Duryodhana believing that the Pandavas were destroyed, held a festival of rejoicing. The Pandavas after many adventures came forth from the wilds to the inhabited country and settled in the city of Rampilá. In a short time, the fame of their valour, skill and open-handed munificence filled the world, but none knew their name or lineage, till Duryodhana himself awaking from his dream of security suspected that the burning of the Pandavas was a fable. After prosecuting inquiries, his suspicions were confirmed, upon which he had recourse to entreaty, and recalled them with protestations of friendship, hoping thus to secure his aim. He bestowed Delhi (Indraprastha) upon them with half his kingdom and retained Hastínapúr with the other half. Yudishthira by his prudence and good fortune aided by the divine favour rose to greatness and his administra­tion advanced his power. The Kauravas flocked to his service, and in a short space he acquired universal sway. The other brothers likewise reduced many princes to their obedience. Duryodhana was beside himself at the sight of their sovereign splendour, and the pangs of envy drove him more distraught. With deceptive intent, he held a festival and invited the Pándavas and proposed a game of chaupar, playing himself, with cogged dice. By this means he won all they possessed. The last stake was made on the condition that if the Pandavas won, they should recover all that they had lost, but if otherwise, they were to quit the royal dominions and wander in the wilds for twelve years in the garb of mendicants after which they might return to civilised life for a year, and so conduct themselves that none should know them. If this last particular were infringed, they would have to pass a similar period of twelve years in the forests. Unsuspecting foul play, their uprightness brought them to ruin. Elated by the success of his device, Duryodhana was lulled into the slumber of a false security while the Pandavas under the divine direction accomplished their part of the agreement. Duryodhana now began to treat them with severity. Much altercation followed till the Pandavas consented to accept five villages if peacefully surrendered to them. Duryodhana in his pride refused and rose in arms. The scene of the conflict was in the vicinity of Kuru-kshetra. But as the end of the fraudful is disaster, Duryodhana, and his companions were totally destroyed and Yudishthira was victorious after eighteen days of successive engagements.

Towards the close of the Dwápur Yug, 135 years before the beginning of the Kali Yug, and 4,831 years anterior to this the 40th of the Divine Era,* this event rose into fame and was left to posterity as a record of por­tentous warning.

It is said that in this mighty war, the army of the Kauravas consisted of 11 achhauhini, and that of the Pandavas of 7. An achhauhini consists of 21,870 men mounted on elephants, the same number in chariots, and 65,610* cavalry; and 109,350 infantry. Marvellous to relate but 11³ individuals of both armies survived this war. Four of the army of Duryodhana, escaping with their lives took refuge with Yudhishtira, viz., Kripácháraya Bràhman who had been preceptor to both families and was renowned for wisdom and valour; Ashwatthámáṇ who was celebrated for the same qualities; Kritvarmáṇ Yadu, a brave champion; and Saniaya who, together with his reputation for wisdom, acquired renown as the charioteer of Dhritaráshtra. On the side of the Pandavas, eight survived,* viz., the 5 brothers; Satyaki Yadu famous for his bravery and sagacity; Yuyutsa brother of Duryodhana by another mother, and Krishna. After this Yudishtira reigned supreme for 36 years, and his happy destiny and virtuous disposition discovering to him the vanity of mundane things, he sought retirement and resolutely forsook a world that oppresses the weak. Together with his brethren he chose the path of renunciation and played the last stake of his life.

This great war has been related in the Mahábhárata with numerous episodes in a hundred thousand couplets, and has been translated into Persian by command of His Majesty uuder the title of Razmnámah (History of the War). It is set forth in eighteen Parbh or books. The first part is an account of the Kauravas and Pandavas and a list of contents. The second; Yudishtira sends his brethren to conquest—his supreme monarchy —the gambling feast held by the Kauravas, &c. Third, the depar­ture of the Pandavas into the solitude of their exile and other events. Fourth, the coming of the Pandavas from the wilds to the city of Viráta and remaining unknown. Fifth, the Pandavas discover themselves; the media­tion of Krishna and his rejection; the gathering at Kuru-kshetra and disposition of the armies. Sixth, the opening of the combat, the wounding of Bhíshma, the slaughter of many of the sons of Dhritaráshtra, and the events of the ten days' engagement. Seventh, the council of war held by Duryodhana; the appointment of Drona* to the general command, his death and other events during five days. Eighth, description of the two days' battle; Duryodhana names Karna to the command, his exploits—the flight of Yudishtira before him—the death of Karna at the hand of Arjuna on the second day. Ninth, Shalya is appointed general on account of his heroism—his death—Duryodhana conceals himself in a tank—his end and that of many champions. Tenth, the conclusion of the war, the coming of Kritvarmáṇ, Ashwatthámáṇ, and Kripacháraya to Duryodhana on the field of battle while still breathing and his advice of a night attack &c. Eleventh, the lamentations of the women on both sides—Gándhári mother of Duryodhana curses Krishna. Twelfth, account of Yudishtira after the victory—his desire to resign his kingdom. Byás and Krishna comfort him by their counsel. Bhíshma delivers many admirable and instructive maxims setting forth the duties of sovereign administration. Thirteenth, the advice tendered by Bhíshma. In my judgment, the 12th and 13th books should be comprised in one as they both contain the counsels of Bhíshma, and the 9th divided into two, the one dealing with the episode of Shalya and the other with the death of Yudishtira. Fourteenth, the great horse-sacrifice (ashwa-medh). Fifteenth, the retirement to a hermi­tage of Dhritrarástra, Gándhári, and Kunti mother of Yudishtira. Sixteenth, the destruction of the Yadu tribe. Seventeenth, Rája Yudishtira retires with his brethren who all perish in a snow-drift. Eighteenth, Yudishtira in his own body mounts to the upper world; the dissolution of the mortal remains of his brethren. The conclusion called Harbans, contains the history of the Yadus.

In this work, although there are numerous extravagant tales and fictions of the imagination, yet it affords many instructive moral observa­tions, and is an ample record of felicitous experience.

This Súbah contains 8 Sarkárs subdivided into 232 parganahs—the measured land consists of 2 krórs, 5 lakhs and 46,816 Bíghas 16 Biswas. The revenue is 60 krórs, 16 lakks 15,555 Dáms (Rs. 15,040,388-14) of which 3 krórs, 30 lakhs, 75,739 are Suyúrghal (Rs. 8,26,893-7 7). The local force is 31,490 Cavalry, 242,310 Infantry.