Chedi Kingdom

Chedi Kingdom
600 BCE–300 BCE
A map of the ancient India kingdoms.
Capital		Suktimati
Government		Monarchy
Historical era		Mahabharata
•	Established	600 BCE
•	Disestablished	300 BCE

The Chedi Kingdom was one of many Indian kingdoms ruled during early periods by Paurava kings and later by Yadava kings in the central part of the country. It fell roughly in the Bundelkhand division of Madhya Pradesh regions to the south of river Yamuna and along the river Betwa or Vetravati. The Chedi Kingdom was ruled by Shishupala, an ally of Jarasandha of Magadha and Duryodhana of Kuru. He was a rival of Vasudeva Krishna who was his uncle's son. He was killed by Vasudeva Krishna during the Rajasuya sacrifice of the Pandava king Yudhishthira. Bhima's wife was from Chedi. The city called Suktimati is mentioned as the capital of Chedi. Prominent Chedis during the Kurukshetra War included Damaghosha, Shishupala, Dhrishtaketu, Suketu, Sarabha, Bhima's wife, Nakula's wife Karenumati, Dhrishtaketu's sons. Other Chedis included King Uparichara Vasu, his children, King Suvahu, King Sahaja.

The Chedi clan and kingdom was founded by Chidi, the son of Vidarbha and belonging to the Yadava dynasty. Chedi was later conquered and ruled by the Paurava King Vasu Uparichara, upon the order of Indra. Uparichara's descendant is Shishupala.

The Kuru-Panchalas, the Salwas, the Madreyas, the Jangalas, the Surasenas, the Kalingas, the Vodhas, the Mallas, the Matsyas, the Sauvalyas, the Kuntalas, the Kasi-Kosalas, the Chedis, the Karushas, the Bhojas...(6,9)