The Āndhras were an ancient non-Aryan^[1] tribe of south-central Indian subcontinent, whose existence is attested during the Iron Age. Andhras were mentioned in the ancient Hindu scriptures such as the Aitareya Brahmana, Ramayana, Mahabharata and Puranas. The Eastern Deccan region originally 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 (c. 500 BCE) as descendants of Sage Vishvamitra.^[2] In the Mahabharata the infantry of Satyaki was composed of a tribe called Andhras, known for their long hair, tall stature, sweet language, and mighty prowess. They lived along the banks of the Godavari river. Andhra communities were also mentioned in the Bhagavata Vayu, Skanda, Markandeya and Matsya Purana. Buddhist references to Andhras are also found.^[3]

Greek historian Megasthenes reported in his Indica (c. 310 BCE) 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.^[4] They were also mentioned at the time of the death of the Mauryan Emperor Ashoka in 232 BCE.

Andhras lived around the deltas of the Godāvarī and Kṛṣṇa rivers. The political centre of the Andhras was Andhapura or Dhaññakaḍa.

The entire region of Andhra contains a profusion of curious historical artifacts, rock art, stone age tools that describe the growth patterns in the region.^[5] One of he earliest description of the people belonging to the present Andhra region though comes from the Buddhist sculptures at Amaravati in Andhra Pradesh. The locals here are depicted as having the heads of snakes. This is, as is common in those times, a symbolic representation. Also, the region was also referred to as Nagadesa and its kings as Nagas.^[6]

Aitareya Brahmana of the Rigveda

According to Aitareya Brahmana of the Rigveda, sage Vishvamitra had hundred sons, fifty of them were older than Madhuchhanda, and fifty were younger than him. The older ones were not pleased with (the installation of Sunahsepa to the primogeniture). Visvamitra then pronounced against them the curse, “ You shall have the lowest castes for your descendants. ” 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...” ^[7] All these tribes are referred to as dasyus or non-aryans living on the fringes of Aryan settlements.^[8]

Aitareya Brahmana is generally not taken as a basis as it evolved and grew for over 2500 years with many additions throughout the time, till it is canonized in the medieval times.

The Ramayana

The Ramayana, connects the tribe with the Godavari region.

Nadlm Godavarlm caiva sarvamevanupa^yatah
Tathaivandhramsca PundramSca cotan Pandramscaveratan
— Ram. Kish. Kan. 41 chap. 12.

The Mahabharata

In the Mahabharata, the infantry of the Yadava chieftain Satyaki was composed of a tribe called Andhras, known for their long hair, tall stature, sweet language, and mighty prowess. They lived along the banks of the Godavari river. Andhras and Kalingas supported the Kauravas during the Mahabharata war. Sahadeva defeated the kingdoms of Pandya, Andhra, Kalinga, Dravida, Odra and Chera while performing the Rajasuya yajna.

Puranas

• Srimada Bhagavatam refer to Andhras, Pundras, Sabaras, Palindas, and Mutibas as Mleccha.
• Markandeya Purana refers to a tribe called the Andhrarakas along with the Maulikas, Asmakas, Bhogavardhanas, Naisikas, Kuntalas etc., as people inhabiting the Southern region.^[9]

Andhras are also mentioned in the Vayu, Skanda and Matsya Purana. Buddhist references to Andhras are also found.^[3][10][11]

Megasthenes reported in his Indica (c. 303 BCE) 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.^[4] 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.^[12] 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.

9. hidā laja viśavashi Yona Kambojeshu Nabhaka Nabhapamtishu Bhoja Pitinikyeshu
10. Adha Paladeshu shavata Devānampiyashā dhammanushathi anuvatamti[] yata pi dutā
— Ashoka, Rock Edict 13 , Kalsi Rock, South Portion

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.

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.^[13] 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.^[14]

• Mbh 6.9

....the Angas, the Vangas, the Kalingas, the Yakrillomans; the Mallas, the Suddellas, the Pranradas, the Mahikas, the Sasikas; the Valhikas, the Vatadhanas, the Abhiras or Ahirs, the Kalajoshakas; the Aparantas, the Parantas, the Pahnabhas, the Charmamandalas; the Atavisikharas, the Mahabhutas, O sire; the Upavrittas, the Anupavrittas, the Surashatras, Kekayas; the Kutas, the Maheyas, the Kakshas, the Samudranishkutas; the Andhras........

