Generally speaking the bad guys of the history has been the ones who lost. Hitler, Stalin, Saddam, Ravan, and Duryodhan were all loosers. If they had won the war somehow we would have read pages and pages of how great those folks were.

About Mahabharat, i believe that the incident actually happened because it is ancient history more than an epic. If you believe in Greek Civilization you would believe in Indian Sub Continent civilization as well. I am sure lots of Mahabharat contents are fabricated and written in a way to please the kings. Such as bringing a new wife home and getting welcomed by the old wife.

Neverthless a great Epic and kudos for Vyas to bring it to us.