title: Matsya Kingdom
text: # Matsya Kingdom
  
  Matsya (Sanskrit: मत्स्य) was a Vedic kingdom and later became a part of sixteen Mahajanapadas, which also appears in Hindu Epic literature. The capital of Matsya was at Viratanagari (present-day Bairat, in Rajasthan) which is said to have been named after its founder king, Virata.
  
  ## Mention in Mahabharata
  
  Matsya kingdom was founded by king Matsya who was the twin brother of Satyavati and who was contemporary to Bhishma.
  
  The Mahabharata (V.74.16) refers to a King Sahaja, who ruled over both the Chedis and the Matsyas, which implies that Matsya once formed a part of the Chedi Kingdom.
  
  