________________
Political Conditions and Institutions
209
MATSTA
The Matsya or Machchha country corresponds to the modern territories of Jaipur and Alwar. Its capital was Virāțanagara (modern Bairāt) named after its founder king Virāța. Upaplavya was another city of Matsya kingdom where the Pāņdavas transferred themselves from Virāța on the completion of the period of their exile. The Mahābhāratal refers to a king named Sahaja who reigned over the Chedis as well as Matsyas. The Matsyas had no political importance of their own during the time of Mahāvīra. In Pāli literature, the Matsyas as a people are usually associated with the Sūrasenas. ŚŪRASENA
Mathurā was the capital of Śūrasena which is identified with the region round Mathurā. In the Mahābhārata and the Purāņas, the ruling family of Mathurā is labelled as the Yadu or Yādava family. The Yādavas were divided into various branches, namely, the Vitihotras, Sātvatas, etc.
At the time of Lord Mahāvīra, Avantiputra was the ruling chief of Sūrasena country. It may be inferred from the epithet 'Avantiputra' that Avanti and Sūrasena were bound to each other by a matrimonial alliance. Avantiputra, king of the Śūrasenas, was the first among the chief disciples of the Buddha through whose help Buddhism gained ground in the Mathurā region. Mathurā was also a centre of considerable importance for the Jainas. It is said to have been visited by Mahāvira, Ajja Mangu, and Ajja Rakkhiya. SINDHU SAUVIRA
Sindhu Sauvira is the Lower Indus Valley, Sindhu being the name of the inland portion lying to the west of the Indus' while Sauvfra includes the littoral as well as the inland portion lying to the cast of the Indus as far as Jultan. Vrabhaya was the capital of this province.” Udayana was a very powersul monarch of Sindhu Sauvira. He was converted after he heard Xlahāvara's sermon at Villabhaya. In course of time, 1. Mbl, V. 74, 16; VI. 47, 07; 52. 9. 2. PHAI, pp. 507 and 019.
