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{{Short description|Ancient Hindu kingdom of India}} | {{Short description|Ancient Hindu kingdom of India}} | ||
{{About|historical Iron Age kingdom|the mythological kingdom|Matsya Kingdom|the avatar of the Hindu god Viṣṇu|Matsya|other uses|Matsya (disambiguation)}} | |||
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2017}} | {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2017}} | ||
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2017}} | {{Use Indian English|date=July 2017}} | ||
{{more citations needed|date=February 2015}} | {{more citations needed|date=February 2015}} | ||
{{Infobox country | {{Infobox country | ||
| native_name = Macchā | | native_name = Macchā | ||
| conventional_long_name = Matsya | | conventional_long_name = Kingdom of Matsya | ||
| common_name = | | common_name = | ||
| era = [[Iron Age]] | | era = [[Iron Age]] | ||
| Line 12: | Line 12: | ||
| year_start = {{c.|1400 BCE}} | | year_start = {{c.|1400 BCE}} | ||
| year_end = {{c.|350 BCE}} | | year_end = {{c.|350 BCE}} | ||
| p1 = | | p1 = | ||
| s1 = Magadha | | s1 = Shaishunaga dynasty{{!}}Magadha | ||
| image_map = Mahajanapadas_(c._500_BCE).png | | image_map = Mahajanapadas_(c._500_BCE).png | ||
| image_map_alt = | | image_map_alt = | ||
| Line 20: | Line 20: | ||
| capital = [[Bairat|Virāṭanagara]] | | capital = [[Bairat|Virāṭanagara]] | ||
| common_languages = [[Prakrit]]s | | common_languages = [[Prakrit]]s | ||
| religion = [[Historical Vedic religion]]{{sfn|Raychaudhuri|1953|p=66-68}} | | religion = [[Historical Vedic religion]] {{sfn|Raychaudhuri|1953|p=66-68}} <br>[[Jainism]]<br>[[Buddhism]] | ||
| demonym = Mātsyeya | | demonym = Mātsyeya | ||
| currency = | | currency = | ||
| Line 26: | Line 26: | ||
| today = [[India]] | | today = [[India]] | ||
}} | }} | ||
'''Matsya''' ( | '''Matsya''' ([[Pali]]: {{Transliteration|pi|Macchā}}) was an ancient [[Indo-Aryan peoples|Indo-Aryan]] [[tribe]] of central [[Ancient India|India]] whose existence is attested during the [[Iron Age in India|Iron Age]]. The members of the Matsya tribe were called the '''Mātsyeyas''' and were organised into a kingdom called the '''Matsya kingdom'''.{{sfn|Raychaudhuri|1953|p=66-68}} | ||
==Etymology== | ==Etymology== | ||
{{ | {{Transliteration|pi|Macchā}} in [[Pali|Pāli]] and {{Transliteration|sa|Matsya}} in [[Sanskrit]] mean "fish".<ref>{{cite book |last=Monier-Williams |first=Monier |author-link=Monier Monier-Williams |date=1899 |title=A Sanskrit-English Dictionary: Etymologically and Philologically Arranged with Special Reference to Cognate Indo-European Languages |url=https://archive.org/details/ASanskritEnglishDictionary |location=[[Oxford]], [[England]], [[United Kingdom]] |publisher=[[Oxford University Press|Clarendon Press]] |page=[https://archive.org/details/ASanskritEnglishDictionary/page/n817/mode/2up 776] |isbn=}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Apte |first=Vaman Shivram |author-link=Vaman Shivram Apte |date=1890 |title=The Practical Sanskrit-English Dictionary |url=https://archive.org/details/practicalsanskri00apteuoft |location= |publisher=[[Motilal Banarsidass|Motilal Banarsidass Publishers]] |page=[https://archive.org/details/practicalsanskri00apteuoft/page/734/mode/2up 735] |isbn=978-8-120-81568-1 }}</ref><ref>[[Manfred Mayrhofer|Mayrhofer, Manfred]] (1996). Entry “mátsya-”. In: ''Etymologisches Wörterbuch des Altindoarischen'' [Etymological Dictionary of Old Indo-Aryan] Volume II. Heidelberg: Carl Winter Universitätsverlag, 1996. pp. 297-298. (In German)</ref> | ||
