• Source: Puru (Vedic tribe)

The Poureai alias Purus were an Indo aryan tribal alliance or a confederation of tribes that existed between c. 1700–1400 BCE. There were several factions of Purus, one being the Bharatas. The Purus and the Bharatas were the two most prominent tribes in most of the Rigveda. The chief of tribe was called Rajan The Purus rallied many other groups against King Sudas of the Bharata, but were defeated in the Battle of the Ten Kings (RV 7.18, etc).




Etymology


The name Puru is of possible Indo-Aryan origin.




Rigveda


In Mandala 6, it is recalled that Purukutsa, chieftain of Purus, had destroyed autumnal forts in the Afghan mountains. In Mandala 4, it is stated that as a result of his Ashvamedha (Horse Sacrifice) with the horse Daurgaha, his son Trasadasyu was born.
In Mandala 4, Trasadasyu is the chieftain of the Purus. In addition to being the son of Purukutsa, Trasadasyu is also described as Gairikṣita, meaning descendant of Girikṣit. Trasadasyu lived on the western side of the Indus River (Sindhu) while Mandala 4 was being composed, but he also moved into the land of Seven Rivers and defeated the Anu-Druhyus and Yadu-Turvashas. He molded the conquered tribes and the Purus into the Pancha-janah (Five Peoples). To celebrate his victory he conducted an Ashvamedha with his horse, Dadhrikā. Dadhrikā is extolled in RV 4.38-40, and in these hymns, Dadhrikā is stated to have become a divine being, the sacrificial horse of the Ashvamedha, and a symbol of Puru and Indo-Aryan dominance. Trasadasyu's son was Tṛkṣi.
Scholars who adhere to Hermann Grassmann's interpretation of Rigveda 7.92.2 state that by Mandala 7, the Purus had reached the Sarasvati river.




Claimants


Later rulers may have claimed lineage to the Puru clan to bolster their legitimacy. Modern scholars conjecture that Porus may have been a Puru king. However, Porus is not known in Indian sources.




See also


Vedic period
Vedas
Bharatas (Vedic tribe)
Yadava
Janapada
Rigvedic rivers
Historical Vedic religion
List of ancient Indo-Aryan peoples and tribes
History of India
History of Hinduism
List of Indian monarchs
Indus Valley Civilization
Outline of ancient India
Pottery in the Indian subcontinent




Notes






References


Kosambi, Damodar Dharmanand (1966). Ancient India: A History of its Culture and Civilisation. Delhi: Pantheon Books. pp. 81–83.
Prakash, Buddha (1964). Political and Social Movements in Ancient Panjab. Delhi, Patna, Varanasi: M. Banarsidass. p. 77.

Kata Kunci Pencarian:

• Puru (Vedic tribe)
• Bharatas (Vedic tribe)
• List of ancient Indo-Aryan peoples and tribes
• Puru
• Kuru kingdom
• Purus
• Vedic period
• Yadava
• Vedas
• Rigveda