Mahisha orMahishaka was akingdom in ancient India. The capital,Mahishuru, is currently known asMysore, a city inKarnataka.[1][2] This kingdom is mentioned inMahabharata, thoughPuranas (especially Markandeya Purana) gives more information. The nameMahisha (Sanskrit:महिष) meansgreat,powerful.[3]
King Mahisha built a vast kingdom withMahishuru as its center, which was the Mahisha kingdom. The name of 'Mysore', came from its rulerMahisha.[1][4]
Bhisma Parva, Mahabharata, Book VI, Chapter 10 describes geography and provinces ofancient India. Mahisha is mentioned in Mahabharata- "There are other kingdoms in the south. They are the Dravidas, the Keralas, the Prachyas, the Mushikas, and the Vanavashikas; theMahishakas, the Vikalpas, the Mushakas.....".[5][6]
Karna Parva, Mahabharata Book VIII, Chapter 30 mentions the people who are not righious- "The Karasakaras, theMahishakas, theKalingas, the Kikatas, the Atavis, the Karkotakas, the Virakas, and other peoples of no religion, one should always avoid."[7]
Yudhishthira, theKuru king, performed aRajasuya sacrifice in order to again imperial sovereignty. All his brothers went on extensive military campaigns to extract tribute from all the kingdoms and subjugate those who refused to do so.
'A battle took place betweenArjuna and the Dravidas andAndhras and the fierceMahishakas and the hillmen of Kolwa. Subjugating those tribes without having to accomplish any fierce feats, Arjuna proceeded to the country of the Surashtras, his footsteps guided by the horse.' (14,83)[8][9]