Which ancient textual tradition or classical literature contains the earliest recorded geographical and mythological references to the region corresponding to present-day Arunachal Pradesh, often associated with Pragiyotisha and Kamarupa?

💡 Solution & Explanation

The Kalika Purana and the Mahabharata contain extensive references to the ancient territorial expanse of Kamarupa, which encompassed parts of modern Arunachal Pradesh, particularly regions along major river valleys inhabited by indigenous tribes. These texts describe the sacred geography, rivers, and shrines of the northeastern frontier, establishing ancient socio-religious linkages with the rest of the subcontinent. Works like the Arthashastra focus primarily on Mauryan statecraft and economy, while the Rigveda pertains to northwestern India. The Kalika Purana remains a primary literary source for the religious history of early Assam and its neighboring hill tracts.