The Battle of Ten Kings, known in Sanskrit as Daśarājña Yuddha, is one of the earliest recorded wars in Indian history, described in the Rig Veda (Mandala 7).
It was not just a tribal clash—it was a struggle for control over land, rivers, trade routes, and political supremacy in north-western India during the early Vedic age.
What was the Battle of Ten Kings?
It was a massive inter-tribal war fought around 1500–1400 BCE on the banks of the Paruṣṇī (Ravi) River. The battle was fought between:
- King Sudās of the Bharata tribe vs an alliance of ten powerful kings who wanted to destroy Bharata dominance. It is one of the earliest recorded wars in the world described in hymns.
Who was King Sudās?
Sudās was the king of the Bharata Kingdom, located mainly in the Saraswati–Yamuna region.
The Bharatas were becoming the strongest political and cultural power in early India, which alarmed other tribes.
Sudās was advised by the legendary Vedic priest Vashistha.
Who were the Ten Kings?
These kings formed a coalition against Sudās. They belonged to powerful tribes that controlled large territories.
| King | Tribe | Region (modern idea) |
|---|---|---|
| Puru | Puru | Punjab–Haryana |
| Yadu | Yadu | Western India |
| Turvasha | Turvasha | Rajasthan |
| Anu | Anu | Punjab |
| Druhyu | Druhyu | Northwest |
| Alina | Alina | Afghanistan |
| Paktha | Paktha | Khyber region |
| Bhalana | Bhalana | Kashmir region |
| Shiva | Shiva | Himalayan tribes |
| Vishanin | Vishanin | Frontier region |
They were supported by the powerful priest Vishvamitra, who had earlier been Sudās’s guru but turned against him.
Why did the war happen?
This was not a religious war — it was about:
1. Control of rivers
Rivers like Saraswati, Yamuna, Ravi, and Beas meant:
- Farming
- Trade
- Wealth
- Population growth
Bharatas controlled the most fertile river belt, making them too powerful.
2. Political dominance
Sudās was creating a centralized kingdom, which threatened the independence of other tribes.
3. Priest rivalry
When Sudās replaced Vishvamitra with Vashistha as royal priest, Vishvamitra turned hostile and supported the enemy alliance. This made the conflict both political and ideological.
How Sudās won?
When the ten kings attacked, they tried to cross the Paruṣṇī River (Ravi).
Suddenly:
- The river flooded
- Their army was trapped
- Thousands drowned
The Rigveda says:
Indra released the Paruṣṇī to destroy Sudās’s enemies.
Nature became Sudās’s greatest ally.
Why this battle is important?
This war:
- Made the Bharatas the dominant power
- Laid the foundation for the Kuru dynasty
- Eventually gave India the name Bhārat
The entire Indian civilization traces its political roots to this victory.