Tribes Listed on Pandava Side

1. Asmaka (aśmaka) - The Puranas associate them with the Iksvaku line of Kshatriyas and Buddhist scriptures refer to their land as a Mahajanapada. Identified with Paithan in Aurangabad district, this janapada may have comprised modern Nasik and Aurangabad. Fought with the Pandavas (VII. 61.39).

dhṛṣṭathyumnaśa ca thurdharṣaḥ śikhaṇḍī cāparājitaḥ |
Aśmakāḥ kekayāśa caiva kaṣatradharmā ca saumakiḥ (VII. 61.39)

Asrodh (asarodha) Jat Gotra started after The Mahabharata Tribe named Ashmaka (aśmaka).[1]

2. Kanana - Possibly Karusha; fought for the Pandavas.

The Mahabharata Tribe - Kanana may be identified with Jat Gotra - Kanara (kaṃṇārā) who live in Jaipur district in Rajasthan.

3. Karusha (karūṣa) - A very ancient tribe and prominent ally of Pandavas; possibly hailed from the south of Kashi. (VI.10.39)

cedivatsāḥ karūṣāśa ca bhojāḥ sindhupulinthakāḥ |
Uttamaujā daśārṇāśa ca mekalāśa cotkalaiḥ saha (VI.10.39)

The Mahabharata Tribe - Karusha (karūṣa) may be identified with Jat Gotra - Karesia (karesiyā) who live in Chittorgarh and Tonk districts in Rajasthan.

4. Kashi (kāśi) - Listed in 'geography' (VI.10.38 and 40); were important allies of the Pandavas.

śūrasenāḥ kaliṅgāśa ca bodhā maukāsa tadaiva ca |
Matsyāḥ sukuṭyaḥ saubalyāḥ kuntalāḥ kāśikośalāḥ (VI.10.38)
pāñcālāḥ kauśikāśa caiva ekapṛṣṭhā yugaṃ dharāḥ |
Saudhā mathrā bhujiṅgāśa ca kāśayo ऽparakāśayaḥ (VI.10.40)

The Mahabharata Tribe - Kashi (kāśi) may be identified with Jat Gotra - Kasya (kāsyā). [2] At present Kasya gotra Jats live in Mandsaur district in Madhya Pradesh. They are in villages Malhargarh in Mandsaur district.

5. Kuninda (kuṇinda) - A widely spread tribe in the Terai of Hardwara (III.141.25), possibly of Jat stock. Also known as Kulinda (from the river Kalindi), their coins have been found near the source of the Yamuna-Ganga. Dwelled north of the Yamuna from Dehradun to Jagadhri. They were the first tribe to be subjugated by Arjuna when he moved northwards from Khandavaprastha (II.23.13 ). Sided with the Pandavas in the war and attacked the Kauravas with a formidable army of elephants (VIII.62.33ff).

pūrvaṃ kuṇinda viṣaye vaśe cakre mahīpatīna |
Dhanaṃjayo mahābāhura nātitīvreṇa karmaṇā (II.23.13 )
khaśā ekāśanājyohāḥ paradarā dīrghavenavaḥ |
Paśupāśa ca kuṇindāśa ca taṅgaṇāḥ parataṅgaṇāḥ (II.48.3)

The Mahabharata Tribe - Kuninda (kuṇinda) may be identified with Jat Gotra - Kunawan (kuṇāvāṃ) who live in Village Renwal in Jaipur district, Rajasthan.

The Salvas were a branch of the Madras and were ruling at Sialkot. These Madras had a branch named Kuninda, who were related to Koliya Naga. We know that the Madras were Vahikas and Jartas. Since according to grammatical illustration of Chandra-gomin the Jarta defeated the Huns, which means Skanda Gupta defeated the Huns. Hence Guptas were Jartas or Jat. [3]

6. Kundivisa (kuṇḍī viṣa) - A tribe with professional soldiers who fought on both sides, they constituted a wing in Yudhisthira's army (VI.46.49).

piśācā daradāśa caiva puṇḍrāḥ kuṇḍī viṣaiḥ saha |
Maḍakā kaḍakāśa caiva taṅgaṇāḥ parapaṅgaṇāḥ (VI.46.49)

The Mahabharata Tribe - Kundivisa (kuṇḍī viṣa) may be identified with Jat Gotra - Kundu (kuṃḍū)

