The Battle of the Ten Kings as mentioned in the Seventh Mandala of the Rigveda(1500BCE):
Sudās, leader of the Bharatas (a branch of the Pūrus), already ruled eastern Punjab, near the Sarasvatī and Ravi rivers. His growing power threatened nearby tribes, especially other clans, the Druhyus, Anus, and their allies from northwestern Punjab. These groups joined together to form a coalition called the “Ten Kings.”
The Armies-
The Rigveda says the coalition had 6000+ warriors (likely exaggerated) from tribes like the Alinas, Paksas, Bhalanas, Śivas, Vṛcivants, Druhyus, Anus, Matsyas, Simyus, and rival parent clan Pūrus. Sudās had fewer men but had the Bharatas united and the priest Vasiṣṭha supporting him.
The actual battle took place at the Paruṣṇī (Ravi) river and roughly went as follows:
1. Both sides prayed for help. Vasiṣṭha invoked Indra for Sudās, and the coalition’s rituals were less effective.
2. Fighting began at the Paruṣṇī River, with warriors mixed together in chaos.
3. The coalition tried to cross the swollen river. The Rigveda says Indra made it easy for Sudās but hard for the enemy.
4. The large army got stuck midstream; chariots jammed, soldiers drowned, and the Rigveda mocks them as “like fish in the water.”
5. His smaller, disciplined army crossed safely, defeated the coalition, and gained the spoils.
Historicity-
The battle likely reflects a real event in the late second millennium BCE but we can’t really say for sure. The Rigveda does list real tribes and alliances. While it emphasizes divine help, controlling rivers and moving quickly were probably key factors in winning.
My Speculative Interpretation-
The poems credit Indra, but earlier hymns praise Sudās for safely crossing rivers with his people. This shows he likely knew how to manage rivers, chariots, and troops. In the Battle of the Ten Kings, this skill may have been crucial: Sudās’s smaller, organized army crossed safely, while the large coalition got stuck and drowned. So, the Rigveda calls it a miracle by Indra, but it could really be Sudās’s smart handling of rivers and familiarity of the terrain that won the day.
Revleck-Deleted on
How fantastic. Thank you so much for writing this up. This is incredible. Can you imagine being one of the men sent across the river? Filled with determination and the energy that you believe you are empowered by your god to push forward, only to drown amongst your brothers.
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The Battle of the Ten Kings as mentioned in the Seventh Mandala of the Rigveda(1500BCE):
Sudās, leader of the Bharatas (a branch of the Pūrus), already ruled eastern Punjab, near the Sarasvatī and Ravi rivers. His growing power threatened nearby tribes, especially other clans, the Druhyus, Anus, and their allies from northwestern Punjab. These groups joined together to form a coalition called the “Ten Kings.”
The Armies-
The Rigveda says the coalition had 6000+ warriors (likely exaggerated) from tribes like the Alinas, Paksas, Bhalanas, Śivas, Vṛcivants, Druhyus, Anus, Matsyas, Simyus, and rival parent clan Pūrus. Sudās had fewer men but had the Bharatas united and the priest Vasiṣṭha supporting him.
The actual battle took place at the Paruṣṇī (Ravi) river and roughly went as follows:
1. Both sides prayed for help. Vasiṣṭha invoked Indra for Sudās, and the coalition’s rituals were less effective.
2. Fighting began at the Paruṣṇī River, with warriors mixed together in chaos.
3. The coalition tried to cross the swollen river. The Rigveda says Indra made it easy for Sudās but hard for the enemy.
4. The large army got stuck midstream; chariots jammed, soldiers drowned, and the Rigveda mocks them as “like fish in the water.”
5. His smaller, disciplined army crossed safely, defeated the coalition, and gained the spoils.
Historicity-
The battle likely reflects a real event in the late second millennium BCE but we can’t really say for sure. The Rigveda does list real tribes and alliances. While it emphasizes divine help, controlling rivers and moving quickly were probably key factors in winning.
My Speculative Interpretation-
The poems credit Indra, but earlier hymns praise Sudās for safely crossing rivers with his people. This shows he likely knew how to manage rivers, chariots, and troops. In the Battle of the Ten Kings, this skill may have been crucial: Sudās’s smaller, organized army crossed safely, while the large coalition got stuck and drowned. So, the Rigveda calls it a miracle by Indra, but it could really be Sudās’s smart handling of rivers and familiarity of the terrain that won the day.
How fantastic. Thank you so much for writing this up. This is incredible. Can you imagine being one of the men sent across the river? Filled with determination and the energy that you believe you are empowered by your god to push forward, only to drown amongst your brothers.
Fuckin sick