==Location== | ==Location== | ||
| Line 46: | Line 46: | ||
}} | }} | ||
{{HistoryOfSouthAsia}} | {{HistoryOfSouthAsia}} | ||
The kingdom of the Mātsyeyas covered an extensive territory, with the [[Sarasvati River|Sarasvatī]] river and the forests skirting it as its western border, and its southern boundaries being the hills near the [[Chambal River]]. The neighbours of the Matsya state were [[Kuru Kingdom|Kuru]] in the north, and [[Surasena|Sūrasena]] in the east.{{sfn|Raychaudhuri|1953|p=66-68}}{{sfn|Raychaudhuri|1953|p=137-138}} | The kingdom of the Mātsyeyas covered an extensive territory, with the [[Sarasvati River|Sarasvatī]] river and the forests skirting it as its western border, and its southern boundaries being the hills near the [[Chambal River]]. Most of the kingdom comprised parts of present-day North-eastern [[Rajasthan]]. The neighbours of the Matsya state were [[Kuru Kingdom|Kuru]] in the north, and [[Surasena|Sūrasena]] in the east.{{sfn|Raychaudhuri|1953|p=66-68}}{{sfn|Raychaudhuri|1953|p=137-138}} | ||
The capital of Matsya was Virāṭanagara, which corresponds to the modern-day [[Bairat|Bairāṭ]].{{sfn|Raychaudhuri|1953|p=66-68}}{{sfn|Raychaudhuri|1953|p=137-138}} | The capital of Matsya was Virāṭanagara, which corresponds to the modern-day [[Bairat|Bairāṭ]] in [[Jaipur district]] of [[Rajasthan]].{{sfn|Raychaudhuri|1953|p=66-68}}{{sfn|Raychaudhuri|1953|p=137-138}} | ||
==History== | ==History== | ||
The Matsya tribe was first mentioned in the [[Rigveda|{{ | The Matsya tribe was first mentioned in the [[Rigveda|{{Transliteration|sa|Ṛgveda}}]], where they appear as one of the opponents of [[Sudas|Sudās]] during the [[Battle of the Ten Kings]].{{sfn|Raychaudhuri|1953|p=66-68}} | ||
According to the [[Shatapatha Brahmana|{{ | According to the [[Shatapatha Brahmana|{{Transliteration|sa|Śatapatha Brāhmaṇa}}]], the Mātsyeya king Dhvasan Dvaitavana performed an [[Ashvamedha|{{Transliteration|sa|aśvamedha}}]] sacrifice near the Sarasvatī river. A forest on the banks of the Sarasvatī and a lake were both named after the king Dvaitavana.{{sfn|Raychaudhuri|1953|p=66-68}} | ||
Vedic texts such as the [[Gopatha Brahmana|{{ | Vedic texts such as the [[Gopatha Brahmana|{{Transliteration|sa|Gopatha Brāhmaṇa}}]] mention the Mātsyeyas along with the [[Salva (India)|Śālva]] tribe, and the [[Kaushitaki Upanishad|{{Transliteration|sa|Kauśītaki Upaniṣad}}]] connects them with the [[Kuru Kingdom|Kuru]]-[[Pañcāla]]s. Later Puranic texts such as the [[Mahabharata|{{Transliteration|sa|Mahābhārata}}]] connects them with the [[Trigarta]]s and the [[Cedī (tribe)|Caidya]]s, and the [[Manusmriti|{{Transliteration|sa|Manu-Saṃhitā}}]] lists the countries of the Mātsyeyas, the [[Surasena|Śūrasenaka]]s, the [[Pañcāla]]s, and of [[Kurukshetra|Kuru-kṣetra]], as forming the {{Transliteration|sa|Brahmarṣi-deśa}} (the holy enclave of the [[Brahmin|{{Transliteration|sa|brāhmaṇa}}]] sages).{{sfn|Raychaudhuri|1953|p=66-68}} | ||
