Brihadratha dynasty

The Brihadratha dynasty (Sanskrit: बृहद्रथ; IAST: Bṛhadratha) was the first ruling dynasty of Magadha. Brihadratha was the founder of the dynasty.According to the Vishnu Purana, Magadha, mentioned in Atharvaveda, was not only the most valuable kingdom in the Vedic period but was also the center of civilization and power in India. The name of Brihadratha is found in the Rigveda (I.36.18, X.49.6). 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 the dynasty. 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. Jarasandha Puranas mention that Jarasandha was the son of Sambhava, Mahabharatha states that Jarasandha was the son of Brihadratha and the greatest ruler of the dynasty. According to ancient texts there were 24 Brihadratha kings who ruled for many years. However, the Vayu Purana, Matsya Purana and Vishnu Purana disagree regarding the Brihadratha period of rule. The astronomical works based on the Vishnu Purana states that Brihadratha dynasty lasted for 1000 years. The name of Jarasandha appears in the Puranas many times. Jarasandha was inimical to the Yadavas and is mentioned as a villain in the Mahabharta. Bhima, with the help of Krishna, killed Jarasandha. Sahadeva of Magadha Sahadeva was the son of Jarasandha, placed on the throne of Magadha by the Pandavas after the 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. Somadhi (or Somphi) was the son of Sahadeva and placed on the throne of Magadha by the Pandavas after he agreed to be their subordinate. The last of the Brihadratha dynasty was Ripunjaya, who was killed by a minister named Punika (Pulika).