7. Kunti (kunti) - An important tribe (VI. 10.41) of the Bhojas, dwelled near Gwalior. Their king Kunti- Bhoja had matrimonial relations with Pandu; sided with the Pandavas.

jaṭharāḥ kukkuśāśa caiva suthāśārṇāśa ca bhārata |
Kuntayo ऽvantayaśa caiva tadaivāparakuntayaḥ (VI. 10.41)

The Mahabharata Tribe - Kunti (kunti) may be identified with Jat Gotra - Kuntal or Khutel (khuṭela)

8. Kekaya (kekaya) - Famous bowmen in the Great War (VIII.9), Linked with Madra. They were equally divided on both sides. (VII. 61.39)

dhṛṣṭathyumnaśa ca thurdharṣaḥ śikhaṇḍī cāparājitaḥ |
Aśmakāḥ kekayāśa caiva kaṣatradharmā ca saumakiḥ ..39..

The Kekayas were often associated with the Madras, the Usinaras, the Sibis etc and their territory had formed a part of the Vahika (Jat) country, according to the evidence furnished by Panini [4].

9. Kerala (kerala) - A southern Dravida people (VI.10.57) who stood by Yudhishthira in the war (VIII. 8 .15).

daraviḍāḥ keralāḥ parācyā bhūṣikā vanavāsinaḥ |
Unnatyakā māhiṣakā vikalpā mūṣakāsa tadā ..57..

10. Chedi (cedi) - An ancient tribe and power of Madhyadesa, probably Bundelkhand region. Their king, Sishupala allied with Jarasandha, but after the latter's death, his son became an ally of the Pandavas and sided with them in the Great War. (VI.10.39)

cedivatsāḥ karūṣāśa ca bhojāḥ sindhupulinthakāḥ |
Uttamaujā daśārṇāśa ca mekalāśa cotkalaiḥ saha (VI.10.39)

11. Chola (cola) - Hailed from present Tanjore and sided with the Pandavas under the influence of the Pandya king. (VI.46.50)

bāhlikāsa tittirāśa caiva colāḥ pāṇḍyāśa ca bhārata |
Ete janapathā rājana thakṣiṇaṃ pakṣama āśritāḥ (VI.46.50)

bāhlikāsa tittirāśa caiva colāḥ pāṇḍyāśa ca bhārata |
Ete janapathā rājana thakṣiṇaṃ pakṣama āśritāḥ ..50.. (VI.46.50)

The Mahabharata Tribe - Chola (cola) may be identified with Jat Gotra - Choyal (coyala) Chol (cola).

12. Tangana (taṅgaṇa)/Paratangana (parataṅgaṇa) - Famous pair of northern mountaineer tribes (III.141.24), they fought on both sides (VI.46.49; VII.197.36; etc.).

piśācā daradāśa caiva puṇḍrāḥ kuṇḍī viṣaiḥ saha |
Maḍakā kaḍakāśa caiva taṅgaṇāḥ parapaṅgaṇāḥ (VI.46.49)

The Mahabharata Tribe - Tangana (taṅgaṇa) may be identified with Jat Gotra - Tangal (taṃgala) or Tangar (taṃgaḍa़).

13. Tamralipta (tāmralipta) - In the tribute list (II.48.17), probably modern Tamluk, Bengal. They joined the Pandavas in the war (VIII.17.2).

vaṅgāḥ kaliṅga patayasa tāmraliptāḥ sapuṇḍrakāḥ |
Dukūlaṃ kauśikaṃ caiva patrorṇaṃ parāvarāna api (II.48.17)
parācyāśa ca dākṣiṇātyāśa ca paravīrā gajayodhinaḥ |
Aṅgā vaṅgāśa ca puṇḍrāśa ca māgadhāsa tāmraliptakāḥ (VIII. 17.2)

14. Tittira (tittira) - A northwestern tribe that sided with Yudhisthira (VI.46.50). Their land was famous for its fine horses (VI.86.4), (IX.44.80).

bāhlikāsa tittirāśa caiva colāḥ pāṇḍyāśa ca bhārata |
Ete janapathā rājana thakṣiṇaṃ pakṣama āśritāḥ (VI.46.50)
kokilā vadanāśa cānye śayenatittirikānanāḥ |
Kṛkalāsa mukhāśa caiva virajoऽmabaradhāriṇaḥ (IX.44.80)

The Mahabharata Tribe - Tittira (tittira) may be identified with Jat Gotra - Tatran (tātarāna) or Titarwal (tītaravāla)

