2409:4061:211F:E285:CA62:3EAE:401C:E2D7 at 17:37, 7 July 2020

2020-07-07T17:37:40Z

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[[Image:EpicIndia.jpg|right|thumb|250px|A map of the ancient Indian kingdoms.]]
'''Dasarna Kingdom''' was one of the many kingdoms ruled by [[Yadu|Yadava]] kings in ancient central and western India. It lay to the south of the Chedi and Panchala kingdoms, in northern [[Madhya Pradesh]]. The [[Panchala]] prince [[Sikhandi]] married a princess from Dasarna. Sikhandin was alleged to be 'one of the neuter-gender'. This led to a dispute between the Dasarna king and the Panchala king [[Drupada]].

There was another Dasarna Kingdom in the western regions along with the Sivis, Trigartas, Western-Malavas and Amvasthas. (2,31), in the [[Punjab (Pakistan)|Punjab]] province of Pakisthan.

== References in Mahabharata ==

=== Dasarna, a kingdom in Bharata Varsha ===

''Dasarna is listed in the list of kingdoms of Bharata Varsha (ancient India).''

The Kuru-Panchalas, the Salwas, the Madreyas, the Jangalas, the Surasena, the Kalingas, the Vodhas, the Malas, the Matsyas, the Sauvalyas, the Kuntalas, the Kasi-kosalas, the Chedis, the Karushas, the Bhojas, the Sindhus, the Pulindakas, the Uttamas, the '''Dasarnas''', the Mekalas, the Utkalas; the Panchalas, the Kausijas ... (6,9)

''Chedi was one among the kingdoms chosen for spending the 13th year of exile by the [[Pandavas]].''

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, Navarashtra, [[Malla Kingdom|Malla]], [[Salwa Kingdom|Salva]], Yugandhara, [[Saurashtra Kingdom|Saurashtra]], [[Avanti Kingdom (Mahabharata)|Avanti]], and the spacious [[Kunti Kingdom|Kuntirashtra]]. (4,1)

=== Pandava's travel from Dwaita forest to Matsya Kingdom ===

Leaving Dwaita woods Pandavas moved (eastwards) towards river [[Yamuna]], passing through many hills and forests. Terminating their forest life they proceeded (southwards) to the southern bank of Yamuna. By killing the deer of the forest, they passed through '''Yakrilloma''' and [[Surasena Kingdom|Surasena]], (they turned westwards), leaving behind them, on their right the country of the [[Panchala Kingdom (Mahabharata)|Panchalas]] and to their left the Dasarnas. Finally they entered the [[Matsya Kingdom|Matsya]] territory, leaving the forest. The city of [[Virata Kingdom|Virata]] was still far away.

''The passage below, describes the locations of various ancient kingdoms. This gives a vague idea that Dasarna lied west to [[Panchala Kingdom (Mahabharata)|Panchala Kingdom]]''

=== Dasarna King Sudaman ===

Dasarna king Sudaman had two daughters. One was married to [[Chedi Kingdom|Chedi]] king Viravahu (Suvahu). The other one was married to [[Vidarbha Kingdom|Vidarbha]] king Bhima. The famous princess [[Damayanti]] was the daughter of this Vidarbha king Bhima. (3,69)

=== Dasarna King Sudharman defeated by Pandava Bhima ===

''[[Pandava]] [[Bhima]], during his military campaigns for collecting tribute for [[Pandava]] king [[Yudhishthira]]'s [[Rajasuya]] sacrifice, reached Dasarna Kingdom''

[[Bhima]] then subjugated the Dasarnas. There in the country of the Dasarnas, the king called Sudharman with his bare arms fought a fierce battle with Bhimasena. And Bhimasena, beholding that feat of the illustrious king, appointed the mighty Sudharman as the first in command of his forces. (2,28)

=== Western Dasarnas defeated by Pandava Nakula ===

''[[Pandava]] [[Nakula]], during his military campaigns for collecting tribute for [[Pandava]] king [[Yudhishthira]]'s [[Rajasuya]] sacrifice, reached the western Dasarna Kingdom''

In the western region, [[Nakula]] subjugated the '''Dasarnas''', the Sivis, the Trigartas, the Amvashtas, the Malavas, the five tribes of the Karnatas, and those twice born classes that were called the Madhyamakeyas and Vattadhanas. (2,31)

