Kaurava

The Kauravas (Sanskrit: कौरव, romanized: Kaurava) are a significant group of characters in the Hindu epic Mahabharata. They are the descendants of Kuru, a legendary king of ancient India, and more specifically, the hundred sons of King Dhritarashtra and Queen Gandhari.

The eldest Kaurava was Duryodhana, and their other notable brothers included Dushasana, Vikarna, and Chitrasena. They are often depicted as antagonists to their cousins, the Pandavas, with whom they contested the throne of Hastinapura.

The central conflict of the Mahabharata revolves around the rivalry between the Kauravas and the Pandavas, culminating in the Kurukshetra War. The Kauravas, driven by Duryodhana's greed and envy, unlawfully seize the Pandavas' kingdom, leading to a series of events that ultimately result in a catastrophic battle where almost all the Kauravas are killed.

The term "Kaurava" can sometimes broadly refer to all descendants of Kuru, including the Pandavas. However, it is more commonly used to specifically denote the sons of Dhritarashtra, distinguishing them from the sons of Pandu (the Pandavas). Their actions and ultimate defeat serve as a cautionary tale about the dangers of greed, envy, and unrighteousness in the Mahabharata.