imported>Zeex.rice: Adding short description: "Ancient kingdom of the lower Indus Valley in South Asia" (Shortdesc helper)

2021-06-17T07:58:03Z

Adding short description: "Ancient kingdom of the lower Indus Valley in South Asia" (Shortdesc helper)

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{{Short description|Ancient kingdom of the lower Indus Valley in South Asia}}

'''Sauvīra''' was an ancient kingdom of the lower [[Indus Valley]] mentioned in the [[Vedic period|Late Vedic]]<ref>Michael Witzel (1987), "On the localisation of Vedic texts and schools (Materials on Vedic Śākhās, 7)" in G. Pollet (ed.), ''India and the Ancient world. History, Trade and Culture before A.D. 650''</ref> and [[Pali canon|early Buddhist]] literature and the Hindu epic ''[[Mahabharata]]''. It is often mentioned alongside the [[Sindhu Kingdom]]. Its capital city was Roruka, identified with present-day [[Aror]]/[[Rohri]] in [[Sindh]], mentioned in the Buddhist literature as a major trading center.<ref>Derryl N. MacLean (1989), [https://books.google.com/books?id=xxAVAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA63 ''Religion and Society in Arab Sind''], p.63</ref> According to the Mahabharata, [[Jayadratha]] was the king of the [[Sindhu Kingdom|Sindhus]], Sauviras and [[Sivi Kingdom|Sivis]], having conquered Sauvira and Sivi, two kingdoms close to the Sindhu kingdom. Jayadratha was an ally of [[Duryodhana]] and the husband of Duryodhana's sister Dussala. The kingdom of Sauvira is also stated to be close to the [[Dwaraka Kingdom|Dwaraka]] and [[Anarta Kingdom|Anarta]] kingdoms.

==References to Sauvira in the ''Mahabharata''==
{{multiple issues|section=yes|
{{disputed|date=November 2014}}
{{refimprove|date=November 2014}}
{{One source|date=September 2015}}
{{Expert needed|Indian history|reason=direct quotations should be converted to paraphrases and/or expanded upon|date=September 2015}}
}}

=== Cultural affinity ===
{{Main article|Bahlika Culture}}
Culturally, the Sauviras were mentioned by the character [[Karna]] as being similar to the [[Madra Kingdom|Madras]]: "The Prasthalas, the [[Madra Kingdom|Madras]], the [[Gandhara Kingdom|Gandharas]], the [[Arattas]], those called [[Khasas (Mahabharata)|Khasas]], the Vasatis, the [[Sindhu Kingdom|Sindhus]] and the Sauviras are almost as blamable in their practices." (8:44)<ref>{{cite web|title=The Mahabharata, Book 8: Karna Parva: Section 44|url=http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m08/m08044.htm|publisher=Internet Sacred Text Archive|access-date=13 September 2015}}</ref>

=== Military habits ===
<blockquote>The [[Gandharva Kingdom|Gandharvas]] [or [[Gandhara Kingdom|Gandharas]]], the [[Sindhu Kingdom|Sindhus]], and the Sauviras fight best with their nails and lances. They are brave and endowed with great strength. Their armies are capable of vanquishing all forces. The Usinaras possess great strength and are skilled in all kinds of weapons. The Easterners are skilled in fighting from the backs of [[war elephants]] and are proficient with alternate fighting methods. The [[Yavana Kingdom|Yavanas]], the [[Kamboja Kingdom|Kamvojas]], and those that dwell around [[Mathura, Uttar Pradesh|Mathura]] are well skilled in fighting with bare arms. The Southerners are skilled in fighting sword in hand. (12:100)<ref>{{cite web|title=The Mahabharata, Book 12: Santi Parva: Rajadharmanusasana Parva: Section 101|url=http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m12/m12a100.htm|publisher=Internet Sacred Text Archive|access-date=13 September 2015}}</ref></blockquote>

