Kuru (Hastinapura/Indraprastha)
Loading map…
Overview
Kuru was one of the sixteen mahajanapadas, in the upper Ganga–Yamuna doab around present-day Delhi, Meerut and Haryana.
Its centres were Hastinapura and Indraprastha, places associated with the Mahabharata. In later Vedic times the Kurus, with the Panchalas, were the leading people of the region.
By the time of the Buddha, Kuru had become less powerful than Magadha and Kosala.
Geography and key facts
- One of the 16 mahajanapadas
- Upper Ganga–Yamuna doab
- Capitals: Hastinapura and Indraprastha
- Leading later Vedic people with the Panchalas
Why it matters for UPSC
Mahajanapada–capital matching and the Kuru–Panchala region of later Vedic culture are favourite topics.
Note for UPSC
Upper Ganga–Yamuna doab.
Mahajanapadas are asked with their capitals and present-day regions; positions are approximate.
Asked in PYQs
No question in our Prelims bank names Kuru (Hastinapura/Indraprastha) yet.
Key facts
- Type
- Mahajanapada
- State / UT
- Uttar Pradesh
- Coordinates
- 29.170°N, 78.020°E
From the Map Explorer data; positions are for orientation.
In the lessons
More mahajanapadas (approx.) nearby
Other places in Uttar Pradesh
All mahajanapadas (approx.) · Revision list · Most asked in PYQs