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The 'Kiratas' (Sanskrit: किरात) mentioned in early Hindu texts are the tribals or Adivasi of the land. They are mentioned along with Cinas (Chinese). Kiratas are believed to be of Tibeto-Burman origin. Kiratas have been identified as the present day Rai, Limbu and Sunuwar of Nepal. Ghatotkacha of Mahabharata fame (Son of Bhima) was a Kirata Chieftain.
In Yoga Vasistha 1.15.5 Rama speaks of ''kirAteneva vAgurA'', "a trap [laid] by Kiratas", so about BCE Xth Century, they were thought of as jungle trappers, the ones who dug pits to capture roving deer. The same text also speaks of King Suraghu, the head of the Kiratas who is a friend of the Persian King, Parigha.
The most famous Kiratas in Hinduism are the Kiratra avatar of Shiva, Lord Buddha and sage Valmiki, writer of the Ramayana.