=== Battles between Sindhu and Sauvira ===
In book 5, section 133 of the ''Mahabharata'', the character [[Kunti]] tells the story of '''Vidula'''. Vidula persuaded her son, who was the king of Sauvira but banished by the Sindhu king, to fight against the Sindhus and take back his kingdom from them: "And the princess Vidula, one day, rebuked her own son, who, after his defeat by the king of the [[Sindhu Kingdom|Sindhus]], lay prostrate with heart depressed by despair." (5:133)<ref>{{cite web|title=The Mahabharata, Book 5: Udyoga Parva: Bhagwat Yana Parva: Section 133|url=http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m05/m05133.htm|publisher=Internet Sacred Text Archive|access-date=13 September 2015}}</ref> "Rejoice, O son, and make thyself happy in the possession of wealth in the company of the daughters of the Sauviras and do not, in weakness of heart, be ruled over by the daughters of the Saindhavas." (5:134)<ref>{{cite web|title=The Mahabharata, Book 5: Udyoga Parva: Bhagwat Yana Parva: Section 134|url=http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m05/m05134.htm|publisher=Internet Sacred Text Archive|access-date=13 September 2015}}</ref> "Pierced by the wordy arrows of his mother, the son roused himself like a steed of proud mettle and achieved [defeating the Sindhus] all that his mother had pointed out." (5:136)

=== Kings of Sauvira ===
==== Rahugan ====
There is a mention of King Rahugan meeting with Bharat followed by an extensive dialogue between them about life and its meaning.
<ref>{{cite web|title=Bhagvat Puran, Section 5, Chapter 10|url=https://archive.org/details/puran_bhagwat/page/n285/mode/2up}}</ref>

==== Suvira ====
The kingdom of Sauvira was founded by Prince Suvira, one of the sons of Sivi. The neighboring kingdoms of Madra, Kekaya, and Sindhu belonged to Madraka, Kekaya, and Vrsadarbh, the other three sons of Sivi.{{citation needed|date=September 2015}}

==== Jayadratha ====
Jayadratha was the king not only of Sauvira but of [[Sindhu Kingdom|Sindhu]] and other countries as well. (3:265)<ref>{{cite web|title=The Mahabharata, Book 3: Vana Parva: Draupadi-harana Parva: Section 265|url=http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m03/m03265.htm|publisher=Internet Sacred Text Archive|access-date=13 September 2015}}</ref> The warriors of the [[Sivi Kingdom|Sivi]], Sauvira and [[Sindhu Kingdom|Sindhu]] tribes were under the command of Jayadratha. (3:269)<ref>{{cite web|title=The Mahabharata, Book 3: Vana Parva: Draupadi-harana Parva: Section 269|url=http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m03/m03269.htm|publisher=Internet Sacred Text Archive|access-date=13 September 2015}}</ref>

In section 22 of book 11, Jayadradtha is again mentioned as the king of [[Sindhu Kingdom|Sindhu]] and Saivira, and being married to — besides [[Dussala]] (the sister of [[Duryodhana]]) — two other wives, one from [[Gandhara Kingdom|Gandhara]] and the other from [[Kamboja Kingdom|Kamboja]].<ref>{{cite web|title=The Mahabharata, Book 11: Stri Parva: Stri-vilapa-parva: Section 22|url=http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m11/m11021.htm|publisher=Internet Sacred Text Archive|access-date=13 September 2015}}</ref>

