Brihadratha dynasty

According to the Puranas, the Brihadratha dynasty (Sanskrit: बृहद्रथ; IAST: Bṛhadratha) was a legendary dynasty of Magadha. Brihadratha was the founder of the dynasty.^[1] According to the Vishnu Purana, Magadha, mentioned in Atharvaveda,^[2] was not only the most valuable^{[clarification needed]} kingdom in the Vedic period but was also the centre of civilization and power in India.^[3]

Brihadratha dynasty
1700 BCE–682 BCE
Magadha in 1100 BCE ruled by the Brihadratha dynasty, in the north-eastern region
Capital	Girivraja
Common languages	Vedic Sanskrit
Religion	Hinduism
Government	Monarchy
King
• 1700-1680 BCE	Brihadratha (first ruler)
• c. 732–682 BCE	Ripunjaya (last ruler)
History
• Established	1700 BCE
• Disestablished	682 BCE
Preceded by Succeeded by Copper Hoard Culture Janapada Haryanka dynasty Mahajanapada
Today part of	India

The name of Brihadratha is found in the Rigveda (I.36.18, X.49.6).^[4] The Puranic sources say that the Brihadratha was the eldest son of Uparichara Vasu. According to the Ramayana, Uparichara Vasu founded the Vasumati and Girivraja, the capital of the dynasty.^{[5][unreliable source?]}. Archaeological evidence for the specific kings of the dynasty is, however, lacking and they may be considered semi-legendary.

History

Brihadratha

Main article: Brihadratha

According to the Puranas, Brihadratha (also Maharatha) was the king of Magadha 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.^[6]

Jarasandha

Main article: Jarasandha

Puranas mention that Jarasandha was the son of Sambhava,^[7] Mahabharatha states that Jarasandha was the son of Brihadratha and the greatest ruler of the dynasty.^[8] According to ancient texts 24 Brihadratha kings ruled for many years.^[9] 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 1000 years.^[10]

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.^[11]

 

Bhima slays Jarasandha in a wrestling fight.

Bhima, with the help of Krishna, killed Jarasandha.^[12]

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.^[13]

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.^[14]

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.^[15]

List of rulers

List of Brihadratha dynasty rulers according to the Vayu Purana

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

• Pradyota dynasty

References

1. Misra, V.S. (2007). Ancient Indian Dynasties, Mumbai: Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, ISBN 81-7276-413-8, pp.129–36.
2. Gopal, Madan (1990). K.S. Gautam (ed.). India through the ages. Publication Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India. p. 80.
3. "Rise of Jarasandha of Brihadratha dynasty". jagran. from the original on 7 October 2017. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
4. Raychaudhuri, H.C. (1972). Political History of Ancient India, Calcutta: University of Calcutta, p.102.
5. "Jarasandha was a very powerful king of Magadha and the history of his birth and activities is also very interesting - Vaniquotes". vaniquotes.org. from the original on 29 November 2018. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
6. Books, Kausiki (24 October 2021). Skanda Purana: Vaishnava Khanda: Vasudeva Mahatmya: English Translation only without Slokas. Kausiki Books. p. 28.
7. Gopal, Madan (1990). K.S. Gautam (ed.). India through the ages. Publication Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India. p. 80.
8. Gokhale, Namita (21 January 2013). The Puffin Mahabharata. Penguin UK. ISBN 978-93-5118-415-7.
9. "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.
10. Gopal, Madan (1990). K.S. Gautam (ed.). India through the ages. Publication Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India. p. 80.
11. "Mahabharat Episode 28: Jarasandha – Born Divided". sadhguru.org. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
12. The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa (5th ed.). New Delhi: Munshiram Manoharlal Publishers. 1990 [1970]. ISBN 9788121500944.
13. Misra, V.S. (2007). Ancient Indian Dynasties, Mumbai: Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, ISBN 81-7276-413-8, p.290.
14. Misra, V.S. (2007). Ancient Indian Dynasties, Mumbai: Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, ISBN 81-7276-413-8, p.290.
15. Misra, V.S. (2007). Ancient Indian Dynasties, Mumbai: Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, ISBN 81-7276-413-8, p. 300.

Preceded by Copper Hoard Culture

Brihadratha dynasty 1700 BCE^[citation needed] – 682 BCE

Succeeded by Pradyota dynasty