Tribes in Ancient India c50.14

c50.14

Coming down to the Epic age, we find the Magadhas frequently mentioned, and much information about the country and the people may be culled from the Great Epics. For instance, the *Rāmāyaṇa* ² tells us that Vasiṣṭha asked Sumantra to invite many pious kings, including the Magadhan king, who was well versed in all the śāstras. King Daśaratha tried to appease his irate queen Kaikeyī by offering to present her with ‘articles manufactured in Magadha’.³ The *Kiṣkindhyā Kāṇḍa* ⁴ informs us that Sugrīva sent monkeys in quest of Sītā to all parts of India, and even beyond its boundaries. Here Magadha is mentioned as one of the countries in the east.