=== Dasarna king Hiranyavarman ===

King Hiranyavarman possessed a large army. He had a beautiful daughter. [[Panchala Kingdom (Mahabharata)|Panchala]] king [[Drupada]] chose this Dasarna princess as the wife of their son [[Sikhandi]], who was born as a female, but brought up as a man. When the secret was out regarding the true sex of Sikhandi, a war broke between Dasarnas and Panchalas. Hiranyavarman ordered his army to sack '''Kampilya''' (Kampil in [[Uttar Pradesh]]), the capital city of Panchalas.(5-192,193). King Drupada’s city was naturally well-protected. Yet at the advent of danger, O monarch, they began to protect it all the more carefully and fortify it with defensive works. (5,194)

Sikhandi, wished to die, and went to the forest of a [[Yaksha]] named Sthunakarna, who will kill any intruder into that forest. Within the forest stood his mansion with high walls and a gateway, plastered over with powdered earth, and rich with smoke bearing the fragrance of fried paddy. Entering that mansion, Sikhandi fasted for many days, to die. The Yaksha, out of kindness, converted Sikhandi into a male. He returned to his kingdom and ended the dispute between the Dasarnas and Pachalas. (5-194,195)

*King Hiranyavarman was mentioned as '''the brother of Drupada''' :- Drupada's words:- My powerful brother, king Hiranyavarman, having mustered a large force, is coming towards me in anger.(5,193)

=== Dasarnas in Kurukshetra War ===

==== On Pandava side ====

*Dasarna king took part in the [[Kurukshetra War]] on the side of Pandavas. (the ruler of the '''Dasarnas''', the Prayagas, with the Daserakas, and the [[Anupa Kingdom|Anupakas]], and the Kiratas) (6,50)
*The rulers of the Chedis, and Vasudana, and the king of the Dasarnas followed Bhima.(6,96)
*The ruler of the Dasarnas rushed against the king of the [[Pragjyotisha Kingdom|Pragjyotisha]](7,24)

==== On Kaurava side ====

*Dasarna army is mentioned as following the [[Kaurava]] general [[Drona]] along with other armies (viz the Kuntalas, the Magadhas, the Vidarbhas, the Melakas, the Karnas, and the Pravaranas) (6,51)

=== Dasarna King Chitrangada defeated by Pandava Arjuna ===

''Arjuna reached Dasarna during his military campaign after the [[Kurukshetra War]].''

After conquering the Kasis, the Angas, the Kosalas, the Kiratas, and the Tanganas, [[Arjuna]] reached the country of the Dasarnas. The ruler of that people was '''Chitrangada'''.
Between him and [[Arjuna]] occurred a battle exceedingly terrible. Bringing him under his sway Arjuna proceeded to the dominions of the [[Nishada Kingdom|Nishada]] king, viz., the son of [[Ekalavya]]. (14,83)

== Krishna ==

*Words of [[Krishna in the Mahābhārata|Vasudeva Krishna]] to [[Karna]]:- Dasarhas and the Dasarnas, will be numbered with thy relatives (if he joined the [[Pandavas]].) (5,140)

== See also ==
[[Kingdoms of Ancient India]]

Other kingdoms in this group include:
*[[Heheya Kingdom|Heheya]] ([[Narmada River|Narmada]] valley)
*[[Surasena Kingdom|Surasena]] ([[Mathura, Uttar Pradesh|Mathura]] district [[Uttar Pradesh]])
*[[Chedi Kingdom|Chedi]] ([[Jhansi]], [[Uttar Pradesh]])
*[[Karusha Kingdom|Karusha]] (in [[Madhya Pradesh]])
*[[Kunti Kingdom|Kunti]] (in [[Madhya Pradesh]])
*[[Avanti (India)|Avanti]] (around [[Ujjain]])
*[[Malava Kingdom|Malava]] (Eastern [[Rajasthan]]) (migrated from Western Malava)
*[[Gurjara Kingdom|Gurjara]] (Southern [[Rajasthan]])
*[[Anarta Kingdom|Anarta]] (Northern [[Gujarat]])
*[[Saurashtra Kingdom|Saurashtra]] (Southern [[Gujarat]])
*[[Dwaraka Kingdom|Dwaraka]] (Offshore [[Gujarat]])
*[[Vidarbha Kingdom|Vidarbha]] (North East [[Maharashtra]])

== References ==
{{no footnotes|date=June 2016}}
{{Reflist|30em}}
*Mahabharata of [[Krishna Dwaipayana Vyasa]], translated to English by Kisari Mohan Ganguli

==External links==

{{Tribes and kingdoms of the Mahabharata}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Dasarna Kingdom}}
[[Category:Ancient Indian geography|*]]
[[Category:Empires and kingdoms of India]]
[[Category:Mahajanapadas| 01]]
[[Category:Yadava kingdoms]]

Dasarna Kingdom - Revision history

2409:4061:211F:E285:CA62:3EAE:401C:E2D7 at 17:37, 7 July 2020