The ÃÂndhras were an ancient non-Aryan tribe of south-central Indian subcontinent, whose existence is attested during the Iron Age. The Eastern Deccan region inhabited by Andhras was called Andhradesa. The modern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, derives its name from this historic tribe and region.
Andhras were mentioned in Aitareya Brahmana of the Rigveda () as the exiled sons of the Sage Vishvamitra. In the Mahabharata, the infantry led by Satyaki were said to belong to the Andhra tribe. These combatants were described as being decked with ornaments, possessed of red teeth, and endued with the prowess of infuriated elephants. Attired in robes of diverse colours and smeared with powdered scents, they were armed with swords and nooses, capable of restraining mighty elephants, and remained companions in death who never deserted one another. Equipped with quivers and bearing bows, these warriors were characterised by their long locks, agreeable speech, fierce forms, and great energy. Andhras were also mentioned in the Bhagavata, Vayu, Skanda, Markandeya and Matsya Puranas. Buddhist references to Andhras are also found.
Greek historian Megasthenes, in his Indica (), described the Andhras as a distinct race living in the Krishna and Godavari river deltas. They were famous for their military strength, which was second only to that of the Mauryans in all of Indian subcontinent. They had 30 fortified towns, an army of 100,000 infantry, 2,000 cavalry and 1,000 elephants. They were also mentioned at the time of the death of the Mauryan Emperor Ashoka in 232 BCE. The Satavahanas were referred to as the Andhras, Andhra-bhá¹Âtyas or Andhra-jatiyas in the Puranas.
The Andhras lived in the fertile deltas formed by the Krishna and Godavari rivers. These rivers, which carried large amounts of silt, created expansive and nutrient rich floodplains that enhanced the fertility of the surrounding land. Kolleru Lake, located between the two river deltas, played a vital role in the region's ecology and historical development. The deltaic zone, with its exceptionally rich alluvial soilâÂÂregarded as among the most fertile in the world and abundant water resources, supported a thriving agrarian economy and facilitated the growth of prosperous towns and cities. The political centre of the Andhras was Andhapura.
According to Aitareya Brahmana of the Rigveda, the sage Vishvamitra had hundred sons; fifty of them were older than Madhuchhanda, and fifty were younger. The older ones were not pleased with (the installation of Sunahsepa to the primogeniture). Visvamitra then pronounced against them a curse: âÂÂYou shall have the lowest castes for your descendants. â Therefore, are many of the most degraded classes of men, the rabble for the most part, such as the Andhras, Pundras, Sabaras, Palindas, and Mutibas, descendants of Visvamitra....â All of those tribes are referred to as Dasyus, or non-Aryans living on the fringes of Aryan settlements.
Historian E. J. Rapson notes that while Andhras were classified as 'outcasts' in the Brahmana, they likely remained Dravidian in blood and speech during this period, even as they were being integrated into the broader Indian political landscape.
The Ramayana connects the Andhras tribe with the Godavari region. <blockquote> Nadlm Godavarlm caiva sarvamevanupa^yatah<br> Tathaivandhramsca PundramSca cotan Pandramscaveratan <br>â Ram. Kish. Kan. 41 chap. 12. </blockquote>
Andhras are also mentioned in the Vayu, Skanda and Matsya Purana. Buddhist references to Andhras are also found.
AmarÃÂvatë in Andhra Pradesh is a major site for early Buddhist sculptures, some of which depict serpent-headed figuresâÂÂpossibly symbolic representations. The area was also known as NÃÂgadeà Âa, and its rulers as NÃÂgas.
Andhra's prominence in Buddhism is supported by its numerous monastic sites and trade routes. Vengi served as a major center, connected to Kaliá¹ ga, Draviá¸Âa, KÃÂrá¹ÂÃÂá¹Âa, MaharÃÂá¹£á¹Âra, and Kosala.
Greek historian Megasthenes reported in his Indica () that Andhras were living in the Godavari and Krishna river deltas and were famous for their military strength which was second only to Mauryans in all of India. They had 30 fortified towns along the Godavari River and an army of 100,000 infantry, 2,000 cavalry and 1,000 elephants. Indica states that Andhra was a great and powerful nation settled originally in the Deccan between the lower Godavari and Krishna region, and had spread their sway towards the north as far as tho upper course of tho Narmada, before the time of Megasthenes.
The earliest epigraphic mention of the Andhra people is made in the Edicts of Ashoka, Andhras along with Pulindas were mentioned as border people. Andhras were also mentioned at the time of the death of the Mauryan Emperor Ashoka in 232 BCE. The Satavahanas were referred to as the Andhras, Andhra-bhá¹Âtyas or Andhra-jatiyas in the Puranas.
<blockquote> 9. hidàlaja vià Âavashi Yona Kambojeshu Nabhaka Nabhapamtishu Bhoja Pitinikyeshu<br> 10. Adha Paladeshu shavata DevÃÂnampiyashàdhammanushathi anuvatamti[] yata pi dutà<br>âÂÂâÂÂAshoka, Rock Edict 13, Kalsi Rock, South Portion
<br> Translation : Likewise here in the king's (Ashoka ) territory, among the Yonas and Kambojas, among the Nabhakas and Nabhapamkits, among the Bhojas and the Pitinikas, among the Andhras and the Pulinda, everywhere (people) are conforming to Ashoka instruction in morality. </blockquote>
Following the decline of the Maurya Empire and during the Shunga period, the southern tribes, previously described as "unsubdued" in Ashokan edicts, united under a centralised Andhra leadership. E. J. Rapson suggests this consolidation in the deltas between the Godavari and Krishna rivers laid the foundation for the rise of the Satavahana dynasty, also referred to as Andhra-bhá¹Âtyas or Andhra-jatiyas.
The first major Andhra polity in the Indian subcontinent were the Satavahanas, which ruled over the entire Deccan plateau and established trade relations with the Roman Empire. Most modern scholars believe that the Satavahana rule began in the late second century BCE and lasted until the early third century CE, although some assign the beginning of their rule to as early as the 3rd century BCE based on the Puranas. Various Puranas give different lists of the Satavahana rulers. The first king of the Andhra-Bhrityas is also known as Shudraka or Suraka in the Kumarika Khanda of Skanda Purana. The Matsya Purana states that 30 Andhra kings ruled for 460 years, but some of its manuscripts name only 19 kings whose reigns add up to 448.5 years. TheVayu Purana also mentions that there were 30 Andhra kings.
The word Andhras was observed from Udyotana's description of "those with beautiful bodies, who love women and war alike, and are great consumers of food" in 779 CE. The references to Andhra also comes from the Jataka tales and the Pallava inscriptions as Andhapatham and Andhakas, referring to the region and its people respectively.