Chedi Kingdom facts for kids
Chedi was an ancient kingdom in India. It was located in what is now the Bundelkhand area of Madhya Pradesh. This region is found south of the Yamuna River, along the Ken River. The capital city of Chedi was called Suktimati.
According to the famous Indian epic, the Mahabharata, the Chedi Kingdom was ruled by King Shishupala. He was an ally of powerful kings like Jarasandha of Magadha and Duryodhana of Kuru. Shishupala was also a cousin and rival of Vasudeva Krishna. Krishna eventually killed Shishupala during a big ceremony called the Rajasuya sacrifice, hosted by the Pandava king Yudhishthira.
Many important people from Chedi took part in the Kurukshetra War. These included King Damaghosha, Shishupala, and his son Dhrishtaketu. Nakula, one of the Pandava brothers, also married a princess from Chedi named Karenumati.
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Chedi in Ancient Stories
The Chedi kingdom was first founded by a person named Chidi. He belonged to the Yadava family line. Later, a king named Vasu Uparichara, from the Puru family, conquered and ruled Chedi. Shishupala was a descendant of King Uparichara.
Chedi as an Important Kingdom
Chedi was one of the many important kingdoms in ancient India, often mentioned in old texts. It was known as a rich and powerful land. The Pandavas, during their 13 years of exile, considered spending time in Chedi. This shows how well-known and safe the kingdom was.
Many other kingdoms were near Chedi, like Panchala, Matsya, and Surasena. This made Chedi part of a busy and important region in ancient India.
King Uparichara Vasu and the Bamboo Festival
King Uparichara Vasu was a famous ruler of Chedi from the Puru family. He was known as a friend of the god Indra. During his rule, the Chedi kingdom was very wealthy. It had many valuable minerals, which attracted traders from all over the world. The kingdom was also rich in animals and crops.
King Vasu introduced a special festival in honor of Indra. Every year, a tall bamboo pole was set up. People decorated it with golden cloth, perfumes, flowers, and ornaments. The king would pray for his cities and kingdom to grow.
King Vasu ruled a large area, making Chedi a vast empire. He placed his sons as governors in different provinces. His son Vrihadratha became the ruler of Magadha and was the father of the famous Emperor Jarasandha. King Vasu also built his capital city, Suktimati, by diverting water from the Kolahala Mountain. The city was named Suktimati, which means "Oyster," because of its beauty.
King Vasu also had children with a fisherwoman. His son later founded the Matsya Kingdom. His daughter's family lived by the Yamuna River. The famous Kuru king Santanu married a woman from this fishing community named Satyavati. Satyavati's sons included the author of the Mahabharata, Krishna Dwaipayana Vyasa, and the Kuru kings Chitrangada and Vichitravirya. The Pandavas and Kauravas were descendants of Vichitravirya.
King Shishupala of Chedi
Shishupala was the son of King Damaghosha. His mother, Shrutakirti, was the sister of Kunti, who was the mother of the Pandavas. Shrutakirti was also the sister of Vasudeva, Krishna's father. This made Shishupala a cousin to Krishna and the Pandavas.
Even though they were related, Shishupala became an enemy of Krishna. However, he was friendly with the Pandava Bhima. Bhima even stayed at Shishupala's palace for a month while collecting tributes for Yudhishthira's Rajasuya sacrifice. Shishupala accepted Yudhishthira's rule and gave tribute to Bhima.
During the Rajasuya ceremony, Shishupala insulted Krishna, the Pandavas, and Bhishma. Krishna became very angry and killed Shishupala. After Shishupala's death, Yudhishthira placed Shishupala's son on the throne of Chedi. Shishupala's sister was also married to Bhima.
Shishupala had done many things that angered Krishna. He once burned the city of Dwaraka. He also attacked King Bhoja near Dwaraka. He stole a horse belonging to Krishna's father, Vasudeva. He even kidnapped Princess Bhadra, who was supposed to marry the Karusha king.
King Dhrishtaketu of Chedi
Dhrishtaketu was the king of Chedi and the elder son of King Shishupala. During his rule, Suktimati remained the capital of Chedi. Dhrishtaketu was a general in the Pandava army during the Kurukshetra War. He led the armies of Chedi, Kasi, and Karusha.
Dhrishtaketu was a very skilled chariot warrior. One of his sons also fought in the war. Dhrishtaketu was eventually killed in battle by Drona, a powerful warrior from the opposing side.
- A Chedi princess named Karenumati married the Pandava brother Nakula. Their son was Prince Narimitra. It is believed she might have been Dhrishtaketu's sister.
- Sarabha, another son of Shishupala, became king of Chedi after Dhrishtaketu died. He was later killed by Arjuna during a military campaign after the Kurukshetra War.
- Mahipala, the youngest son of Shishupala, was killed by Dussasana during the Kurukshetra War.
Other Kings of Chedi
- King Subahu was a king of Chedi mentioned in stories about King Nala of Nishadha and Lord Rama. His wife, Damayanti, a princess from Vidarbha, once found refuge in the Chedi capital and worked as a servant in the queen's palace.
- King Sahaja of Chedi was known as an ally of Lord Rama.
Chedis in the Kurukshetra War
King Dhrishtaketu of Chedi, along with his sons, fought on the side of the Pandavas in the Kurukshetra War. Dhrishtaketu was killed by Guru Dronacharya on the 14th day of the war. Another prince from Chedi, a son of Dhrishtaketu, was killed by Ashwatthama on the 15th day.
- Dhrishtaketu, the strong leader of the Chedis, joined the Pandavas with a large army.
- The kings of Chedi and Karusha tribes fully supported the Pandavas.
- Dhrishtaketu used fast horses from Kamboja in the battle.
- Drona killed both Dhrishtaketu and one of his sons.
- Another Chedi prince was killed by Ashwatthama, Drona's son.
- Suketu, another son of Shishupala and brother of Dhrishtaketu, was also killed by Drona.
See also
- Mahameghavahana dynasty
- Epic India
- Shishupala