Jayadratha is mentioned as the king of Sauvira at many places in the ''Mahabharata'', such as in this conversation between Jayadratha's ally Kotika and [[Draupadi]], the wife of the [[Pandavas]]: <blockquote>I am king Suratha's son whom people know by the name of Kotika, and that man with eyes large as the petals of the lotus, sitting on a chariot of gold, is the warrior known by the name of Kshemankara, king of [[Trigarta Kingdom|Trigarta]]. And behind him is the famous son of the king of Pulinda, who is even now gazing on thee. Armed with a mighty bow and endued with large eyes, and decorated with floral wreaths, he always liveth on the breasts of mountains. The dark and handsome young man, the scourge of his enemies, standing at the edge of that tank, is the son of Suvala of the race of [[Ikshwaku]]. And if, O excellent lady, thou hast ever heard the name of '''[[Jayadratha]]''', the king of '''Sauviras''', even he is there at the head of six thousand chariots, with horses and elephants and infantry, and followed by twelve Sauvira princes as his standard-bearers, named Angaraka, Kunjara, Guptaka, '''Satrunjaya''', Srinjaya, Suprabiddha, Prabhankara, Bhramara, Ravi, Sura, Pratapa and Kuhana, all mounted on chariots drawn by chestnut horses. The brothers also of the king, viz., the powerful Valahaka, Anika, Vidarana and others, are among his followers. These strong-limbed and noble youths are the flowers of the Sauvira chivalry. The king is journeying in the company of these his friends. (3:263)<ref>{{cite web|title=The Mahabharata, Book 3: Vana Parva: Draupadi-harana Parva: Section 263|url=http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m03/m03263.htm|publisher=Internet Sacred Text Archive|access-date=13 September 2015}}</ref></blockquote>

==== Other Sauvira kings ====
A king named '''Satrunjaya''' among the Sauviras is mentioned at (12:139).<ref>{{cite web|title=The Mahabharata, Book 12: Santi Parva: Apaddharmanusasana Parva: Section 140|url=http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m12/m12a139.htm|publisher=Internet Sacred Text Archive|access-date=13 September 2015}}</ref> The whole chapter consists of a conversation between this king and a sage in the Bharadwaja clan. <blockquote>[[Arjuna]] and the other [[Pandava]] princes became so powerful that they slew in battle the great Sauvira who had performed a sacrifice extending over three years, undaunted by the raids of the ''[[Gandharva Kingdom|Gandharvas]]'' [alternatively [[Gandhara Kingdom|Gandharas]]]. And the king of the [[Yavana Kingdom|Yavanas]] himself, whom the powerful [[Pandu]] even had failed to bring under subjection, was brought by Arjuna under control. Then again '''Vipula''', the king of the Sauviras, endued with great prowess, who had always shown a disregard for the [[Kuru Kingdom|Kurus]], was made by the intelligent Arjuna to feel the edge of his power. And Arjuna also repressed by means of his arrows (the pride of) king '''Sumitra''' of Sauvira, also known by the name of Dattamitra[,] who had resolutely sought an encounter with him. (1:141)<ref>{{cite web|title=The Mahabharata, Book 1: Adi Parva: Sambhava Parva: Section 141|url=http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m01/m01142.htm|publisher=Internet Sacred Text Archive|access-date=13 September 2015}}</ref></blockquote>
A ''prajapati'' (patriarch) named [[Manu (Hinduism)|Manu]], and his descendants who ruled Sauvira, are described by [[Bhishma]]: <blockquote>Manu had a son [...] of the name of the [[Ikshwaku]]. [...] His tenth son [...] was named Dasaswa, and this virtuous prince of infallible prowess became the king of [[Mahismati]]. Dasaswa's son [...] was known by the name of Madiraswa and ruled over the Earth as her lord. He was constantly devoted to the study of the Vedas as also of the science of arms. Madiraswa's son was the king named Dyutimat who possessed great good fortune and power and strength and energy. Dyutimat's son was the highly devout and pious king who was famous in all the worlds under the name of Suvira. [...] Suvira too had a son who was invincible in battle, and who was the best of all warriors and known by the name of Sudurjaya.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Mahabharata, Book 13: Anusasana Parva: Anusasanika Parva: Section 2|url=http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m13/m13a002.htm|publisher=Internet Sacred Text Archive|access-date=13 September 2015}}</ref>(13:2)</blockquote>
King '''Suvira''' is also mentioned in Book 1, Section 67 as one of "many heroic kings on earth."<ref>{{cite web|title=The Mahabharata, Book 1: Adi Parva: Sambhava Parva: Section 67|url=http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m01/m01068.htm|publisher=Internet Sacred Text Archive|access-date=13 September 2015}}</ref>

