Utkala Kingdom was located in the northern and eastern portion of the modern-day
Indian
state of
Odisha.This kingdom was mentioned in the epic
Mahabharata, with the names ''Utkala'', ''Utpala'', and ''Okkal''. It is mentioned in India's national anthem,
Jana Gana Mana.
Early Sanskrit Literature
The early
Sanskrit medieval literature says "उत्कृष्ट कलायाः देशः यः सः उत्कलः" (), meaning the land having an "excellent opulence of artists". The
Puranic division of ''Utkala desa'' was bounded on the north by the river Kapisa, on the south by the river
Mahanadi, on the east by the
Bay of Bengal and to the west by
Mekala hills.
References in Mahabharata
The
Dasarnas, the
Mekalas (a kingdom to the west of Utkala) and the Utkalas were mentioned as kingdoms of Bharata Varsha (Ancient India) (6:9). Utkalas were mentioned as taking part in the
Kurukshetra War
The Kurukshetra War ( sa, कुरुक्षेत्र युद्ध ), also called the Mahabharata War, is a war described in the ''Mahabharata ( sa, महाभारत )''. The conflict arose from a dynastic succession struggle be ...
siding with the
Kauravas. Many Mekalas, Utkalas,
Kalingas, Nishadas, and Tamraliptakas, advanced against
Nakula, showering their
shafts and
lances
A lance is a spear designed to be used by a mounted warrior or cavalry soldier (lancer). In ancient and medieval warfare, it evolved into the leading weapon in cavalry charges, and was unsuited for throwing or for repeated thrusting, unlike sim ...
, desirous of slaying him (8:22).
The Utpalas, the Mekalas, the
Paundras, the
Kalingas, the Nishadas, the
Trigartas
Trigarta kingdom was an ancient kingdom in northern Indian region of the Indian subcontinent with its capital at Prasthala (modern Jalandhar), Multan and Kangra.
Trigarta was founded and ruled by the vrishni Dynasty.
Mention in Mahabharata
Tri ...
, and the
Valhikas, were all vanquished by
Karna (7:4).
See also
*
Kingdoms of Ancient India
References
*
Mahabharata of
Krishna Dwaipayana Vyasa, translated to English by Kisari Mohan Ganguli
Kingdoms in the Mahabharata
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