The later history of Matsya is not known, although the Buddhist [[Aṅguttara Nikāya|{{ | The later history of Matsya is not known, although the Buddhist [[Aṅguttara Nikāya|{{Transliteration|pi|Aṅguttara Nikāya}}]] included it among the sixteen [[Mahajanapadas|{{Transliteration|sa|Mahājanapada}}]]s ("great realms"), which were the most powerful states of India immediately before the birth of the [[Gautama Buddha|Buddha]].{{sfn|Raychaudhuri|1953|p=137-138}} The Matsya state in the {{Transliteration|sa|Mahājanapada}} period archaeologically corresponds to the [[Northern Black Polished Ware]] archaeological culture which in the western part of the [[Ganges|Gaṅgā]]-[[Yamuna|Yamunā]] Doab region succeeded the earlier [[Painted Grey Ware culture]], and is associated with the [[Kuru Kingdom|Kuru]], [[Pañcāla]], Matsya, [[Surasena]] and [[Vatsa]] {{Transliteration|sa|Mahājanapada}}s.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Bhan |first=Suraj |author-link=Suraj Bhan (archaeologist) |date=2006-12-01 |title=North Indian Protohistory and Vedic Aryans |journal=Ancient Asia |volume=1 |pages=173 |doi=10.5334/aa.06115 |issn=2042-5937 |doi-access=free }}</ref> | ||
Unlike other states of central | Unlike other states of central India who abandoned the kingdom form for a [[Gaṇasaṅgha|{{Transliteration|sa|gaṇasaṅgha}}]] ([[aristocracy|aristocratic]] [[republic]]) mode of government during the late Iron Age, Matsya maintained a monarchical system.{{sfn|Raychaudhuri|1953|p=137-138}} | ||
Matsya was eventually conquered by the empire of [[Magadha]].{{sfn|Raychaudhuri|1953|p=137-138}} | Matsya was eventually conquered by the empire of [[Magadha (Mahajanapada)|Magadha]].{{sfn|Raychaudhuri|1953|p=137-138}} | ||
== Legacy == | == Legacy == | ||
| Line 70: | Line 70: | ||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
* [[Vedic period]] | * [[Vedic period]] | ||
* [[ | * [[Janapadas]] | ||
* [[Mahajanapadas]] | * [[Mahajanapadas]] | ||
* [[Cemetery H culture]] | * [[Cemetery H culture]] | ||
| Line 95: | Line 95: | ||
[[Category:Regions of Rajasthan]] | [[Category:Regions of Rajasthan]] | ||
[[Category:Former kingdoms]] | [[Category:Former kingdoms]] | ||
[[Category:Ancient Indo-Aryan tribes]] | |||
Latest revision as of 04:11, 1 August 2025
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (February 2015) |
Kingdom of Matsya Macchā | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| c. 1400 BCE–c. 350 BCE | |||||||
.png) Matsya Kingdom and other Mahajanapadas in the Post Vedic period. | |||||||
| Capital | Virāṭanagara | ||||||
| Common languages | Prakrits | ||||||
| Religion | Historical Vedic religion [1] Jainism Buddhism | ||||||
| Demonym | Mātsyeya | ||||||
| Government | Monarchy | ||||||
| Raja | |||||||
| Historical era | Iron Age | ||||||
• Established | c. 1400 BCE | ||||||
• Disestablished | c. 350 BCE | ||||||
| |||||||
| Today part of | India | ||||||
Matsya (Pali: Macchā) was an ancient Indo-Aryan tribe of central India whose existence is attested during the Iron Age. The members of the Matsya tribe were called the Mātsyeyas and were organised into a kingdom called the Matsya kingdom.[1]
Etymology[edit | edit source]
Macchā in Pāli and Matsya in Sanskrit mean "fish".[2][3][4]
Location[edit | edit source]
.png)
Location of the Matsyas among the Vedic tribes
.png)
Location of Matsya during the late Vedic period
Location of Matsya during the post-Vedic period
| Outline of South Asian history |
|---|
_without_national_boundaries.svg) |
The kingdom of the Mātsyeyas covered an extensive territory, with the Sarasvatī river and the forests skirting it as its western border, and its southern boundaries being the hills near the Chambal River. Most of the kingdom comprised parts of present-day North-eastern Rajasthan. The neighbours of the Matsya state were Kuru in the north, and Sūrasena in the east.[1][5]
The capital of Matsya was Virāṭanagara, which corresponds to the modern-day Bairāṭ in Jaipur district of Rajasthan.[1][5]
History[edit | edit source]
