UpdateBot at 06:20, 24 April 2022

2022-04-24T06:20:18Z

New page

{{more citations needed|date=May 2017}}
[[Image:Map of Vedic India.png|thumb|Map of [[Aryavarta]]]]
'''Madra Kingdom''' ({{IAST3|Mādra}}; {{IPA-sa|maːd̪ɽɐ|}}) was a kingdom grouped among the western kingdoms in the epic [[Mahabharata]]. Its capital was [[Sagala]] in [[Madra]] region, modern [[Sialkot]] in the [[Punjab (Pakistan)|Punjab]] province of [[Pakistan]]. The [[Kuru (kingdom)|Kuru]] king [[Pandu]]'s (''Pāṇḍu'') second wife was from Madra kingdom and was called [[Madri]] ({{Lang-sa|माद्री}}; {{IAST3|Mādrī}}; [[Help:IPA/Sanskrit|IPA/Sanskrit]]: {{IPA-sa|maːd̪ɽiː|}}). 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 [[Yudhishthira]], the eldest Pandava. Other than the Madra kingdom (Eastern Madra or Purva Madra) with Sagala as its capital, it is believed that there was a Western Madra (Apara Madra) and a Northern Madra ([[Uttara Madra]]).

==Origin==
According to the Vayu Purana, the Madra Kingdom was founded by King Ushinara Shibi of the Anu race. Anu was the son of [[Yayati]].

According to [[Bhagavata Purana]], The kingdom of [[Madra]] was founded by [[Madra]] who was the son of Anu King [[Shibi (king)|Shibi]] in [[Treta Yuga]].

==Madra Culture==

In the epic, the Madra culture is described to be different from the [[Vedic civilization|Vedic]] culture, prevailed in kingdoms of the [[Gangetic plain]] like the Kurus and Panchalas.

Bahlika people were considered as "outsiders" of the Vedic culture, as being a foreign tribe of [[Bharatvarsha]]. The name Bahlika is also used to denote a kingdom different from Madra, Sindhu, Kekeya, Gandhāra & Kamboja. The [[Kuru (kingdom)|Kuru]] king [[Shantanu]], a forefather of [[Kauravas]] and [[Pandavas]], had a brother who ruled the [[Bahlika Kingdom]].

==Madra as a Bahlika country==

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 [[cavalrymen|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 reason why Shalya, the Madra king, has to side with Duryodhana in the [[Kurukshetra 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.

==Origin of Madra tribe==

The [[Yavana Kingdom|Yavanas]], the [[Kirata Kingdom|Kiratas]], the [[China of Mahabharata|Chinas]], the [[Sora people|Savaras]], the Barbaras, the [[Scythians in the Mahabharata|Sakas]], the [[Tushara Kingdom|Tusharas]], the Kankas, the Pathavas, the [[Andhra Kingdom|Andhras]], the Madrakas, the [[Pundra Kingdom|Paundras]], the [[Himalaya Kingdom|Pulindas]], the Ramathas, the [[Kamboja Kingdom|Kamvojas]] were mentioned together as tribes beyond the kingdoms of [[Aryavarta]]. The Aryavarta-kings had doubts on dealing with them. (12,64)<ref>{{cite book|last1=Menon|first1=Ramesh|title=The Mahabharata, A modern rendering|date=2006|publisher=iUniverse|isbn=9780595401888}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Ganguly|first1=Kisari|title=The Mahabharata|url=http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m08/index.htm|website=www.sacred-texts.com}}</ref>

The [[Andhra Kingdom|Andrakas]], Guhas, Pulindas, Savaras, Chuchukas, Madrakas, the Yamas, [[Kamboja Kingdom|Kamvojas]], [[Kirata Kingdom|Kiratas]] and Barbaras were mentioned as unknown tribes. In the '''Krita age''', they were nowhere on earth (meaning Ancient India). It is from the '''Treta age''' that they have had their origin and began to multiply. When the terrible period came, joining [[Treta Yuga]] and the [[Dvapara Yuga]], the [[Kshatriyas]], approaching one another, engaged themselves in battle (12,206).

The Madra tribe and [[Salwa Kingdom|Salwa]] tribe had a common origin as hinted by a myth at (1,121).
Here the origin of these two tribes were attributed to a king in the race of [[Puru (Vedic tribe)|Puru]], known by the name of Vyushitaswa. His wife was Bhadra, the daughter of Kakshivat (Kakshivat was the son of Gautama-Dirghatamas, begotten upon the servant-maid of the queen of a king named Vali who ruled in the outskirts of [[Magadha Kingdom|Magadha]]. (See also [[Anga Kingdom|Anga]] and [[Magadha Kingdom|Magadha]]). Seven sons were born to Bhadra, after the death of Vyushitaswa. Later they all became kings. Three of them became the three kings of [[Salwa Kingdom|Salwa]] and four of them became the four kings of Madra.

