Races as described by Megasthenes

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Indian Races as described by Megasthenes
Location Races Information
from the chain of Emodus are the Isari, Cosyri, Izgi
on the hills the Chisiotosagi, and the Brachmauae the Brachmauaea name comprising many tribes, among which are the Maccocalingae
Ganges the Mandei, and the Malli, the Gangarides (Ghangas), the Calingae (Kalinga), the Prasii (Magadha), the Modogalingae The tribes called Calingae are nearest the sea, and higher up are the Mandei, and the Malli in whose, country is Mount Mallus, the boundary of all that district being the Ganges.

The royal city of the Calingae is called Parthalis. Over their king 60,000 foot-soldiers, 1,000 horsemen, 700 elephants keep watch and ward in "procinct of war. There is a very large island in the Ganges which is inhabited by a single tribe Modogalingae
Beyond these the Modubae, Molindae, the Uberae with a handsome town of the same name, the Galmodroesi, Preti, Calissae, Sasuri, Passalae, Colubae, Orxulae, Abali, Taluctae (Tamluk) The king of these keeps under arms 50,000 foot-soldiers, 4,000 cavalry, and 400 elephants
Next come the Andarae (Andhra) a powerful race, which possesses numerous villages, and thirty towns defended by walls and towers, and which supplies its king with an army of 100,000 infantry, 2,000 cavalry, and 1,000 elephants
Next the Dardae, the Setae Gold is very abundant among the Dardae, and silver among the Setae
Next the Prasii Prasii surpass in power and glory every other people, not only in this quarter, but one may say in all India, their capital Palibothra, a very large and wealthy city, after which some call the people itself the Palibothri,--nay even the whole tract along the Ganges. Their king has in his pay a standing army of 600,000 foot-soldiers, 30,000 cavalry, and 9,000 elephants
After these, but more inland are the Monedes and Suari in those country is Mount Maleus; The river Jomanes flows through the Palibothri into the Ganges between the towns Methora and Carisobora.
The hill-tribes between the Indus and the Iomanes the Cesi (Khasa); the Cetriboni, the Megallae, the Chrysei, the Parasangae, and the Asange the Megallae, whose king is master of five hundred elephants and an army of horse and foot of unknown strength;The force under arms consists of 30,000 foot, 300 elephants, and 800 horse the Asange, where tigers abound, noted for their ferocity
Below the deserts are the Dari (Dara), the Surae, the Maltecorae, Singhae, Marohae (Maurya), Rarungae, Moruni (Mor) These inhabit the hills which in an unbroken chain run parallel to the shores of the ocean. They are free and have no kings, and occupy the mountain heights, whereon they have built many cities
Next the Narae (Nehra) enclosed by the loftiest of Indian mountains, Capitalia. The inhabitants on the other side of this mountain work extensive mines of gold and silver.
The inhabitants on the other side of this mountain the Oraturae whose king has only ten elephants, though he has a very strong force of infantry
Next again the Varetatae (Vijayrania) subject to a king, who keep no elephants, but trust entirely to their horse and foot
Then the Odomoboerae; the Salabastrae; the Horatae (Saurashtra) The Horatae, who have a fine city, defended by marshes which serve as a ditch, wherein crocodiles are kept, which, having a great avidity for human flesh, prevent all access to the city except by a bridge. And another city of theirs is much admired--Automela, which, being seated on the coast at the confluence of five rivers, is a noble emporium of trade. The king is master of 1, 600 elephants, 150,000 foot, and 5,000 cavalry. The poorer king of the Charmae has but sixty elephants, and his force otherwise is insignificant
Next come the Pandae the only race in India ruled by women. They say that Hercules having but one daughter, who was on that account all the more beloved, endowed her with a noble kingdom. Her descendants rule over 300 cities, and command an army of 150,000 foot and 500 elephants
Next with 300 cities, the Syrieni (Saran), Derangae, Posingae, Buzae, Gogiarei, Umbrae, Nereae, Brancosi, Nobundae, Cocondae, Nesei, Pedatrirae, Solobriasae, Olostrae who adjoin the island Patale, from the furthest shore of which to the Caspian gates the distance is said to be 1, 925 miles
Then next to these towards the Indus come, in an order which is easy to follow the Amatae (Antal), Bolingae (Balyan), Gallitalutae, Dimuri (Dahiya), Megari (Maukhari), Ordabae (Buria), Mese (Matsya)
after these the Uri (Uria) and Sileni Immediately beyond come deserts extending for 250 miles.
Immediately beyond come deserts extending for 250 miles. These being passed we come to the Organagae, Abaortae (Afridi), Sibarae (Sagari), Suertae (Suriara) and after these to deserts as extensive as the former.
Then come the Sarophages, Sorgae, Baraomatae, the Umbrittae, and the Aseni (Ashvayana) the Umbrittae, who consist of twelve tribes, each possessing two cities. and the Aseni, who possess three cities. Their capital is Bucephala, built where Alexander's famous horse of that name was buried
inhabiting the base of Caucasus the Soleadae, and the Sondrae
if we cross to the other side of the Indus and follow its course downward we meet the Samarabriae, Sambruceni, Bisambritae, Osii (Asii), Antixeni, and the Taxillae (Taxila) with a famous city
Then succeeds a level tract of country known by the general name of Amanda the Peucolaitae, Arsagalitae, Geretae, Asoi (Asiagh) whereof the tribes are four in number
Beyond Indus four satrapies, --the Gedrosi (Gedrosia), Arachotae (Arachosia), Arii (Aria, Herat), Paropamisadae (Kabol valley) making the river Cophes its furthest limit; though others prefer to consider all these as belonging to the Arii (Aria)

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