The Matsya tribe was first mentioned in the Ṛgveda, where they appear as one of the opponents of Sudās during the Battle of the Ten Kings.[1]
According to the Śatapatha Brāhmaṇa, the Mātsyeya king Dhvasan Dvaitavana performed an aśvamedha sacrifice near the Sarasvatī river. A forest on the banks of the Sarasvatī and a lake were both named after the king Dvaitavana.[1]
Vedic texts such as the Gopatha Brāhmaṇa mention the Mātsyeyas along with the Śālva tribe, and the Kauśītaki Upaniṣad connects them with the Kuru-Pañcālas. Later Puranic texts such as the Mahābhārata connects them with the Trigartas and the Caidyas, and the Manu-Saṃhitā lists the countries of the Mātsyeyas, the Śūrasenakas, the Pañcālas, and of Kuru-kṣetra, as forming the Brahmarṣi-deśa (the holy enclave of the brāhmaṇa sages).[1]
The later history of Matsya is not known, although the Buddhist Aṅguttara Nikāya included it among the sixteen Mahājanapadas ("great realms"), which were the most powerful states of India immediately before the birth of the Buddha.[5] The Matsya state in the Mahājanapada period archaeologically corresponds to the Northern Black Polished Ware archaeological culture which in the western part of the Gaṅgā-Yamunā Doab region succeeded the earlier Painted Grey Ware culture, and is associated with the Kuru, Pañcāla, Matsya, Surasena and Vatsa Mahājanapadas.[6]
Unlike other states of central India who abandoned the kingdom form for a gaṇasaṅgha (aristocratic republic) mode of government during the late Iron Age, Matsya maintained a monarchical system.[5]
Matsya was eventually conquered by the empire of Magadha.[5]
Legacy[edit | edit source]
After the Indian independence in 1947, the princely states of Bharatpur, Dholpur, Alwar and Karauli were temporarily put together from 1947 to 1949 as the ″United States of Matsya″, and later in March 1949 after these princely states signed the Instrument of Accession they were merged with the present state of Rajasthan.[7]
The Matsya Festival is held in Alwar every year in the last week of November to celebrate culture and adventure.[8]
See also[edit | edit source]
- Vedic period
- Janapadas
- Mahajanapadas
- Cemetery H culture
- Painted Grey Ware culture
- Northern Black Polished Ware
- Kingdoms of Ancient India
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 Raychaudhuri 1953, p. 66-68.
- ↑ Monier-Williams, Monier (1899). A Sanskrit-English Dictionary: Etymologically and Philologically Arranged with Special Reference to Cognate Indo-European Languages. Oxford, England, United Kingdom: Clarendon Press. p. 776.
- ↑ Apte, Vaman Shivram (1890). The Practical Sanskrit-English Dictionary. Motilal Banarsidass Publishers. p. 735. ISBN 978-8-120-81568-1.
- ↑ Mayrhofer, Manfred (1996). Entry “mátsya-”. In: Etymologisches Wörterbuch des Altindoarischen [Etymological Dictionary of Old Indo-Aryan] Volume II. Heidelberg: Carl Winter Universitätsverlag, 1996. pp. 297-298. (In German)
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 Raychaudhuri 1953, p. 137-138.
- ↑ Bhan, Suraj (1 December 2006). "North Indian Protohistory and Vedic Aryans". Ancient Asia. 1: 173. doi:10.5334/aa.06115. ISSN 2042-5937.
- ↑ NWR tourist places
- ↑ Times Travel Editor (November 2018). "All about Alwar Matsya Festival". Times of India. Alwar, Rajasthan, India.
{{cite news}}:|author=has generic name (help).
Sources[edit | edit source]
- Raychaudhuri, Hemchandra (1953). Political History of Ancient India: From the Accession of Parikshit to the Extinction of Gupta Dynasty. University of Calcutta.