15. Tumbupa (tumbupa) - Sided with Yudhisthira (VI.46.51); probably hailed from the region north of Narwar stretching from the foothills of the Vindhyas.

agniveṣyā jagata tuṇḍā palathāśāśa ca bhārata |
Śabarāsa tumbupāśa caiva vatsāśa ca saha nākulaiḥ (VI.46.51)

16. Dandaka (daṇḍaka) - Defeated by Sahdeva (II.28.43); they belonged to the forest regions of Bundelkhand. Joined both sides in the war (Pandavas VI.46.49; Kaurava, Vl.47.16)

tataḥ śūrpārakaṃ caiva gaṇaṃ copakṛtāhvayama |
Vaśe cakre mahātejā daṇḍakāṃśa ca mahābalaḥ (II.28.43)

Though Dandaka was mentioned in the epic Ramayana, with great detail, a few mentions of this kingdom is found in the epic Mahabharata. In Sahadeva's conquests - Sahadeva, the Pandava general, and younger brother of Pandava king Yudhisthira, came to southern regions to collect tribute for the Rajasuya sacrifice of the king. Sahadeva, having exacted jewels and wealth from king Rukmin (ruling at the second capital of Vidarbha, named Bhojakata), marched further to the south. There he, reduced to subjection, Surparaka and Talakata, and the Dandakas also. The Kuru warrior then vanquished and brought under his subjection numberless kings of the Mlechchha tribe living on the sea coast (2,30). [5]

The Mahabharata Tribe - Dandaka (daṇḍaka) may be identified with Jat Gotra - Dandak (dāṃdaka).

17. Dashara/Dasharna (daśārṇa)- Listed in 'geography' (VI.10.39); possibly from the western Vindhya region. Sided with Yudhishthira (VI.4).

cedivatsāḥ karūṣāśa ca bhojāḥ sindhupulinthakāḥ |
Uttamaujā daśārṇāśa ca mekalāśa cotkalaiḥ saha (VI.10.39)

The Mahabharata Tribe - Dasharna (daśārṇa) may be identified with Jat Gotra - Dashpuria (daśapuriyā)

18. Dasheraka (dāśeraka) - A northern tribe, sided with the Pandavas (VI.112.108)(VI.46.46).

te videhāḥ kaliṅgāśa ca dāśeraka gaṇaiḥ saha |
Abhipetura niṣāthāśa ca sauvīrāśa ca mahāraṇe (VI.112.108)

dāśārṇakāḥ parayāgāśa ca dāśreraka gaṇaiḥ saha |
Anūpagāḥ kirātāśa ca garīvāyāṃ bharatarṣabha (VI.46.46)

19. Dravida (daraviḍa) - A southern tribe (VI.10.57), joined the Pandavas (viii.8.14).

daraviḍāḥ keralāḥ parācyā bhūṣikā vanavāsinaḥ |
Unnatyakā māhiṣakā vikalpā mūṣakāsa tadā (VI.10.57)

20. Nishada (niṣāda) - In the 'geography' (VI. 10.50); subdued by Bhima (II.27.10) and also Sahdeva (II.28.5). Fought on both sides in the Great War (Pandava, VI.46.47; Kaurava, VI.112.108). Their strongholds covered the entire Vindhya ranges.

śakā niṣādā niṣadhāsa tadaivānartanairṛtāḥ |
Dugūlāḥ paratimatsyāśa ca kuśalāḥ kunaṭāsa tadā (VI. 10.50)

21. Patachchara (paṭaca cara) - A tribe of the south-west, defeated by Sahdeva (II.28.4); they joined Yudhisthira's army (VI.46.47). The epic (II.13.25) lists them with the Yadava and Bhoja tribes who fled westwards for fear of Jarasandha.

sukumāraṃ vaśe cakre sumitraṃ ca narādhipama |
Tadaivāparamatsyāṃśa ca vayajayata sa paṭaca carāna (II.28.4)

uthīcyabhojāśa ca tadā kulānya aṣṭā thaśābhibho |
Jarāsaṃdha bhayātha eva paratīcīṃ thiśama āśritāḥ (II.13.24)
śūrasenā bhadra kārā bodhāḥ śālvāḥ pataca carāḥ |
Susdarāśa ca sukuṭṭāśa ca kuṇinthāḥ kuntibhiḥ saha (II.13.25)
paṭaca caraiśa ca huṇḍaiśa ca rājana pauravakaisa tadā |
Niṣāthaiḥ sahitaśa cāpi pṛṣṭhama āsītha yudhiṣṭhiraḥ (VI.46.47)

