It is believed that Aṭavīśikhara (Atavishikhara) is another name by which Aṭavīśabara (Atavishabar) have got fame. The Sanskrit word aṭavī (atavi) means ‘forest’. It is assumed that this ethnic group of people consisted of the forest dwelling (āṭavik; atavik) tribes. 

Scholars tend to identify this ethnic group with the Bheels of Middle Vindhya region. Evidently the āṭavik people referred to in Purāṇas (Purana) and the Allahabad Inscriptions by Emperor Samudragupta are same as these Aṭavīśabara people. According to Fleet, they were ancient inhabitants of the Jabbalpore region in modern day Madhya Pradesh of India.