Brihadratha

Brihadratha (Sanskrit: बृहद्रथ, romanized: Bṛhadratha) was the founder of the Brihadratha dynasty, the earliest ruling dynasty of Magadha featured in Hindu literature. He established Magadha on the banks of the river Ganges, transferring the centre of power from Chedi, a neighbouring kingdom, to the newly settled Magadha. During his reign and that of his son Jarasandha, Magadha became a major power of the land. He had a daughter named Shashirekha who was the second wife of Dhrishtadyumna.

Brihadratha
Late Vedic culture extent
SuccessorJarasandha
TextsMahabharata, Puranas
Personal information
ParentsUparichara Vasu (father), Girika (mother)
ChildrenJarasandha, Shashirekha
DynastyBrihadratha dynasty
This article is about the legendary king of Magadha. For the last Maurya dynasty king, see Brihadratha Maurya.

Brihadratha was the eldest of the five sons of Vasu, (also known as Uparichara Vasu) the Kuru king of Chedi and his queen Girika. His father was the ruler of Chedi and Brihadratha established Magadha at the border of Chedi Kingdom. He is mentioned in the epic Mahabharata and the Puranas. The name of Brihadratha is also found in the Rigveda (I.36.18, X.49.6).

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