Most of the known stories of Kuru’s clan begins with Shantanu. But, not many people know that Shantanu was not the only of Kuru’s clan of his generation. He had an elder brother Bahlika. Who not only was a king but also played a role in Mahabharata.
Shantanu’s parents Pratipa (king of Hastinapura) and Sunanda had three sons Devapi, Bahlika, and Shantanu. Devapi was supposed to inherit the Hastinapura kingdom, so Devapi gave a land of his kingdom to Bahlika which became the Bahlika Kingdom later on. Devapi suffered from leprosy, hence refused to take the throne of Hastinapura and Bahlika thought he wouldn’t be able to handle such a big kingdom by himself. So with Bahlika’s support, Shantanu became the prince and later king of Hastinapura.
It is not known to many that in Mahabharata, Bahlika is mentioned to be present on the day when Pandava’s and Kaurava’s display the skills they learned from Dronacharya at Rangbhoomi (theatre). He was also present when Yudhishthira was chosen as the crowned prince of Hastinapura. Also, he was present when Yudhishthira did Ashwamedha yagya at Khandavprastha. Nakula challenged Bahlika but Bahlika willingly accepted Yudhishthira’s authority as Chakravarti King. He gifted Yudhishthira a golden chariot. Bahlika was also present on the notorious day of the Dice game when Draupadi was insulted and disrobed. But just like other elderly men like Bhishma and Dronacharya, he remained silent. The only men who raised their voices on that day were Vikarna and Vidura.
In Kurukshetra war, Bahlika and Bahlika kingdom’s army fought on the side of Kauravas. Bhishma considered Bahlika Atirathi and his son Somdatta a Maharathi. On the ninth day, Bahlika fought with Drishtaketu (son of Shishupala). Bhima destroys Bahlika’s chariot but Lakshama (son of Duryodhana) saves him. On the thirteenth day becomes silent witness of Abhimanyu’s adharmic killing, hence in a way took part of it. On the fifteenth day, Satyaki fights with Bahlika’s son Somadatta. Bahlika comes to his rescue but is stopped by Bhima. Bahlika hits an arrow to Bhima making him unconscious. After gaining consciousness Bhima hurls his mace towards Bahlika’s head killing him. Satyaki kills Bahlika’s son Somadatta and his son Bhurisrava. Bhurisravas’s two sons, Pratipa and Prajanya, were killed by Abhimanyu on the thirteenth day of the war.
Bahlika Kingdom today:
Balkh province and surrounding area is supposedly Bahlika kingdom. It was called Bactria by Romans. Although many people are unaware of the fact, ancient India was a hugely spread across the continent. From modern day Iran-Iraq and beyond to Myanmar.
thats so interesting I wish they had made the Mahabharat series much longer and included all these characters.