UpdateBot at 06:29, 15 December 2021

2021-12-15T06:29:05Z

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{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2015}}
{{Use Indian English|date=April 2015}}
{{Unreferenced|date=February 2009}}

The historical [[Avanti (India)|Avanti Kingdom]] of ancient India is described in the [[Mahabharata]] epic.
Avanti was divided into north and south by river [[Betwa River|Vetravati]]. Initially, Mahissati ([[Sanskrit]] Mahishamati) was the ''capital'' of Southern Avanti, and [[Ujjain]]i (Sanskrit Ujjayini) was of northern Avanti, but at the times of [[Mahavira]] and [[Gautama Buddha|Buddha]], Ujjaini was the ''capital'' of integrated Avanti. The country of Avanti roughly corresponded to modern [[Malwa (Madhya Pradesh)|Malwa]], Nimar and adjoining parts of the [[Madhya Pradesh]].

Both Mahishmati and Ujjaini stood on the ''southern high road'' called ''Dakshinapatha'' extending from [[Rajgir|Rajagriha]] to Pratishthana (modern [[Paithan]]). Avanti was an important center of Buddhism and some of the leading ''theras'' and ''theris'' were born and resided there. King Nandivardhana of Avanti was defeated by king [[Shishunaga]] of [[Magadha]]. Avanti later became part of Magadhan empire.

== References in Mahabharata ==

=== Avanti mentioned as a kingdom of Ancient India ===
Avanti kingdom is mentioned in the list of kingdoms in ancient India (Bharata Varsha) :- ...the [[Kunti Kingdom|Kuntis]], the Avantis, and the further-Kuntis; the [[Gomanta Kingdom|Gomantas]], the Mandakas, the Shandas, the [[Vidarbha Kingdom|Vidarbhas]], the Rupavahikas; the Aswakas, the Pansurashtras, the [[Gurjara Kingdom|Gopa rashtras]], and the Karityas; the [[Karusha Kingdom|Adhirajyas]], the Kuladyas, the [[Malla Kingdom|Malla rashtras]], the [[Kerala Kingdom|Keralas]], the Varatrasyas, the Apavahas, the Chakras, the Vakratapas, the [[Scythians in the Mahabharata|Sakas]]; the [[Videha]]s, the [[Magadha Kingdom|Magadhas]].... (6,9)

=== Avanti a rich kingdom ===
Surrounding the kingdom of the [[Kuru Kingdom|Kurus]], are, many countries beautiful and abounding in corn, such as [[Panchala Kingdom (Mahabharata)|Panchala]], [[Chedi Kingdom|Chedi]], [[Matsya Kingdom|Matsya]], [[Surasena Kingdom|Surasena]], Pattachchara, [[Dasarna Kingdom|Dasarna]], Navarashtra, [[Malla Kingdom|Malla]], [[Salwa Kingdom|Salva]], Yugandhara, [[Saurashtra Kingdom|Saurashtra]], Avanti, and the spacious [[Kunti Kingdom|Kuntirashtra]]. (4,1).

=== Avanti was well connected by ancient highways ===
''Words of [[Nishadha Kingdom|Nishadha]] king [[Nala]] to his wife [[Damayanti]] of [[Vidarbha Kingdom]].''

These many roads lead to the southern country, passing by (the city of) '''Avanti''' and the Rikshavat mountains. This is that mighty mountain called [[Vindhya Range|Vindhya]]; yon, the river Payasvini running seawards, and yonder are the asylums of the ascetics, furnished with various fruit and roots. This road leadeth to the country of the [[Vidarbha Kingdom|Vidarbhas]] —and that, to the country of the [[Kosala Kingdom|Kosalas]]. Beyond these roads to the south is the southern country. (3,61)

=== Sahadeva's Conquests ===
Allying himself with the vanquished tribes the [[Pandava]] [[Sahadeva]] then marched towards the countries that lay on the banks of the [[Narmada River|Narmada]]. And defeating there in battle the two heroic kings of '''Avanti''', called '''Vinda and Anuvinda''', supported by a mighty host, the mighty son of the twin gods exacted much wealth from them. After this the hero marched towards the town of Bhojakata. (2,30)

=== Karna's conquests ===
Then going to [[Shishupala]]'s son, the son of the Suta defeated him and that highly powerful one also brought under his sway all the neighbouring rulers. And having subjugated the '''Avantis''' and concluded peace with them, and having met with the Vrishnis, he conquered the west. (3,252)

=== Vasudeva Krishna's Conquests ===
The Avantis, the Southerners, the Mountaineers, the Daserakas, the Kasmirakas, the Aurasikas, the Pisachas, the Samudgalas, the Kamvojas, the Vatadhanas, the Cholas, the Pandyas, O Sanjaya, the Trigartas, the Malavas, the Daradas difficult of being vanquished, the Khasas arrived from diverse realms, as also the Sakas, and the Yavanas with followers, were all vanquished by [[Krishna in the Mahābhārata|Vasudeva Krishna]] (7,11)

=== Avanti King in Yudhishthira's Rajasuya ===
The king of Avanti, stood in service of the [[Pandava]] king [[Yudhishthira]] with diverse kinds of water for the final bath, during the [[Rajasuya]] sacrifice.

