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{{Short description|Ancient Indian region known as Lār-deśa or Larike}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2017}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2017}}
'''Lata''' ([[IAST]]: Lāṭa) was a historical region of India, located in the southern part of the present-day [[Gujarat]] state.
'''Lata''' ([[IAST]]: Lāṭa) was a historical region of India, located in the southern part of the present-day [[Gujarat]] state.
<mapframe text="Lata is identified as the area between [[Mahi river]] in the north and [[Narmada river|Narmada]] or [[Tapti River|Tapi River]] in south. [[Bharuch]] is a major city and former capital of the region. (marked here in modern day [[Gujarat]] state)." latitude="21.861" longitude="73.477" zoom="6" width="400" height="300" align="right">
<mapframe text="Lata is identified as the area between [[Mahi River]] in the north and [[Narmada River|Narmada]] or [[Tapti River|Tapi River]] in south. [[Bharuch]] is a major city and former capital of the region. (marked here in modern day [[Gujarat]] state)." latitude="21.861" longitude="73.477" zoom="6" width="400" height="300" align="right">
{
{
   "type": "FeatureCollection",
   "type": "FeatureCollection",
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     {
     {
       "type": "Feature",
       "type": "Feature",
       "properties": { "title": "[[Narmada river]]"},
       "properties": { "title": "[[Narmada River]]"},
       "geometry": {
       "geometry": {
         "type": "LineString",
         "type": "LineString",
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     {
     {
       "type": "Feature",
       "type": "Feature",
       "properties": { "title": "[[Mahi river]]"},
       "properties": { "title": "[[Mahi River]]"},
       "geometry": {
       "geometry": {
         "type": "LineString",
         "type": "LineString",
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== Location and extent ==
== Location and extent ==


''Shakti-Sangam-Tantra'', a [[Shaktism|Shakti cult]] text composed before 7th century CE, states that Lata was located to the west of [[Avanti (India)]] and to the north-west of [[Vidarbha]].{{sfn|Sharma|1978|p=218}}
''Shakti-Sangam-Tantra'', a [[Shaktism|Shakt sampradaya]] text composed before 7th century CE, states that Lata was located to the west of [[Avanti (India)]] and to the north-west of [[Vidarbha]].{{sfn|Sharma|1978|p=218}}


According to Tej Ram Sharma, Lata's northern boundary was formed by the [[Mahi River]], or at times, by the [[Narmada River]]. In the south, Lata extended up to the [[Purna River (tributary of Tapti)|Purna River]], and at times, up to [[Daman, Daman and Diu|Daman]]. It included [[Surat]], [[Bharuch]], [[Kheda]] and [[Vadodara]].{{sfn|Sharma|1978|p=218}}
According to Tej Ram Sharma, Lata's northern boundary was formed by the [[Mahi River]], or at times, by the [[Narmada River]]. In the south, Lata extended up to the [[Purna River (tributary of Tapti)|Purna River]], and at times, up to [[Daman, Daman and Diu|Daman]]. It included [[Surat]], [[Bharuch]], [[Kheda]] and [[Vadodara]].{{sfn|Sharma|1978|p=218}}
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== Historical mentions ==
== Historical mentions ==


