Matsya Kingdom

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Matsya (Sanskrit: मत्स्य) was a Vedic kingdom and later became a part of sixteen Mahajanapadas, which also appears in Hindu Epic literature. The capital of Matsya was at Viratanagari (present-day Bairat, in Rajasthan) which is said to have been named after its founder king, Virata.^[1], in what is now the modern state of India. Viratnagar in the northern part of Jaipur district in Rajasthan was its capital.

"Meen" word also means fish just like "Matsya" which was a word of sanskrit and Fish, meen or matsya is considered as Totem of MeenaMoreover, at present in this region (East Rajasthan) Meenas are having a high population concentration and their many different kingdoms existed in this region later taken by rajputs. There is strong possibility of relation between Matsya Kingdom and Meena are residing in subcontinent before pre-vedic era and considered as first inhabitants of this land. Moreover kingdoms of Meena lasted in this region till 16th century.

Mention in Mahabharata[edit]

Matsya kingdom was founded by Virata

Vedic era Matsya Kingdoms[edit]

Matsya Kingdom was one of the (sixteen) Mahajanapadas (great kingdoms). Painted Grey Ware culture (PGW) chiefdoms in the region were succeeded by Northern Black Polished Ware(NBPW) from c. 700-500 BCE, associated with the rise of the great mahajanapada states (mahajanapada states Kuru, Panchala, Matsya, Surasena and Vatsa)

By the late Vedic period, they ruled a kingdom located south of the Kurus, and west of the Yamunariver which separated it from the kingdom of the Panchalas. It roughly corresponded to Jaipur in Rajasthan, and included the whole of Hindaun, Alwar with portions of Bharatpur as well as South Haryana. The capital of Matsya was at Viratanagari (present-day Bairat) which is said to have been named after its founder king, Virata. In Pali literature, the Matsya tribe is usually associated with the Surasena. The western Matsya was the hill tract on the north bank of the Chambal River.

References[edit]

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