Chedi

Chedi was an ancient Indian kingdom which fell roughly in the Bundelkhand division of the current state of Madhya Pradesh to the south of river Yamuna along the river Ken. Its capital city was called Suktimati in Sanskrit and Sotthivati-nagara in Pali. In Pali-language Buddhist texts, it is listed as one of the sixteen mahajanapadas ("great realms" of northern and central India).

According to the Mahabharata, 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 aunt's son. He was killed by Krishna during the Rajasuya sacrifice of the Pandava king Yudhishthira. One of Bhima's wives was from Chedi. Prominent Chedis during the Mahabharata period included Damaghosha, Shishupala, Dhrishtaketu, Suketu, Sarabha, Bhima's wife, Nakula's wife Karenumati, and Dhrishtaketu's sons. Other Chedis included King Uparichara Vasu, his children, king Subahu, and king Sahaja. It was ruled during early periods by Paurava kings and later by Yadava kings in the central part of the country.

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.Vasu Uparichara was a king of Chedi belonging to the Puru Dynasty. Shishupala, who later became Chedi's king was the son of king Damaghosha. His mother was Shrutakirti, who was the sister of Kunti, the mother of Pandavas. Both Kunti and Shrutakirti were sisters of Vasudeva, the father of Vasudeva Krishna. However Shishupala developed enmity with Krishna, though he was affectionate to the Pandava Bhima. During his military campaign to collect tribute for Pandava king Yudhishthira's Rajasuya sacrifice, Bhima stayed at the palace of Shishupala for a month as a guest. He also accepted Yudhishthira's sway over his kingdom and gave Bhima tribute. During the midst of Yudhishthira's Rajasuya ceremony, a dispute arose between Shishupala and Vasudeva Krishna. He also rebuked the Pandavas and Kuru grandsire Bhishma along with Krishna. Then Krishna, extremely provoked, decapitated Shishupala. Yudhishthira installed Shishupala's eldest son Dhrishtaketu in the throne of Chedi. Shishupala's sister was married to Bhima.

During the time of Dhrishtaketu also, Suktimati was the capital of Chedi. Dhrishtaketu was an army-general in the army of Pandavas in Kurukshetra War. He was the leader of the army of the Chedis, the Kasis, and the Karushas. He was a Maharatha (a great car-warrior) as per the rating of Bhishma. One of his sons also took part in the war. He was slain by Drona. Dhrishtaketu also was slain in battle by Drona.

Chedi Princess Karenumati was wedded to the Pandava Nakula, and prince Narimitra was their son. It is not clear if she was Dhrishtaketu's sister. However it was mentioned that his sister was the wife of one of the Pandavas.

Sarabha, the younger son of Shishupala became the king of Chedi after the death of Dhrishtaketu. He was defeated in battle by Arjuna during his military campaign, after the Kurukshetra War.

King Subahu was described as the king of Chedi, during the time of Nishadha king Nala and Lord Rama. Nala's wife, Damayanti, the princess of Vidarbha, left alone in forest, met a caravan of traders heading towards Chedi. Along with them she reached the Chedi capital and lived as a servant maid of queen, in the palace of Chedi.

King Sahaja among the Chedis and Matsyas is described as an annihilator of his own race. He was the ally of Lord Rama.