A hindu based online magazine, sanskritmagazine, had published an article ‘North-East Tribals and their connection to Ancient India’ where they claim that the indigenous tribals of the North East believes they are an integral part of Mahabharata and Ramayana and that the indigenous tribals are still following their traditions.
Here’s a state wise look at their claim.
Arunachal
Out of the 54 tribes of Arunachal Pradesh, there is a tribe called Idu Mishmi which considers itself to be from the lineage of Krishna’s wife, Rukmini. Their fables tell tales of Rukmini as the princess of current day Bhishmanagar. The King, her father was Bhishmak and she had a brother named Rukmi.
When Rukmini fell in love with Krishna, Rukmi strongly opposed the marriage and arranged for her to marry Shishupal to form an alliance. Rukmini, hearing of this agreement, secretly sent a message to Lord Krishna to come and rescue her.
As they were eloping, Rukmi caught up to the two and in the duel that ensued, lost to Krishna. When Krishna was about to kill him, Rukmini begged to have her brother’s life spared. Krishna agreed but as punishment, shaved Rukmi’s head with his Sudarshana Chakra – a visible sign of defeat – and let him go free.
The Idu Mishmi tribe has a characteristic style of chopping their hair due to which they are called Chulikatas. It is explained as an act of punishment inflicted by Krishna for the initial resistance offered to the marriage which later became the mark of honour.
The Idu Rukmini is highly venerated by them as Inyi Maselo or Great Mother.
The most important legendary account connected with the Arunachal tribe of Mishmis is that of the Brahmakunda. It is also popularly known as Parasuram Kunda; for, Parasuram, according to the Kalika Purana came to the Kunda to cleanse himself of the sin he had incurred by slaying his own mother Renuka on his father’s orders. This Kunda is in the heart of the Mishmi area. It is traditionally thought that the Parasuram Kunda as a holy place was originally a Mishmi institution and the Mishmis used to collect toll from the visiting pilgrims.
Meghalaya
The Khasi tribe of Meghalaya are famous for their archery skills. However, this archery is peculiar because they use two fingers only in shooting and discharging the arrows in place of a finger and thumb as done by other archers.
Most of the people in the Khasi tribe have never heard of Eklavya but legend has it that one of their ancestors gave up his thumb in Guru Daskshina and therefore the thumb should never be used during archery.
Nagaland
Dimapur is the largest city in Nagaland. Some people believe that this word is a corruption of Hidimbapur, depicting the city of Hidimba of Mahabharata, wife of Bhima and mother of Ghotokacha. He is believed to be the progenitor of Kacharis, a kingdom that was prosperous once in the region. Kachhar dynasty is the descendents of Kirat dynasty described in Mahabharata.
There is a place in Dimapur where huge chess pieces still lie around in dilapidated state. Folklore marks this to be the place where Bhima and Ghotokacha played chess.
Assam
Many in the Bodo tribe of Assam consider themselves to be descendants of Brahma and those not converted into Christianity practice Brahmoism.
Another tribe of Assam, the Karbis claim to be the offspring of Sugriva. Karbis believe they came to the Northeast in search of purthemi kungripi (Sita Mata) during the Treta yuga, and failed to return to Ayodhya according to “SABIN ALUN“, a Karbi version of Ramayana.
Manipur
Ukhrul in Manipur connects itself with Uloopi, the Naga wife of Arjuna who played a major role as a stepmother to Bhabhruvahana and also in saving Arjuna’s life. Iravan was the son of Arjuna and Uloopi. The Thangkul tribe is well known for its martial arts and they comprise of over 40% of members of National Socialist Council of Nagland that wants to establish their own sovereign state of Nagalim.
To read the details visit the link North-East Tribals and their connection to Ancient India
Any thoughts on the above statements? Leave your comments below!
Some brinsick son of a cow ambitiously trying hard to institute a lineage with the mongoloid race tribals….pfff utter crap
How comes we the NE r related to the So call Mahabharata? We de NE people have totally different Cultures from Mahabharata culture we r not at all impact by Mahabharata and that is why de Indian only came to know about The NORTH EAST REGION after The BRITISHER sign treaty of yandabo, Earlier de whole region was unknown to the Indian, Calcutta was de extreme NORTH EAST Known to all de great rular ,had De Ancient Indian rular knew about The NE they would have built their great emperor all over the regions but no such kind of clear cut evident is found n it will never be found…because nothing as such have happened, The people of NE r different in der out looks, thinking n lifestyle not only det tradition n customs is totally different from de rest of India.De NE region have it’s own Culture which is passed down 4m de inseption of time n how can de Sanskrit magazine claim that we r still practicing de tradition of Maharashtra which is not at all link or related to de tribeal practice.. So politely asking you pliz Stop trying to fool de NE people, De NE people have ample of knowledge on it’s own historical back ground.