Andhras

The Āndhras were an ancient non-Aryan 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.

Andhras were mentioned in Aitareya Brahmana of the Rigveda (c. 800 BCE) as the exiled sons of the Sage Vishvamitra. In the Mahabharata, the infantry led by Satyaki were said to belong to the Andhra tribe. These combatants were described as being decked with ornaments, possessed of red teeth, and endued with the prowess of infuriated elephants. Attired in robes of diverse colours and smeared with powdered scents, they were armed with swords and nooses, capable of restraining mighty elephants, and remained companions in death who never deserted one another. Equipped with quivers and bearing bows, these warriors were characterised by their long locks, agreeable speech, fierce forms, and great energy. Andhras were also mentioned in the Bhagavata, Vayu, Skanda, Markandeya and Matsya Puranas. Buddhist references to Andhras are also found.

Greek historian Megasthenes, in his Indica (c. 310 BCE), described the Andhras as a distinct race living in the Krishna and Godavari river deltas. 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. 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.