Patachchara (paṭaca cara) may be identified with Jat Gotra - Pachar (pacāra)

22. Pamsu Rashtra (pāṃśurāṣṭra) - Gave rich tributes to Yudhisthira (II.48.26). Joined the Pandavas (V.II.20).

pāṃśurāṣṭrātha vasu thāno rājā ṣaḍa viṃśatiṃ gajāna |
Aśvānāṃ ca sahasre thave rājana kāñcanamālināma (II.48.26)

23. Panchala (pāñcāla) - Major allies of the Pandavas; they played an important part in the epic.

pāñcālāḥ kauśikāśa caiva ekapṛṣṭhā yugaṃ dharāḥ |
Saudhā mathrā bhujiṅgāśa ca kāśayo ऽparakāśayaḥ (VI.10.40)

The Mahabharata Tribe - Panchala (pāñcāla) may be identified with Jat Gotra - Pachare (pacahare).

24. Pandya (paṇḍyā) - A Tamil people defeated by Sahdeva (II.28.48) and Karna.(III.241.50). Joined Yudhisthira's army (VI.46.50).

bāhlikāsa tittirāśa caiva colāḥ pāṇḍyāśa ca bhārata |
Ete janapathā rājana thakṣiṇaṃ pakṣama āśritāḥ (VI.46.50)

The Mahabharata Tribe - Pandya (paṇḍyā) may be identified with Jat Gotra - Pandya (paṃḍyā) who live in Tonk district in Rajasthan.

25. Pishacha (piśāca) - Fought in Yudhisthira's army (VI.46.15) as well as the Kuru army (VI.83.8); probably from the region of Kashmir.

tharoṇātha anantaraṃ yatto bhagathattaḥ paratāpavāna |
Māgadhaiśa ca kaliṅgaiśa ca piśācaiśa ca viśāṃ pate (VI.83.8)

26. Pundra (puṇḍra) / (Paundraka)h - An eastern tribe which joined both armies (Pandavas VI.46.49; Kauravas VIII.17.2).

piśācā tharathāśa caiva puṇḍrāḥ kuṇḍī viṣaiḥ saha |
Maḍakā kaḍakāśa caiva taṅgaṇāḥ parapaṅgaṇāḥ (VI.46.49)
parācyāśa ca dākṣiṇātyāśa ca paravīrā gajayodhinaḥ |
Aṅgā vaṅgāśa ca puṇḍrāśa ca māgadhāsa tāmraliptakāḥ (VIII. 17.2)

The Mahabharata Tribe - Pundra (puṇḍra) may be identified with Jat Gotra - Pundir (punḍīra). [6]

27. Paurava (paurava) - The Cr. Ed. Reads Parada, who brought tribute to Yudhisthira (II.47.10 and II.48.12). The Pauravas joined the Pandavas (VI.46.47 and VI.52.13). Arjuna conquered a Paurava settlement near Kashmir.

paṭaca caraiśa ca huṇḍaiśa ca rājana pauravakaisa tadā |
Niṣāthaiḥ sahitaśa cāpi pṛṣṭhama āsītha yudhiṣṭhiraḥ (VI.46.47)

28. Prayaga (parayāga) - Were in the army of Yudhisthira (VI.46.46); could hail from Prayag region.

dāśārṇakāḥ parayāgāśa ca thāśreraka gaṇaiḥ saha |
Anūpagāḥ kirātāśa ca garīvāyāṃ bharatarṣabha (VI.46.46)

29. Bhadra (bhadra) - Associated with Rohitaka and Agreya in Karna's conquest (III. 241.67). They had many branches and fought on both sides in the war (Pandavas VI.52.9 and Kauravas VI.47.9).

citrasenena sahitāḥ sahitāḥ pāṇibhadrakaiḥ |
Bhīṣmama evābhirakṣantu saha sainyapuraskṛtāḥ (VI.47.9)

The Mahabharata Tribe - Bhadra (bhadra) may be identified with Jat Gotra - Bhadu (bhādu)

