The river Tāpī is also known as Tāpti. The river’s source is a mountain called Multāi, and the river flows westward through the state of Saurāṣṭra and into the Arabian Sea.
Māhiṣmatī-pura (Maheshwar) is mentioned in Mahābhārata in connection with Sahadeva’s victory. Sahadeva, the youngest brother of the Pāṇḍavas, conquered that part of the country. As stated in the Mahābhārata:
- tato ratnāny upādāya purīṁ māhiṣmatīṁ yayau
- tatra nīlena rājñā sa cakre yuddhaṁ nararṣabhaḥ
“After acquiring jewels, Sahadeva went to the city of Māhiṣmatī, where he fought with a king called Nīla.”