Jump to content

Brāhmaṇa (tribe)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Brāhmaṇa
c. 7th century BCEc. 5th-4th century BCE
The Mahajanapadas in the post-Vedic period. Brāhmaṇa was located close to the north of Magadha.
The Mahajanapadas in the post-Vedic period. Brāhmaṇa was located close to the north of Magadha.
CapitalVeṭhadīpa-Doṇagāma
Common languagesPrakrit
Sanskrit
Religion
Historical Vedic religion
Buddhism
Jainism
GovernmentUnknown
Historical eraIron Age
• Established
c. 7th century BCE
• Conquered by Magadha
c. 5th-4th century BCE
Succeeded by
Magadha
Today part ofIndia
Nepal

Brāhmaṇa (Pali: ब्राह्मण Brāhmaṇa) was an ancient Indo-Aryan tribe of north-eastern South Asia whose existence is attested during the Iron Age.[1]

Location

[edit]

The territory of the Brāhmaṇas was located near Magadha, and their neighbours were the Buli tribe of Allakappa.[2]

The capital city of the Brāhmaṇas was named in Pali alternatively Veṭhadīpa (Viṣṇudvīpa in Sanskrit) or Doṇagāma (Droṇagāma in Sanskrit).[1]

History

[edit]

After the Buddha's death, the Brāhmaṇas of Veṭhadīpa-Doṇagāma were given a share of his relics.[1]

Political and social organisation

[edit]

Little is known about the Brāhmaṇas of Veṭhadīpa-Doṇagāma other than that they belonged to the Dhūmra gotra.[1]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d Sharma 1968, p. 248-249.
  2. ^ Sharma 1968, p. 225-227.

Sources

[edit]
  • Sharma, J. P. (1968). Republics in Ancient India, C. 1500 B.C.-500 B.C. Leiden, Netherlands: E. J. Brill. ISBN 978-9-004-02015-3.