Kingdoms of Ancient India

Kuru

This was the foremost among the kingdoms during the period of Mahabharata. It was ruled by the Kuru clan of kings. Pandavas and Kauravas were Kurus. Other than these Kurus of India, there was another kingdom called Uttara Kurus to the north of Himalayas. Some historians identify this kingdom as Kyrgistan a central Asian republic. The Kuru kingdom of India laid between river Saraswati and river Ganga. It was split into two parts.

Western Kuru

• Capital : Indraprastha (Indraprast, Delhi, Delhi)

The western part of this kingdom was ruled by the Pandava king Yudhisthira. It laid between river Saraswati and river Yamuna. On a modern map of India, this kingdom roughly forms the eastern Hariyana. Indraprastha (now known as Delhi the capital of India) was its capital.

Eastern Kuru

• Capital : Hasthinapura (Hastinapur, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh)

Eastern Kuru was under Kaurava king Duryodhana. It laid between river Yamuna and river Ganga. On a modern map this kingdom roughly forms the western Uttar Pradesh, boardering Hariyana. Hastinapura (now a small town named Hastinapur) was its capital.

Later, Duryodhana unrighteously annexed the western Kuru of the Pandavas to his kingdom, causing a dispute. This dispute grew into the Kurukshetra war, which is the central theme of the epic, Mahabharata. Almost all of the contemporary kingdoms took part in this war and lost their kings, generals and army. This resulted in a great economic depression in ancient India, which was otherwise known as the 'Kali Yuga' or the 'Dark Age'.

Panchala

Panchala kingdom laid to the east of Kuru kingdom and to the west of the forest Naimisha. It was split into two parts, the northern and southern parts.

Northern Panchala

• Capital : Ahichathra (Arch. Site, Ramnagar, Uttaranchal)

Uttara Panchala or Northern Panchala was ruled by Ashvatthama, the son of the Commander-in-Chief of Kaurava army, Drona. Drona was the teacher (Guru) for both the Kauravas and the Pandavas who taught them martial arts. Drona got this kingdom by defeating king Drupada who once ruled the whole of the Panchala kingdom. Drona gave the kingdom to his son Ashvatthama. His capital was Ahichatra. Northern Panchala now falls in Uttar Pradesh, to the north of river Ganga up to the foot hills of the Himalaya Mountains.

Southern Panchala

• Capital : Kampilya (Kampil, Ghasiabad, Uttar Pradesh)

Dakshina Panchala or Southern Panchala was ruled by king Drupada, after the northern part was taken by his rival, Drona. Its capital was Kampilya (modern day town, Kampil). This kingdom laid to the south of river Ganga to the north of river Charmanuati (now known as Chambal). The Pandavas married the daughter of king Drupada, known as Panchali or Draupadi or Krishna. The son of king Drupada, Dhristadyumna, was the Commander-in-Chief of the Pandava army.

Surasena

• Capital : Mathura (Mathura, Mathura, Uttar Pradesh)

The capital city of this kingdom, Mathura was founded by Satrughna, the brother of Raghava Rama the ruler of Kosala in Treta Yuga. He conqured this region after defeating the Asura king Madhu. In Dwapara Yuga it was ruled by Yadavas who took the kingdom from the descendands of Satrughna.

Yadava chief Kansa, became the ruler of this kingdom for some time. He forcefully took the ruleship by imprisoning his own father Ugrasena. Magadha king Jarasandha was Kansa's father in law. Later Vasudeva-Krishna, Kansa's sister's son, killed Kansa and give the kingdom back to the old king Ugrasena. But Jarasandha attacked the kingdom and all the Yadavas had to flee to Dwaraka. There they founded their new kingdom.

Dwaraka

• Capital : Dwaravati (near Dwarka, , Gujarat)

Dwaraka was a new country founded by the Yadava clan of chiefs who fled from the Surasena Kingdom due to fear from the king Jarasandha of Magadha. It was the brain-child of Vasudeva-Krishna the great personality of the Dwapara age. The territory of Dwaraka includes the Dwaraka island, many neighbouring islands and the mainland area neighbouring the Anarta country. Thus Dwaraka is roughly the north-westen Gujarat.

Dwaraka was a fedaration of many republics rather than a kingdom under a single king. Ugrasena was respected as the king of Dwaraka-confedaration but for name-sake, who was rather like a head-of-the-state. Within the Fedaration of Dwaraka, included the states of Andhakas, Vrishnis and Bhojas. Vasudeva-Krishna, Bala-Rama, Satyaki, Kritavarma, Uddhava, Akrura, Ugrasena etc were some of the prominent Yadava Chiefs. Satyaki ruled a Yadava colony near Kurukshetra called Youdheya.

Youdheya

• Capital: Unknown

A kingdom ruled by Satyaki, a Yadava chief who also belonged to the Dwaraka Fedaration. This could be a colonial state of Dwaraka. It laid to the west of western Kuru kingdom ruled by the Pandava king Yudhisthira. Satyaki took part in the Kurukshetra war as an ally of the Pandavas. Thus Satyaki had to oppose another Yadava chief Kritavarma who sided with Duryodhana. This resulted in an enimity between these two Yadava chiefs that culminated in a clash between the Yadavas at Prabhasa, a place close to Dwaraka, but on the mainland.

In this clash the Yadava race was almost exterminated. All the great heroes like Vasudeva Krishna and Bala Rama perished, including Satyaki and Kritavarma. Later, the Kuru king Yudhisthira installed a prince named Vajra, in the line of Vasudeva Krishna, as the king of Yadavas at Indraprasta, along with Parikshit in the line of Arjuna, as the king of Kurus at Hastinapura. Yudhisthira did this probably to pay gratitude to Satyaki whose kingdom Youdheya, laid almost within the Pandava kingdom with Indraprasta as its capital. Yudhisthira also respected the great personality of Vasudeva Krishna.

Virata

• Capital: Virata Nagari (Bairat, Jaipur Rajasthan)

Virata was a kingdom ruled by the Matsya king Virata. It was here that the Pandavas spent their 13th year of anonymity (Ajgnata-Vasa) after their 12 years of forest-life in the forests of Kamyaka and Dwaita. Its capital was Virata Nagari, modern Bairat in the Jaipur district of Rajasthan. Upaplavya was another city in this kingdom where the Pandavas and their allies camped before the beginning of the great war of Kurukshetra.King Virata and his sons took part in the great war and perished. Virata's daughter Uttara married Arjuna's son Abhimanyu and gave birth to Parikshit who later became the Kuru king after the reign of the Pandavas.

