The Dynastic History of Northern India (Early Mediaeval Period) v2.c29.2.1

v2.c29.2.1

The Haihayas¹ according to Epic and Purāṇic tradition, were descendants of Sahasrajit, a son of Yadu and grandson of Yayāti. The name of the family is derived from Haihaya, the grandson of Sahasrajit. Their capital was situated in Māhiṣmatī (mod. Mandhata on the Narbada, Nimar District, C. P.), named after Mahiṣmant, a descendant of Haihaya. The greatest king of this line was Arjuna Kārtavīrya, who is called both a *Samrāj* and a *Cakravartin*. The next important king of this race was Tālajaṅgha, who had many sons, called the Tālajaṅghas. The *Purāṇas* mention five different groups of Haihayas, *viz.*, the Vītihotras, Śāryātas, Bhojas, Avantis, and Tundikeras, who were all Tālajaṅghas.² The Indian inscriptions reveal the existence of some other branches of this line. Thus the Ārjunāyanas, who did homage to the Gupta king Samudragupta, may have claimed descent from the Haihaya Arjuna.³ But the most important line that claimed such descent was certainly the Kalacuris,⁴ whose name appear in records from at least the 6th century A.D. down to the 15th century. We have seen that Epic and Purāṇic tradition connects the Haihayas with the middle Narbada valley. Their capital was at Mandhata while one of their subdivisions is actually named Avanti.