King Udayan of Kaushambi – A romantic king and his military conquests

When Brahma created the universe, he also created seven human races to rule the Earth. One of his favourite race was the Kuru clan. The great epic Mahabharat is the story of different generations of the Kuru Dynasty. After the death of Krishna, the Pandavas left their massive kingdom in the hands of Parikshit, son of Abhimanyu and left for the Himalayas.

After Pariskshit, his son Janamejaya, and later his grandson Ashwamedhadatha took the Kuru Kingdom to great heights. He was succeeded by Nicaksu who is considered to be the last of the Kuru kings because an unfortunate natural calamity at Hastinapur when floods washed away the entire city. Nicaksu migrated his entire kingdom along with his capital to Kausambi located 50 kms away from Prayagraj. He also started Vatsa branch of the Kuru Dynasty. A part of the Vatsa branch also started ruling from Mathura. It is also believed that a smaller portion of the Kuru Dynasty continued ruling from their original location of Hastinapur.

Ruins of Udayin Fort Kaushambi – present day

Historic evidence of a massive city and rich civilization were always present. But when excavations began in 1949, it threw up thousands of articles of historical interest, many of which turn up even today. Carbon dating and other historic evidence suggests occupation from 390 BC to 600 AD.

The fort and palace complex was like a fortified town with at least three gates, one each at east, west and north. The city was encircled by a moat which always contained water at three sides. There is also evidence of multiple moats at few places. The total city extends up to 6 kms!

The palace complex is dated at least 8th century BCE and might have been built in six phases with the last phase getting complete in 2nd century CE. The palace had a central hall with a massive dome covering the central block which could house a large number of people. There were a large number of smaller rooms surrounding the hall. The palace complex was made entirely of stone and plaster. No wood was used. At least a layer of 5 cms of ash was found during excavations which suggested that the palace complex must have been destroyed by a massive fire.

The entire complex has been excavated and restored to some extent. There is a small cluster of brick structures right next to Yamuna River bank. Those are the main attraction of the ruins. However it is just one floor or level. It does not even remotely reflect the glorious past of this great empire.

King Udayan who ruled over all this

After accidental separation, a young Udayan had to spend his childhood in a forest with sages. There he learns music, kingsmanship and other arts of war. His mother now confident that her son is ready, takes him back to Kaushambi where he is set to become the king. The neighbouring king of Ujjain, Pradyota who is at war with the Vatsa kingdom captures Udayan and takes his prisoner. Once again Udayan is deprived the right of being King. In due time seeing his music skills, the daughter of Pradyota, Vasavadatta falls in love with Udayan and they both escape to Kaushambi and get married. With this political marriage firmly in place, Udayan now begins a series of conquests to consolidate his kingdom.

His romantic stories and exploits are recorded in Sanskrit texts and plays.

• Svapnavasavadattam – Written by the ancient poet Bhasa who lived in 1st century BCE, this play was accidentally discovered by the scholar, T Ganapatu Sastri in Kerala in 1912. It is a story of politics, war, defeat and reconquest with a generous sprinkling of romance.
• Pratijnayaugandharayana – This was another play discovered by Sastri. This one describes the love story of Udayan as prince when he is captured and taken to Ujjain where he gives music lessons to the daughter of King Pradyota. They later fall in love which lasts a lifetime.
• Kathasaritsagara – This is the master story of stories written in Sanskrit and consisting of 18 books, all brought together in a single book. One of the main stories in these books is the events related to King Udayana and his son Naravahanadatta.
• Ratnavali – Another epic Sanskrit play which narrates a plot of romance, deciet and the undying love of Udayan towards Vasavadatta. The story has to be looked in the context that as a great King, he was always told about getting married for political alliances with other kingdoms. But till the end his most dearest love was the first woman he met and gave his heart to.

Udayan is counted as one of the most popular king whose stories are featured in so many Sanskrit texts and plays.