Murundas

The Murundas, a tribe of intriguing provenance, are believed to have emerged as a foreign influence in India, particularly during the 2nd and 3rd centuries CE. Primarily settled towards the east of the Ganges, they played a substantial role in the historical tapestry of the Utkal region, which corresponds to modern-day Odisha. The Murunda dynasty is thought to have succeeded the Mahameghavahana dynasty, creating a notable period of governance until their eventual supersession by the Nagas of Vindhyatabi and the Gupta Empire.

Geographically, the Murundas emphasized their presence across six critical cities: Boraita, Koryagaza, Kondota, Kelyana, Aganagora, and Talarga. Their influence extended over the Chota-Nagpur plateau and parts of Central India, marking their significance in ancient Indian polity. The Vishnu Purana references the Murundas, associating them with a lineage of eleven princes who succeeded the Tusharas or Tokhari, further establishing their historical presence. Additionally, the Vayu Purana categorizes them as one of the Mleccha tribes, implying their status as outsiders in the cultural fabric of ancient India.

Hemachandra's Abhidhanachintamani suggests a connection between the Murundas and the Lampakas, indicating their settlements possibly extended to the farthest south in Kerala. The historical narratives also outline the reparative role the Saka-Murundas played during their interactions with

contemporary powers, such as aligning with Samudragupta.

Understanding the decline of the Murundas into the modern Munda community raises significant questions about their continuity and cultural evolution. The modern Mundas, predominantly found in the Chhota-Nagpur region, suggest a stark geographical and social transformation, querying the notion of direct descent from their illustrious predecessors. The scholarly discourse surrounding the Murundas invites further exploration into their contributions and the dynamics of their eventual marginalization in Indian historical contexts.