| era = [[Middle Kingdoms of India|Classical India]]
| era = [[Middle Kingdoms of India|Classical India]]
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| year_end = {{circa|606 CE}}
| year_end = {{circa|606 CE}}
| date_end =
| date_end =
| p1 = GuptaEmpire
| p1 = Later Guptas
| p2 = Alchon Huns
| p2 = Alchon Huns
| s1 = Later Guptas
| s1 = Later Guptas
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|caption={{center|Map of Maukharis territory, with neighbouring polities, circa 550-600 CE, after the retreat of the [[Alchon Huns]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Schwartzberg |first1=Joseph E. |title=A Historical atlas of South Asia |date=1978 |publisher=University of Chicago Press |location=Chicago |pages=[https://dsal.uchicago.edu/reference/schwartzberg/pager.html?object=182 145, map XIV.1 (i)], [https://dsal.uchicago.edu/reference/schwartzberg/pager.html?object=062 25], [https://dsal.uchicago.edu/reference/schwartzberg/pager.html?object=063 26]|isbn=0-226-74221-0 |url=https://dsal.uchicago.edu/reference/schwartzberg/pager.html?object=182}}</ref>}}
|caption={{center|Map of Maukharis territory, with neighbouring polities, circa 550-600 CE, after the retreat of the [[Alchon Huns]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Schwartzberg |first1=Joseph E. |title=A Historical atlas of South Asia |date=1978 |publisher=University of Chicago Press |location=Chicago |pages=[https://dsal.uchicago.edu/reference/schwartzberg/pager.html?object=182 145, map XIV.1 (i)], [https://dsal.uchicago.edu/reference/schwartzberg/pager.html?object=062 25], [https://dsal.uchicago.edu/reference/schwartzberg/pager.html?object=063 26]|isbn=0-226-74221-0 |url=https://dsal.uchicago.edu/reference/schwartzberg/pager.html?object=182}}</ref>}}
}}
}}
| image_map_alt = Map of the Maukharis.
| image_map_alt = Map of the Maukhari Realm.
| image_map_caption =
| image_map_caption =
| map_width = 290
| map_width = 290
| capital = [[Kannauj]]
| capital = [[Kannauj|Kanyakubja]]
| common_languages = [[Sanskrit]]
| common_languages = [[Sanskrit]]
| religion = [[Hinduism]]<br />[[Buddhism]]
| religion = [[Hinduism]]<br />[[Buddhism]]
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| leader3 =
| leader3 =
| year_leader3 =
| year_leader3 =
| title_leader = [[Maharaja|Maharajadhiraja]]
| title_leader = [[King of Kings|Maharajadhiraja]]
| legislature =
| legislature =
| image_coat = Maukharis of Kanauj. Isanavarman. Circa AD 535-553.jpg
| image_coat = Maukharis of Kanauj. Isanavarman. Circa AD 535-553.jpg
| coa_size = 250px
| coa_size = 250px
| symbol_type = {{center|Coin of King [[Ishanavarman|Iśanavarman]] of the Maukhari of [[Kannauj]], successors of the Guptas in the Gangetic region. Circa 535-553 CE. The ruler faces to the left, whereas in Gupta coinage the ruler faces to the right. This is possibly a symbol of antagonism and rivalry, as also seen on [[:File:Toramana_coin_in_Western_Gupta_style.jpg|some similar coins]] of [[Toramana]].<ref name="RST">{{cite book |last1=Tripathi |first1=Rama S. |title=History of Kanauj: To the Moslem Conquest |date=1989 |publisher=Motilal Banarsidass Publ. |isbn=978-81-208-0404-3 |page=45 Note 1 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2Tnh2QjGhMQC&pg=PA45 |language=en}}</ref>}}
| symbol_type = {{center|Coin of King [[Ishanavarman|Iśanavarman]] of the Maukhari of [[Kannauj|Kanyakubja]], successors of the Guptas in the Gangetic region. Circa 535-553 CE. The ruler faces to the left, whereas in Gupta coinage the ruler faces to the right. This is possibly a symbol of antagonism and rivalry, as also seen on [[:File:Toramana_coin_in_Western_Gupta_style.jpg|some similar coins]] of [[Toramana]].<ref name="RST">{{cite book |last1=Tripathi |first1=Rama S. |title=History of Kanauj: To the Moslem Conquest |date=1989 |publisher=Motilal Banarsidass Publ. |isbn=978-81-208-0404-3 |page=45 Note 1 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2Tnh2QjGhMQC&pg=PA45 |language=en}}</ref>}}
}}
}}