King "'''Ajavindu''' among the Suviras" is mentioned as an annihilator of his own race. (5:74)<ref>{{cite web|title=The Mahabharata, Book 5: Udyoga Parva: Bhagwat Yana Parva: Section 74|url=http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m05/m05074.htm|publisher=Internet Sacred Text Archive|access-date=13 September 2015}}</ref>

===Sauvira in the Kurukshetra War===
In the [[Kurukshetra War]], Sauvira sided with the [[Kauravas]] under their ruler [[Jayadratha]]. (6:71), (7:10,136)

"In [[Bhishma]]'s division were all the sons of [[Dhritarashtra]], and also Sala, who was a countryman of the [[Bahlika Kingdom|Valhikas]], and also all those [[Kshatriyas]] called Amvastas, and those called [[Sindhu Kingdom|Sindhus]], and those also that are called Sauviras, and the heroic dwellers of the country of the five rivers." (6:20)<ref>{{cite book|title=Mahabharata|date=2015|publisher=Northwestern University Press|isbn=978-0810130593|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yHfIBgAAQBAJ|page=516|access-date=13 September 2015}}</ref>

"The Abhishahas, the Surasenas, the [[Sivi Kingdom|Sivis]], and the Vasatis, the [[Salwa Kingdom|Swalyas]], the [[Matsya Kingdom|Matsyas]], the Amvashtas, the [[Trigarta Kingdom|Trigartas]], and the [[Kekaya Kingdom|Kekayas]], the Sauviras, the Kitavas, and the dwellers of the eastern, western, and northern countries were all resolved to fight reckless of the lives." (6:18)<ref>{{cite book|title=Mahabharata|date=2015|publisher=Northwestern University Press|isbn=978-0810130593|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yHfIBgAAQBAJ|page=513|access-date=13 September 2015}}</ref>

Those warriors that are opposed to [[Arjuna]], viz., the '''Sauvirakas''', the [[Sindhu Kingdom|Sindhava]]-Pauravas, headed by [[Karna]], are regarded as the foremost of car-warriors (7:108). "[M]any combatants also, belonging to the Nishadas, the Sauviras, the [[Bahlika Kingdom|Valhikas]], the [[Darada Kingdom|Daradas]], the Westerners, the Northerners, the [[Malava Kingdom|Malavas]], the Abhighatas, the [[Surasena Kingdom|Surasenas]], the [[Sivi Kingdom|Sivis]], the Vasatis, the [[Salwa Kingdom|Salwas]], the [[Scythians in the Mahabharata|Sakas]], the [[Trigarta Kingdom|Trigartas]], the Amvashthas, and the [[Kekeya Kingdom|Kekayas]], similarly fell upon him" (Arjuna). (6:118)<ref>{{cite book|title=Mahabharata|date=2015|publisher=Northwestern University Press|isbn=978-0810130593|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yHfIBgAAQBAJ|page=555|access-date=13 September 2015}}</ref> [[Bhishma]] the son of Santanu, protected by the warriors headed by [[Sindhu Kingdom|Saindhava]] and by the combatants of the East and the Sauviras and the Kekayas, [fought] with great impetuosity. (6:52)<ref>{{cite web|title=The Mahabharata, Book 6: Bhishma Parva: Bhagavat-Gita Parva: Section 52|url=http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m06/m06052.htm|publisher=Internet Sacred Text Archive|access-date=13 September 2015}}</ref>

