Kaurava is a Sanskrit term which refers to descendants of Kuru, a legendary king of India who is the ancestor of many of the characters of the epic Mahabharata. Usually, the term is used for the 100 sons of King Dhritarashtra and his wife Gandhari. Duryodhana, Dushasana, Vikarna and Chitrasena are the most popular among the brothers. They also had a sister named Dussala and a half-brother named Yuyutsu.
Kaurava army (left) faces the Pandavas. A 17th-18th century painting from Mewar, Rajasthan.
Kuru was a Vedic Indo-Aryan tribal union in northern Iron Age India of the Bharatas and other Puru clans. The Kuru kingdom appeared in the Middle Vedic period, encompassing parts of the modern-day states of Haryana, Delhi, and some parts of western Uttar Pradesh. The Kuru kingdom was the first recorded state-level society in the Indian subcontinent.
Modern replica of utensils and falcon shaped altar used for Agnicayana, an elaborate srauta ritual from the Kuru period.
Modern performance of Agnicayana, an elaborate srauta ritual from the Kuru period
Silver, ½ Karshapana, Indian coin, “Babyal Hoard” type, of the Kuru Janapada (450 BCE – 315 BCE).
Pre-Mauryan (Ganges Valley) Kurus (Kurukshetras), Silver, ½ Karshapana, Indian coin, “Babyal Hoard” type, c. 350–315 BCE. AR 15 Mana – Half Karshapana (15 mm, 1.50 g). Triskeles-like geometric pattern/aix-armed symbol.