Akincana Gocara

When we hear the name “Barbarian”, we understand of an uncultured group of people who are just like savages. But do you know that the Mahabharata has referred to the Barbarians? In Mahabharata (uttarajtha janmarah, XII. 200.39-40), (II.29.15), they are mentioned as a tribe from the Himalayan hills.

उत्तरा पदजन्मानः कीर्तयिष्यामि तान अपि । यौन काम्बॊजगान्धाराः किराता बर्बरैः सह (XII.200.40)
ततः सागरकुक्षिस्दान मलेच्छान परमदारुणान । पह्लवान बर्बरांश चैव तान सर्वान अनयथ वशम (II.29.15)

There is a Jat Gotra found in Punjab called Babbar, which when sanskritized is Barbara. They are infamously referred sometimes as Babbar sher.

Panini (6th cen BCE refers to the Barbara (बर्बर) (in Ashthadhyayi IV.3.93), on the sea cost near the mouth of Indus where the port of Barbarika was situated. Barbar (बर्बर) is mentioned by Panini in Ashtadhyayi under Takshashiladi (तक्षशिलादि) (4.3.93). These inhabitants were the ancestors of today’s local Afroasiatic-speaking populations such as Sudanese, Somalis and Bejas etc. Arthashastra of Canakya (3rd cen BCE) mentions a river named Srautasi on Barbara Kool. बर्बरकूले समुद्रैकदेशे श्रीघंतो नाम हृद: As the name suggests, they were near the sea (possibly Caspian? Aral ?).

The country of the Barbarians was known to the Greeks, as Barbikae. Barbara (बर्बर) refers to two ancient regions in Northeast Africa. The two areas were inhabited by the Eastern Barbaroi or Baribah (“Berbers” or Barbarians) as referred to by ancient Greek philosophers. Therefore, judging by the literary references, It is most likely that the Barbaras of the Mahabharata (or a branch of them shifted to West Asia and east Africa.

In the modern context, a Barbarian is someone who is brutal and savage. Therefore, judging by the current scenario, English language has given the right meaning for the word “Barbarian” i.e. Brutal, uncultured and Savage, which was their characteristics during the times of Mahabharata and in some cases even today. What’s your thoughts about this?