Historical Geography of Ancient India c10.239

c10.239

*Matsyadeśa*.—It is one of the *mahājanapadas* of India (*Aṅg.*, I, 213; IV, 252, 256, 260; cf. *Padma Purāṇa*, Ch. 3; *Viṣṇudharmottaramahāpurāṇa*, Ch. 9). The people of this country acquired some importance in the Vedic age, but at the time of the *Rāmāyaṇa* they lost their importance. It is mentioned in the *Śatapatha Brāhmaṇa* (XIII, 5. 4. 9) that a Matsya king is mentioned among the great ancient Indian monarchs who acquired renown by performing the horse-sacrifice. The Matsyas are mentioned along with the Uśīnaras, Kuru-Pañcālas, and Kāśī-Videhas (*Kausitaki Upaniṣad*, IV, 1). They were connected with the Śalvas, a Kṣatriya tribe in their neighbourhood (*Gopatha Brāhmaṇa*, 1. 2. 9). The relation of the Matsyas with the Śalvas is also attested by the *Mahābhārata* (Virāṭaparva, Ch. 30, pp. 1-2). In later times the Matsyas were associated with the Cedis and the Śūrasenas. In the Kuruṣetra battle they occupied a pre-eminent position both because of the purity of their conduct and custom and through their bravery and prowess. The Matsyas or the Macchas witnessed the dice-play of the king of the Kurus with the Yakkha (demon) Puṇṇaka (Jāt., VI, Vidhurapaṇḍita Jātaka).