Brihadratha dynasty

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Brihadratha dynasty
unknown–unknown
Magadha in 1100 BCE ruled by the Brihadratha dynasty, in the north-eastern region
Magadha in 1100 BCE ruled by the Brihadratha dynasty, in the north-eastern region
CapitalGirivraja
Common languagesVedic Sanskrit
Religion
Hinduism
GovernmentMonarchy
King 
• 1700-1680 BCE
Brihadratha (first ruler)
• c. 732–682 BCE
Ripunjaya (last ruler)
History 
• Established
unknown
• Disestablished
unknown
Preceded by		 Succeeded by
Copper Hoard Culture
Janapada
Pradyota dynasty
Haryanka dynasty
Mahajanapada
Today part ofIndia

The Brihadratha dynasty (Sanskrit: बृहद्रथ; IAST: Bṛhadratha) was a legendary dynasty of the Magadha Empire, according to the Puranas, and was founded by Brihadratha.[1]: 129–136  According to the Vishnu Purana, Magadha, mentioned in the Atharvaveda, was not only the most valuable[clarification needed] kingdom in the Vedic period but was also the centre of civilization and power in India.[2][failed verification]

Puranic sources say that Brihadratha was the eldest son of Uparichara Vasu, who, according to the Ramayana, founded the Vasumati and Girivraja, the capital of the dynasty.[3][failed verification][unreliable source?] However, archaeological evidence for the specific kings of the dynasty is lacking and they may be considered semi-legendary.[citation needed]

History

Brihadratha

Main article: Brihadratha

According to the Puranas, Brihadratha (also Maharatha) was the king of Magadha[4] and the founder of the Brihadratha dynasty. According to the Mahabharata and the Purana, he was the eldest of the five sons of Uparichara Vasu, the Kuru king of Chedi, and his queen was Girika.[5][failed verification] The name 'Brihadratha' is found twice in the Rigveda (I.36.18, X.49.6); however, it is not indicated whether this refers to the father of Jarasandha.[6]

Jarasandha

Main article: Jarasandha

The Puranas mention that Jarasandha was the son of Sambhava.[4][failed verification] The Mahabharatha states that Jarasandha was the son of Brihadratha[6] and the greatest ruler of the dynasty.[7] According to ancient texts[which?], 24 Brihadratha kings ruled for many years.[8][failed verification] However, the Vayu Purana, Matsya Purana, and Vishnu Purana disagree regarding the Brihadratha period of rule. The astronomical works based on the Vishnu Purana state that the Brihadratha dynasty lasted for 1,000 years.[4][failed verification]

The name of Jarasandha appears in the Puranas many times. Jarasandha was inimical to the Yadava and is mentioned as a villain in the Mahabharata.[9]

Bhima slays Jarasandha in a wrestling fight.

Bhima, with the help of Krishna, killed Jarasandha.[10][11]

Sahadeva

Main article: Sahadeva of Magadha

According to scripture, Sahadeva was the son of Jarasandha placed on the throne of Magadha by the Pandava after the assassination of Jarasandha. Sahadeva has fought the Kurukshetra War on the side of the Pandavas. According to the Puranas, he was killed in the Kurukshetra War by Shakuni, along with his cousin Jayadeva. He was succeeded by Somadhi.[1]: 290 

Later rulers

Somadhi (or Somphi) was the son of Sahadeva and was placed on the throne of Magadha by the Pandavas after he agreed to be their subordinate.[1]: 290 

End of dynasty

The last of the Brihadratha dynasty was Ripunjaya, who was killed by a minister named Punika (Pulika). After the death of Ripunjaya, Punika placed his son Pradyota on the throne and founded the Pradyota dynasty in 682 BCE.[1]: 300 

List of rulers

List of Brihadratha dynasty rulers according to the Vayu Purana[citation needed]
Ruler Reign (BCE)
Brihadratha 1700–1680 BCE
Jarasandha 1680–1665 BCE
Sahadeva 1665–1661 BCE
Somadhi 1661–1603 BCE
Srutasravas 1603–1539 BCE
Ayutayus 1539–1503 BCE
Niramitra 1503–1463 BCE
Sukshatra 1463–1405 BCE
Brihatkarman 1405–1382 BCE
Senajit 1382–1332 BCE
Srutanjaya 1332–1292 BCE
Vipra 1292–1257 BCE
Suchi 1257–1199 BCE
Kshemya 1199–1171 BCE
Subrata 1171–1107 BCE
Dharma 1107–1043 BCE
Susuma 1043–970 BCE
Dridhasena 970–912 BCE
Sumati 912–879 BCE
Subala 879–857 BCE
Sunita 857–817 BCE
Satyajit 817–767 BCE
Viswajit 767–732 BCE
Ripunjaya 732–682 BCE

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d Misra, V.S. (2007). Ancient Indian Dynasties. Mumbai: Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan. ISBN 81-7276-413-8.
  2. ^ "Rise of Jarasandha of Brihadratha dynasty". jagran. Archived from the original on 7 October 2017. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
  3. ^ "Jarasandha was a very powerful king of Magadha and the history of his birth and activities is also very interesting - Vaniquotes". vaniquotes.org. Archived from the original on 29 November 2018. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
  4. ^ a b c Gopal, Madan (1990). K.S. Gautam (ed.). India through the ages. Publication Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India. p. 80.
  5. ^ Skanda Purana: Vaishnava Khanda: Vasudeva Mahatmya: English Translation only without Slokas. Kausiki Books. 24 October 2021. p. 28.
  6. ^ a b Raychaudhuri, Hemchandra (1972). "Sixteen Mahājanapadas". Political History of Ancient India. Calcutta: University of Calcutta. p. 71.
  7. ^ Gokhale, Namita (21 January 2013). The Puffin Mahabharata. Penguin UK. ISBN 978-93-5118-415-7.
  8. ^ "Jarasandha was a very powerful king of Magadha, and the history of his birth and activities is also very interesting - Vaniquotes". vaniquotes.org. Retrieved 31 December 2015.
  9. ^ "Mahabharat Episode 28: Jarasandha – Born Divided". sadhguru.org. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
  10. ^ The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa (5th ed.). New Delhi: Munshiram Manoharlal Publishers. 1990 [1970]. ISBN 9788121500944.
  11. ^ Gopal, Madan (1990). India through the ages. Public Resource. Publications Division, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Government of India. p. 101.
Preceded by Brihadratha dynasty
1700 BCE[citation needed] – 682 BCE 		Succeeded by
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