Tribes in Ancient India c10.2

c10.2

The Cedis formed one of the most ancient tribes among the Kṣatriyas in early Vedic times. As early as the period of the Ṛgveda, the Cedi kings had acquired great renown by their munificent gifts at sacrifices, and also by their great prowess in battle. Ṛṣi Brahmātithi of the family of Kāṇva sings the praises of King Kaśu, the Caidya, in a hymn addressed to the Aśvins (*Ṛgveda*, VIII, 5, 37-9). From this account, even making allowances for some exaggeration, which is inevitable in these Dānastutis or laudatory verses for munificence and charity, one may conclude that the Cedi king was very powerful, for he is described as making a gift of ten Rājās or kings as slaves to a priest who officiated at one of his sacrifices.