Brihadratha dynasty
Rawani (brihadratha) dynasty
 | It has been suggested that Rawani (brihadratha) dynasty be merged into this article. (Discuss) Proposed since June 2022. |
Brihadratha dynasty | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1700 BCE–682 BCE | |||||||||||||
.png) Magadha in 1100 BCE ruled by Brihadratha dynasty, in north-eastern region | |||||||||||||
| Capital | Girivraja | ||||||||||||
| Common languages | Vedic Sanskrit | ||||||||||||
| Religion | Hinduism | ||||||||||||
| Government | Monarchy | ||||||||||||
• 1700 BCE | Brihadratha (first ruler) | ||||||||||||
• c. 732–682 BCE | Ripunjaya (last ruler) | ||||||||||||
| History | |||||||||||||
• Established | 1700 BCE | ||||||||||||
• Disestablished | 682 BCE | ||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||
| Today part of | India | ||||||||||||
Brihadratha dynasty (Sanskrit: बृहद्रथ; IAST: Bṛhadratha) was the first ruling dynasty of Magadha. Brihadratha was the founder of the dynasty.[1] The name of Brihadratha is also found in the Rigveda (I.36.18, X.49.6).[2] According to Vishnu Purana, Magadha was not only the most valuable kingdom in the Vedic period but was also the center of civilization and power in India.[3]
The earliest known king of Magadha is Brihadratha. The name of Brihadratha appears in Rig-Veda (I.36.18, X.49.6). Magadha is too mentioned in Atharvaveda.[4] The puranic sources say that Brihadrath was the eldest son of Uparichara Vasu. According to the Ramayana, Uparichara Vasu founded Vasumati and Girivraja the capital of dynasty.[5]
History
Brihadratha
Brihadratha (also Maharatha) was the king of Magadha and the founder of the Brihadratha dynasty. According to the Mahabharata and the Puranas, he was the eldest of the five sons of Uparichara Vasu, the Kuru king of Chedi and his queen was Girika. The name of Brihadratha is also found in the Rigveda.[6]
Jarasandha
Jarasandha was the son of Brihadratha and the greatest ruler of dynasty.[7]Jarasandha was the most celebrated king of all Brihadratha princes. According to ancient texts there were 24 Brihadratha kings who ruled for many years.[8] However, there was a conflict between Vayu Purana, Matsya Purana and Vishnu Purana regarding the Brihadratha period of rule. The astronomical works based on Vishnu Purana decits that Brihadratha dynasty was last for 1000 years.[9]
Name of Jarasandha appears in Mahabharta and Puranas many times. Jarasandha was inimical to Yadava and that is why he is mentioned as a villain in the Mahabharta.[10]
Bhima with the help of Krishna killed Jarasandha.[11]
Sahadeva
Sahadeva was the son of Jarasandha, who was placed on the throne of Magadha by the Pandavas after assassination of Jarasandha. Sahadeva 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.[12]
Later rulers
Somadhi (or Somphi) was the son of Sahadeva and placed on the throne of Magadha by Pandavas after he agreed to be a vassal to the Pandavas.
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 own son Pradyota on throne and founded the Pradyota dynasty in 682 BCE.[13]
List of Rulers
- Rulers-
| Ruler | Reign (BCE) |
|---|---|
| Brihadratha | 1700 BCE |
| Jarasandha | 1680 BCE |
| Sahadeva of Magadha | 1665 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 |
(Ripunjaya was the last ruler of dynasty, dethorned by Pradyota in 682 BCE)
See also
References
- ^ Misra, V.S. (2007). Ancient Indian Dynasties, Mumbai: Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, ISBN 81-7276-413-8, pp.129–36
- ^ Raychaudhuri, H.C. (1972). Political History of Ancient India, Calcutta: University of Calcutta, p.102
- ^ "Rise of Jarasandha of Brihadratha dynasty". jagran. Archived from the original on 7 October 2017. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
- ^ Gopal, Madan (1990). K.S. Gautam (ed.). India through the ages. Publication Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India. p. 80.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Brihadratha dynasty of Magadha and Maharaja Jarasandha". jansatta. Archived from the original on 29 May 2020. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
- ^ Gokhale, Namita (21 January 2013). The Puffin Mahabharata. Penguin UK. ISBN 978-93-5118-415-7.
- ^ "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.
- ^ Gopal, Madan (1990). K.S. Gautam (ed.). India through the ages. Publication Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India. p. 80.
- ^ "Mahabharat Episode 28: Jarasandha – Born Divided". sadhguru.org. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
- ^ The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa (5th ed.). New Delhi: Munshiram Manoharlal Publishers. 1990 [1970]. ISBN 9788121500944.
- ^ Misra, V.S. (2007). Ancient Indian Dynasties, Mumbai: Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, ISBN 81-7276-413-8, p.290
- ^ Misra, V.S. (2007). Ancient Indian Dynasties, Mumbai: Baratiya Vidya Bhavan, ISBN 81-7276-413-8, p. 300