Trigarta

• Capital: Unknown (Jullundher, Jullundher Punjab) ?

Trigarta was a kingdom near the Kuru kingdom. The kingdom roughly forms modern day Punjab state of India. Trigarta kings were allies of Duryodhana and enimies of Pandavas and Viratas. They attacked the Virata kingdom aided by the Kurus to steal cattle from there. The Pandavas living there in anonymity helped the Viratas to resist the combined forces of Trigartas and Kurus. Trigarta kings fought the Mahabharata war and were killed by Arjuna. Arjuna also annihilated an Akshouhini ( a large military unit) of Trigarta warriors called the Samsaptakas who vowed to either die or kill Arjuna.

Kunti

• Capital: Unknown ( in Madhya Pradesh)

Kunti was the kingdom of Kunti-Bhoja, one of the prominent king among the Bhoja-Yadavas. Prdha, the mother of Pandavas and the first wife of Kuru king Pandu, was called Kunti, because she was the adopted daughter of the king Kunti-Bhoja. Prdha was a sister of Vasudeva the father of Vasudeva-Krishna. Kunti kingdom was neighbour to Avanti kingdom, probably to the north east of Avanti.

Madra

• Capital: Sakala (Sialkote, Pakisthan)

Madra was a kingdom grouped among the western kingdoms in the epic Mahabharata. Its capital is Sakala, modern Sialkote in Pakistan. The Kuru king Pandu's second wife was from Madra kingdom and was called Madri. The Pandava twins, Nakula and Sahadeva, were her sons. Madri's brother Shalya was the king of Madra. Though affectionate to the Pandavas, he was tricked to give support to Duryodhana and fought against the Pandavas during the Kurukshetra war. He was killed by Yudhisthira, the eldest Pandava.

Other than the Madra kingdom (Eastern Madra or Purva Madra) with Sakala as its capital, it is believed that there was a Western Madra (Apara Madra) and a Northern Madra (Uttara Madra).In the epic, the Madra culture is described to be different from the Vedic culture, prevailed in kingdoms of the Gangetic plain like the Kurus and Panchalas. Brahmins had less influence there and women enjoyed more freedom. They ate cakes of barley mixed with meet including beef, which was taboo in Kuru and Panchala. Vedic religious rites were less practiced, and castism based on the four castes (Brahmina, Kshatriya, Vaisya and Shudra) was less rigid. Hence the Kuru, Panchalas considered them to be degraded Kshatriyas.

This was the culture prevailed in other western kingdoms like the Sindhu-Sauvira, Kekeya, Gandhara and Kamboja. The western kingdoms were also known by the general name Bahika (Vahika, Vahlika and Bahlika as variations of the name) meaning 'outsider'. Thus these people were considered as 'outsiders' of the Vedic culture. However the name Bahlika is some time used to denote a kingdom different from Madra, Sindhu, Keyeya, Gandhara or Kamboja. The Kuru king Santanu, a forefather of Kauravas and Pandavas, had a brother who ruled the Bahlika kingdom and a Bahlika king took part in the war aiding Duryodhana. He was killed by the Yadava Satyaki.

Bahlika or western countries were cold countries and people used blankets. They also reared sheep and drank sheep milk. They had good knowledge of camels. They had horses of excellent quality. Their horses and even horsemen were used in the wars between kings of Aryavarta (North Indian kingdoms where Vedic culture of the norm, prevailed).

Their soldiers used to aid both the parties engaged in a battle on a payment basis. Probably this was the reson why Shalya, the Madra king, has to side with Duryodhana in the war, since he was tricked to accept the payment for siding with Duryodhana.

Another collective name denoting the western kingdoms is Arashtra or Aratta, meaning a kingless country. This raises the doubt, whether these countries were a republic ruled by elected chiefs, if we take the positive sense of the word. In a negative sense the word Arashtra can mean a kingdom with no control or with utter disorder.

Kosala

• Capital: Ayodhya (Ayodhya, Faisabad, Uttar Pradesh)

Kosala Proper or Uttara Kosala is the kigdom of the celebrated personality of Treta Yuga, Raghava-Rama. Ayodhya was its capital. Rama's sons Lava and Kusa inherited parts of this kingdom. Lava ruled from the city called Sravasti and Kusa from the city called Kusavati. A colony of Kosala kings existed in Madhya Pradesh. It was called Dakshina Kosala. Rama's mother Kausalya was from this kingdom. King Rama extended his influence up to the island-kingdom of Lanka situated in the southern ocean. He had friendly relations with the southern kingdom of forest dwellers (Vanaras) called Kishkindha.

Rama's brother Bharata, colonized the Gandhara kingdom and founded the city of Takshasila there. Gandhara lies close to Kekeya, the native kingdom of Bharata's mother. Rama's second brother Lakshmana founded the city of Lakshmanapura near river Ganga which is now known as Lucknow. He colonized the Vanga kingdom and founded the city of Chandrakanta there. Rama's youngest brother Satrughna destroyed the forest called Madhu and founded the city of Mathura which later became the capital of the kingdom of Surasena.

Nishadha king Nala's friend Rituparna was a ruler of Kosala. Brihadbala another ruler of Kosala during Dwapara Yuga, took part in Mahabharata war and was killed by Abhimanyu, the son of Arjuna.

Vatsa

• Capital: Kausambi (Kosam Ruins, Kosam, Uttar Pradesh)

Vatsa was a kingdom in the Gangatic plain with Kausambi as its capital, now known as Kosam.

Kasi

• Capital: Varanasi (Varanasi, Banaras, Uttar Pradesh)

Kasi was an ancient kingdom with Varanasi as its capital on the banks of river Ganga. It was a holy place even during epic times. Lord Siva was worshipped here with great devotion. Sumitra the third wife of Kosala king Dasaratha was from Kasi. Lakshmana and Satrughna were

Videha

• Capital: Mithila (Janakpur, , Bihar)

Videha was the kingdom of the royal sage Seeradhwaja Janaka. He is the father of Sita the wife of Rama. Rama's brothors married the sisters of Sita. Thus Videha Kingdom was closly allied to Kosala Kingdom. Mithila was the capital of Videha. The rulers of Vidheha were called Janakas and they were all great scholars. It is believed that they were the oldest among the clans migrated from the river Saraswati as the river started drying up. They probably were farmers of Saraswati basin. (King Seeradwaja Janaka got Sita from a farm field.) Thus Videha became the seat of Vedic knowledge inherited from the river Saraswati valley civilization. The name Videha could be the abbrivation of Veda Desa, the kingdom of knowledge. It could be also explained as Videsha, a forign land, since it was a new forign land for the people migrated from river Saraswati. Epic gives another explanation, that the name came from a dead king (Videha, one devoid of body or dead) whose sons were created by sages who performed magical rites upon the kings dead-body. This explanation is too far fetched.

