Mahabharata

The Mahabharata Family Tree

Five generations of the Kuru family, from King Shantanu to Parikshit. Tap any picture to read that person’s story.

How to read this tree

  • Each box shows a couple (husband and wife), and below it the children born to them.
  • People with a picture have their own page — tap to open it.
  • A gold note explains special births, such as children born by a god’s blessing.

Side

  • Pandava side
  • Kaurava side
  • Did not fight
  1. 1

    Generation 1

    King Shantanu and his queens

    Parents

    Illustration of King Shantanu, a dignified king with a dark beard, a golden crown and royal robes, standing by a riverShantanuIllustration of the goddess Ganga, a graceful woman in blue and white robes with pearl jewellery, surrounded by rings of flowing waterGanga

    Children

    Illustration of Bhishma, an elderly warrior with a long white beard, a silver crown and a bow, wearing white robesBhishma

    Parents

    Sage ParasharaIllustration of Satyavati, a dark-haired young woman in a green sari, rowing a small wooden boat on a calm riverSatyavati

    Born before the mother’s marriage

    Children

    Illustration of the sage Vyasa, an old dark-skinned sage with long matted hair and a white beard, sitting in a forest with palm-leaf manuscriptsVyasa

    Parents

    Illustration of King Shantanu, a dignified king with a dark beard, a golden crown and royal robes, standing by a riverShantanuIllustration of Satyavati, a dark-haired young woman in a green sari, rowing a small wooden boat on a calm riverSatyavati

    Children

    ChitrangadaVichitravirya
  2. 2

    Generation 2

    The sons of Satyavati’s family

    Parents

    VichitraviryaAmbika

    Born through Sage Vyasa (niyoga), as heirs of Vichitravirya

    Children

    Illustration of King Dhritarashtra, an elderly blind king with closed eyes, a grey beard and a jewelled crown, seated on a throneDhritarashtra

    Parents

    VichitraviryaAmbalika

    Born through Sage Vyasa (niyoga), as heirs of Vichitravirya

    Children

    Illustration of King Pandu, a pale-skinned young king with a golden crown and a bow, standing in a forestPandu

    Parents

    Illustration of the sage Vyasa, an old dark-skinned sage with long matted hair and a white beard, sitting in a forest with palm-leaf manuscriptsVyasaA palace maid

    Children

    Illustration of Vidura, a calm elderly minister with a grey beard, simple white clothes and a scroll in his handVidura
  3. 3

    Generation 3

    Dhritarashtra, Pandu and Vidura

    Parents

    Illustration of King Dhritarashtra, an elderly blind king with closed eyes, a grey beard and a jewelled crown, seated on a throneDhritarashtraIllustration of Queen Gandhari, a noble woman in a deep red sari with a cloth tied over her eyes and a simple crownGandhari

    Children

    Portrait of Duryodhana, a proud prince in a golden crown holding a heavy maceDuryodhanaPortrait of Dushasana, a stern Kaurava prince in armour holding a maceDushasanaPortrait of Vikarna, a young Kaurava prince standing tall with one hand raised as he speaksVikarna97 more brothers (100 Kauravas in all)Duhshala (only daughter)

    Parents

    Surya (the Sun god)Illustration of Kunti, a graceful middle-aged queen in a white and maroon sari, with a gentle but strong expressionKunti

    Born before the mother’s marriage

    Children

    Portrait of Karna, a noble warrior with golden armour and earrings, the sun shining behind himKarna

    Parents

    Illustration of King Pandu, a pale-skinned young king with a golden crown and a bow, standing in a forestPanduIllustration of Kunti, a graceful middle-aged queen in a white and maroon sari, with a gentle but strong expressionKunti

    Born by the blessing of the gods, through Kunti’s mantra

    Children

    Illustration of Yudhishthira, a calm young king with a neat beard, a golden crown and a spear, wearing blue royal robesYudhishthiraIllustration of Bhima, a tall, broad-shouldered warrior with a thick moustache and a huge golden mace on his shoulderBhimaIllustration of Arjuna, a young warrior with a golden crown drawing the Gandiva bow, with a Hanuman banner on his chariot behind himArjuna

    Parents

    Illustration of King Pandu, a pale-skinned young king with a golden crown and a bow, standing in a forestPanduIllustration of Madri, a beautiful young queen in a golden-yellow sari with flowers in her hair, standing in a spring forestMadri

    Born by the blessing of the gods, through Kunti’s mantra

    Children

    Portrait of Nakula, a handsome young prince holding a sword, with a horse beside himNakulaPortrait of Sahadeva, a calm young prince with a crown, holding a palm-leaf bookSahadeva
  4. 4

    Generation 4

    The Pandavas, the Kauravas and Karna

    Parents

    The five PandavasPortrait of Draupadi, a dignified queen in a rich sari with long open hair, hands folded in prayerDraupadi

    Children

    Five sons (Upapandavas)

    Parents

    Illustration of Arjuna, a young warrior with a golden crown drawing the Gandiva bow, with a Hanuman banner on his chariot behind himArjunaSubhadra, a graceful young woman in pink, with a gentle smile and a lamp in her handsSubhadra

    Children

    Portrait of Abhimanyu, a teenage warrior with a bow, standing before a spiral battle formationAbhimanyu

    Parents

    Illustration of Bhima, a tall, broad-shouldered warrior with a thick moustache and a huge golden mace on his shoulderBhimaPortrait of Hidimbi, a gentle woman of the forest standing among tall treesHidimbi

    Children

    Portrait of Ghatotkacha, a giant warrior with a mace, flying against a night skyGhatotkacha
  5. 5

    Generation 5

    The grandchildren and Parikshit

    Parents

    Portrait of Abhimanyu, a teenage warrior with a bow, standing before a spiral battle formationAbhimanyuPrincess Uttara, a young woman in pink and gold, holding her hands in prayerUttara

    Children

    Illustration of King Parikshit, a young king with a golden crown and a kind faceParikshit

Who fought for whom?

Though they were one family, the war divided them. Bhishma, Drona and Karna fought for the Kauravas because of duty and loyalty, even though their hearts were with dharma.

Born by the blessing of the gods, through Kunti’s mantra

Pandu could not have children because of a sage’s curse, so his sons were born through gods by Kunti’s mantra. They are still called “Pandavas”, the sons of Pandu.

Retold from the traditional Mahabharata of Sage Ved Vyasa. Some details differ between regions and traditions. Illustrations are artistic.