Tribes in Ancient India c70.12

c70.12

In later times, we find the Matsyas associated with the Cedis and the Śūrasenas. Among the kings who brought about the ruin of their own tribes and families, the *Mahābhārata* (Vol. 74, 16) mentions a King Sahaja who was instrumental in causing the destruction of the Cedi-Matsyas. In the Paurāṇic age the Matsyas are spoken of along with the Śūrasenas and the *Cambridge History of India*⁶ observes that the two peoples are constantly associated, and may possibly have been united under one king. In the *Bhīṣmaparvan* of the *Mahābhārata*, the Cedi-Matsya-Karūṣas are grouped together in one passage, the Cedi-Matsyas in another, and the Cedi- Matsya-Karūṣas in another.¹ Elsewhere in the *Mahābhārata*, in the description of the Kurukṣetra battle, the Cedi-Pañcāla-Karūṣa-Matsyas,² Matsya-Pañcāla-Cedis,³ Cedi-Karūṣa-Matsyas,⁴ and Cedi-Matsyas⁵ respectively are grouped together.