Magadha

• Capital: Rajagriha (Rajgir, , Bihar)

Magadha was a kingdom ruled by Non-Vedic kings. Jarasandha was the greatest among them during epic times. His capital was Raja Griha or Rajgir a modern hill resort in Bihar. Jarasandha's continuous assult on the Yadava kingdom of Surasena resulted in their withdrawal from central India to western India. Jarasandha was a threat not only for Yadavas but also for Kurus. Bhimasena killed him in a mace dual aided by the intellingence of Vasudeva Krishna. Thus Yudhisthira, the Pandava king, could complete his campaign of bringing the whole of Indian kingdoms to his sway. Jarasandha had friendly relations with Chedi king Sisupala, Kuru king Duryodhana and Anga king Karna. After the epic age, in Kali Yuga, Magadha became the foremost of Indian kingdoms with the new capital Pataliputra, a port city on the banks of river Ganga. Nandas and Mauryas ruled this kingdom. Mauryas built the celebrated Mauryan empire that spanned almost whole of India. This empire was formidable even to the Greek warrior Alaxander.

Anga

• Capital: Champapuri (Mongyr, , Bihar)

Anga was a kingdom ruled by non Vedic rulers. Anga king Lomapada was a friend of Kosala king Dasaratha. Kosala princess Santha, elder to Rama, lived as the daughter of Lomapada, since he was childless. Duryodhana established Karna as the ruler of Angas. It is believed that there were many Anga kings ruling different parts of Anga kingdom contemporary to Karna. Champapuri was the capital of Anga. Jarasandha gifted another city called Malini, to the Anga king Karna. The five eastern kingdoms which included the Angas, Vangas, Kalingas, Pundras and Suhmas had a common ancestor.

Kamarupa

• Capital: Prakjyotisha (Gohati, , Assam)

Kamarupa was ruled by the Asura king Naraka. Its capital was Prakjyotisha. Vasudeva Krishna killed this king. His son Bhagadatta ruled the country after him. He was a great elephant warrior. He sided with Duryodhana in the epic war.

Pundra

The five eastern kingdoms which included the Angas, Vangas, Kalingas, Pundras and Suhmas had a common ancestor. A Pundra king challanged Vasudeva Krishna by imitating his attributes. He called himself Paundaka Vasudeva. He was later killed by Vasudeva Krishna in a battle.

Suhma

The five eastern kingdoms which included the Angas, Vangas, Kalingas, Pundras and Suhmas had a common ancestor.

Vanga

The five eastern tribal kingdoms which included the Angas, Vangas, Kalingas, Pundras and Suhmas had a common ancestor.

Odra

Odra is a country located in the northern Orissa.

Utkala

Utkala kingdom is located in the north western Orissa.

Kalinga

The five eastern kingdoms which included the Angas, Vangas, Kalingas, Pundras and Suhmas had a common ancestor. Kuru king Duryodhana's wife was from Kalinga. Kalingas sided with Duryodhana in the epic war.

Dakshina Kosala

Dakshina Kosala was a colony of Kosala kings that existed in Madhya Pradesh. Rama's mother Kausalya was from this kingdom.

Telinga

Telinga was a kingdom south to Kalinga. The language Telugu originated here. It falls in the Telingana region of Andhra Pradesh.

Andhra

Andhra was a southern kingdom ruled by Brahmin rulers. Other Brahmin kingdoms includes Dravida, Karnata and Konkana.

Dravida

Dravida was a southern kingdom ruled by Brahmin rulers. Other Brahmin kingdoms includes Andhra, Karnata and Konkana.

Chola

Chola was a powerful southern kingdom. They were mentioned in the epic Mahabharata. They were believed to have some link with the Sivi or Sibi clan, situated along with the Sindhu Sauviras. In the time of recorded history, Chola kingdom grew into a powerful empiere. They were strong in the sea, and colonized the south east Asian countries.

Pandya

Pandyas were fierce warriors who took part in the epic war. They were mentioned both in Mahabharata and Ramayana. Some believes that the Pandyas were linked to the Kurus of north India.

Sinhala

Sinhala was a kingdom in the island Lanka, mentioned in the epic Mahabharata. They probably was a colonial state of the Vanga kingdom.

Kerala

Keralas or Udra Keralas were mentioned in the epic as a kingdom which took part in the Kurukshetra war. People of Kerala should have come from Surparaka kingdom of Gujarat, since they believe in the myth of their land reclamed by Parasu Rama from the sea. This actually took place in Surparaka. The Asura king Bali whome people of Kerala consider as their king, actually lived in a kingdom around the banks of river Narmada. His sacrifice in which Vamana, a Brahmin youth, came and interfered, took place in Bhrigu Kaksha or Brauch on the banks of river Ganga. This was in the country Surparaka. The navigators of Dwaraka also settled in Kerala. So does the Sinhalas of Lanka.

Kanchi

Kanchi was a southern kingdom mentioned in the epic Mahabharata.

Satyaputra

Satyaputra was a small kingdom situated on the valley of Malaya mountains (Anamala, Palani and Nila Giri). They were surrounded by the powerful Keralas, Pandyas and Cholas.

Mushika

Mushikas were found mention in the epic Mahabharata. They were also known as Kulyas. They were identified to be the Kolatiris of northern Kerala. The capital Mushika, was known as Musiris to the Arab traders. This city could be modern Kodungallor of central Kerala or Kozikode of northern Kerala.

Mahisha

Mahisha was the kingdom of Asura king Mahisha. His capital city Mahisha, is currently known as Mysoor.

Tulu

Tulu or Tuluga was a smal kingdom during epic ages, now though to be the Tulu speaking south-western Karnataka.

Gomanta

Gomanta was a kingdom mentioned in the epic Mahabharata. It was probably a colony of Dwaraka.

Konkana

Konkana was a southern kingdom ruled by Brahmin rulers. Other Brahmin kingdoms includes Dravida, Andhra and Karnata

Kishkindha

Kishkindha was the kingdom of the tribe called Vanaras. They were one of the tribes mentioned along with the Gandharvas, Kimpurushas, Pisachas, Nagas, Suparnas, Jambavas, Kinnaras, Rakshasas, Yakshas, Bhutas, Devas (Rudras, Maruts, Vasus, Adityas) and Asuras (Daityas, Danavas, Kalakeyas).While other tribes were found mainly on the Himalayas, Vanaras or the forest dwellers lived in dense forests, especially the Dandaka Aranya a was forest coverin the whole of south-central India during the epic ages. Kishkindha kingdom situated in the river Pampa (Tungabhadra river), was their stronghold. Its ruler was Bali. Later when Raghava Rama killed Bali his brother Sugriva ruled this kingdom.