The '''Maukhari dynasty''' ([[Gupta script]]: [[File:Maukhari (dynastic name) in the Asirgarh seal.jpg|40px]], ''Mau-kha-ri'') was a post-[[Gupta Empire|Gupta]] dynasty who controlled the vast plains of [[Ganges|Ganga]]-[[Yamuna]] for over six generations from their capital at [[Kannauj]]. They earlier served as vassals of the Guptas and later of [[Harsha|Harsha's]] [[Vardhana dynasty]]. The Maukharis established their independence during the mid 6th century. The dynasty ruled over much of [[Uttar Pradesh]] and [[Magadha]]. Around 606 CE, a large area of their empire was reconquered by the [[Later Guptas]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/659350/Maukhari-dynasty |title=Maukhari dynasty (Indian dynasty) - Britannica Online Encyclopedia |publisher=Britannica.com |access-date=2013-01-26}}</ref> According to Hieun-Tsang, the territory may have been lost to King [[Shashanka]] of the [[Gauda Kingdom]], who declared independence circa 600 AD.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Reza |first1=Mohammad Habib |last2=Bandyopadhyay |first2=S. |last3=Mowla |first3=Azizul |title=Traces of Buddhist architecture in Gupta and post-Gupta Bengal: evidence from inscriptions and literature |date=July–September 2015 |journal=[[Journal of Eurasian Studies]] |volume=VII |issue=3 |pages=8–19 |s2cid=163998400 }}{{rs|reason=is this the real 'Journal of Eurasian Studies'? Sage and ScienceDirect don't have issue 3 for volume VII; |date=July 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Dasgupta |first1=Biplab |title=European Trade and Colonial Conquest, Volume 1 |year=2005 |publisher=Anthem Press |isbn=978-1-84331-028-0 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ou82_lNAJsMC&pg=PA15 |access-date=25 April 2020}}</ref>
The '''Maukhari dynasty''' ([[Gupta script]]: [[File:Maukhari (dynastic name) in the Asirgarh seal.jpg|40px]], ''Mau-kha-ri'') was a post-[[Gupta Empire|Gupta]] dynasty who controlled the vast plains of [[Ganges|Ganga]]-[[Yamuna]] for over six generations from their capital at [[Kannauj|Kanyakubja]]. Maukharis were [[Kshatriya|Kshatriyas]] who belonged to the [[Lunar dynasty|''Chandravamsha'']] or the [[Lunar dynasty|Lunar race]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Tandle |first=Dr Sanjeevkumar |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=I6jzBgAAQBAJ&dq=maukhari+lunar&pg=PA179 |title=INDIAN HISTORY |publisher=Lulu.com |isbn=978-1-312-37211-5 |language=en}}</ref> They earlier served as vassals of the Guptas and later of [[Harsha|Harsha's]] [[Vardhana dynasty]]. The Maukharis established their independence during the mid 6th century. The dynasty ruled over much of [[Uttar Pradesh]] and [[Magadha]]. Around 606 CE, a large area of their empire was reconquered by the [[Later Guptas]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/659350/Maukhari-dynasty |title=Maukhari dynasty (Indian dynasty) - Britannica Online Encyclopedia |publisher=Britannica.com |access-date=2013-01-26}}</ref> According to Hieun-Tsang, the territory may have been lost to King [[Shashanka]] of the [[Gauda Kingdom]], who declared independence circa 600CE.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Reza |first1=Mohammad Habib |last2=Bandyopadhyay |first2=S. |last3=Mowla |first3=Azizul |title=Traces of Buddhist architecture in Gupta and post-Gupta Bengal: evidence from inscriptions and literature |date=July–September 2015 |journal=[[Journal of Eurasian Studies]] |volume=VII |issue=3 |pages=8–19 |s2cid=163998400 }}{{rs|reason=is this the real 'Journal of Eurasian Studies'? Sage and ScienceDirect don't have issue 3 for volume VII; |date=July 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Dasgupta |first1=Biplab |title=European Trade and Colonial Conquest, Volume 1 |year=2005 |publisher=Anthem Press |isbn=978-1-84331-028-0 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ou82_lNAJsMC&pg=PA15 |access-date=25 April 2020}}</ref>
==Religion==
==Religion==
The Maukharis were staunch Hindus. They tried to enforce and maintain the [[Caste system in India|traditional social order]] among the people. [[Hinduism]] received state support, but [[Buddhism]] also managed to remain as a prominent religion.<ref name="Lal"/>
The Maukharis were staunch Hindus. They tried to enforce and maintain the [[Caste system in India|traditional social order]]{{Better source needed|reason=Not a scholarly scores, anachronistic projection of Caste|date=January 2024}} among the people. [[Hinduism]] received state support, but [[Buddhism]] also managed to remain as a prominent religion.<ref name="Lal"/>