:''The myth describes that these seven kings were born of the dead-body of her husband!''

===Alliances of Madra brides with the Kurus===

'''Madra Custom of Marriage'''

[[Bhishma]], the fatherlike guardian of [[Kuru (kingdom)|Kuru]] king [[Pandu]] went to the capital of Madra, to ask for [[Shalya]]'s sister as a bride to Pandu. Upon which [[Shalya]] replies:- "There is a custom in our family observed by our ancestors, which, be it good or bad, I am incapable of transgressing it. It is well-known, and therefore is known to thee as well, I doubt not." The custom was that the groom had to give dowry to the kinsmen of the bride. Bhishma gave much wealth to Shalya and took Madri as the bride for [[Pandu]] (1,113).

[[Pandava]] [[Sahadeva]] married Vijaya, the daughter of Dyutimat, the king of Madra, obtaining her in a self-choice ceremony and begat upon her a son named Suhotra. (1,95)

===Kings of Madra===

====King Aswapati====

Aswapati was the son of [[Madra]] (the founder of Madra Kingdom) and grandson of King [[Shibi (king)|Shibi]] was the father of [[Savitri and Satyavan|Savitri]] the famous princess of Madra, who became the lover (and later, wife) of the famous [[Salwa Kingdom|Salwa]] prince [[Satyavan]]. Aswapati's wife was from a minor tribe known as [[Malava Kingdom|Malava]]. She was known as Malavi (3,291). The sons of Aswapati and Malavi, later became the powerful Malava kings. They spread their kingdom as far as [[Avanti Kingdom (Mahabharata)|Avanti]] ([[Ujjain]], [[Madhya Pradesh]]). Thus the royal line of Malavas originated from the Madra ([[Punjab (Pakistan)|Punjab]] province of Pakistan) king Aswapati (3,297).

====King Shalya / Mukappan====

[[Shalya]] was the most famous king from Madra. He became the generalissimo of the [[Kaurava]] army on the last day of the [[Kurukshetra War]]. He was the oldest spear-fighter battled in [[Kurukshetra War]].[[Bhima]] had defeated [[Shalya]] in mace-fight without knowing each other during the self-choice ceremony of [[Draupadi]] (1,192). He was slain by [[Pandava]] king [[Yudhishthira]] during the last day (18th day) of [[Kurukshetra War]]. [[Shalya]] was rated by [[Bhishma]] as an ''Athiratha''( a great chariot-warrior) (5,166). Shalya was also skilled in knowledge of steeds and in driving the chariot on the battle-field (8,31). For this reason, Shalya was forced to be the charioteer of [[Karna]] for one day during the war. [[Shalya]] had two sons named Rukmangada and Rukmaratha (1,188). Rukmaratha was mentioned as participating in the war. Similarly many brothers of Shalya also participated in the war. His younger brother was slain by [[Abhimanyu]] (8,5). He is also called as Mukappan.

There were other Madra kings like Dyutimat mentioned at (1,95) as the father-in-law of [[Pandava]] [[Sahadeva]].

===Nakula's arrival at Madra Kingdom===

''[[Nakula]], during his military campaign to the west, to collect tribute for [[Yudhishthira]]'s [[Rajasuya]] sacrifice came to the Madra Kingdom also''

[[Nakula]] the son of [[Pandu]], by sheer force, reduced to subjection the Ramathas, the [[Hara Huna Kingdom|Harahunas]], and various kings of the west. And while staying there Nakula sent, messengers unto [[Krishna in the Mahābhārata|Vasudeva Krishna]]. And Vasudeva with all the [[Yadu|Yadavas]] accepted his sway. And the mighty hero, proceeding thence to '''Sakala''', the city of the Madras, made his uncle [[Shalya]] accept from affection the sway of the [[Pandavas]]. The illustrious prince deserving the hospitality and entertainment at his uncle's hands, was well entertained by his uncle. [[Nakula]] obtained from Shalya a large quantity of jewels and gems, and left his kingdom.

===Madra in Kurukshetra War===

Madra king [[Shalya]], came with an Akshouhini of troops to join the army of [[Pandavas]], since his nephews viz the twins [[Nakula]] and [[Sahadeva]] were none other than the youngest Pandavas. His troops marched slowly on every day from Madra ([[Punjab (Pakistan)|Punjab]] province of Pakistan) to [[Upaplavya]] (somewhere on the border of [[Rajasthan]] and [[Haryana]]), the [[Matsya Kingdom|Matsya]] city, where the [[Pandavas]] were camped. When his army reached Kurujangala (the kingdom of the Pandavas, the modern-day [[Haryana]]), [[Duryodhana]]'s men intercepted the army. They, without revealing their identity, received Shalya and his men, made tents for them and refreshed them with all comforts. The Madra soldiers also received payment from Duryodhana's officers for taking part in the [[Kurukshetra War]]. [[Shalya]] became indebted to battle for the sake of [[Duryodhana]], by the time he learned the truth. (5,8).