Asmaka

Asmaka was a kingdom among the 16 janapadas mentioned in the Buddhist texts. All other kingdoms were in the north, from Vanga to Gandhara. Some believes that Asmaka was a colony of the Kambojas, and its earlier name was Aswaka.

Vidarbha

• Capital: Kundinapuri (Gondia, , Maharashtra)

Vidarbha kingdom was one among the many kingdoms ruled by Yadava kings in central and western India. Other kingdoms in this group include Chedi, Surasena or Vraja, Dasarna, Karusha, Kunti, Avanti, Malava, Gurjara, Anarta, Saurashtra, Dwaraka and Heheya. Damayanti, the wife of Nala was a princess of Vidarbha. Similarly Rukmini, the eldest wife of Vasudeva Krishna was from Vidarbha. Kundianapuri was its capital, which is Kundanpur in the eastern Maharashtra. Rukmini's brother Rukmi founded another kingdom with capital Bhojakata, close to Vidarbha. It was the southern most kingdom known to the kingdoms of Gangatic plain until they explored the southern India.

Surparaka

Parasu Rama founded the country of Surparaka near the western sea close to the mouth of river Narmada which he gave to Brahmin rulers of Kasyapa clan. This gave rise to the myth of Parasu Rama, reclaiming the land from the sea. The people of Surparaka brought this myth to Kerala where this myth still exists. Asura king Mahabali also probably ruled this place. His sacrifice in which Vamana, a Brahmin youth, came and interfered, took place in Bhrigu Kaksha, modern-day Brauch, on the banks of river Narmada. This was in the country Surparaka. Asura Bali's kingdom probably included the Baluchistan area of Pakistan.

Anupa

Anupa was a kingdom mentioned in the epic.

Saurashtra

Saurashtra kingdom was one among the many kingdoms ruled by Yadava kings in central and western India. Other kingdoms in this group include Chedi, Dasarna, Surasena or Vraja, Karusha, Kunti, Avanti, Malava, Gurjara, Anarta, Dwaraka, Heheya and Vidarbha. It is roughly the southern Gujarat including the peninsular region. The name Surat, a modern city of Gujarat is derived from the name Saurashtra.

Nasikya

Nasikya was a kingdom mentioned in the epics.

Heheya

Haiheya kingdom was one among the many kingdoms ruled by Yadava kings in central and western India. Other kingdoms in this group include Chedi, Surasena or Vraja, Dasarna, Karusha, Kunti, Avanti, Malava, Gurjara, Anarta, Saurashtra, Dwaraka and Vidarbha. It was the strongest among the Yadava kingdom and had the powerful ruler Kartavirya Arjuna who even defeated Rakshasa Ravana. Its capital was Mahishmati (modern Maheswar) on the banks of river Narmada. They conqured many other kingdoms of India. How ever the enimity with the warrior type Brahmins by the name of Bhargavas resulted in their demise. Parasu Rama was the Bhargava leader under whome they were exterminated. Talajanga was an allied kingdom of Heheya, probably to the east of it.

Avanti

Avanti kingdom was one among the many kingdoms ruled by Yadava kings in central and western India. Other kingdoms in this group include Chedi, Dasarna, Surasena or Vraja, Karusha, Kunti, Malava, Gurjara, Anarta, Saurashtra, Dwaraka, Heheya and Vidarbha. Ujjayani was its capital along the river Kshipra a tributary of river Charmanuati, which itself is a tributary of river Ganga. Vasudeva Krishan and Bala Rama had their education at Ujjayani, probably the most popular Yadava city and a center of education.

Malava

Malava kingdom was one among the many kingdoms ruled by Yadava kings in central and western India. Other kingdoms in this group include Chedi, Dasarna, Surasena or Vraja, Karusha, Kunti, Avanti, Gurjara, Anarta, Saurashtra, Dwaraka, Heheya and Vidarbha. Sometimes Avanti and Malava were described to be same country.

Anarta

Anarta kingdom was one among the many kingdoms ruled by Yadava kings in central and western India. Other kingdoms in this group include Chedi, Dasarna, Surasena or Vraja, Karusha, Kunti, Avanti, Malava, Gurjara, Saurashtra, Dwaraka, Heheya and Vidarbha. Bala Rama's wife Revati was from this kingdom. It is roughly the northern Gujarat.

Sauvira

It is mentioned in the epic that Jayadratha was the king of Sindhu, Sauvira and Sivi kingdoms. Probably Sauvira and Sivi were two kingdom close to the Sindhu kingdom and Jayadratha conqured them. Jayadratha was an ally of Duryodhana and husband of Duryodhana's sister Duhsala. In another place we find Kunti telling the story of Vidula who 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. Kingdom of Sauvira was also mentioned to be not very far away from Dwaraka and Anarta kingdoms. According to some texts, Sauvira was south of Sindhu in the delta of the Indus river; while later historians (Al-Beruni) considered Sauvira to represent southwest Punjab, including Multan and the region of the confluence of Indus river with other rivers of Punjab.

Sindhu

It is mentioned in the epic that Jayadratha was the king of Sindhu, Sauvira and Sivi kingdoms. Probably Sauvira and Sivi were two kingdom close to the Sindhu kingdom and Jayadratha conqured them. Jayadratha was an ally of Duryodhana and husband of Duryodhana's sister Duhsala. In another place we find Kunti telling the story of Vidula who 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. Thus Sindhu and Sauvira seems to be two warring states fighting each other but united by Jayadratha for some period of time.

Abhira

Sudra and Abhira were mentioned as two kingdoms where river Saraswati exists as a dried up river bed along its course. After the fall of the Dwaraka fedaration, when Arjuna was taking the Yadava women of Dwaraka to Indraprastha, the Abhira tribes attacked him and took away the women and all the wealth.

Sudra

Sudra and Abhira were mentioned as two kingdoms where river Saraswati exists as a dried up river bed along its course.

