The Kauravas are descendants from Kuru, a legendary king of north India, who were the opponent of Pandavas in the Mahabharata; Pandavas were the posterity of the same clan. The Kauravas represent the material or evil forces who drove the Pandavas from their territory. Later the Pandavas returned and conquered the Kauravas in the great battle of Kurukshetra with the help of Indra, Krishna and Balarama.

Etymology of Kaurava
The term Kaurava in broad sense includes the pandavas also. But in commoner and narrower meaning the term refers to the children of king Dhritarastra, as it is the elder family line of that of King Kuru and Pandu`s sons or Pandavas are excluded.

Birth of Kauravas
Dhritarastra was a blind king who was married to Gandhari. Gandhari wanted hundred sons and sage Vyasa granted her prayer through a boon. Gandhari became pregnant but did not deliver for two years. After this period, Gandhari gave birth to a lump of flesh. Vyasa cut this lump into hundred and one pieces, which eventually developed into hundred boys and one girl.

Prime Kauravas Although all hundred Kauravas are named, the first few of them are more famous and their names are mentioned many times in Mahabharata. They are first Kaurava Duryodhana, second son Dushasana and their sister Dushala. The other two famous Kauravas are Sama and Jalagandha.

Initiation of Kurukshetra war
Despite of his father`s early marriage, Duryodhana was younger to his cousin Yudhisthira. So his right to claim the throne was lesser than Yudhisthira, since the throne could only be claimed by the eldest son of the generation. Henceforth Kauravas adopted many unfair means to harass the Pandavas or even they tried to kill them. When Kauravas were unable to do anything they invited the Pandavas in a gambling of dice-game. Pandavas were defeated and lost their kingdom as well as they had to go to exile for long 12 years and had to live in disguise for 1 year. When Pandavas returned after thirteen years, Kauravas did not agree to give them back their realm. Regarding the succession of the throne the great battle of Kurukshetra started between Kauravas and Pandavas. Almost all the kings of India joined that Great War either in the side of Kauravas or in the side of Pandavas. Also the sons of the Kauravas fought in the Kurukshetra war.

All the Kauravas were killed in the battle of Kurukshetra. Duryodhana had twenty-nine sons, of which only few survived in the war of Kurukshetra. Upon the death of Dushasana, the second Kaurava, Purujit was seated in the throne as Kaurava Yuvaraj (prince). After his death Sudarsha was made the Yuvaraj. After the defeat of all, Ashwathhama crowned Durmukha, the youngest son of King Duryodhana and continued the struggle. Finally no Kauravas were alive in the great battle of Kurukshetra.

The names of Hundred Kauravas
Duryodhanan, Dussaasanan, Dussahan, Dussalan, Jalagandhan, Saman, Sahan, Vindhan, Anuvindhan, Durdharshan, Subaahu, Dushpradharshan, Durmarshanan, Durmukhan, Dushkarnan ,Vikarnan ,Saalan, Sathwan, Sulochanan ,Chithran, Upachithran, Chithraakshan ,Chaaruchithra , Saraasanan, Durmadan, Durvigaahan, Vivilsu, Vikatinandan, Oornanaabhan, Sunaabhan, Nandan, Upanandan, Chithrabaanan, Chithravarman, Suvarman, Durvimochan, Ayobaahu, Mahaabaahu, Chithraamgan , Chithrakundalan ,Bheemavegan,Bheemabalan, Vaalaky ,Belavardhanan, Ugraayudhan, Sushenan, Kundhaadharan, Mahodaran, Chithraayudhan ,Nishamgy, Paasy, Vrindaarakan, Dridhavarman, Dridhakshathran, Somakeerthy, Anthudaran, Dridhasandhan, Jaraasandhan, Sathyasandhan, Sadaasuvaak, Ugrasravas, Ugrasenan ,Senaany, Dushparaajan, Aparaajithan ,Kundhasaai, Visaalaakshan, Duraadharan, Dridhahasthan, Suhasthan, Vaathavegan ,Suvarchan, Aadithyakethu,Bahwaasy, Naagadathan, Ugrasaai , Kavachy, Kradhanan, Kundhy,Bheemavikran ,Dhanurdharan ,Veerabaahu, Alolupan, Abhayan, Dhridhakarmaavu, Dhridharathaasrayan, Anaadhrushyan, Kundhabhedy, Viraavy, Chithrakundhalan, Pramadhan, Amapramaadhy, Deerkharoman, Suveeryavaan, Dheerkhabaahu, Sujaathan, Kaanchanadhwajan, Kundhaasy, Virajass, Yuyutsu ; and their only sister`s name was Dussala.