The script was written by Pandit Narendra Sharma and the Hindi/Urdu poet Rahi Masoom Raza, based on the epic by Vyasa.

[7] The serial claims to have used the Critical Edition of Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute as its basic source with Vishnu Sitaram Sukthankar and Shripad Krishna Belwalkar as its primary editor.

Each episode is 40–46 minutes long and begins with a title song that consisted of lyrical content and two verses from the Bhagavad Gita.

The title song is followed by a narration by Indian voice-artist Harish Bhimani as a personification of Time, detailing the current circumstances and highlighting the spiritual significance of the content of the episodes.

[citation needed] The series covers the incidents of epic Mahabharata revolving around Krishna, Pandavas, Kauravas among other characters.

Shakuni (the maternal uncle of the Kauravas) and Duryodhana hatch a plan to burn Pandavas and Kunti alive, but they survive and go into incognito.

Later, Yudhishthira is made the king of Indraprastha and Pandavas conduct Rajsuya Yagna where Draupadi insults Duryodhana.

Episode 90 – Shakuni and Shalya die, Duryodhana and the Pandavas learn about Karna's truth, Yudhishthira curses Kunti and all womankind to never keep their secrets, Gandhari curses Krishna and his dynasty to doom, Duryodhana gets protected by Gandhari's magic Episode 91 – Balarama arrives, Bhima and Duryodhana's duel, Duryodhana is fatally wounded, Balarama scolds Bhima but Krishna calms him down Episode 92 – Duryodhana Dies, War ends, Ashwatthama, Kripa and Kritavarma are the lone survivors, Ashwathama kill the sons of the Pandavas (Upapandavas) and Drishtadyumna, Ashwatthama tries to kill Uttaraa's unborn son, Krishna curses Ashwatthama, Parikshit's birth Episode 93 – Dhritarashtra and Vidura's discussion about Dharma, Pandavas return to Hastinapur, Dhritarashtra Tries to kill Bhima Episode 94 – Dhritarashtra, Kunti and Gandhari quit the kingdom.

The casting team led by Gufi Paintal shortlisted them and called around 1,500 for video screen tests[3] Almost all actors in the series were newcomers, barring Raj Babbar who played King Bharat, Debashree Roy who played Satyavati.

[16] Asian games gold medalist Praveen Kumar was selected to portray Bhima after Chopra was looking for someone "who could look the robust historical character".

[17] Around six actresses were shortlisted for the role of Draupadi, including Juhi Chawla, who opted out of the show as she had bagged a film.

[11] The casting director of the show, Gufi Paintal was offered role of Shakuni by the makers of Mahabharat.

[22] Mahabharat's music was composed by Raj Kamal and lyrics were penned by Pandit Narendra Sharma.

[23][24] All music is composed by Raj KamalIn India the series was originally broadcast on DD National.

[30] Ravi Chopra later disclosed that she was originally weeping while enacting in the Vastraharan sequence and the crew members had to console her later to make her stop.

[33] His visual effects won more favour than that of the 1965 film and has still been considered by a part of critics to be the most brilliant in line.

[36] In common with the "Ramayana" serial, the broadcasting of a Mahabharat episode was associated with the simultaneous emptying of streets in the cities and people leaving work early to watch it.

[37] Along with general audience many big names from Hindi film industry like Rajesh Khanna, Amitabh Bachchan, Jeetendra, Hema Malini and Dharmendra also praised the show.

[39] In week 13, it garnered 145.8 million impressions with both morning and evening slots combined on DD Bharati.