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.
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]
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]
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]
^Misra, V.S. (2007). Ancient Indian Dynasties, Mumbai: Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, ISBN81-7276-413-8, pp.129–36.
^Gopal, Madan (1990). K.S. Gautam (ed.). India through the ages. Publication Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India. p. 80.
^Gopal, Madan (1990). K.S. Gautam (ed.). India through the ages. Publication Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India. p. 80.
^Gopal, Madan (1990). K.S. Gautam (ed.). India through the ages. Publication Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India. p. 80.