Pulinda (Sanskrit: Pulinda) was an ancient tribe of south-central South Asia whose existence is attested during the Iron Age. The Pulindas were a non-Indo-Aryan tribe.[1][2]
During the later Vedic period, the Pulindas were living to the south-east of the Daśārṇas.[2]
Though clearly associated with the Vindhyan region, the Pulindas are sometimes believed to have had multiple tribal branches that ranged up to the Himalayan region and Assam.[3] In the Himalayan region, ancient Indian literature often mentions them in conjunction with the Kiratas.[3]
The Rock Edicts of Ashoka (269 BCE - 231 BCE) mention the Pulindas, their capital Pulinda-nagara, and their neighboring tribes. Vayu Purana mentioned their capital located in present-day Jabalpur DistrictofMadhya Pradesh state.[4]
Likewise here in the king's (Ashoka ) territory, among the Yonas and Kambojas, among the Nabhakas and Nabhapamkits, among the Bhojas and the Pitinikas, among the Andhras and the Pulindas, everywhere (people) are conforming to Beloved-Of-God (Ashoka) instruction in morality.
— Ashoka, Rock Edict 13 , Kalsi Rock, South Portion
Basak identifies them with the hill tribes of the Vindhya and Satpura ranges, more specifically the Bhils.[5] Pulindas together with the Sabaras are mentioned by KautilyainArthashastra.[6]
... The Pulindas were a hill tribe usually connected with the Vindhyan range. Partiger notices several branches of the Pulinda tribe, viz. (1) a western branch, (2) a Himalayan branch related to the Kiratas and Tanganas, and (3) a southern branch ...
... in Rock Edict XIII ... we have to place them somewhere to the north or the north-east of the Andhras ... In the Vayu-Purana, the southern branch of the Pulindas has been placed side by side with the Vindhya-muliyas ... their capital is mentioned as Pulinda-nagara and their kingdom as contiguous with the Chedi country ... the Jubbulpur District ...
Pulindas together with the Sabaras are mentioned by Kautalya in his Arthashastra.
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