Raghu was a ruler of the
Ikshvaku dynasty. According to the
Raghuvamsha, he was born to king
Dilipa and his queen Sudakshina. His name in Sanskrit means
the fast one, deriving from Raghu's chariot-driving abilities. So celebrated were the exploits of Raghu, that his dynasty itself came to be known as the
Raghuvamsha or the
Raghukula after him. The history of his dynasty is elaborated upon by
Kalidasa in his
Raghuvamsha.