Public Administration in Ancient India c5.8

c5.8

³ Originally, the term ‘Dasyu’ meant ‘non-Āryan,’ and was similar in signification to the Gr. word ‘barbarian.’ But as many of the non-Āryan tribes disturbed the Āryas in the performance of their sacrifices and carried off their cattle, the term gradually acquired a sinister meaning. The other epithets which the Āryas applied to the aboriginal tribes were ‘Yakshas,’ ‘Rākshasas,’ ‘Nāgas,’ ‘Vānaras,’ and ‘Kinnaras.’