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Map of ancient Indian kingdoms.
Nishadha (Sanskrit: निषाध niṣādha) was an indigenous tribe inhabiting ancient India, according to sources in Hindu mythology. The Nishadha people have been described in Ramayana and Mahabharata.
[edit] Description in Ramayana
The main profession of Nishaadas was hunting the birds. When a Nishaada had killed one bird from a pair, the other bird was crying, and that inspired Valmiki to write the true story of Rama and Sita known as Ramayana.[1] In Ramayana, the king of Nishaadas, named Guha, was a very close friend of Rama. He helps Rama and Sita to cross Ganges river.
[edit] Description in Mahabharata
The Mahabharata speaks of Nishaada (or Shabara) as forest hunters.[2]
In Indian music, Nishada is the seventh note (swara) of the octave.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Ramayana by Valmiki, Gita Press publication, Gorakhpur, India
- ^ The Cultural Process in India by Irawati Karve, Vol. 51, Oct., 1951 (Oct., 1951), pp. 135-138
