The History and Culture of the Indian People v1.c19.s3.t2.22

v1.c19.s3.t2.22

Vaṅga, from which Bengal proper receives its designation, is not found in early Vedic literature. The *Aitareya Āraṇyaka* (II.1.1) mentions Vaṅgas, Vagadhas, and Cheras as birds, which probably means that they were non-Aryans speaking languages not intelligible to the Aryans. Vagadha in the text appears to be a misreading for Magadha, as both were neighbours. Vaṅgas were residents of Vaṅga or Eastern Bengal. The name also occurs in the *Baudhāyana Dharma-sūtra*.