• Mbh 2.30

Sahadeva brought under his subjection and exacted tributes from the Paundrayas, Andhras, Kalingas, Dravidas, Udrakeralas, Ushtrakarnikas, and also the delightful city of Atavi and that of the Yavanas.

• Mbh 7.4

The Utpalas, the Mekalas, the Paundras, the Kalingas, the Andhras, the Nishadas, the Trigartas, and the Valhikas, were all vanquished by Karna.

Vasudeva Krishna is mentioned as the slayer of Chanura of the Andhra country. (13,149)

In southern regions, battle took place between Arjuna and the Dravidas and Andhras and the fierce Mahishakas and the hillmen of Kolwa. Subjugating those tribes without having to accomplish any fierce feats, Arjuna proceeded to the country of the Surashtras, his footsteps guided by the horse. (14,83)

• Mbh 2.33

King Bhagadatta of Pragjyotisha accompanied by all Mlechcha tribes inhabiting the marshy regions on the sea-shore; and many mountain kings, and king Vrihadvala; and Vasudeva the king of the Paundrayas, and the kings of Vanga and Kalinga; and Akastha and Kuntala and the kings of the Malavas and the Andhrakas; and the Dravidas and the Singhalas and the king of Kashmira, and king Kuntibhoja of great energy and king Gauravahana, and all the other heroic kings of Valhika; and Virata with his two sons, and Mavella endued with great might; and various kings and princes ruling in various countries attended Pandava king Yudhishthira's Rajasuya sacrifice.

• Mbh 5.140

The Dravidas, with the Kuntalas, the Andhras, and the Talacharas, and the Shuchupas, and the Venupas were mentioned as allies of the Pandavas, in the conversation of Vasudeva Krishna and Karna.

• Mbh 5.161, 5.162

The message sent by Duryodhana to the Pandava:-

The Kamvojas, the Sakas, the Khasas, the Salwas, the Matsyas, the Kurus of the middle country, the Mlechchhas, the Pulindas, the Dravidas, the Andhras, and the Kanchis --- these tribes protect my army.

• Mbh 8.12

Decked with ornaments, possessed of red teeth, endued with the prowess of infuriate elephants, attired in robes of diverse colours, smeared with powdered scents, armed with swords and nooses, capable of restraining mighty elephants, companions in death, and never deserting one another, equipped with quivers, bearing bows adorned with long locks, and agreeable in speech were the combatants of the infantry files led by Satyaki, belonging to the Talavana tribe, endued with fierce forms and great energy. (The Pandyas, Cholas, Keralas and Dravidas followed Dhrishtadyumna, Sikhandin, Chekitana and the sons of Draupadi.) It appears that the Andhakas fought along with Satyaki are Yadavas. Yadavas are of 5 different races i.e. Yadu, Vrushni, Mushti, Bhoja and Andhakas. However, Andhras are different. According to Bhagavatha purana, Andhras are the decedents of King Bali means. Andhras are six such Anga, Vanga, Kalings, Simha, Pundra and Andhras. So Andhras are different from Andhakas. Andhras are eastern where as Andhakas are western yadavas. The clarification is sufficient to distinguish Andhakas from Andhras. The Chanura is also one of Andhakas and not of Andhras.^{[citation needed]}

• Mbh 8.73

Of terrible deeds and exceedingly fierce, the Tusharas, the Yavanas, the Khasas, the Darvabhisaras, the Daradas, the Sakas, the Kamathas, the Ramathas, the Tanganas, the Andhrakas, the Pulindas, the Kiratas of fierce prowess, the Mlecchas, the Mountaineers, and the races hailing from the sea-side, all endued with great wrath and great might, delighting in battle and armed with maces, these all—united with the Kurus and fighting wrathfully for Duryodhana’s sake.^{[citation needed]}

• History of Andhra Pradesh
• Kingdoms of Ancient India

• Andhras- The world's oldest tribe

• Mahabharata of Krishna Dwaipayana Vyasa, translated to English by Kisari Mohan Ganguli