Matsya

This Kingdom was probably founded by fishermen community who later attained kingship. Matsya means fish. The epic Mahabharata relates the founder of Mathsya king to the ruler of Chedi kingdom Uparichara Vasu. Satyavati or Gandhavati, the wife of Kuru king Santhanu was from this community. King Virata, a Matsya king, founded the kingdom of Virata. An interesting fact is that fishing was the main occupation of the people who lived near river Saraswati. After the river Saraswati dried up they migrated to Charmanvati also known as Chambal meaning fish. Krishna Dwaipayana Vyasa, was son of Satyavati who belogned to this fishermen community and yet was a Vedic scholar, thus attesting the origin of Vedas from the Saraswati basin. The Saraswata Brahmins of Bengal eat fish.

Nishada

Nishada is the kingdom of Nishada tribe, a tribe of people whome the Vedic people considered as out casts. Ekalavya was a king of Nishada tribe. He attacked Dwaraka once, and was killed by Vasudeva Krishna in the battle.

Nishadha

Nishadha was the kingdom of the celebrated king Nala, who loved and married Damayanti the princess of Vidharbha kingdom. It is identified with current day Gwalior district of Madhyapradesh. Nishadha was connected to Dasarna and Kosala as well as with Vidarbha through trade routs.

Gurjara

Gurjara kingdom was one among the many kingdoms ruled by Yadava kings in central and western India. Other kingdoms in this group include Chedi, Dasarna, Surasena or Vraja, Karusha, Kunti, Avanti, Malava, Anarta, Saurashtra, Dwaraka, Heheya and Vidarbha. Gurjaras were originally inhabiting the eastern valley of Aravalli mountians in Rajasthan. Later they migrated to Gujarat, thus giving the name Gujarasrtra or Gujarat to the state.

Salwa

Salwa is a kingdom grouped among the western kingdoms in the epic Mahabharata. It is close to Madra kingdom as both are mentioned together in many places. Saubha is its capital. The famous prince Satyavan was from Salwa. He married the Madra princess, Savitri. Their history is a famous narration in Mahabharata. Another Salwa king was mentioned as a lover of Amva, the eldest princess of Kasi kingdom, who was abducted by Bhishma, a warrior from Kuru kingdom, along with her sisters. Bhisma wished to make her the wife of Kuru prince Vichitravirya, but Amva wished to marry the Salwa king. Bhishma sent her to Salwa but the Salwa king rejected her. Yet another Salwa king attacked Dwaraka and was killed by Vasudeva Krishna. According to the narration in the epic, he possessed an aircraft and used it for air travel and for aireal warfare.

Sivi

Sivi is mentioned as a kingdom and as the name of a king in the epic Mahabharata. Probably there was a Sivi king who became famous as Sivi or the kingdom itself may be named after him. It is also mentioned in the epic that Jayadratha was the king of Sindhu, Sauvira and Sivi kingdoms. Probably Sauvira and Sivi were two kingdom close to the Sindhu kingdom and Jayadratha conqured them. Jayadratha was an ally of Duryodhana and husband of Duryodhana's sister Duhsala.

Karusha

Karusha kingdom was one among the many kingdoms ruled by Yadava kings in central and western India. Other kingdoms in this group include Chedi, Dasarna, Surasena or Vraja, Dasarna, Kunti, Avanti, Malava, Gurjara, Anarta, Saurashtra, Dwaraka, Heheya and Vidarbha. It lies to the south of Chedi. Karusha king Dantavatra supported Chedi king Sisupala and was killed by Vasudeva Krishna. It is modern Datia district of Madhyapradesh.

Chedi

Chedi kingdom was one among the many kingdoms ruled by Yadava kings in central and western India. Other kingdoms in this group include Surasena or Vraja, Karusha, Dasarna, Kunti, Avanti, Malava, Gurjara, Anarta, Saurashtra, Dwaraka, Heheya and Vidarbha. It falls roughy in the Bundelkhand division of Madhyapradesh, regions to the south of river Yamuna and along river Betwa or VetravatiChedi kingdom was ruled by Sisupala, an ally of Jarasandha of Magadha and Duryodhana of Kuru. He was a rival of Vasudeva Krishna who was his uncle's son. He was killed by Vasudeva Krihsna during the Rajasuya sacrifice of the Pandava king Yudhisthira. Bhema's wife was from Chedi.

Dasarna

Dasarna kingdom was one among the many kingdoms ruled by Yadava kings in central and western India. Other kingdoms in this group include Chedi, Surasena or Vraja, Karusha, Kunti, Avanti, Malava, Gurjara, Anarta, Saurashtra, Dwaraka, Heheya and Vidarbha. It lies to the south of Chedi.and Panchala. The Panchala prince Sikhandin married from Dasarna.

Malla

This kingdom was situated in the Gangatic plain near Kosala and Videha. Not much is known about this kingdom.

Kekeya

Kekeya is a kingdom grouped among the western kingdoms in the epic Mahabharata. Ramayana also mentions Kekeya as a western kingdom. One of the wives of Dasaratha, the king of Kosala and father of Rama, was from Kekeya kingdom and was known as Kaikeyi. Her son Bharata conquered the neighbouring kingdom of Gandhara and built the city of Takshasila. Later the sons and descendands of Bharata ruled this region from Takshasila.

Gandhara

Gandhara is a kingdom grouped among the western kingdoms in the epic Mahabharata. Ramayana also mentions Kekeya as a western kingdom. Gandhara prince Sakuni was the root of all the conspiracies of Duryodhana against the Pandavas, which finally resulted in the Kurukshetra war. Sakuni's sister was the wife of the Kuru king Dhritarashtra and was known as Gandhari. A Gandhara kingdom (western Gandhara) existed in Kandahar province of Afganisthan. The eastern Gandhara was in modern Pakistan. Puskalavati, Takshasila and Purushapura were cities in this Gandhara kingdom. Takshasila was founded by Dasaratha Rama's brother Bharata. Bharata's descendands ruled this kingdom afterwards. During epic period it was ruled by Sakuni's father Suvala, Sakuni and Sakuni's son. Arjuna defeated Sakuni's son during his post-war military campaign for Yudhisthira's Aswamedha Yagna.

