Brihadratha dynasty

The Brihadratha dynasty (Sanskrit: बृहद्रथ; IAST: Bṛhadratha) was the legendary^[1] first dynasty of the Magadha Empire, according to the Puranas, and was founded by Brihadratha.^{[2]: 129–136}

Brihadratha dynasty
1700 BCE (legendary)[1]–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)
• 1680–1665 BCE	Jarasandha
• 732–682 BCE	Ripunjaya (last ruler)
History
• Established	1700 BCE (legendary)[1]
• Assassination of Ripunjaya	682 BCE
Preceded by Succeeded by Copper Hoard culture Kikata kingdom Pradyota dynasty Haryanka dynasty
Today part of	India

History

Brihadratha

Main article: Brihadratha

According to the Puranas, Brihadratha (also Maharatha) was the king of Magadha^[3] 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.^{[4][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.^[5]

Jarasandha

Main article: Jarasandha

The Puranas mention that Jarasandha was the son of Sambhava.^{[3][failed verification]} The Mahabharatha states that Jarasandha was the son of Brihadratha^[5] and the greatest ruler of the dynasty.^[6] According to ancient texts^[which?], 24 Brihadratha kings ruled for many years.^{[7][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.^{[3][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.^[8]

Bhima slays Jarasandha in a wrestling fight.

Bhima, with the help of Krishna, killed Jarasandha.^[9][10]

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.^[2]: 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.^[2]: 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.^[2]: 300

List of rulers

List of Brihadratha dynasty rulers according to the Vayu Purana^{[citation needed]}

Ruler	Reign (BCE)	Length of Reign (estd.)
Brihadratha	1700–1680 BCE	20
Jarasandha	1680–1665 BCE	15
Sahadeva	1665–1661 BCE	4
Somadhi	1661–1603 BCE	58
Srutasravas	1603–1539 BCE	64
Ayutayus	1539–1503 BCE	36
Niramitra	1503–1463 BCE	40
Sukshatra	1463–1405 BCE	58
Brihatkarman	1405–1382 BCE	23
Senajit	1382–1332 BCE	50
Srutanjaya	1332–1292 BCE	40
Vipra	1292–1257 BCE	35
Suchi	1257–1199 BCE	60
Kshemya	1199–1171 BCE	26
Subrata	1171–1107 BCE	64
Dharma	1107–1043 BCE	64
Susuma	1043–970 BCE	73
Dridhasena	970–912 BCE	58
Sumati	912–879 BCE	33
Subala	879–857 BCE	22
Sunita	857–817 BCE	40
Satyajit	817–767 BCE	50
Viswajit	767–732 BCE	35
Ripunjaya	732–682 BCE	50

See also

• Pradyota dynasty