==Army==
==Army==
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==Administration==
==Administration==
[[Kannauj]], the Maukhari capital, grew in prosperity and importance as a great cosmopolitan town. After the demise of the Maukharis, it even became the capital of [[Harsha]]. Hence, the Kannauj was largely contested by imperial powers.<ref name=Sen>Sen, S.N., 2013, A Textbook of Medieval Indian History, Delhi: Primus Books, {{ISBN|978-93-80607-34-4}}</ref>{{rp|20}}<ref name="Lal"/><ref name="RST 215">{{cite book |last1=Tripathi |first1=Rama S. |title=History of Kanauj: To the Moslem Conquest |date=1989 |publisher=Motilal Banarsidass Publ. |isbn=978-81-208-0404-3 |page=215|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2Tnh2QjGhMQC&pg=PA45 |language=en}}</ref>
[[Kannauj|Kanyakubja]], the Maukhari capital, grew in prosperity and importance as a great cosmopolitan city. After the demise of the Maukharis, it even became the capital of Emperor [[Harsha]]. Hence, Kanyakubja was largely contested by imperial powers.<ref name=Sen>Sen, S.N., 2013, A Textbook of Medieval Indian History, Delhi: Primus Books, {{ISBN|978-93-80607-34-4}}</ref>{{rp|20}}<ref name="Lal"/><ref name="RST 215">{{cite book |last1=Tripathi |first1=Rama S. |title=History of Kanauj: To the Moslem Conquest |date=1989 |publisher=Motilal Banarsidass Publ. |isbn=978-81-208-0404-3 |page=215|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2Tnh2QjGhMQC&pg=PA45 |language=en}}</ref>
The first three Maukhari kings are mentioned in the inscriptions as [[Maharaja]], but their successors assumed more pompous titles showing the increase in power. Ishanavarman was the first Maukhari ruler to adopt the title Maharajadhiraja.<ref name="Lal"/>
The first three Maukhari kings are mentioned in the inscriptions as [[Maharaja]], but their successors assumed grander titles showing an increase in power and prestige. Ishanavarman was the first Maukhari ruler to adopt the title Maharajadhiraja (lit., King of Great Kings).<ref name="Lal"/>
==Cultural and international exchanges==
==Cultural and international exchanges==
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[[File:King Khosrow sits before the chessboard, while his vizir and the envoy of Qannuj are playing chess. Shahnameh, 10th century CE.jpg|thumb|left|[[Sasanian Empire]] King [[Khosrow I]] sits before the chessboard, while his vizir and the Indian envoy of [[Kannauj]] are playing chess. ''[[Shahnama]]'', 10th century CE.<ref name="ME"/>]]
[[File:King Khosrow sits before the chessboard, while his vizir and the envoy of Qannuj are playing chess. Shahnameh, 10th century CE.jpg|thumb|left|[[Sasanian Empire]] King [[Khosrow I]] sits before the chessboard, while his vizir and the Indian envoy of [[Kannauj]] are playing chess. ''[[Shahnama]]'', 10th century CE.<ref name="ME"/>]]
[[File:Haraha inscription of Isanavarman.jpg|thumb|The Harahara inscription of [[Ishanavarman]]. The inscription, dated to [[Vikrama Samvat]] 610 (ie 554 CE), record the genealogy of the Maukharis.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Thomas |first1=F. w |title=Epigraphia Indica Vol.14 |date=1918 |pages=110–116 |url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.108415/page/n135/mode/2up}}</ref>]]
[[File:Haraha inscription of Isanavarman.jpg|thumb|The Harahara inscription of [[Ishanavarman]]. The inscription, dated to [[Vikrama Samvat]] 610 (ie 554 CE), record the genealogy of the Maukharis.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Thomas |first1=F. w |title=Epigraphia Indica Vol.14 |date=1918 |pages=110–116 |url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.108415/page/n135/mode/2up}}</ref>]]