Janamejaya, a Kuru king in Arjuna's line, conqured Takshasila, probabily then ruled by the Naga Takshaka. He conducted a Yagna (war ? or a massacre ?) called Sarpa-Satra meaning the slaughter of the snakes, in which the Naga race was nearly exterminated. This massacre was stoped by a Brahmin named Astika, whose mother was a Naga. Nagas were considered as a clan of demi-gods in Puranas. Naga literally means a serpant or a serpant-god. May be, the Nagas were a group of Mongoloid people who inhabited Indua during epic periods and mainly worshiped serpants. It is speculated that another clan of demi-gods called the Gandharvas were oringinally inhabitants of the Gandhara kingdom. Gandharvas were well versed in music and art. This explains why there is much Gandhara influence in Indian classical music. Gandhara form of sculpturing is also famous (very close to Greek sculpturing).The Yadava chief Bala Rama saw many Gandharva settlements on the banks of river Saraswati, not far from Gandhara, during his pilgrimage over Saraswati river basin. The Gandharva Kali and Dwapara, probably were princes from Gandhara. The last two Yugas (prehistoric periods) were named after them. Kali became enimy to Nishadha king Nala as Nala married the Vidharbha princess Damayanti whom Kali wished to marry. Kali also encountered the Kuru king Parikshit, the grandson of Arjuna. The epic mentions Dhritarashtra as a rebirth of a Gandharva. The fact that his wife was a Gandhari (Gandharvi) needs investigation.

Gandarvas were also powerful warriors who roamed in Indian kingdoms disregarding any Indian king or Kshatriya warrior. A Gandharva named Chitrangada killed the Kuru prince Chitrangada for the reason that no two kings with the name Chitrangada shall live. A group of Gandharvas defeated Duryodhana and his powerful allies like Karna, in a skirmish at Kamyaka forest, not too far from Gandhara. Another Gandharva named Angaraparna, challanged the great warrior Arjuna while he was crossing river Ganga along with his brothers to take part in the self-choice of Panchali. Though formidable to Kshatriya warriors, Gandharvas were sub-servient to Devas, who seems to be a superior race of warriors who conqured Gandhara in prehistoric times. Thus Gandarvas lived in the kingdom of Deva Indra, being sub servient to the Devas. Thus Gandhara influence was predominant in ancient Indian history (naming of two of the Yugas after the names of two Gandharvas) as well as in Indian music, art, sculpturing and warfare.

Kamboja

Kamboja or Kamvoja is a kingdom grouped among the western kingdoms in the epic Mahabharata. Western kingdoms were cold countries and people used blankets. They also reared sheep and drank sheep milk. Kamboja horses were of excellent quality. Their horses and even horsemen were used in the wars between kings of Aryavarta (North Indian kingdoms where Vedic culture of the norm, prevailed). Their soldiers used to aid both the parties engaged in a battle on a payment basis. In the epic war, there were Kamboja soldiers on both Pandava side and Kaurava side.

In the epic, Kamboja is sometimes referred to as a republic or a kingless country where elected chiefs among the people ruled the country. A kingless country is othervise called Arashtra or Aratta. This name is sometimes collectively used to denote many other western kingdoms like Madra, Kekeya and Gandhara. Another collective name denoting the western kingdoms is Bahika ( Vahika, Vahlika or Vahika) meaning 'outsider'. This is to denote that their culture was 'outside' or different from the Vedic culture, prevailed in the Kuru, Panchala and other kingdoms of the Gangatic plain. The Kamboja country closest to Aryavarta was the one with Rajapura as its capital, which is identified as Rajauri of Kashmir. They are otherwise called the eastern Kambojas. Other than this country, the epic mentions about a western Kamboja and a Parama Kamboja country in the far north, all famous for excellent breeds of horses. Another country Aswaka (the horse country) also is related to Kamboja, being either a province of Parama Kamboja or a neighbouring country. Some historians believes that Afganistan is a name derived from the name Aswaka Sthana meaning, the land of horses.

A clan of demi-gods called Kimpurushas were believed to be the Kamboja horse warriors. Kimpurushas were described to be horse-headed humans. This could be an exaggeration of their extra ordinary skill in cavelry warfare. In Kali Yuga, Kambojas had many colonial states in central India, inculding the Asmaka or Aswaka of Maharashtra state. Cambodia, a modern country of south east Asia, is another colony of Kambojas during the time of recorded history. The word Kam can mean 'woolen cloth' (Kambala), denoting the dress of the people. Another meaning of the word Kam is 'place' or 'region'. It is surprising to note that there are many places in Asia, Europe and especially around Mount Meru of Tanzania in Africa with the word Kam in it, denoting the meaning 'place' or 'region', hinting towards the African origin of human beings (homo-sapiens).

Kasmira

Kasmira was a kingdom grouped under the western kingdoms as per the epic. It is identified as the Kasmir valley along the Jhlum river of the modern Jammu-Kasmir state. Possibly the sage Kasyapa or a descendant of this sage lived here, since the name 'Kas' is derived from the name Kasyapa like the name 'Caspian' of the Caspian sea. The Naga race is related to Kasyapa (as per Puranas, the Naga race of demi-gods originated from Kasyapa along with other races of gods demons and demi-gods. Kasmiras were allies of the Kuru king Duryodhana . Some among them worship Duryodhana as a god.

Darada

Daradas were a Mongoloid people who lived north to the Kasmir valley. This kingdom is identified to be the Gilgit region in the Pak Occupied Kasmir along the river Sindhu.

Parama Kamboja

Parama Kamboja country was mentioned in the epic to be on the far north west along with the Bahlika, Uttara Madra and Uttara Kuru countries. It is thought to be modern day Tajikistan, a centeral Asian Republic. Arjuna has visited this place during his military campaign for Yuthisthira's Rajasuya sacrifice.

Bahlika

All the western kingdoms were known by the general name Bahika (Vahika, Vahlika and Bahlika as variations of the name) meaning 'outsider'. Thus these people were considered s 'outsiders' of the Vedic culture. However the name Bahlika is some time used to denote a kingdom differnet from Madra, Sindhu, Keyeya, Gandhara or Kamboja. The Kuru king Santanu, a forefather of Kauravas and Pandavas, had a brother who ruled the Bahlika kingdom and a Bahlika king took part in the war aiding Duryodhana. He was killed by the Yadava Satyaki.

Uttara Madra

Madra is a kingdom grouped among the western kingdoms in the epic Mahabharata. Uttara Madra is identified to be located to the North West of Eastern Madra with Sakala as its capital. It was situated along the ancient route called Uttarapatha extending from Vanga kingdom in the eastern sea shore through the Gangatic plain, Punjab, mountain passes of the Western Mountains, to the city Balk in Afganistan and to the far western countries. In some places of the epic, Uttara Madra and Bahlika are considered as the same country. Arjuna collected tribute from Uttara Madra during his northern military campaign for Yudhisthira's Rajasuya sacrifice.

Parada

Paradas were a Chineese tribe close to Himalayas so that they had limited interaction with Indian kingdoms. Thus they got mentioned in the epic Mahabharata. They belonged to the Xingiang province of China, and Laddak of Jammu Kashmir. Arjuna visited this place during his northern military campaign for Yudhisthira's Rajasuya sacrifice.

