Tribes in Ancient India c43.2

c43.2

The Rāṣṭrikas are mentioned for the first time in the Rock Edicts of Aśoka (V and XIII), along with the Andhras, Pulindas and Bhojas who were included as vassal tribes within Aśoka’s dominions. The Andhras, Pulindas and Bhojas were known as early as the time of the *Aitareya Brāhmaṇa*, but the Rāṣṭrikas find no mention there. The tribe had evidently not come into importance at that time.