The History and Culture of the Indian People v1.c19.s3.t2.1

v1.c19.s3.t2.1

The status, formation, and nomenclature of the various tribes mentioned in the *Ṛigveda* underwent considerable changes during the period under review. Many of the old tribes disappear, pale into insignificance, are merged into others, or are known under new names, and many fresh tribes rise into prominence. The five premier tribes of the Punjab, the Pūrus, Anus, Druhyus, Yadus, and Turvaśas recede into the background. The Pūrus, as already indicated, have along with the Bharatas amalgamated with the Kurus who occupy the territory these two tribes held, and along with their allies, the Pañchālas, are the pre-eminent people in the period. The Bharatas as a tribe disappear, but the fame of their kings is not lost to the texts of this period. Bharata Dauḥshanti and Sātrājita are mentioned as famous kings and performers of the Aśvamedha, and Bharata kings are spoken of as winning victories over the Kāśis and Sātvants and as performing sacrifices on the Gaṅgā and the Yamunā.