Andhras

This article is about the ancient tribe. For the ethno-linguistic group, see Telugu people. For the present-day state, see Andhra Pradesh.

The Āndhras were an ancient non-Aryan^[1][2] tribe of south-central Indian subcontinent, whose existence is attested during the Iron Age. The Eastern Deccan region inhabited by Andhras was called Andhradesa. The modern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, derives its name from this historic tribe and region.

Āndhra during the late-Vedic period

Andhras were mentioned in Aitareya Brahmana of the Rigveda (c. 800 BCE) as descendants of Sage Vishvamitra.^[3] 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. Andhras were also mentioned in the Bhagavata, Vayu, Skanda, Markandeya and Matsya Puranas. Buddhist references to Andhras are also found.^[4]

The Greek historian Megasthenes, in his Indica (c. 310 BCE), described the Andhras as a distinct race living in the Krishna and Godavari river deltas.^[5] They were famous for their military strength, which was second only to that of the Mauryans in all of Indian subcontinent. They had 30 fortified towns, an army of 100,000 infantry, 2,000 cavalry and 1,000 elephants.^[6][7] 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.^[8]

Location

The Andhras lived in the fertile deltas formed by the Krishna and Godavari rivers.^[9] These rivers, which carried large amounts of silt, created expansive and nutrient rich floodplains that enhanced the fertility of the surrounding land. Kolleru Lake, located between the two river deltas, played a vital role in the region’s ecology and historical development. The deltaic zone, with its exceptionally rich alluvial soil—regarded as among the most fertile in the world—and abundant water resources, supported a thriving agrarian economy and facilitated the growth of prosperous towns and cities.^[10] The political centre of the Andhras was Andhapura.

Hindu Texts

See also: Hindu texts

Rigveda

According to Aitareya Brahmana of the Rigveda, the sage Vishvamitra had hundred sons; fifty of them were older than Madhuchhanda, and fifty were younger. The older ones were not pleased with (the installation of Sunahsepa to the primogeniture). Visvamitra then pronounced against them a curse: “You shall have the lowest castes for your descendants. ” Therefore are many of the most degraded classes of men, the rabble for the most part, such as the Andhras, Pundras, Sabaras, Palindas, and Mutibas, descendants of Visvamitra....”^[11] All of those tribes are referred to as Dasyus, or non-Aryans living on the fringes of Aryan settlements.^[12]

Aitareya Brahmana is generally not taken as a basis as it evolved and grew for over 2500 years, with many additions throughout the time, until it was canonised in mediaeval times.

Ramayana

The Ramayana connects the tribe with the Godavari region.

Nadlm Godavarlm caiva sarvamevanupa^yatah
Tathaivandhramsca PundramSca cotan Pandramscaveratan
— Ram. Kish. Kan. 41 chap. 12.

Mahabharata

• In the Mahabharata, the infantry of the Yadava chieftain Satyaki was composed of a tribe called Andhras, known for their long hair, tall stature, sweet language, and mighty prowess.

• The Mahabharata (Mbh 6.9) lists the Andhras among other notable tribes of the time: "...the Kutas, the Maheyas, the Kakshas, the Samudranishkutas; the Andhras..."
• During his southern military campaign, Sahadeva subdued the Andhras, Dravidas, and other southern tribes (Mbh 2.30). Later, Arjuna also encountered and subjugated the Andhras and Mahishakas during his post-Kurukshetra War conquest (Mbh 14.83).
• The Andhras, along with the Kalingas, were among the tribes subdued by Karna during his southern conquest (Mbh 7.4).
• Krishna is recorded as the slayer of Chanura of the Andhra country (Mbh 13.149).
• The Andhras participated in Yudhishthira's Rajasuya Yajna alongside several prominent kingdoms, signifying their royal stature (Mbh 2.33).
• Alliances in the War:
  • As Pandava Allies: The Andhras, alongside the Dravidas and Kuntalas, were mentioned as part of the alliance supporting the Pandavas in the conversation between Krishna and Karna. (Mbh 5.140).
  • As Kaurava Allies: They were also listed among the tribes supporting Duryodhana in the Kurukshetra War (Mbh 5.161–162). The message sent by Duryodhana to the Pandavas:

    "The Kamvojas, the Sakas, the Khasas, the Salwas, the Matsyas, the Kurus of the middle country, the Mlechchhas, the Pulindas, the Dravidas, the Andhras, and the Kanchis — these tribes protect my army."

Puranas

• Srimada Bhagavatam refer to Andhras, Pundras, Sabaras, Palindas, and Mutibas as Mleccha.
• Markandeya Purana refers to a tribe called the Andhrarakas along with the Maulikas, Asmakas, Bhogavardhanas, Naisikas, Kuntalas etc., as people inhabiting the Southern region.^[13]

Andhras are also mentioned in the Vayu, Skanda and Matsya Purana. Buddhist references to Andhras are also found.^[4][14][15]

Buddhist Texts

See also: Buddhist texts

Amarāvatī in Andhra Pradesh is a major site for early Buddhist sculptures, some of which depict serpent-headed figures—possibly symbolic representations. The area was also known as Nāgadeśa, and its rulers as Nāgas.^[16][17]

Andhra’s prominence in Buddhism is supported by its numerous monastic sites and trade routes. Vengi served as a major center, connected to Kaliṅga, Draviḍa, Kārṇāṭa, Maharāṣṭra, and Kosala.

Early History

Megasthenes reported in his Indica (c. 303 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.^[6] Indica states that Andhra was a great and powerful nation settled originally in the Deccan between the lower Godavari and Krishna region, and had spread their sway towards the north as far as tho upper course of tho Narmada, before the time of Megasthenes.^[18]

The earliest epigraphic mention of the Andhra people is made in the Edicts of Ashoka, Andhras along with Pulindas were mentioned as border people. Andhras 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.^[19]

9. hidā laja viśavashi Yona Kambojeshu Nabhaka Nabhapamtishu Bhoja Pitinikyeshu
10. Adha Paladeshu shavata Devānampiyashā dhammanushathi anuvatamti[] yata pi dutā
— Ashoka, Rock Edict 13 , Kalsi Rock, South Portion

Translation : 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 Pulinda, everywhere (people) are conforming to Ashoka instruction in morality.

Andhra Kingdom

The first major Andhra polity in the Indian subcontinent were the Satavahanas, also referred to as the Andhras (also Andhra-bhṛtyas or Andhra-jatiyas), which ruled over the entire Deccan plateau and established trade relations with the Roman Empire.^[20] Most modern scholars believe that the Satavahana rule began in the late second century BCE and lasted until the early third century CE, although some assign the beginning of their rule to as early as the 3rd century BCE based on the Puranas. Various Puranas give different lists of the Satavahana rulers. The first king of the Andhra-Bhrityas is also known as Shudraka or Suraka in the Kumarika Khanda of Skanda Purana.^[21] The Matsya Purana states that 30 Andhra kings ruled for 460 years, but some of its manuscripts name only 19 kings whose reigns add up to 448.5 years. TheVayu Purana also mentions that there were 30 Andhra kings.^[22]

The word Andhras was observed from Udyotana's description of "those with beautiful bodies, who love women and war alike, and are great consumers of food" in 779 CE.^[23] The references to Andhra also comes from the Jataka tales and the Pallava inscriptions as Andhapatham and Andhakas, referring to the region and its people respectively.^[24]

See also

• History of Andhra Pradesh
• Kingdoms of Ancient India