=== Avanti kings allied with the Kauravas in Kurukshetra War ===
The two kings of Avanti ([[Vinda and Anuvinda]]), accompanied by a mighty force, brought to [[Duryodhana]], each a separate Akshauhini of troops, for the [[Kurukshetra War]]. (5,19)

They were considered as the best among the Kaurava heroes as per [[Duryodhana]]'s words:- Those, however, amongst us, that are our chief warriors, are Bhishma, Drona, Kripa, Drona's son, Karna, Somadatta, Vahlika, and Salya, the king of Pragjyotisha, the two kings (Vindha and Anuvinda) of '''Avanti''', and Jayadratha; and then, O king, thy sons Dussasana, Durmukha, Dussaha, Srutayu; Chitrasena, Purumitra, Vivingsati, Sala, Bhurisravas, and Vikarna. (5,55) (5,66) (5,198)

Rating by [[Bhishma]]:- Vinda and Anuvinda of Avanti are both regarded as excellent Rathas. These two heroes among men will consume the troops of thy foes, with maces and bearded darts, and swords and long shafts, and javelins hurled from their hands. Like a couple of (elephant) leaders sporting in the midst of their herds, these two princes longing for battle, will range the field, each like Yama himself. (5,167)

Suvala's son Shakuni, and Shalya, Jayadratha and the two princes of Avanti named Vinda and Anuvinda, and the Kekaya brothers, and Sudakshina the ruler of the Kambojas and Srutayudha the ruler of the Kalingas, and king Jayatsena, and Vrihadvala the ruler of the Kosalas, and Kritavarman of Satwata's race,--these ten tigers among men, endued with great bravery and possessing arms that looked like maces stood each at '''the head of an Akshauhini''' of troops.(6,16)

=== Avanti Kings Vinda and Anuvinda in Kurukshetra War ===
Vinda and Anuvinda in the [[Hinduism|Hindu]] epic ''[[Mahabharata]]'' were the two brother kings of Avanti Kingdom. They had sister named [[Mitravinda]] who married to lord Krishna. Vinda and Anuvinda fought for their friend Duryodhana's cause during Mahabharata war. King shurasena of the Yadu vansh had five daughters, Rajadhidevi being the youngest. King Jayasena of Avanti kingdom married Rajadhidevi and bore three children, Vinda, Anuvinda and Mitravinda.

The Vinda and Anuvinda of Avanti fought several wars as two [[Kaurava]] generals, under the leadership of the Kaurava generallisimo [[Bhishma]]. (6- 17,45,47,51,56,71,82,84,87,88,93,95,100,103,109,114,115). They also fought as generals under the generalissimo [[Drona]] (7-20,23,30,72,92,93). They were slain by [[Arjuna]] (7,96), (8-5,72), (9-2,24), (11-22,25). The Avanti troops continued their battle on the side of [[Kaurava]]s (7,110)

== See also ==
*[[Epic India]]

Other kingdoms in this group include:
# [[Chedi Kingdom|Chedi]] (approx. [[Jhansi]] district in [[Uttar Pradesh]])
# [[Surasena Kingdom|Surasena]] ([[Mathura, Uttar Pradesh|Mathura]] district in [[Uttar Pradesh]] (also known as [[Vraja Kingdom|Vraja]])
# [[Dasarna Kingdom|Dasarna]] (south to Chedi Kingdom)
# [[Karusha Kingdom|Karusha]] (east to Dasarna Kingdom)
# [[Kunti Kingdom|Kunti]] (North to Avanti Kingdom)
# [[Malava Kingdom|Malava]] (West to Avanti Kingdom)
# [[Gurjara Kingdom|Gurjara]] (southern [[Rajasthan]])
# [[Heheya Kingdom|Heheya]] ([[Narmada River|Narmada]] valley around the city [[Maheshwar]] in [[Madhya Pradesh]])
# [[Anarta Kingdom|Anarta]](northern [[Gujarat]])
# [[Saurashtra Kingdom|Saurashtra]] (southern [[Gujarat]])
# [[Dvārakā|Dwaraka]] (offshore the [[Dwarka]] city in [[Gujarat]])
# [[Vidarbha Kingdom|Vidarbha]]. (north eastern [[Maharashtra]])

== References ==
*[[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:Yadava kingdoms]]
[[Category:Malwa]]
[[Category:Ujjain]]
[[Category:History of Ujjain]]

Avanti Kingdom Mahabharata - Revision history

UpdateBot at 06:29, 15 December 2021