Suhma Kingdom

Suhma was an eastern kingdom located in regions now occupied by West Bengal and Bangladesh. This kingdom was mentioned in the epic Mahabharata along with its neighbouring kingdom Prasuhma, which was in the present day Bangladesh.The founders of five eastern kingdoms, which included: - Angas Vangas, Kalingas, Pundras and Suhmas shared a common ancestry.

References in Mahabharata

The founders of five eastern kingdoms, which included: Angas Vangas, Kalingas, Pundras and Suhmas shared a common ancestry. They were all adopted sons of a king named Vali (Bali), born by a sage named Gautama Dirghatamas, who lived in Magadha close to the city of Girivraja. (See also Kalinga Kingdom.) (1:104), (2:21).

Military expeditions to Suhma

Pandu ( the father of Pandavas) after defeating the Magadhas and the Videhas of Mithila, led his army against Kasi, Suhma, and Pundra, and by the strength and prowess of his arms spread the fame of the Kurus (1:113).

Arjuna, that bull amongst the son of Pandu, at the head of all his troops, fiercely attacked the regions called Suhma and Sumala (2:26) during his military campaign to collect tribute to Yudhisthira's Rajasuya.

Bhima vanquished in battle the Suhmas and the Prasuhmas. The Pandava Bhima subjugated in battle those strong and brave heroes of fierce prowess, viz., the heroic and mighty Vasudeva, the king of Pundra and king Mahaujah who reigned in Kausika-kachchha, and then attacked the king of Vanga. Having vanquished Samudrasena and king Chandrasena and Tamralipta, and also the king of the Karvatas and the ruler of the Suhmas, as also the kings that dwelt on the sea-shore, that bull among the Bharatas then conquered all Mleccha tribes.(2:29).

Karna also subjugated the Pundras and Suhmas (8:8).

See also

Kingdoms of Ancient India

References

*Mahabharata of Krishna Dwaipayana Vyasa, translated to English by Kisari Mohan Ganguli