The ancient Kingdoms of India were more than two hundred.Research shows that there were about 230 Kingdoms, where people lived and had an identity which is akin to the concept of ‘Nation’. The areas covered were huge. One must remember that the landmass during those ancient days was quite different.Ancient Indian texts mention Seven Rivers and kingdoms flourished on the banks of these Rivers. The Rivers are,

• Ganga
• Yamuna
• Godavari
• Saraswati
• Narmada
• Sindhu
• Kaveri

These seven are not the only Rivers. There were many more major Rivers.However , these Rivers are mentioned because of the kingdoms that rose there were quite powerful and continued for a long period.

While tracing the genealogy of Cholas to Ikshvaku Dynasty, my studied led me to the Andhras. I had in my earlier posts mentioned that none of the Indian languages are less than 5000 years old and that each region of India, like Western, Eastern, Northern Central and Southern,each have a distinct identity of its own, apart from being a part of one Sanatana Dharma and culture. I had also stated that while my writings might make one feel that I was talking more about Tamil,, Tamils and their antiquity ,it was not so. It was because I was concentrating on one Region and I noted that I shall be writing on the antiquity of other regions of India as well.

Godavari is one of the important Rivers of India and civilization flourished there in ancient days.

Ancestors Of Africans Olmechs Tamils Komati From Godavari?

Now to the antiquity of Andhra.Aindra was successor to Dushyant.His sons were Pāṇḍya, Kerala, Cola and Kulya. Their realms were Pāṇḍyas, Keralas, Colas and Kulyas.

King Marutta was issueless. He adopted Duṣyanta the son of Pūru, as his son.
4. It is said that thus, in view of the former curse of Yayāti in the context of the transference of old age, the race of Turvasu got merged in the family of Pūru.
5. The successor of Duṣkanta (? Duṣyanta) was the king named Sarūpya. Āṇḍīra was born of Sarūpya. He had four sons.
6. They were Pāṇḍya, Kerala, Cola and Kulya. Their realms were Pāṇḍyas, Keralas, Colas and Kulyas.

Brahmanda Puran

Andhra, Aindra ‘

Aṇḍīra (अण्डीर).—[aṇḍaḥ asti asya; aṇḍa-īrac P.V.2.III.] A full-grown or full-developed man, a strong or powerful person; चिरादण्डीरेण त्वयि तदपि रामेण गुणितम् (cirādaṇḍīreṇa tvayi tadapi rāmeṇa guṇitam) A. R.4. See आण्डीर (āṇḍīra) also.

Derivable forms: aṇḍīraḥ (अण्डीरः).

— OR —

Āṇḍīra (आण्डीर).—a. [āṇḍamastyasya īrac]

1) Having many eggs.

2) Grown up, full grown (as a bull).Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Aṇḍīra (अण्डीर).—m.

(-raḥ) 1. A man. 2. Strong, powerful. E. aṇḍa, and īra aff.

‘Early inhabitants were known as the Andhras, tracing their history to the Vedic period when they were mentioned in the 8th century BCE Rigvedic text Aitareya Brahmana. According to the Aitareya Brahmana, the Andhras left North India from the banks of river Yamuna and migrated to South India. The Assaka Mahajanapada (700–300 BCE) was an ancient kingdom located between the Godavari and Krishna rivers in southeastern India accounts that people in the region are descended from the Viswamitra are found in the Ramayana, the Mahabharata and the Puranas.

Mahajanapadas/ Janapadas.

‘

However,on the basis of available evidence from the Vedas,the Land was classified into five regions and Janapadas,meaning People and Land.

‘

• Udichya (Northern region)
• Prachya (Eastern region)
• Dakshina (Southern region)
• Pratichya (Western region)
• Madhya-desha (Central region)

The Vedic literature mentions the following janas or janapadas:

…The Puranas mention seven sub-divisions of ancient India

• Udichya (Northern region)
• Prachya (Eastern region)
• Dakshinapatha (Southern region)
• Aparanta (Western region)
• Madhya-desha (Central region)
• Parvata-shrayin (Himalayan region)
• Vindhya-prashtha (Vindhyan region)

…..

According to research by political scientist Sudama Misra, the Puranic texts mention over 150 janapadas:

Mahabharata mentions 230 Kingdoms/lands.

Reference and citations.

http://veda.wikidot.com/kingdoms-of-ancient-india

Sources.

Devi, Ragini (1990). Dance Dialects of India. Motilal Banarsidass Publ. p. 66. ISBN “APonline – History and Culture-History”. 16 July 2012. Archived from the original on 16 July 2012. Retrieved 26 April 2020. Proceedings of the Andhra Pradesh Oriental Conference: Fourth Session, Nagarjuna University, Guntur, 3rd to 5th March 1984. The Conference. 1987. “Government of AP – History Satavahanas”. Archived from the original on 15 June 2020. Retrieved 26 April 2020. Devi, Ragini (1990). https://ramanisblog.in/2018/02/20/kingdoms-india-vedic-pre-vedic-janapadas-over-200-lands-and-people/