Mahajanapada
Matsya (Viratnagara)
Loading map…
Tap a feature for its note.
Overview
Matsya was one of the sixteen mahajanapadas, in the area of present-day Jaipur, Alwar and Bharatpur in Rajasthan.
Its capital was Viratnagara (Bairat), which the Mahabharata links with King Virata. Bairat also has a Mauryan-era Buddhist site and an Ashokan rock edict.
Matsya lay south-west of the Kuru and Shurasena lands.
Geography and key facts
- One of the 16 mahajanapadas
- Jaipur–Alwar region, Rajasthan
- Capital: Viratnagara (Bairat)
- Ashokan edict at Bairat
Why it matters for UPSC
Prelims (1997) used a map of mahajanapadas. The Bhabru (Bairat) edict mentions Ashoka's faith in Buddhism.
Note for UPSC
Jaipur–Alwar region.
Mahajanapadas are asked with their capitals and present-day regions; positions are approximate.
Asked in PYQs
- UPSC Prelims 1997 · Q85The following map shows four of the sixteen mahajanapadas that existed in ancient India. The places marked A, B, C and D respectively are…
Questions from our Prelims bank whose text names Matsya (Viratnagara).
Key facts
- Type
- Mahajanapada
- State / UT
- Rajasthan
- Coordinates
- 27.433°N, 76.182°E
- Asked in Prelims
- 1 question · 1997
From the Map Explorer data; positions are for orientation.
In the lessons
More mahajanapadas (approx.) nearby
Surasena (Mathura)Mahajanapada · Uttar Pradesh1 PYQKuru (Hastinapura/Indraprastha)Mahajanapada · Uttar PradeshPanchala (Ahichchhatra)Mahajanapada · Uttar PradeshAvanti (Ujjayini)Mahajanapada · Madhya Pradesh4 PYQChedi (Suktimati)Mahajanapada · Uttar PradeshVatsa (Kaushambi)Mahajanapada · Uttar Pradesh1 PYQ
Other places in Rajasthan
All mahajanapadas (approx.) · Revision list · Most asked in PYQs