"[T]he diverse tribes of the Sauviras, the Vasatis, and the Kshudrakas, and the Malavas, all these, at the command of the royal son of Santanu [Bhishma], quickly approached Kiritin [Arjuna] for battle." (6:59)<ref>{{cite web|title=The Mahabharata, Book 6: Bhishma Parva: Bhagavat-Gita Parva: Section 59|url=http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m06/m06059.htm|publisher=Internet Sacred Text Archive|access-date=13 September 2015}}</ref>

===Other references in the ''Mahabharata''===
* "Prompted by sinful motives, this one [meaning [[Shishupala]] of [[Chedi Kingdom|Chedi]]] ravished the reluctant wife of the innocent Vabhru ([[Akrura]]) on her way from [[Dwaraka Kingdom|Dwaraka]] to the country of the Sauviras."(2:44)<ref>{{cite web|title=The Mahabharata, Book 2: Sabha Parva: Shishupala-badha Parva: Section 44|url=http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m02/m02044.htm|publisher=Internet Sacred Text Archive|access-date=13 September 2015}}</ref> This is an indication of the ancient route that existed connecting Dwaraka and Sauvira.
*"Manasyu [a king in the line of [[King Porus|Puru]]] had for his wife '''Sauviri'''. And he begat upon her three sons called Sakta, Sahana, and Vagmi." (1:94)<ref>{{cite book|title=The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa|date=2012|publisher=Library of Alexandria|location=Kindle Edition|isbn=9781465526373|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ygA2240G74kC&q=%22had+for+his+wife+Sauviri%22&pg=PT533|access-date=13 September 2015}}</ref> (This may be coincidental.)
*Shalya is mentioned as belonging to the Sauvira clan at (8:9). (This could be a translation error.)

==References in other classical texts==
According to the ''[[Bhagavata Purana]]'', another Hindu text, the Sauviras were once connected with the [[Abhira]] tribe.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Eggermont|first1=Pierre Herman Leonard|title=Alexander's Campaigns in Sind and Baluchistan and the Siege of the Brahmin Town of Harmatelia|date=1975|publisher=Peeters Publishers|isbn=978-9061860372|page=146|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nG0_xoDS3hUC&q=abhira+tribe&pg=PA146|access-date=13 September 2015}}</ref>

The ''Compendium of [[Charaka]]'' ([[Sanskrit]] चरकसंहिता ''Charaka saṃhitā'') is an early text on [[Ayurveda]] (Indian traditional medicine) probably completed in its present form in the first few centuries AD.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Meulenbeld|first1=Gerrit Jan|title=A History of Indian Medical Literature|date=2002|publisher=Brill Academic Publishers|location=Groningen|isbn=978-9069801247|volume=1A|pages=7–180 |oclc=165833440}}</ref> In chapter 1 of the Vimānasthāna section of the ''Compendium'', at verse 18, the author notes that the people of Sauvīra are over-fond of salt in their diet, and even consume salt in milk. As a consequence they [are said to] suffer from ailments such as lethargy, slackness and weakness of body.{{citation needed|date=September 2015}}

"The [[Rudradaman I#Other facts|Junâgaḍh inscription of Rudradáman]] [also] mentions the Sauvīra people or country."<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Fleet|first1=J.F.|title=Topographical List of the Brihat-Samhita|journal=The Indian Antiquary: A Journal of Oriental Research|date=1893|volume=22|page=189|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dzVCAQAAMAAJ&q=sauvira&pg=PA189|access-date=13 September 2015|location=Bombay}}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[Ror dynasty]]
* [[Kingdoms of Ancient India]]

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==Further reading==
*[[Kisari Mohan Ganguli]], ''The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa Translated into English Prose'', 1883-1896.

==External links==
{{Tribes and kingdoms of the Mahabharata}}
{{Mahabharata}}

[[Category:Kingdoms in the Mahabharata]]
[[Category:Ancient history of Pakistan]]
[[Category:Former countries in Asia]]

Sauvira Kingdom - Revision history

imported>Zeex.rice: Adding short description: "Ancient kingdom of the lower Indus Valley in South Asia" (Shortdesc helper)