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U.P.P.C.S. Mains 2009

Vedic Tribes

Authentic Past Paper Standard Evaluation

Give the name of the tribe which is not related to the 'Panchjana' of the Rig Veda Aryans:

Solution & Analysis

Answer: D

Concept The 'Panchajana' refers to the five primary tribes that formed the core of the early Aryan expansion into India.

Explanation Rigveda identifies the five tribes as: Anu, Druhyu, Yadu, Turvasa, and Puru. Kikat is mentioned as a hostile non-Aryan or non-Vedic tribe in Bihar.

Logical Breakup
Panchajana: Anu, Druhyu, Yadu, Turvasa, Puru.
Kikat (D): These were people considered 'others' (Anarya) by the Rigvedic poets, located in the Magadha region.

Active Recall

Question

Who were the Kikats in the Rigveda?

Answer

They were an indigenous group located in the Magadha (Bihar) region who did not perform Vedic sacrifices and were viewed with hostility.

Core Insight

The classification of tribes into 'Panchajana' vs. 'Others' like Kikat shows the early development of ethnic and cultural boundaries in ancient India.

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