Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v2.c13.s3.t2.106

v2.c13.s3.t2.106

The earliest known dynasty which ruled over Kashi claimed its descent from Manu. Among the notable kings of this dynasty, besides Kasa, were Dhanvantri, Divodas I, Pratardana, etc. Around the time of the Mahabharat awar, Kashi/Varanasi came under the control of the legendary King Jarasandh which resulted in the kings of Kashi siding with the Pandavas in the great war. This was followed by a line of King Brahmadutta, mentioned in the Jataka stories. They ruled over Kashi in the early centuries of the first millennium BCE. Later, Kashi became a bone of contention between the kingdoms of Magadh and Kosala. After the death of Bimbisar of Magadh, his son Ajatsatru was defeated by Prasenjit of Kosala in a long drawn war. The wedding of Prasenjit’s daughter with Ajatsatru, however, kept Kashi under the Magadhs and it remained so during the time of the Nandas, the Mauryas, the Sungas and the Guptas except for a short period when the Kausambi kingdom and Kushanas had sway over it. After the Guptas, the Maukaharis and the Vardhanas of Kannauj controlled it. During the 8^th century, the tripartite struggle between the Pratiharas, Rashtrakutas and Palas frequently led to shifts in the control over Kashi. Finally, the Pratihars were able to hold it until the 10^th century. They were followed by the Chedis and Ghadwals during periods of anarchy in the Gangetic plain.