The Mahabharata in short
The Mahabharata runs from the ancient origins of the Kuru line, through the birth and training of the Pandava and Kaurava princes, their marriages and alliances, the golden rise of Indraprastha, the ruinous game of dice, and thirteen years of exile, to the eighteen day war at Kurukshetra and the long aftermath that follows it. Across 363 recorded events and 9 eras, a family quarrel over a throne grows into a war that empties a generation.
Choose an era below to read its events in chronological order, or go straight to the day by day account of the war itself.
The 18 Days of the Kurukshetra War - Day by Day
Bhishma for ten days, Drona for five, Karna for two, Shalya for half of the last. Every day of the Kurukshetra war set out in order, with the deaths, the vows and the broken rules that mark it.
Read the 18 daysThe nine eras, in order
- Ancient TimesBefore PandavasThe era of Shantanu, Ganga, and Bhishma's vow156 events
- Birth of the HeroesEarly YearsBirth of Pandavas and Kauravas, early life9 events
- Childhood & TrainingYouth of the PrincesThe princes grow up in Hastinapura under Kripa and Drona, and the rivalries that will end at Kurukshetra take their first shape19 events
- MarriageForming AlliancesDraupadi's swayamvara and marriage to Pandavas7 events
- Rise of PandavasGolden PeriodEstablishment of Indraprastha, Rajasuya Yagna21 events
- The FallGame of DiceThe tragic game and loss of kingdom5 events
- Exile13 YearsForest life and incognito year46 events
- The Great WarKurukshetraThe 18-day war and its aftermath56 events
- AftermathLater YearsPost-war rule and final journeys44 events