Nishada, Niṣāda

Niṣāda, Nishada refers to a mixed caste in Ancient India - the son of a Kṣatriya (warrior) with a Śūdra (शूद्र) woman, Sudra being the fourth social order (working class) in the traditional Vedic social system.

Nishadas were held as 'hunters', 'close to the forest', distinct from the four main social orders (castes) - brāhmaṇas, kṣatriyas, vaiśyas [वैश्य, merchant or agricultural class], sūdras [serving class].