Kurus of Buddha's Times
The Kuru kingdom figures in the list of the sixteen great kingdoms, the Mahajanapadas of the early Buddhist Anguttara Nikaya. At the time of Buddha, the Kuru realm was only three hundred leagues in extent. Legendary Buddhist stories -the Jatakas attest that the capital of the Kurus was Indraprastha (Indapatta) near modern Delhi. It extended for seven leagues. The other city in the realm was Hatthinipura i.e. Hastinapura. The reigning king Dhananjaya is stated as prince from the race of Yudhishtra. But he was merely a titular chieftain (king consul).
During Buddha's time, Ratthapala, son of the Kuru ruler had embraced Buddhism.
The Buddha taught important and profound discourses in the Kurus such as the "Mahāsatipaṭṭhāna Sutta", the Great Discourse on the Foundation of Mindfulness, "Mahānidāna Sutta", The Great Discourse on Causation, and "Āneñjasappāya Sutta", the Way to the Imperturbable. Other discourses, as recorded in the Pali Canon, taught by the Buddha in the Kurus are Māgaṇḍiya Sutta, Raṭṭhapāla Sutta, Sammasa Sutta, Dutiya Ariyāvāsa Sutta.
The Kurus of the Buddhist period did not occupy the same position as they did in the Vedic period but they continued to enjoy their ancient reputation for deep wisdom and sound health. The Kurus had matrimonial relations with Yadavas, the Bhojas and the Panchalas.
Though a well known monarchical people in earlier period, the Kurus are known to have switched to republic form of government during sixth/fifth century BCE. Fourth century BCE Kautiliya's Arthashastra also attests the Kurus as following the Rajashabdopajivin (king consul) constitution (11/1/1-4).
Kurus are mentioned by Pāṇini (Astadhyayi 4.1.168-75) as one of the fifteen powerful Kshatriya Janapadas of his times, with Hastinapura as its capital.
Pāṇini refers to the house-holders' way of life as against ascetic way obtaining amongst the Kurus.
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