What is "rishikas"

The Rishikas (also Rshika and Ṛṣika) are a possibly-mythical tribe of Central Asia and South Asia, who are mentioned in Hindu and Sanskrit literary texts, including the Mahabharata, the Ramayana, the Brhat-Samhita, the Markendeya Purana and Patanjali's Mahabhasya.

Some historians believe the Rishikas were a part of, or synonymous with, the Kambojas. However, there are other theories regarding their origins.

Classical literary texts state that the Rishikas were neighbors of the Parama Kambojas and the Lohas in Saka-dvipa ("Sakaland") (most likely Transoxiana).

According to traditional accounts, during the 2nd century BCE a subgroup of Rishikas migrated to southwesterm India and settled there, crossing Afghanistan, Balochistan, Sindhu and Sovira. According to the Mahabharata, there two sub-tribal were divisions within the Rishikas: Uttara ("northern") and Parama ("supreme") .

Lohan.ParamaKambojan.Rishikan.uttaranapi | sahita.nstanmaharaja vyajayatpakashasanih ||24|| Rishikeshu tu sanggramo babhuvAtibhaya.n karah| taraka maya sankashah Paramarshika parthayoh ||25||

{Mahabharata, Critical Edition, 2.25.24–25.