- Kanchi Kingdom
Kanchi was a southern kingdom mentioned in the epic
Mahabharata . This kingdom took part in theKurukshetra War . It was considered as one among theMlechcha kingdoms, that follows non Vedic practices.It is identified as the
Kanchi city inTamil Nadu .References in Mahabharata
The myth of origin of Kanchis
*Mahabharata, Book 1, Chapter 177
When the sage
Vasistha was attacked by king Viswamitra's army, Vasistha's cow, Kamadehnu, brought forth from her tail, an army of Palhavas, and from her udders, an army of Dravidas and Sakas; and from her womb, an army of Yavanas, and from her dung, an army of Savaras; and from her urine, an army of Kanchis; and from her sides, an army of Savaras. And from the froth of her mouth came out hosts of Paundras and Kiratas, Yavanas and Sinhalas, and the barbarous tribes of Khasas and Chivukas and Pulindas and Chinas and Hunas with Keralas, and numerous other Mlechchhas."In the ancient Indian literature, cow is a symbol of earth or land. Thus the myth mentioned above simply means that, these tribes gathered for the protection of sage Vasistha's land against the army of king Viswamitra. "
Kanchis in Kuruksetra War
On the Kaurava Side
*Mahabharata, Book 5, Chapter 161, 162
Kaurava army is protected by the kings of the East, the West, the South and the North, by the Kamvojas, the Sakas, the Khasas, the Salwas, the Matsyas, the Kurus of the middle country, the Mlechchhas, the Pulindas, the Dravidas, the Andhras, and the Kanchis.
On the Pandava Side
*Mahabharata, Book 8, Chapter 12
The Parthas, headed by
Bhima , advanced against Kaurava army. They consisted ofDhrishtadyumna ,Shikhandi ,Draupadi 's sons, the Prabhadrakas, andSatyaki andChekitana with the Dravida forces, and the Pandyas, the Cholas, and the Keralas, all possessed of broad chests, long arms, tall statures, and large eyes. Decked with ornaments, possessed of red teeth, attired in robes of diverse colours, smeared with powdered scents, armed with swords and nooses, equipped with quivers, bearing bows adorned with long locks, and agreeable in speech were the combatants of the infantry files led bySatyaki , belonging to the Andhra tribe, endued with fierce forms and great energy. Other brave warriors such as the Cedis, the Pancalas, the Kaikayas, the Karushas, the Kosalas, the Kanchis, and the Maghadhas, also rushed forward.See also
*
Kingdoms of Ancient India References
*Mahabharata of Krishna Dwaipayana Vyasa, translated to English by Kisari Mohan Ganguli
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