The Paradas, closely linked to the Barbaras and Daradas, represent a fascinating yet complex aspect of ancient Indian tribal history. Often depicted as a barbarous hill tribe, the Paradas appear in various Puranic and epic traditions, highlighting their association with other rudimentary North Indian tribes. In Puranic literature, they are frequently referred to as Varadas or Paritas, and the Mahabharata’s Sabha Parva connects them with tribes like the Kulindas and Tanganas.
The Vayu
Purana and Harivamsa mention the Paradas alongside tribes such as the Kalingas
and Matharas, portraying them as part of a larger community of warriors and
nomadic groups. Interestingly, the Markandeya Purana positions them among the
Sudras, Kiratas, and Pandyas, indicating a varied social status that evolved
over time. Their dwelling along the Salioda River, alongside the Khasas and
Tanganas, emphasizes their geographical significance in ancient narratives.
Notably,
the Harivamsa recounts a story of King Sagara, who imposed a degrading order on
the Paradas, mandating long and disheveled hair-locks, further representing
them as mlecchas (non-Aryans) and dasyits (barbarians). According to the Manu
Smriti, their origin as Kshatriyas speaks to a historical transition marked by
civilizational decline and the loss of sacred practices, mirroring similar
fates of various tribal groups in ancient India.
The
geographical expanse of the Paradas was vast, with texts indicating settlements
from the Himalayan regions, as mentioned in the Ramayana, to Central Asia along
the Amu Darya and Syr Darya rivers, as per the Vayu and Matsya Puranas.
Historical records suggest that during the Maurya Empire, the Paradas
established settlements in the Deccan, indicating their integral role within
the broader socio-political landscape of ancient India. Their alliances with
tribes such as the Sakas and Kambojas exemplified the intricate dynamics and
inter-tribal relationships of that era, showcasing the Paradas not merely as
outsiders but as vital participants in a complex historical tapestry.