Page:An introduction to Dravidian philology.djvu/35

Rh 'Dravida' is a very ancient word in the Sanskrit literature. Manu includes the Dravidas among the Vrishalas or cut-castes along with Pundrakas, Odras, Kambjojas, Yavanas, Sakas, Paradas Pallavas, Chinas, Kiratas, Daradas and Khasas. But he acknowledges then as once having belonged to the Kshatriya Aryan tribes and says that they were gradually excluded from the Aryan fold because they did not conform to the Brahumannic practices as they were then understood. If the Andhras are to be included under the Dravidians and indentified with the Telugus, they also once belonged to the Aryan tribes, for they are found mentioned in the Aitareya Brahamana along with the Pundras. Sabaras and Pulindas as degraded descendants of Viswamitra. This statement is confirmed by the Mahabharata The dynastic names of the Pandyas, Cholas and Cheras who all held sway in Southern