Dasarajna (Battle of the Ten Kings)
Summary
Examining the Rigvedic term Daśarājña, the article analyses the legendary ‘battle of ten kings.’ By parsing the compound and reviewing hymns where it appears, the author notes that the term signifies a battle involving ten kings against Sudās of the Bharatas. Unlike commentators who equate the ten kings with familiar Vedic tribes, the author suggests they may represent foreign or non‑sacrificing groups, drawing on the use of ayajyu (non‑sacrificer) and parallels with Iranian dahyu. Textual analysis of hymns and comparison with later interpretations show that definitive identification of the kings is elusive. The study concludes that the battle likely symbolises early Vedic encounters with outsiders and serves as a cultural marker of group identity rather than a historically precise event.
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Conclusion
Through close reading of Rigvedic hymns and linguistic evidence, the author argues that the ten kings were probably non‑Vedic outsiders rather than familiar tribes. The Daśarājña narrative thus reflects boundary‑making in early Indo‑Aryan society, illustrating the process of defining self against others.