With the end of Hunnic power, new contacts were established between India and the [[Sasanian Empire]]. Intellectual games such as [[chess]] and [[backgammon]] demonstrated and celebrated the diplomatic relationship between [[Khosrow I]] and a "great king of India." The [[vizier]] of the Indian king invented chess as a cheerful, playful challenge to King Khosrow. It seems that the Indian ruler who sent the game of chess to Khosrow was the Maukhari King [[Śarvavarman]] of [[Kannauj]], between the beginning of Śarvavarman's reign in 560/565 and the end of Khosrow's reign in 579.<ref name="ME">{{cite book |last1=Eder |first1=Manfred A. J. |title=South Asian Archaeology 2007 Proceedings of the 19th Meeting of the European Association of South Asian Archaeology in Ravenna, Italy, July 2007, Volume II |date=2010 |publisher=Archaeopress Archaeology |isbn=978-1-4073-0674-2 |page=69 |url=http://history.chess.free.fr/papers/Eder%202007-2.pdf}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Bakker |first1=Hans T. |author-link=Hans T. Bakker|title=The Huns in Central and South Asia. How Two Centuries of War against Nomadic Invaders from the Steps are Concluded by a Game of Chess between the Kings of India and Iran |date=2017 |url=https://www.academia.edu/34156496}}</ref> When the game was sent to Iran it came with a letter which read: "As your name is the King of Kings, all your emperorship over us connotes that your wise men should be wiser than ours. Either you send us an explanation of this game of chess or send revenue and tribute us."<ref name="canepa">Canepa 2009, p. 181</ref> Khosrow's grand vizier successfully solved the riddle and figured out how to play chess. In response the wise vizier created the game backgammon and sent it to the Indian court with the same message. The Indian king was not able to solve the riddle and was forced to pay tribute.<ref name="canepa" />
With the end of Hunnic power, new contacts were established between India and the [[Sasanian Empire|Sasanian Persia]]. Intellectual games such as [[chess]] and [[backgammon]] demonstrated and celebrated the diplomatic relationship between [[Khosrow I]] and a "great king of India." The [[vizier]] of the Indian king invented chess as a cheerful, playful challenge to emperor Khosrow. It seems that the Indian ruler who sent the game of chess to Khosrow was the Maukhari monarch [[Śarvavarman]] of [[Kannauj]], between the beginning of Śarvavarman's reign in 560/565 and the end of Khosrow's reign in 579.<ref name="ME">{{cite book |last1=Eder |first1=Manfred A. J. |title=South Asian Archaeology 2007 Proceedings of the 19th Meeting of the European Association of South Asian Archaeology in Ravenna, Italy, July 2007, Volume II |date=2010 |publisher=Archaeopress Archaeology |isbn=978-1-4073-0674-2 |page=69 |url=http://history.chess.free.fr/papers/Eder%202007-2.pdf}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Bakker |first1=Hans T. |author-link=Hans T. Bakker|title=The Huns in Central and South Asia. How Two Centuries of War against Nomadic Invaders from the Steps are Concluded by a Game of Chess between the Kings of India and Iran |date=2017 |url=https://www.academia.edu/34156496}}</ref> When the game was sent to Iran it came with a letter which read: "As your name is the King of Kings, all your emperorship over us connotes that your wise men should be wiser than ours. Either you send us an explanation of this game of chess or send revenue and tribute us."<ref name="canepa">Canepa 2009, p. 181</ref> Khosrow's grand vizier successfully solved the riddle and figured out how to play chess. In response the wise vizier created the game backgammon and sent it to the Indian court with the same message. The Indian king was not able to solve the riddle and was forced to pay tribute.<ref name="canepa" />
==Succession==
==Succession==
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* [[Grahavarman]], r. c. 600–605 CE
* [[Grahavarman]], r. c. 600–605 CE
===Barabar branch of Maukhari rulers===
== Karenti branch of Maukhari Rulers ==
After the fall of Maukhari dynasty his descendants moved to Kuntalpur and later one of his descendant Kripal Dev moved to Kirtigadh in 661, where he defeated Baloch ruler of Kirtigadh and Makwanas ruled from (661 AD to 1089 AD). Last king was Kesar Dev Makwana, who died in battle against Hamir Soomra, ruler of Amarkot.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Girase |first=Jaypalsingh |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=onH0DwAAQBAJ&dq=ajja+jhala&pg=PT298 |title=Rashtragaurav Maharana Pratapsingh: Ek Aprajit Yoddha |date=2020-08-02 |publisher=Notion Press |isbn=978-1-64919-952-2 |language=hi}}</ref>
* 1. '''Kripaldevji''' or Karpaldevji, First Makwana Lord of Karenti (662-682).
