Pulinda

The Pulindas were an ancient tribe mentioned in various Sanskrit texts of ancient India, including the Mahabharata, the Puranas, and other literary works. They are generally described as living in forested regions, often associated with the Vindhya mountains and other hilly areas of central and western India.

Their exact origins and history are not definitively known, and information about them is primarily derived from literary sources which often present them as a non-Vedic, tribal group living on the periphery of established kingdoms and empires. The Pulindas are sometimes characterized as being fierce and warlike, and are often grouped with other forest-dwelling tribes such as the Sabaras and Nishadas.

The specific geographical location of the Pulindas varied across different texts and time periods, suggesting either a widespread distribution or shifting settlements. Some accounts place them in the region of modern-day Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Gujarat.

The Pulindas are significant because their mention provides insights into the social and political landscape of ancient India and the interaction between settled agricultural societies and forest-dwelling communities. Their presence in ancient literature reflects the diverse ethnic groups that existed in the Indian subcontinent and the ongoing process of cultural exchange and assimilation. While concrete archaeological evidence specifically identifying "Pulinda" settlements remains limited, the literary references provide a valuable glimpse into the historical perception of these tribal groups.