Mleccha

Mleccha (from Vedic Sanskrit: म्लेच्छ, romanized: mlecchá) is a Sanskrit term, referring to those of an incomprehensible speech, foreign or barbarous invaders as contra-distinguished from Aryan Vedic tribes.

The word Mleccha was commonly used for foreign 'barbarians of whatever race or colour'. As a mleccha, any foreigner stood outside the caste system and the ritual ambience. Thus, historically, contact with them was viewed by the Hindu as polluting. The Mleccha people were Sakas, Hunas, Greeks, Kambojas, Pahlavas, Bahlikas and Rishikas. The Kiratas, Khas, Indo-Greeks, Pulindas, Scythians, Kushans and Arabs were also mlecchas.