Home / Current Issue / Paper 1707220
Cultural Dynamics of the Khasa Tribe: Tracing Historical Evolution in Jammu Region
Subject area: Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities · Area of research: History
Abstract
The Jammu region has a rich historical and cultural heritage shaped by various tribes and their interactions with Aryan civilization. The Rig Vedic hymns highlight the primitive concept of territory among Aryans, emphasizing the importance of cattle and rivers for sustenance. The Mahabharata describes tribes like the Madras as non-Brahmanical, with derogatory remarks due to their customs. Various tribes, such as the Nagas, Pisacas and Khasas were mentioned in texts like the Nilamata, reflecting the region?s diverse tribal makeup. The Khasa tribe is identified as one of the most prominent groups in Jammu's early history. Scholars debate whether the Khasas were the original inhabitants or migrated from East Central Asia around 4,000 years ago. The Khasas displaced earlier tribes like the Audumbaras, and their distinctive features?tall, fair complexions?set them apart. The tribe was known for gold mining and trade with Tibet, and they are frequently mentioned in texts like the Mahabharata, Markandeya Purana, and Rajatarangini. Over time, the Khasas were assimilated into the Brahmanical social system, adopting the title of Thakur and contributing to the region?s social and economic development. The region of Jammu, particularly areas like Poonch, Rajouri, and Kishtwar, is considered the ancestral home of the Khasas. Their transition from fierce mountain tribes to respected warriors and agriculturists played a significant role in shaping the region?s history and culture. The legacy of the Khasas and other tribes continues to influence the social structure of Jammu today.
Keywords
Tribe, madra, Khasas, Puranas, Rajatarangini, Jammu
How to cite this paper
@article{1707220,
author = {Dr. Anil Kumar},
title = {Cultural Dynamics of the Khasa Tribe: Tracing Historical Evolution in Jammu Region},
journal = {Iconic Research And Engineering Journals},
year = {2025},
volume = {8},
number = {8},
pages = {367-370},
issn = {2456-8880},
url = {https://www.irejournals.com/formatedpaper/1707220.pdf},
abstract = {The Jammu region has a rich historical and cultural heritage shaped by various tribes and their interactions with Aryan civilization. The Rig Vedic hymns highlight the primitive concept of territory among Aryans, emphasizing the importance of cattle and rivers for sustenance. The Mahabharata describes tribes like the Madras as non-Brahmanical, with derogatory remarks due to their customs. Various tribes, such as the Nagas, Pisacas and Khasas were mentioned in texts like the Nilamata, reflecting the region?s diverse tribal makeup. The Khasa tribe is identified as one of the most prominent groups in Jammu's early history. Scholars debate whether the Khasas were the original inhabitants or migrated from East Central Asia around 4,000 years ago. The Khasas displaced earlier tribes like the Audumbaras, and their distinctive features?tall, fair complexions?set them apart. The tribe was known for gold mining and trade with Tibet, and they are frequently mentioned in texts like the Mahabharata, Markandeya Purana, and Rajatarangini. Over time, the Khasas were assimilated into the Brahmanical social system, adopting the title of Thakur and contributing to the region?s social and economic development. The region of Jammu, particularly areas like Poonch, Rajouri, and Kishtwar, is considered the ancestral home of the Khasas. Their transition from fierce mountain tribes to respected warriors and agriculturists played a significant role in shaping the region?s history and culture. The legacy of the Khasas and other tribes continues to influence the social structure of Jammu today.},
keywords = {Tribe, madra, Khasas, Puranas, Rajatarangini, Jammu},
month = {February},
}