Tribes in Ancient India c16.4

c16.4

In the *Mahābhārata*, also, these two tribes are often associated, both having rallied on the side of Duryodhana.² Two Trigartta heroes famous as Saṃsaptakas (bound by an oath to kill others) seem to have played an important part in the Kurukṣetra war.³ The Trigarttas along with the Śālvas, Ambaṣṭhas, and other tribes were included in the army of Bhīṣma.⁴ In the course of the war the Trigarttas seem to have had a hard fight with Nakula, the fourth Pāṇḍava,⁵ while on another occasion their King Suśarmā fought a stiff battle with Arjuna.⁶ As a result of the war, the Trigarttas along with the Kaśmīras, Mālavas, Śivis, Yaudheyas, Ambaṣṭhas, and other tribes were totally defeated, and they all paid homage to Yudhiṣṭhira.⁷