Abhira Kingdom

The Abhira kingdom in the Mahabharata is either of two kingdoms near the Sarasvati river. They were dominated by the Abhiras, sometimes referred to as Surabhira also, combining both Sura and Abhira kingdoms. Modern day Abhira territory lies within Northern areas of Gujarat and Southern Rajasthan, India.[3][4]

This article is about the ancient Abhira kingdom of the Mahabharata. For for other uses, see Abhira (disambiguation).
Abhira Kingdom
Abhira
248 A.D.–315 or 415 A.D.[1]
CapitalTrikuta[2]
Religion
Bhagavata
GovernmentMonarchy
Janaka (King or Chief) 
Historical eraEarly Classical
• Established
248 A.D.
• Disestablished
315 or 415 A.D.[1]
Today part ofPakistan
India

Reference to Abhiras in literature

The Sabha-parva and Bhisma-parva sections of the Mahabharata mention the province of Abhira, situated near what once was the Sarasvati River in ancient Sind.[5] According to sage Markandeya, the Abhiras rule the earth in Kaliyuga." Vātsyāyana also mentions the Abhira kingdoms in the Kama Sutra.[6] References of Abhira being residents of kingdom ruled by Yudhisthira is found in Bhagwatam.[7]

Abhiras are mentioned as warriors in support of Duryodhana in Mahabharta war.[8] The Gopas, whom Krishna had offered to Duryodhana to fight in his support when he himself joined Arjuna's side, were no other than the Yadavas themselves, who were also the Abhiras.[9][10] Their king, Chitra, was killed by Prativindhya, the son of Yudhishthira and Draupadi. The Abhiras also have been described as Vrata Kshatriyas. The Abhir, Gopa, Gopal.[11] and Yadavas are all synonyms.[12][13][14] They defeated the hero of Mahabharatha war, sparing him when he disclosed the identity of the members of the family of Sri Krishna.[15] Arjuna had killed all Kauravas and was defeated by Gopas (Abhiras) was only Hari's play.[16][17]

Abhira Kingdom of Mathura

In the south was Mathura, the powerful kingdom of the fearless cow-herding Abhira tribe ruled by King Ugrasena, the maternal grandfather of Krishna.[18]

Abhira kingdom of Maharashtra

The Abhiras established a large kingdom in Maharashtra, succeeding the Satavahanas, which included Nasik, Aparanta, Lata, Khandesh and Vidarbha.[19][20][21]

See also

References
  1. Sudhakar Chattopadhyaya (1974). Some Early Dynasties of South India. Motilal Banarsidass. pp. 128–130. ISBN 978-81-208-2941-1.
  2. B.H. Mehta (2017). Gonds of the Central Indian Highlands Vol II. Concept Publishing Company. p. 569. GGKEY:DDRXNHQXYN8.
  3. Numismatic Society of India (1991). The Journal of the Numismatic Society of India. Vol. 53. ISSN 0029-6066.
  4. The Journal of the Numismatic Society of India, Volume 53
  5. Knapp, Stephen (2000). Proof of Vedic Culture's Global Existence. World Relief Network. ISBN 978-0-9617410-6-8.
  6. Sircar, Dineschandra (1971). Studies in the Geography of Ancient and Medieval India. Motilal Banarsidass Publ. ISBN 978-81-208-0690-0.
  7. "Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 2 Chapter 4 Verse 18". vedabase.net. Archived from the original on 19 August 2006. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
  8. Man in India – Google Books. 17 July 2007. Retrieved 18 October 2011.
  9. Man in India – Google Books. 1974. Retrieved 18 October 2011.
  10. Shah, Popatlal Govindlal (13 February 2009). Ethnic history of Gujarat – Popatlal Govindlal Shah – Google Books. Retrieved 18 October 2011.
  11. Regmi, D. R. (1 December 1973). Ancient Nepal – D. R. Regmi, Nepal Institute of Asian Studies – Google Books. Retrieved 18 October 2011.
  12. Kapoor, Subodh (2002). Encyclopaedia of ancient Indian ... – Subodh Kapoor – Google Books. ISBN 9788177552980. Retrieved 18 October 2011.
  13. Rao, M. S. A. (14 December 2006). Social movements and social ... – M. S. A. Rao – Google Books. ISBN 9780333902554. Retrieved 18 October 2011.
  14. Rao, M. S. A. (14 December 2006). Social movements and social ... – M. S. A. Rao – Google Books. ISBN 9780333902554. Retrieved 18 October 2011.
  15. Singh Yadav, J. N. (28 August 2007). Yadavas through the ages, from ... – J. N. Singh Yadav – Google Books. ISBN 9788185616032. Retrieved 18 October 2011.
  16. Söhnen, Renate; Söhnen-Thieme, Renate; Schreiner, Peter (1989). Brahmapurāṇa: Summary of Contents, with Index of Names and Motifs. Otto Harrassowitz Verlag. ISBN 978-3-447-02960-5. Arjuna had killed all Kauravas and was defeated by Abhiras was only Hari's play.
  17. Books, Kausiki (24 October 2021). Vishnu Purana Part 2: संक्षिप्त विष्णु पुराण: केवल हिन्दी (in Hindi). Kausiki Books. आज उन्हीं कृष्ण के बिना, मुझे गोपों ने हरा दिया। जिनके प्रभाव से यह गाण्डीव तीनों लोकों में विख्यात था, आज उन्हीं के अभाव में यह अहीरों की लाठियों से व्यर्थ हो गया।
  18. Geraets, Wil (18 May 2011). The Wisdom Teachings of Harish Johari on the Mahabharata. Simon and Schuster. ISBN 978-1-59477-932-9. In the south was Mathura, the powerful kingdom of the fearless cow-herding Abhira tribe ruled by King Ugrasena, the maternal grandfather of Krishna.
  19. Sudhakar Chattopadhyaya (1974). Some Early Dynasties of South India. p. 129. ISBN 9788120829411. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
  20. Subodh Kapoor (2002). Encyclopaedia of Ancient Indian Geography, Volume 1. p. 2. ISBN 9788177552980. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
  21. Central Provinces District Gazetteers- Nagpur.
  • Kisari Mohan Ganguli, The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa Translated into English Prose, 1883–1896.
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