* 2. '''Bharmal''' Second Makwana Lord of Karenti (682-706).
* 3. '''Bhojraj''' , Third Makwana Lord of Karenti (706-716).
* 4. '''Dhirsen''' , Fourth Makwana Lord of Karenti (716-734).
* 5. '''Popasen''' , Fifth Makwana Lord of Karenti (734-744).
* 6. '''Devraj''' , Sixth Makwana Lord of Karenti (744-762).
* 7. '''Parthisal''' , Seventh Makwana Lord of Karenti (762-792).
* 8. '''Salande''' , Eighth Makwana Lord of Karenti (792-810).
* 9. '''Surjanbhan''' , Ninth Makwana Lord of Karenti (810-824).
* 10. '''Somesar''' , Tenth Makwana Lord of Karenti (824-833).
* 11. '''Satal''' , Eleventh Makwana Lord of Karenti (833-862).
* 12. '''Sundarpal''' , Twelfth Makwana Lord of Karenti (862-891).
* 13. '''Ratanpal''' , Thirteenth Makwana Lord of Karenti (891-905).
* 14. '''Akhepal''' , Fourteenth Makwana Lord of Karenti (905-914).
* 15. '''Amratpal''' , Fifteenth Makwana Lord of Karenti (914-932).
* 16. '''Udebhan''' , Sixteenth Makwana Lord of Karenti (932-962).
* 17. '''Lakhdhir''' , Seventeenth Makwana Lord of Karenti (962-972).
* 18. '''Surtan''' , Eighteenth Makwana Lord of Karenti (972-992).
* 19. '''Hamir''' , Nineteenth Makwana Lord of Karenti (992-1022).
* 20. '''Narbhavandev''' or Narbhramdev, Twentieth Makwana Lord of Karenti (1022-1039).
*21. '''Jayamalladev''' or '''Jaimalji''', Twenty-First Makwana Lord of Karenti (1039-1042). <br />Karenti (1039-
*
*
*22.'''Vyaghradev''' or '''Vaghji''', Twenty-Second Makwana Lord of Karanti (1042-1045).
*23. '''Vihayasdev''' or '''Vairisha''', Twenty-Third Makwana Lord of Karenti Karenti(1045-104
*24. '''Kesardev''', Twenty-Fourth Makwana Lord of Karenti (1049-28 MAY 1082). Died: killed in battle 28 May 1082 by Hamir Sumro, Jam of Sindh <br /> <br />
==Barabar branch of Maukhari rulers ==
[[File:Barabar Caves Gopika Cave Inscription of Anantavarman 5th- or 6th-century CE Sanskrit in Gupta script.jpg|thumb|The [[Gopika Cave Inscription]] of Anantavarman (left half).]]
[[File:Barabar Caves Gopika Cave Inscription of Anantavarman 5th- or 6th-century CE Sanskrit in Gupta script.jpg|thumb|The [[Gopika Cave Inscription]] of Anantavarman (left half).]]
