Later Vedic Period (1000–600 BC)
This period was marked by further expansion of the Aryans to parts of
eastern Rajasthan, eastern UP and northern Bihar. The Satapatha .Brahmana
throws light on this expansion to the eastern Gangetic plains. It reports the
founding of a realm called ‘Videha’ by a prince, Videgha Madhava. The
prince, according to the text, started from the river Sarasvati in the company
of the fire god, Agni, who had gained fame already as a great coloniser.
Videgha followed Agni until they came to the river Sadanira (modern
Gandak) and stopped.
     Several more tribes and kingdoms find mention in the later Vedic
literature. The Purus and the Bharatas were amalgamated to form the Kurus.
The Kuru kingdom corresponds to modem Thanesvar, Delhi and the upper
Gangetic Doab. The Atharva Veda speaks of the Kuru king Parikshit in
whose reign this kingdom flourished. His descendant, Janmejaya, who
performed an asvamedha, was a great conqueror.
     The Panchalas were also a composite class, as this name, derived from
pancha (five), shows. According to the Satapatha Brahmana, they were
formerly called Krivis, who may have been one of the constituent tribes.
Perhaps, the earlier Anus, Druhyus and Turvasas that disappeared at this
period also comprised the confederation. The Upanishads mention Pravahana
Jaivali, a patron of learning who used to hold intellectual tournaments at his
court. The territory of this tribe roughly corresponds to the Bareilly, Badaun,
Farukhabad and adjoining districts of today.