The Lata region is not mentioned in the earliest of the [[Purana]]s or the [[Indian epic poetry|Sanskrit epics]]. The earliest mention of the region probably comes from the writings of the 2nd century Greco-Egyptian writer [[Ptolemy]].{{sfn|Pruthi|2004|p=148}} The Larike mentioned by him is identified with Lata by multiple scholars including [[Hasmukh Dhirajlal Sankalia|H. D. Sankalia]]{{sfn|Sankalia|1977|p=3}} and [[D. C. Sircar]],{{sfn|Sircar|1968|p=116}} The Greek name might have derived from Lār-deśa ("Lār country"), the [[Prakrit]] form of Lāṭa.{{sfn|Pruthi|2004|p=148}} Ptolemy mentions that the delta of the river Mophis (identified with Mahi) and [[Barygaza]] (Bharuch) were located in Larike.{{sfn|Pruthi|2004|p=148}} [[Vatsayayana]] in his ''[[Kama Sutra]]'' of the third century calls it ''Láṭa''; describes it as situated to the west of Malwa; and gives an account of several of the customs of its people.<ref name="GBP">{{cite book|editor=James Macnabb Campbell|editor-link=James Macnabb Campbell|title=History of Gujarát|url=http://www.gutenberg.org/files/54652/54652-h/54652-h.htm|series=Gazetteer of the Bombay Presidency|volume=Volume I. Part II.|year=1896|publisher=The Government Central Press|pages=236–241|chapter=II. ÁHMEDÁBÁD KINGS. (A. D. 1403–1573.)}}{{PD-notice}}</ref>
The Lata region is not mentioned in the earliest of the [[Purana]]s or the [[Indian epic poetry|Sanskrit epics]]. The earliest mention of the region probably comes from the writings of the 2nd century Greco-Egyptian writer [[Ptolemy]].{{sfn|Pruthi|2004|p=148}} The Larike mentioned by him is identified with Lata by multiple scholars including [[Hasmukh Dhirajlal Sankalia|H. D. Sankalia]]{{sfn|Sankalia|1977|p=3}} and [[D. C. Sircar]],{{sfn|Sircar|1968|p=116}} The Greek name might have derived from Lār-deśa ("Lār country"), the [[Prakrit]] form of Lāṭa.{{sfn|Pruthi|2004|p=148}} Ptolemy mentions that the delta of the river Mophis (identified with Mahi) and [[Barygaza]] (Bharuch) were located in Larike.{{sfn|Pruthi|2004|p=148}} [[Vatsayayana]] in his ''[[Kama Sutra]]'' of the third century calls it ''Láṭa''; describes it as situated to the west of Malwa; and gives an account of several of the customs of its people.<ref name="GBP">{{cite book|editor=James Macnabb Campbell|editor-link=James Macnabb Campbell|title=History of Gujarát|url=https://www.gutenberg.org/files/54652/54652-h/54652-h.htm|series=Gazetteer of the Bombay Presidency|volume=I. Part II.|year=1896|publisher=The Government Central Press|pages=236–241|chapter=II. ÁHMEDÁBÁD KINGS. (A. D. 1403–1573.)}}{{PD-notice}}</ref>


In Sanskrit writings and inscriptions later than the third century, the name is frequently found. In the sixth century, the astronomer [[Varahamihira]] mentions the country of Láṭa, and the name also appears as Láṭa in an Ajanta and in a Mandasor inscription of the fifth century. It is common in the later inscriptions (a.d. 700–1200) of the [[Chaulukya]], Gurjara and Ráshṭrakúṭa kings as well as in the writings of Arab travellers and historians between the eighth and twelfth centuries.<ref name="GBP"/> ''[[Dipavamsa]]'' and ''[[Mahavamsa]]'' mention that [[Prince Vijaya]] came from the [[Sinhapura]] city in the Lala or Lada region. This region is variously identified as Lata in Gujarat or [[Rarh]] in Bengal.{{sfn|Pruthi|2004|p=149}}
In Sanskrit writings and inscriptions later than the third century, the name is frequently found. In the sixth century, the astronomer [[Varahamihira]] mentions the country of Láṭa, and the name also appears as Láṭa in an Ajanta and in a Mandasor inscription of the fifth century. It is common in the later inscriptions (700–1200 CE) of the [[Chaulukya]], Gurjara and Ráshṭrakúṭa kings as well as in the writings of Arab travellers and historians between the eighth and twelfth centuries.<ref name="GBP"/> ''[[Dipavamsa]]'' and ''[[Mahavamsa]]'' mention that [[Prince Vijaya]] came from the [[Sinhapura]] city in the Lala or Lada region. This region is variously identified as Lata in Gujarat or [[Rarh]] in Bengal.{{sfn|Pruthi|2004|p=149}}


In the [[Gupta Empire|Gupta]]-era records, Lata is mentioned as a ''vishaya'' (IAST: viṣaya) or district.{{sfn|Pruthi|2004|p=149}} The Lāṭa-viṣaya was well-known until the 8th century.{{sfn|Pruthi|2004|p=148}}
In the [[Gupta Empire|Gupta]]-era records, Lata is mentioned as a ''[[vishaya]]'' ([[IAST]]: viṣaya) or district.{{sfn|Pruthi|2004|p=149}} The Lāṭa-viṣaya was well-known until the 8th century.{{sfn|Pruthi|2004|p=148}}