The [[Barabar Caves|Barabar Cave]] inscriptions attest the existence of another Maukhari branch. This branch ruled as feudatories, probably that of the [[Later Guptas]]. The known rulers of this branch include:<ref>{{cite book |author=Bindeshwari Prasad Sinha |author-link=Bindeshwari Prasad Sinha |title=Dynastic History of Magadha, Cir. 450-1200 A.D. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=V3KDaZY85wYC&pg=PA109 |year=1977 |publisher=Abhinav |pages=109–110 |oclc=464639312}}</ref>
The [[Barabar Caves|Barabar Cave]] inscriptions attest the existence of another Maukhari branch. This branch ruled as feudatories, probably that of the [[Later Guptas]]. The known rulers of this branch include:<ref>{{cite book |author=Bindeshwari Prasad Sinha |author-link=Bindeshwari Prasad Sinha |title=Dynastic History of Magadha, Cir. 450-1200 A.D. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=V3KDaZY85wYC&pg=PA109 |year=1977 |publisher=Abhinav |pages=109–110 |oclc=464639312}}</ref>
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* [[Megasthenes]]
* [[Megasthenes]]
*[[List of Hindu Empires and Dynasties]]
*[[List of Hindu Empires and Dynasties]]
*[[Jhala dynasty]]
==References==
==References==
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== External links ==
== External links ==
*Joseph Schwartzberg. [https://dsal.uchicago.edu/reference/schwartzberg/ The Historical Atlas of South Asia]. Map of the "[https://dsal.uchicago.edu/reference/schwartzberg/pager.html?object=063 Age of Pusyabhutis & Calukyans, c. A.D. 550-700]". (Pg 26).
*Joseph Schwartzberg. [https://dsal.uchicago.edu/reference/schwartzberg/ The Historical Atlas of South Asia]. Map of the "[https://dsal.uchicago.edu/reference/schwartzberg/pager.html?object=063 Age of Pusyabhutis & Calukyans, c. A.D. 550-700]". (Pg 26).
[[Category:Maukhari dynasty| ]]
[[Category:Empires and kingdoms of India]]
[[Category:Empires and kingdoms of India]]
[[Category:Dynasties of India]]
[[Category:Dynasties of India]]
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[[Category:States and territories established in the 6th century]]
[[Category:States and territories established in the 6th century]]
[[Category:Hindu states]]
[[Category:Hindu states]]
[[Category:History of Kannauj]]
Revision as of 10:24, 10 April 2024
Royal dynasty of India
Kingdom of Kanyakubja
c. 510 CE–c. 606 CE
Coin of King Iśanavarman of the Maukhari of Kanyakubja, successors of the Guptas in the Gangetic region. Circa 535-553 CE. The ruler faces to the left, whereas in Gupta coinage the ruler faces to the right. This is possibly a symbol of antagonism and rivalry, as also seen on some similar coins of Toramana.[1]
The Maukhari dynasty (Gupta script: , Mau-kha-ri) was a post-Gupta dynasty who controlled the vast plains of Ganga-Yamuna for over six generations from their capital at Kanyakubja. Maukharis were Kshatriyas who belonged to the Chandravamsha or the Lunar race.[3] They earlier served as vassals of the Guptas and later of Harsha'sVardhana dynasty. The Maukharis established their independence during the mid 6th century. The dynasty ruled over much of Uttar Pradesh and Magadha. Around 606 CE, a large area of their empire was reconquered by the Later Guptas.[4] According to Hieun-Tsang, the territory may have been lost to King Shashanka of the Gauda Kingdom, who declared independence circa 600CE.[5][6]
The Maukhari army consisted of elephants, cavalry and infantry. Ishanavarman in all probability would have taken much pains to reorganize the army and make it strong and worthy. The Maukhari strategy mainly focused on deploying elephant corps to crush the enemy armies. They were used against the Alchon Huns and the Later Gupta armies.[7] The Maukharis fought against the remnants of the Alchon Huns in the areas of the Gangetic Doab and Magadha, as documented in the Aphsad inscription, while the Aulikaras repelled them in the Malwa region.[8] The Aphsad inscription of Ādityasena mentions the military successes of kings of the Later Gupta dynasty against the Maukharis, themselves past victors of the Alchon Huns:[8]
"The son of that king (Kumaragupta) was the illustrious Dâmôdaragupta, by whom (his) enemies were slain, just like the demons by (the god) Dâmôdara. Breaking up the proudly stepping array of mighty elephants, belonging to the Maukhari, which had thrown aloft in battle the troops of the Hûnas (in order to trample them to death), he became unconscious (and expired in the fight)."
