Anarta (Sanskrit:आनर्त,Ānarta) was an ancientIndian region which corresponded to the present-day NorthSaurashtra toNorth Gujarat regions inGujarat state of India.[1] Several ancient inscriptions and literary sources mention a town called Anartapura or Anandapura, which is identified as the area in and around the present-dayVadnagar.[2]
According to the Puranic accounts, this region was ruled by the Sharyata dynasty rulers, who claimed their descent from Sharyati, a son ofVaivasvata Manu. The kingdom was named after Anarta, the son of Sharyati. The capital of this kingdom was Kushasthali (the ancient name ofDwaraka). The last ruler of this dynasty wasKakudmi. After him, it was occupied by the Punyajana Rakshasas.[3] Later, the Yadavas migrated to this region under the leadership ofLord Krishna.[4]
SageChyavana was also connected with Sharyati and Anarta. He marriedSukanya, daughter of Sharyati and sacrificed for him.[5] His descendants were associated with theHaihayas, which occupied the neighbouring region, apparently after the demise of the Sharyata kingdom.[6]
The Junagarh rock inscription of theSaka rulerRudradaman I mentions Anarta as a part of his kingdom. He placed Anarta under hisPahlava (Parthian)Amatya (minister) Suvishakha, who re-built a dam on theSudarshana Lake there.[7]