The main antagonist of [[Shalya]] in bow-fight was, king [[Yudhishthira]] (5,57). Both of them engaged many times in battle. (6-45 etc.). He also made many battles with [[Nakula]] and [[Sahadeva]]. He defeated many like [[Virata]] and [[Drupada]]. [[Shalya]] became the driver of [[Karna]]'s chariot on the 17th day (8,36). On the last day [[Yudhishthira]] slew his uncle [[Shalya]], who was then the generalissimo of the Kaurava army (9,17).

Madra army battled along with other western armies like the [[Trigarta Kingdom|Trigartas]], the [[Kekeya Kingdom|Kekeyas]], the [[Gandhara Kingdom|Gandharas]], the [[Yavana Kingdom|Yavanas]], the [[Sindhu Kingdom|Sindhus]], the [[Sauvira Kingdom|Sauviras]], the Amvasthas etc. (6-51 etc.).

On the day when [[Shalya]] was forced to become the driver of [[Karna]]'s chariot, a dispute arose between them (8-40,44). The passages that describe this dispute give light to the cultural-differences that existed between these warriors. (See [[Bahlika Culture]] for more details).

===Gupta period===
{{ Annotated image
| image=Map of the Gupta Empire.png
| width=290
| image-width = 290 
| image-left=0 | image-top=0| float = right
| annotations =
{{Annotation|230|5|<center>South-Asia 400-450 CE</center>|font-weight=bold|font-style=normal|font-size=10|color=#000000}}
{{Annotation|85|80|[[Yaudheya|YAUDHEYAS]]|text-align=center|font-weight=bold|font-style=normal|font-size=6|color=#000000}}
{{Annotation|110|70|[[Arjunayanas|ARJUNAYANAS]]|text-align=center|font-weight=bold|font-style=normal|font-size=6|color=#000000}}
{{Annotation|80|60|[[Madra Kingdom|MADRAKAS]]|text-align=center|font-weight=bold|font-style=normal|font-size=6|color=#000000}}
{{Annotation|80|115|[[Malavas|MALAVAS]]|text-align=center|font-weight=bold|font-style=normal|font-size=6|color=#000000}}
{{Annotation|175|84|<center>[[Licchavi (kingdom)|<center>LICCHAVIS</center>]]</center>|font-weight=bold|font-style=normal|font-size=7|color=#000000}}
{{Annotation|100|142|<center>[[Abhira dynasty|ABHIRAS]]</center>|font-weight=bold|font-style=normal|font-size=6|color=#000000}}
{{Annotation|115|215|<center>[[Kalabhra dynasty|KALABHRAS]]</center>|font-weight=bold|font-style=normal|font-size=7|color=#000000}}{{Annotation|120|195|<center>[[Western Ganga dynasty|WESTERN GANGAS]]</center>|font-weight=bold|font-style=normal|font-size=5|color=#000000}}
{{Annotation|43|65|<center>[[Hind (Sasanian province)|<center>SASANIAN HIND</center>]]</center>|font-weight=bold|font-style=normal|font-size=6|color=#000000}}
{{Annotation|85|152|<center>[[Traikutaka dynasty|TRAITAKUTAS]]</center>|font-weight=bold|font-style=normal|font-size=6|color=#000000}}
{{Annotation|100|165|<center>[[Vakatakas|VAKATAKAS]]</center>|font-weight=bold|font-style=normal|font-size=8|color=#000000}}
{{Annotation|95|185|<center>[[Kadamba dynasty|KADAMBAS]]</center>|font-weight=bold|font-style=normal|font-size=6|color=#000000}}
{{Annotation|210|130|<center>[[Samatata|SAMATATAS]]</center>|font-weight=bold|font-style=normal|font-size=6|color=#000000}}
{{Annotation|235|113|<center>[[Gauda Kingdom|GAUDA]]</center>|font-weight=bold|font-style=normal|font-size=6|color=#000000}}
{{Annotation|247|90|<center>[[Varman dynasty|KAMARUPAS]]</center>|font-weight=bold|font-style=normal|font-size=6|color=#000000}}
{{Annotation|45|20|<center>[[Alchon Huns|ALCHON HUNS]]</center>|font-weight=bold|font-style=normal|font-size=7|color=#000000}}
{{Annotation|5|5|<center>[[Hephthalites|HEPHTHALITES]]</center>|font-weight=bold|font-style=normal|font-size=8|color=#000000}}
{{Annotation|1|45|<center>[[Sasanian Empire|<center>SASANIAN EMPIRE</center>]]</center>|font-weight=bold|font-style=normal|font-size=8|color=#000000}}
{{Annotation|text-align=right|270|190|MAPS [[Template:South Asia in 500 BCE|-500]] [[Template:South Asia in 150 BCE|-150]] [[Template:South Asia in 120 CE|120]] [[Template:South Asia in 350 CE|350]] [[Template:South Asia in 500 CE|500]] [[Template:South Asia in 600 CE|600]] [[Template:South Asia in 1000|1000]] [[Template:South Asia in 1175|1175]] [[Template:South Asia in 1250|1250]] [[Template:South Asia in 1400|1400]]|font-weight=bold|font-style=normal|font-size=5|color=#000000}}
|caption=<center>Approximate location of the Madrakas within the Gupta Empire, and neighbouring polities in South Asia, circa 400-450 CE.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Schwartzberg |first1=Joseph E. |title=A Historical atlas of South Asia |date=1978 |publisher=University of Chicago Press |location=Chicago |page=145, map XIV.1|isbn=0226742210 |url=https://dsal.uchicago.edu/reference/schwartzberg/pager.html?object=182}}</ref></center>}}
During the time of the [[Gupta Empire]], the Indian emperor [[Samudragupta]] (ruled 350-375 CE) recorded Madraka as a "frontier kingdom" which paid an annual tribute. This was recorded by Samudragupta's [[Allahabad Pillar inscription]], which states the following in lines 22–23.