The Latesvara country mentioned in some early [[Gurjara-Pratihara]] and [[Rashtrakuta]] records is probably same as Lata.{{sfn|Pruthi|2004|p=150}}
The Latesvara country mentioned in some early [[Gurjara-Pratihara]] and [[Rashtrakuta]] records is probably same as Lata.{{sfn|Pruthi|2004|p=150}}
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{{Gujarat}}
{{Gujarat}}


[[Category:Historical Indian regions]]
[[Category:Historical regions in India]]
[[Category:History of Gujarat]]
[[Category:History of Gujarat]]
[[Category:Geographical regions of India]]

Latest revision as of 00:27, 2 March 2026


Lata (IAST: Lāṭa) was a historical region of India, located in the southern part of the present-day Gujarat state.

Map
Lata is identified as the area between Mahi River in the north and Narmada or Tapi River in south. Bharuch is a major city and former capital of the region. (marked here in modern day Gujarat state).

Location and extent[edit | edit source]

Shakti-Sangam-Tantra, a Shakt sampradaya text composed before 7th century CE, states that Lata was located to the west of Avanti (India) and to the north-west of Vidarbha.[1]

According to Tej Ram Sharma, Lata's northern boundary was formed by the Mahi River, or at times, by the Narmada River. In the south, Lata extended up to the Purna River, and at times, up to Daman. It included Surat, Bharuch, Kheda and Vadodara.[1]

According to Georg Bühler, Lata was the area between Mahi River and Kim River, and its major city was Bharuch.[1]

Historical mentions[edit | edit source]

The Lata region is not mentioned in the earliest of the Puranas or the Sanskrit epics. The earliest mention of the region probably comes from the writings of the 2nd century Greco-Egyptian writer Ptolemy.[2] The Larike mentioned by him is identified with Lata by multiple scholars including H. D. Sankalia[3] and D. C. Sircar,[4] The Greek name might have derived from Lār-deśa ("Lār country"), the Prakrit form of Lāṭa.[2] Ptolemy mentions that the delta of the river Mophis (identified with Mahi) and Barygaza (Bharuch) were located in Larike.[2] Vatsayayana in his Kama Sutra of the third century calls it Láṭa; describes it as situated to the west of Malwa; and gives an account of several of the customs of its people.[5]

In Sanskrit writings and inscriptions later than the third century, the name is frequently found. In the sixth century, the astronomer Varahamihira mentions the country of Láṭa, and the name also appears as Láṭa in an Ajanta and in a Mandasor inscription of the fifth century. It is common in the later inscriptions (700–1200 CE) of the Chaulukya, Gurjara and Ráshṭrakúṭa kings as well as in the writings of Arab travellers and historians between the eighth and twelfth centuries.[5] Dipavamsa and Mahavamsa mention that Prince Vijaya came from the Sinhapura city in the Lala or Lada region. This region is variously identified as Lata in Gujarat or Rarh in Bengal.[6]

In the Gupta-era records, Lata is mentioned as a vishaya (IAST: viṣaya) or district.[6] The Lāṭa-viṣaya was well-known until the 8th century.[2]

The Latesvara country mentioned in some early Gurjara-Pratihara and Rashtrakuta records is probably same as Lata.[7]

The Chalukyas of Lata ruled the region during the 10th and 11th centuries.[8]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 Sharma 1978, p. 218.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Pruthi 2004, p. 148.
  3. Sankalia 1977, p. 3.
  4. Sircar 1968, p. 116.
  5. 5.0 5.1 James Macnabb Campbell, ed. (1896). "II. ÁHMEDÁBÁD KINGS. (A. D. 1403–1573.)". History of Gujarát. Gazetteer of the Bombay Presidency. Vol. I. Part II. The Government Central Press. pp. 236–241. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  6. 6.0 6.1 Pruthi 2004, p. 149.
  7. Pruthi 2004, p. 150.
  8. Syed Amanur Rahman and Balraj Verma (2006). The Beautiful India - Daman & Diu. Reference Press. p. 9. ISBN 9788184050226.

Bibliography[edit | edit source]