an archer of a Nishada tribe in the text.[4]

  1. ^ Gopal, Ram (1983). India of Vedic Kalpasūtras (2 ed.). Motilal Banarsidass. p. 116. ISBN 9780895816351. Retrieved 9 March 2016.
  2. ^ www.wisdomlib.org (2014-08-03). "Nishada, Niṣāda, Nisāda, Nisada, Nisha-ada: 24 definitions". www.wisdomlib.org. Retrieved 2022-11-09.
  3. ^ Anand; Sekhar, Rukmini (2000). Vyasa and Vighneshwara. Katha. p. 31. ISBN 9788187649076. Retrieved 9 March 2016.
  4. ^ Manish Kumar (January 0101). Eklavya. Prabhat Prakashan. ISBN 9789351861447.