The Maukharis, rather than the Guptas, were therefore the key actors in repelling the Hunas.[10]
Administration
Kanyakubja, the Maukhari capital, grew in prosperity and importance as a great cosmopolitan city. After the demise of the Maukharis, it even became the capital of Emperor Harsha. Hence, Kanyakubja was largely contested by imperial powers.[11]: 20 [7][12]
The first three Maukhari kings are mentioned in the inscriptions as Maharaja, but their successors assumed grander titles showing an increase in power and prestige. Ishanavarman was the first Maukhari ruler to adopt the title Maharajadhiraja (lit., King of Great Kings).[7]
Cultural and international exchanges
Asirgarh seal inscription of Sharvavarman, Maukhari dynasty, 6th century .[13][14]
The Maukhari kings were patrons of poets and writers and many literary works were composed during their reign.[7] Various seals and inscriptions are known, such as the Asirgarh seal inscription of Sharvavarman,[15] or the Haraha inscription of Isanavarman, discovered near the village of Harara in the Barabanki district, Uttar Pradesh and dated to Vikrama Samvat 610 (ie 554 CE), which record the genealogy of the Maukharis.[16]
Contacts with the Sasanian Empire
Sasanian Empire King Khosrow I sits before the chessboard, while his vizir and the Indian envoy of Kannauj are playing chess. Shahnama, 10th century CE.[17]The Harahara inscription of Ishanavarman. The inscription, dated to Vikrama Samvat 610 (ie 554 CE), record the genealogy of the Maukharis.[18]
With the end of Hunnic power, new contacts were established between India and the Sasanian Persia. Intellectual games such as chess and backgammon demonstrated and celebrated the diplomatic relationship between Khosrow I and a "great king of India." The vizier of the Indian king invented chess as a cheerful, playful challenge to emperor Khosrow. It seems that the Indian ruler who sent the game of chess to Khosrow was the Maukhari monarch Śarvavarman of Kannauj, between the beginning of Śarvavarman's reign in 560/565 and the end of Khosrow's reign in 579.[17][19] When the game was sent to Iran it came with a letter which read: "As your name is the King of Kings, all your emperorship over us connotes that your wise men should be wiser than ours. Either you send us an explanation of this game of chess or send revenue and tribute us."[20] Khosrow's grand vizier successfully solved the riddle and figured out how to play chess. In response the wise vizier created the game backgammon and sent it to the Indian court with the same message. The Indian king was not able to solve the riddle and was forced to pay tribute.[20]
Succession
The Vardhana dynasty (also called "Pushyabhuti dynasty") ultimately succeeded the Maukhari dynasty, but it had originally only been a small polity around their capital Sthaneshvara (Thanesar). According to Hans T. Bakker, their ruler Aditya-Vardhana (or Aditya-Sena) was probably a feudatory to the Maukhari ruler Sharvavarman. His successor Prabhakaravardhana may have also been a feudatory to the Maukhari king Avantivarman in his early days. Prabhakara's daughter Rajyashri married Avantivarman's son Grahavarman. As a result of this marriage, Prabhakara's political status increased significantly, and he assumed the imperial title Parama-bhattaraka Maharajadhiraja ("the one to whom the other kings bow because of his valour and affection").[21]
Rulers
The known Maukhari rulers of madhya-desha include:[22]
Maukhari design on a Nalanda Clay Seal of Sharvavarman.
After the fall of Maukhari dynasty his descendants moved to Kuntalpur and later one of his descendant Kripal Dev moved to Kirtigadh in 661, where he defeated Baloch ruler of Kirtigadh and Makwanas ruled from (661 AD to 1089 AD). Last king was Kesar Dev Makwana, who died in battle against Hamir Soomra, ruler of Amarkot.[24]
