The Brihadratha dynasty (; IAST: Bṛhadratha) was the legendary first dynasty of the Magadha, according to the Puranas, and was founded by Brihadratha. The capital of Magadha under Jarasandha is mentioned in Mahabharata as Girivraja. Scholarship significantly identified Girivraja with Rajgir.
History
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. 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.
Jarasandha
The Mahabharatha mentions that Jarasandha was the son of Brihadratha and the greatest ruler of the dynasty. According to Jai Samhita, 24 Brihadratha kings ruled for many years. 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.
As per the epic, Bhima with the help of Krishna killed Jarasandha. The site is mentioned as Girivraja in Mahabharata, and scholars have identified the place with modern Rajgir. Girivraja is also significantly noted in Mahabharata as the capital of Jarasandha.
Sahadeva
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.
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.
End of dynasty
The last of the Brihadratha dynasty was Ripunjaya, who was killed by a minister named Punika (Pulika) according to the Puranas. After the death of Ripunjaya, Punika placed his son Pradyota on the throne and founded the Pradyota dynasty in 682 BCE.
List of rulers +List of Brihadratha dynasty rulers according to the Vayu PuranaRulerReign (BCE)Length of Reign (estd.) Brihadratha 1700–1680 BCE20 Jarasandha 1680–1665 BCE15 Sahadeva 1665–1661 BCE4 Somadhi 1661–1603 BCE58 Srutasravas 1603–1539 BCE64 Ayutayus 1539–1503 BCE36 Niramitra 1503–1463 BCE40 Sukshatra 1463–1405 BCE58 Brihatkarman 1405–1382 BCE23 Senajit 1382–1332 BCE50 Srutanjaya 1332–1292 BCE40 Vipra 1292–1257 BCE35 Suchi 1257–1199 BCE60 Kshemya 1199–1171 BCE26 Subrata 1171–1107 BCE64 Dharma 1107–1043 BCE64 Susuma 1043–970 BCE73 Dridhasena 970–912 BCE58 Sumati 912–879 BCE33 Subala 879–857 BCE22 Sunita 857–817 BCE40 Satyajit 817–767 BCE50 Viswajit 767–732 BCE35 Ripunjaya 732–682 BCE50
See also Pradyota dynasty
References