30. Magadha (māgadha) - Magadha was the most powerful country before the rise of the Pandavas at Indraprastha, but after the fall of Jarasandha, the empire was divided. Jarasandha's son Sahdeva was installed by Pandavas at their capital Giribraja (Rajgir) and supported them in the War. His brother Jalasandha and other princes of Magadha sided with the Kauravas (V.64.6, 164.9).

parācyāśa ca dākṣiṇātyāśa ca paravīrā gajayodhinaḥ |
Aṅgā vaṅgāśa ca puṇḍrāśa ca māgadhāsa tāmraliptakāḥ (VIII. 17.2)

31. Madaka (maḍaka) - A northern tribe in Yudhisthira's army (VI.46.49).

piśācā tharathāśa caiva puṇḍrāḥ kuṇḍī viṣaiḥ saha |
Maḍakā kaḍakāśa caiva taṅgaṇāḥ parapaṅgaṇāḥ (VI.46.49)

The Mahabharata Tribe - Madaka (maḍaka) may be identified with Jat Gotra - Madkalya (maḍa़kālyā) who live in Tonk district in Rajasthan.

832. Matsya (matsya) - An ancient people from time of the Rig Veda. The Mbh (II.13.27) records their defeat at the hands of Jarasandha. They were prominent allies of the Pandavas who lived incognito for one year at the court of King Virata.

tadottarāṃ diśaṃ cāpi parityajya bhayārthitāḥ |
Matsyāḥ saṃnyastapāthāśa ca dakṣiṇāṃ diśama āśritāḥ (II.13.27)

The Mahabharata Tribe - Matsya (matsya) may be identified with Jat Gotra - Machhar (māchara) found in Jaipur and Alwar districts in Rajasthan

33. Marudha (marudha) (-ka, -bhauma)h - Defeated by Sahdeva in the south (II.28.7), they may be the Madhka in Yudhisthira's army. Both 'Maru' and 'Mada' are found in inscriptions; could refer to Jodhpur and Jaisalmer states (modern Marwar). Marudhanva is a term for desert and Marudha may, derive from it.

The Mahabharata Tribe - Marudha (marudha) may be identified with Jat Gotra - Mirdha (mirdhā).

34. Ladaka - Fierce northern tribes who joined the army of Yudhisthira (VI.46.18).

35. Vatsa (vatsa) - A prominent ancient people from modern Allahabad, mentioned in the 'geography' (VI. 10.39). They sided with Yudhisthira in the War (VI.50.51).

cedivatsāḥ karūṣāśa ca bhojāḥ sindhupulinthakāḥ |
Uttamaujā daśārṇāśa ca mekalāśa cotkalaiḥ saha (VI.10.39)

The Mahabharata Tribe - Vatsa (vatsa) may be identified with Jat Gotra - Vats (vatsa) found in District Muzaffarnagar in Uttar Pradesh. This gotra originated after an ancient kingdom of the same name. [8]

36. Vrishnis (vṛṣṇi) - The principal branch of the Yadava confederacy, which ruled in Anarta. Krishna belonged to this tribe (Vrsninam Vasudevosmi, Gita, X.37). Satyaki, an important leader, fought valiantly for the Pandavas. They are mentioned in the tribute list as a northwestern people, and numismatic evidence suggests a Vrishni settlement in northern Punjab. It is likely that a branch of the Vrishnis and Kukuras migrated from Dwarka after its downfall and settled in Punjab.

mahāradaira andhakavṛṣṇibhojaiḥ; saurāṣṭrakaira nairṛtaira āttaśastraiḥ |
Bṛhathbalaḥ kṛtavarmābhigupto; balaṃ tavathīyaṃ thakṣiṇato ऽbhipāti (VI.20.14)

37. Shavara (śavara)- A southern tribe, they joined the Pandavas in the war (VI. 46.51).

51 agniveṣyā jagata tuṇḍā palathāśāśa ca bhārata |
Śabarāsa tumbupāśa caiva vatsāśa ca saha nākulaiḥ (VI. 46.51)

The Mahabharata Tribe - Shavara (śavara) may be identified with Jat Gotra - Shiwar (śīvara).[9]

38. Huna (hūṇa) - A wild northwestern tribe (I. 165.35) which joined the army' of Yudhisthira. Indian Hunas came from the east of Lake Mansarovar in Nari-Khorsam.

yavanāśa ca sa kāmbojā thāruṇā maleccha jātayaḥ |
Sakṣaththruhaḥ kuntalāśa ca hūṇāḥ pāratakaiḥ saha (VI .10.64)