Pulinda (Sanskrit:) was an ancient tribe of south-central South Asia whose existence is attested during the Iron Age. The Pulindas were a non-Indo-Ayran tribe.
During the later Vedic period, the Pulindas were living to the south-east of the Daśārṇas.
Though clearly associated with the Vindhyan region, the Pulindas are sometimes believed to have had multiple tribal branches that ranged up to the Himalayan region and Assam. In the Himalayan region, ancient Indian literature often mentions them in conjunction with the Kiratas.
The Rock Edicts of Ashoka (269 BCE - 231 BCE) mention the Pulindas, their capital Pulinda-nagara, and their neighboring tribes. Vayu Purana mentioned their capital located in present-day Jabalpur District of Madhya Pradesh state.
Likewise here in the king's (Ashoka) territory, among the Yonas and Kambojas, among the Nabhakas and Nabhapamkits, among the Bhojas and the Pitinikas, among the Andhras and the Pulindas, everywhere (people) are conforming to Beloved-Of-God (Ashoka) instruction in morality.Basak identifies them with the hill tribes of the Vindhya and Satpura ranges, more specifically the Bhils.[1] Pulindas together with the Sabaras are mentioned by Kautilya in Arthashastra.[2]
— Ashoka, Rock Edict 13, Kalsi Rock, South Portion