A powerful tribe during the Vedic period lost its pre-eminence during the period of the Buddha. The ruling dynasty, according to the Pali texts, belonged to the Yudhishthira gotra i.e., the family of Yudhisthira. Centred on Delhi-Meerut region it had its capital at Indapatta or Indapattana i.e, Indraprastha.
It contained many other cities and nigamas such as Hatthinipura, Thullakothita, Kammassadamma, Kundi and Varanavata. The Jatakas mention Kuru kings styled Dhananjaya Koravya, Koravya and Sutasoma whose historicity is doubtful. The Arthashastra refers to them as rajashabdopajivin i.e., having titles of kings.
This indicates that they did not have one king but many kings with many centres of authority and had a samgha possibly a republican confederation. The famous Pandavas and Kauravas who fought the great Bharata war belonged to the Kuru clan.