1. Kripaldevji or Karpaldevji, First Makwana Lord of Karenti (662-682).
2. Bharmal Second Makwana Lord of Karenti (682-706).
3. Bhojraj , Third Makwana Lord of Karenti (706-716).
4. Dhirsen , Fourth Makwana Lord of Karenti (716-734).
5. Popasen , Fifth Makwana Lord of Karenti (734-744).
6. Devraj , Sixth Makwana Lord of Karenti (744-762).
7. Parthisal , Seventh Makwana Lord of Karenti (762-792).
8. Salande , Eighth Makwana Lord of Karenti (792-810).
9. Surjanbhan , Ninth Makwana Lord of Karenti (810-824).
10. Somesar , Tenth Makwana Lord of Karenti (824-833).
11. Satal , Eleventh Makwana Lord of Karenti (833-862).
12. Sundarpal , Twelfth Makwana Lord of Karenti (862-891).
13. Ratanpal , Thirteenth Makwana Lord of Karenti (891-905).
14. Akhepal , Fourteenth Makwana Lord of Karenti (905-914).
15. Amratpal , Fifteenth Makwana Lord of Karenti (914-932).
16. Udebhan , Sixteenth Makwana Lord of Karenti (932-962).
17. Lakhdhir , Seventeenth Makwana Lord of Karenti (962-972).
18. Surtan , Eighteenth Makwana Lord of Karenti (972-992).
19. Hamir , Nineteenth Makwana Lord of Karenti (992-1022).
20. Narbhavandev or Narbhramdev, Twentieth Makwana Lord of Karenti (1022-1039).
21. Jayamalladev or Jaimalji, Twenty-First Makwana Lord of Karenti (1039-1042). Karenti (1039-
22.Vyaghradev or Vaghji, Twenty-Second Makwana Lord of Karanti (1042-1045).
23. Vihayasdev or Vairisha, Twenty-Third Makwana Lord of Karenti Karenti(1045-104
24. Kesardev, Twenty-Fourth Makwana Lord of Karenti (1049-28 MAY 1082). Died: killed in battle 28 May 1082 by Hamir Sumro, Jam of Sindh
The Barabar Cave inscriptions attest the existence of another Maukhari branch. This branch ruled as feudatories, probably that of the Later Guptas. The known rulers of this branch include:[25]
^Reza, Mohammad Habib; Bandyopadhyay, S.; Mowla, Azizul (July–September 2015). "Traces of Buddhist architecture in Gupta and post-Gupta Bengal: evidence from inscriptions and literature". Journal of Eurasian Studies. VII (3): 8–19. S2CID163998400.[unreliable source?]
^ abGHOSE, MADHUVANTI (2003). "The Impact of the Hun Invasions: A Nomadic Interlude in Indian Art". Bulletin of the Asia Institute. 17: 145–146. ISSN0890-4464. JSTOR24049312.
^Willis, Michael (2005). "Later Gupta History: Inscriptions, Coins and Historical Ideology". Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society. 15 (2): 140. ISSN1356-1863. JSTOR25188529.
^Sen, S.N., 2013, A Textbook of Medieval Indian History, Delhi: Primus Books, ISBN978-93-80607-34-4
^Vats, Madho Sarup (1946). "Sohnag Terracotta Seal of Avantivarman". Proceedings of the Indian History Congress. 9: 74–77. ISSN2249-1937. JSTOR44137039.
![Coin of King Iśanavarman of the Maukhari of Kanyakubja, successors of the Guptas in the Gangetic region. Circa 535-553 CE. The ruler faces to the left, whereas in Gupta coinage the ruler faces to the right. This is possibly a symbol of antagonism and rivalry, as also seen on some similar coins of Toramana.[1] of](/wiki/File:Maukharis_of_Kanauj._Isanavarman._Circa_AD_535-553.jpg)
_in_the_Asirgarh_seal.jpg){kind=small}
, Mau-kha-ri) was a post-Gupta dynasty who controlled the vast plains of Ganga-Yamuna for over six generations from their capital at Kanyakubja. Maukharis were Kshatriyas who belonged to the Chandravamsha or the Lunar race.[3] They earlier served as vassals of the Guptas and later of Harsha's Vardhana dynasty. The Maukharis established their independence during the mid 6th century. The dynasty ruled over much of Uttar Pradesh and Magadha. Around 606 CE, a large area of their empire was reconquered by the Later Guptas.[4] According to Hieun-Tsang, the territory may have been lost to King Shashanka of the Gauda Kingdom, who declared independence circa 600CE.[5][6]
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Lomas Rishi cave inscription of Anantavarman
Gopika Cave Inscription of Anantavarman
Vadathika Cave Inscription of Anantavarman
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