It probably is founded on some real war between the early Aryan invaders of Hindostan and the indigenous inhabitants.
The Mahabharata, which is probably of later date, contains about two hundred and twenty thousand lines, and is divided into eighteen books, each of which would make a large volume.

It is supposed to have been collected by Vyasa, who also collected the Vedas and Puranas.

These legends are very old, and seem to refer to the early history of India.
There appear to have been two Aryan dynasties in ancient India,--the Solar and Lunar.

Rama belonged to the first and Bharata to the second.

Pandu, a descendant of the last, has five brave sons, who are the heroes of this book.