Uttara Kuru

Other than the Kurus of India, there was this another kingdom called Uttara Kurus to the north of Himalayas. Some historians identify this kingdom as Kyrgistan, a central Asian republic. In the epic we see the narration of Kuru warrior Bhishma abducting three brides from Kasi kingdom for making them wives of his half-brother Vichitavirya. This same costome of abduction of brides by bridgegroom or his allies for marrying them, still prevails in Kyrgistan. Some point of time during the reign of Pururavas Aila (the first king mentioned in the line of lunar dynasty of Indian kings) Uttara Kuru and the Kurus of India could have belonged to the same Kuru empire. Arjuna collected tribute from Uttara Kuru during his northern military campaign for Yudhisthira's Rajasuya sacrifice. In some places the epic attributes, god-like features to the people of Uttara Kuru, describing them as ageless and diseaseless. They were also considered to follow a republican constitution with no monarchy. In another place, Uttara Kuru was considered as the region of Devas (gods) themselves.

Yavana

Yavana or Yona is grouped under western countries along with Sindhu, Madra, Kekeya, Gandhara and Kamboja as per the descriptions in the epic. In later history, this word was used to indicate the Greeks. Hence, the Yavana of Mahabharata could be a colony of the Greeks in the western region of India.

They were described to be beyond Gandhara. There was another country mentioned in the epic as Parama Yona, in the far west of Yavana. This could be the Ionia of Greece, somehow related to Indian Ionians or Yavanas. The name Yavana could be the Sanskritized form of the name Ionia. Some believes that the name Ionia oringinated from the Sanskrit word Ayonija meaning 'one who born not from a (human) woumb' or 'people with extra ordinary origins'.Yavanas, Sakas, Pahlavas and Hunas were sometimes described as Mlechchas. Sometiems along with them, the Madras, Kambojas, Kekeyas, Sindhus and Gandharas were included. This name was used to indicate their degraded nature and their cultrural differences with the Vedic culture, prevailed in the Kuru-Panchala kingdoms. There is a myth that the Mlechcha tribes originated from the body of the divine cow, Kamadhenu, of sage Vasistha, as hords of army men, to protect him from the attack of the king Viswamitra. This myth indicates that the ancient people could not understand the real oringins of these Mlechcha tribes who were highly skilled in weapons, warfare and material sciences but never followed the Vedic rites properly.

So the Vedic society acknowledged their extra ordinary skills, but kept them as outcasts. Another account in the epic depicts Mlechchas as the decendands of Turvusu, one of the cursed sons of king Yayati. Yayati's eldest son Yadu, gave rise to the Yadavas and youngest son Puru to the Pauravas that includes the Kurus and Panchalas. His second son Anu gave rise to the Anavas believed to be Iranians and third son Druhyu to the Druids of Ireland. The fourth son Tuvusu gave rise to the Turks (Turushas or Tusharas), Ionians (Yavanas) and other Mlechchas. Only the fith son Puru's line was considered to be the succesors of Yayati's throne, as he cursed the other four sons and denied them kingship. Pauravas inherited the Yayati's original empire and stayed in the Gangatic plain who later created the Kuru and Panchala kingdoms. They were the followers of proper Vedic culture. Yadavas made central and western India their stronghold. Anavas migrated to Iran, Druhyus or Druids to Europe and Turvusus or Tusharas to Turkmenistan, Turkistan (in Afganistan) Turky and Greece.

One Yavana king attacked the Dwaraka of Vasudeva Krishna. Yavanas took part in the Kurukshetra was under a Kamboja general.

Tushara

Tusharas are a Mlechcha tribe, with their kingdom located in the north west of IndiaAn account in the epic depicts Mlechchas as the decendands of Turvusu, one of the cursed sons of king Yayati. Yayati's eldest son Yadu, gave rise to the Yadavas and youngest son Puru to the Pauravas that includes the Kurus and Panchalas. His second son Anu gave rise to the Anavas believed to be Iranians and third son Druhyu to the Druids of Ireland. The fourth son Tuvusu gave rise to the Turks (Turushas or Tusharas), Ionians (Yavanas) and other Mlechchas. Only the fith son Puru's line was considered to be the succesors of Yayati's throne, as he cursed the other four sons and denied them kingship. Pauravas inherited the Yayati's original empire and stayed in the Gangatic plain who later created the Kuru and Panchala kingdoms. They were the followers of proper Vedic culture. Yadavas made central and western India their stronghold.

Anavas migrated to Iran, Druhyus or Druids to Europe and Turvusus or Tusharas to Turkmenistan, Turkistan (in Afganistan) Turky and Greece. The Tushara country mentioned in the epic could be Trukmenistan, a central Asian republic or the Turkistan of Afganistan.

Saka

Sakas were a Mlechcha tribe grouped along with the Yavanas, Tusharas and Barbaras. They were later known as Sythians. They were Soma drinkers, Soma being an intoxicating liquour famous in the land of Devas (gods).Their were a group of Sakas called Apa Sakas meaning water dwelling Sakas, probably living around some lake in central asian steppes. The same name 'Apa' comes in the name 'Apsaras' denoting fairy like women of exceeding beauty dwelling around water filled lakes (Apa = water, Saras = lake) Thus the Sakas are mysteriously connected with the Devas and Apsaras

China

Chinas were a Chineese tribe close to Himalayas so that they had limited interaction with Indian kingdoms. Thus they got mentioned in the epic Mahabharata. They belonged to the Xingiang province of China, east of Jammu Kasmir. Epic also mentions a region called Param China probably denoting the original Chinese empire in the far north east.Arjuna visited this place during his northern military campaign for Yudhisthira's Rajasuya sacrifice.

Kinnara

Kinnaras were a group of gods, demons and demi gods, mentioned along with others like Devas (including Rudras, Maruts, Vasus and Adityas), Asuras (including Daityas, Danavas and Kalakeyas), Pisachas, Gandharvas, Kimpurushas, Vanaras, Suparnas, Rakshasas, Bhutas and Yakshas. They along with others, were inhabitants of the Himalaya mountains. The people of Gangatic Plain looked upon them with wonder and considered them as demi-gods. The Kinnara tribe is identified to have lived in Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh.

