Before the war could start Yudhisthira proclaims, “In this battle of Dharma against Adharma, if anyone would want to join our side I welcome them.” Yuyutsu, the half brother of Duryodhana shifts sides.
Many knew that Kauravas were fighting against Dharma but remained with them. Loyalty, friendship, blood relationship and revenge were the reason for them to fight for Duryodhana.
Let us now see who were with Duryodhana in the war.
BHISHMA: Son of King Shantanu and Goddess Ganga. He was grand uncle to both Kauravas and Pandavas. He was the commander-in-chief of Kauravas for first 10 days. He was the only warrior against whom Krishna himself took up weapons. Bhishma had a boon that he would die when he wishes. He was mortally wounded by Arjuna with the help of Shikhandi on 10th day. He was on bed of arrows for remaining days of the war. He left his mortal coils 58 days after the war got over.
DRONA: The invincible preceptor, son of Sage Bharadwaj, and a student of Parashurama. He was the commander-in-chief of the Kaurava army for 5 days (11th -15th day). He formed the “Chakravyuha” and was involved in the killing of Abhimanyu. He dropped his weapons on the 15th day on hearing that his son Ashwattama was killed (which was a trick played by Sri Krishna). He was by Dhrishtadyumna, son of Drupada and brother of Draupadi.
KRIPA: Son of Shardwan and grandson of Sage Gautama, he taught Vedas and martial arts to Kauravas, Pandavas and almost all the warriors of Kurukshetra. He was one of the 10 survivors of the war.
ASHWATTAMA: Great warrior known for vengeance and brutality, son of Dronacharya and nephew of Kripacharya. He was the possessor of the mighty “Narayanastra” and “Bramhashirastra.” He was among the 10 survivors of the war. Dying Duryodhana declares him the commander-in-chief of army, when the war was officially over. He along with Kripacharya and Kritvarma killed the sons of Draupadi, Dhrishtadyumna, Shikhandi, Yudhamanyu and Uttamanuj. He was cursed by Krishna to wander on the earth forever alone. According to Hindu mythology, Ashwattama is one of the 8 Chiranjeevis and is believed to be still alive.
KARNA: Son of Kunti begotten by Surya. He was abandoned by Kunti and was raised by a charioteer Radha. He was the best friend of Duryodhana. He learnt warfare from Parashurama and an arch rival of his half brother Arjuna. In Kurukshetra war, Karna was not allowed by Bhishma to participate. After the fall of Bhishma from 10th day onwards, Karna along with his sons and other sons of Adirath defeated many warriors. Karna killed Ghatotkatch and was involved in the killing of Abhimanyu. He was the commander-in-chief of the Kaurava army on the 16th and the 17th day. Karna was killed by Arjuna on the 17th day.
SHAKUNI: He was the brother-in-law of Dhritrashtra and uncle to Kauravas. He was the mastermind behind the evil policy of Duryodhana and one who was responsible for the war.
ULOOKA: Son of Shakuni, he was sent as the final messenger to threaten the Pandavas before the war. Both Shakuni and Ulook were brutally killed by Sahadeva on the 18th day of the war.
JAYADRATHA: The ruler of Sindhu and son-in-law of Dhritrashtra. He had a boon from Lord Shiva that he could defeat all the four Pandavas other than Arjuna once.
In the war, he used that boon to defeat all the 4 brothers in absence of Arjuna on the 13th day of the war when son of Arjun, Abhimanyu was killed in the “Chakravyuha” and none of the 4 Pandavas could rescue him. Arjuna upon knowing that because of Jayadratha, the other Pandavas could not come to rescue Abhimanyu, he took an oath that he will kill Jayadratha before the sunset of the next day.
On the 14th day of the war more than 7 lakh warriors were killed single handed by Arjuna while they were trying to protect Jayadratha. The 14th day of the war was the bloodiest day. Jayadratha was slain by Arjuna just before the sunset on.
KRITHAVARMA: The warrior from Yadav Race, the cousin of Sri Krishna and one of the teachers of Abhimanyu. He was the commander of the “Narayanasena” of Sri Krishna. In the war, Krithavarma was involved in the killing of Abhimanyu. On the night of the last day, i.e. 18th day of the war, he aided Ashwatthama in the merciless killing of all the Panchalas and sons of Draupadi. He was one of the 10 survivors of the war. Krithavarma was killed by Satyaki 36 years after the war in the famous Yaduvanshi slaughter.
BHAGADATTA: The ruler of Pragjyotisha, was son of Narkasura. He was a great admirer of Arjuna but an arch rival of Krishna.
Bhagadatta was the possessor of the mighty “Shaktiastra” and Vaishnavastra.” On 12th day of the war, his Vaishnavastra was neutralized by Sri Krishna and then he was killed by Arjuna.
Susharma was the ruler of Trigarta. He was a great warrior and an arch rival of Arjuna. He formed the Samsaptaka forces (suicide squad) against Arjuna in the war. On the 13th day he took the suicidal task to keep Arjuna away from the battlefield while Dronacharya formed the “Chakravyuha.” Susharma along with his brothers were killed by Arjuna during the course of the war.
Sudakshin, was the ruler of Kamboja. His half sister Bhanumati was married to Duryodhana. He was killed by Arjuna on the 14th day of the war.
Alambusha was a rakshasa warrior and friend of Duryodhana. He killed Ajuna’s son Iravan on the 8th day of the war. Alambusha along with another rakshasa Alayudha were killed by Ghatotkacha on the 14th night of the war.
Besides, Duryodhana also had friends from Avanti kingdom by name Vinda and Anuvinda who were killed by Arjuna.
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