{{quote|[[File:Madraka in the Allahabad Pillar inscription.jpg|thumb|upright|left|"Madraka" in the [[Allahabad Pillar inscription]] of [[Samudragupta]] (350-375 CE)]]"Samudragupta, whose formidable rule was propitiated with the payment of all tributes, execution of orders and visits (to his court) for obeisance by such frontier rulers as those of Samataṭa, [[Ḍavāka]], [[Kamarupa|Kāmarūpa]], [[Nepala|Nēpāla]], and [[Kartṛipura]], and, by the [[Malavas|Mālavas]], [[Arjunayanas|Ārjunāyanas]], [[Yaudheyas|Yaudhēyas]], [[Mādrakas]], [[Abhira dynasty|Ābhīras]], Prārjunas, Sanakānīkas, Kākas, Kharaparikas and other nations"|Lines 22–23 of the [[Allahabad Pillar|Allahabad pillar inscription]] of [[Samudragupta]] (r.c.350-375 CE).<ref>{{cite book |last1=Fleet |first1=John Faithfull |title=Corpus Inscriptionum Indicarum Vol. 3 |date=1888 |pages=6-10 |url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.49403/page/n213/mode/2up}}</ref>}}

==Other mentions==

*Madrabhujingas were mentioned as a kingdom of ancient India (Bharata Varsha) (6,9)
*[[Karna]] is mentioned as subjugating the Madras, along with the Gandharas, the Matsyas, the Trigartas, the Tanganas, the Khasas, the Pancalas, the Videhas, the Kulindas, the Kasi-kosalas, the Suhmas, the Angas, the Nishadhas, the Pundras, the Kichakas, the Vatsas, the Kalingas, the Taralas, the Asmakas, and the Rishikas (8,8)
*Trained elephants were mentioned as brought from the country of Madra by [[Krishna in the Mahābhārata|Vasudeva Krishna]]. These were given as present to the [[Pandavas]] on the occasion of their marriage with [[Draupadi]] (1,201). It is not clear how elephant could naturally exist in Madra (Punjab province of [[Pakistan]]). However a training center to make them war-elephants could exist there.
*From the Nishadas sprang up the Madranabha caste whose members are seen to ride on cars drawn by asses. (13,48).
*Madra kings were equated to a clan of [[Asuras]] called Krodhaveshas. (1,67)
*In Vichitra Natak which is a part of Dasam Granth authored by Guru Gobind Singh there are numerous references to Madra.

==See also==

* [[36 royal races]]
* [[Caste system in India]]
* [[Indo-Aryan superstrate in Mitanni]]
* [[Kingdoms of Ancient India]]
* [[List of Rigvedic tribes]]
* [[Madra]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}
* [[Mahabharata]] of [[Krishna Dwaipayana Vyasa]], translated to English by Kisari Mohan Ganguli

==External links==
{{Tribes and kingdoms of the Mahabharata}}

[[Category:Kingdoms in the Mahabharata]]
[[Category:Ancient history of Pakistan]]

Madra Kingdom - Revision history

UpdateBot at 06:20, 24 April 2022