Yaksha

Yakshas were a group of gods, demons and demi gods, mentioned along with others like Devas (including Rudras, Maruts, Vasus and Adityas), Asuras (including Daityas, Danavas and Kalakeyas), Pisachas, Gandharvas, Kimpurushas, Vanaras, Suparnas, Rakshasas, Bhutas and Kinnaras. Vaisravana was the king of Yakshas. He ruled a Yaksha kingdom of enormous wealth near the Kailasa mountains. Pandavas visited this place during their forest life, by mounting the Himalayas with the help of Rakshasa Ghatotkacha and his friends. Yakshas had close kinship with Rakshasas. Yaksha Vaisravana and Rakshasa Ravana were both sons of sage Pulastya.

Rakshasa

Rakshasas were a group tribes, mentioned along with others like Devas (including Rudras, Maruts, Vasus and Adityas), Asuras (including Daityas, Danavas and Kalakeyas), Pisachas, Gandharvas, Kimpurushas, Vanaras, Suparnas, Kinnaras, Bhutas and Yakshas. Ravana was the most famous Rakshasa who ruled from the Trikuta mountains (Adem's Peak) of Lanka where the climatic conditions were similar to Himalayas. Ghatotkacha was a Rakshasa born of the Pandava Bhima and the Rakshasa woman Hidimbi. Rakshasa's were described to have large bodies, probably due to their continuous life in cold climates over snow covered mountains. Rakshasa Ghatotkacha's kingdom was in Himalaya between Gangotri and Kailasa. The forefathers of Ravana also lived here along with the Yakshas. The Yaksha king Vaisravana was the elder brother of Rakshasa king Ravana. Ravana had many sons among Gandharva wives. The two epics and many Puranas attest that Rakshasas, Yakshas and Gandharvas were related and had inter-marriages.

Kirata

Kiratas were a mountain dwelling tribe who inhabited the lower Himalayas. Lord Siva came to Arjuna in the disguise of a Kirata warrior and defeated him. These tribes took part in the epic war along with the Parvatas and Himalaya tribes.

Nepa

Nepa is a mountainous kingdom in Nepal, and could be the originator of the name Nepal. This kingdom is mentioned in the epic.

Sonita

Sonita was the country of Asura king Bana. His daughter Usha married Vasuseva Krishna's son Pradyumna.

Lauhitya

Lauhitya was the eastern most country known to the people of the epic age. Bhargava Rama was believed to visit this place.

Khasa

Khasas were a Mlechcha tribe grouped with Yavanas, Tusharas, Sakas and Barbaras. Their kingdom seems to be the modern Khasakistan which literally means the land of Khasas.

Naga

Nagas were a group of Mongoloid people spread throughout India during the period of the epic Mahabharata. They were also considered as one of the demi-god tribes like Kinnaras and Yakshas. The demi-god tribe called Suparnas (in which Garuda belonged) were arch-rivals of the Nagas. The Suparnas were probably the falcon worshipping or falcor rearing Iranians who conqured the Naga territories of north west India. However, the Nagas near Kashmir seems to be the original abode of all of them. Places like Ananta Naga attests this theory. Naga Ananta was the first among all the Naga kings. The second Naga Vasuki had the kingdom near Kailasa (hence the connection of Vasuki with lord Siva), and the third Takshaka, in Takshasila both not far from Anantnag. The kingdoms of other Nagas like Karkotaka and Airavata (near river Iravati, one among the five rivers of Punjab) were also not far away. Nagas had kingdoms in Nagaland and Andhra Pradesh. Arjuna's wife Ulupi was from one of such Naga kingdom (in Gangatic plain or in Andhra Praesh near Chithoor, or in Nagaland) Arjuna's another wife Chitrangada, who also was known to Ulupi was from Chitrapuri or Chithoor of Andhra Pradesh. She was probably from a Dravidian tribe who had close ties with the Naga tribe of Ulupi. There are now many Naga worshipers in South India, especially in Andhra Pradesh and Kerala.

Naga race was almost exterminated by Janamejaya, the Kuru king in Arjuna's line, who conducted the massacre of Nagas at Takshasila. This massacre was stopped by Astika, a Brahmin whose mother was a Naga (Vasuki's sister Jaratkaru).

Lanka

Lanka was the kingdom of the Rakshasa king Ravana. It was situated in high altitude, just like other Rakshasa kingdoms of Himalayas. It was situated in a plateau between three mountain peaks known as the Trikuda Mountains. Highest of those peaks is known today as Adem's peak. After Ravana was killed by Raghava Rama of Kosala kingdom, his brother Vibhishana ruled the kingdom. His decendands ruled the kingdom even during the period of the Pandavas. The Pandava Sahadeva had visited this kingdom duirng his southern military campaign for the Rajasuya sacrifice of Pandava king Yudhisthira.

Himalaya

There was a mountainous country in Himalayas with the name Himalaya. Himavan was probably its ruler and Parvati the wife of lord Siva was probably a princess from this kingdom. The kingdom of Parvatas could be a saparate kingdom or a part of the Himalaya kingdom. Parvatas took part in the epic war.

Parvata

The kingdom of Parvatas could be a saparate kingdom or a part of the Himalaya kingdom. Parvatas took part in the epic war. There was a mountainous country in Himalayas with the name Himalaya. Himavan was probably its ruler and Parvati the wife of lord Siva was probably a princess from this kingdom.

Kikata

Kikata was an ancient kingdom mentioned in the Vedas as ruled by non-Vedic rulers. It is believed that they were the forefathers of Magadhas.

Danda

Danda was a colonial state of Lanka under the reign of Ravana. Ravana's governor Khara ruled this province. It was the stronghold of all the Rakshasa tribes living in the Dandaka forest. It is roughly the Aurangabad district of Maharashtra with Janasthana (Aurangabad city) as its capital. It was from here that the Rakshasa Khara attacked the Raghava Rama from Kosala, who lived with his wife and brother at Pachavati (modern day Nasik) , not far away.

Karnata

Karnata was a southern kingdom ruled by Brahmin rulers. Other Brahmin kingdoms includes Dravida, Andhra and Konkana

Saraswata

The antient kingdom situated on the banks of the river Saraswati, during prehistoric age (Krita Yuga).

Huna

Hunas were a Chineese tribe close to Himalayas so that they had limited interaction with Indian kingdoms. Thus they got mentioned in the epic Mahabharata. They belonged to the Xingiang province of China, east of Jammu Kasmir. Arjuna visited this place during his northern military campaign for Yudhisthira's Rajasuya sacrifice

Pisacha

Pisachas are a group of mountain dwellers lived in the mountains around the Kasmir Valley. The Kasmiri language is considered to be a language in the group of Paisachi languages. Kasmiras and Pisachas were allies of the Kuru king Duryodhana . Some among them worship Duryodhana as a god.

Other Kingdoms

Will be updated soon.