Ancient Indian Historical Tradition c29.277

c29.277

Kuru’s grandson Janamejaya II lost the throne, which then passed to a younger branch (p. 114), and the kingdom appears to have declined. North Pañcāla had sunk into insignificance, but the Dvimīḍha dynasty revived, and also South Pañcāla under the Nipas in their capital Kāmpilya. Soon afterwards Vasu, a descendant of Kuru, conquered the Yādava kingdom of Cedi and established himself there, whence he was known as Caidya-uparicara (p. 118). His capital was Śuktimatī on the R. Śuktimatī (the Ken).⁶ He extended his conquests eastwards as far as Magadha and apparently north-west also over Matsya which existed before as just mentioned; hence he was reckoned a samrāj and cakravartin.⁷ He divided his territories among his five sons, consisting of Magadha, Cedi, Kauśāmbī, Karūṣa and apparently Matsya. His eldest son Bṛhadratha took Magadha, with Girivraja as his capital,¹ and founded the famous Bārhadratha dynasty there; and with it Magadha for the first time took a prominent place in traditional history.