Maukharis of Kannauj
Maukhari dynasty | |||||||||||||||||
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| c. 510 CE–c. 606 CE | |||||||||||||||||
Coin of King Iśanavarman of the Maukhari of Kanyakubja, c. 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. | |||||||||||||||||
◁ ▷ Map of the dominions of Maukharis, with neighbouring polities, circa 550-600 CE, after the retreat of the Alchon Huns. | |||||||||||||||||
| Capital | Kanyakubja | ||||||||||||||||
| Common languages | Sanskrit | ||||||||||||||||
| Religion | Hinduism Buddhism | ||||||||||||||||
| Government | Monarchy | ||||||||||||||||
| Maharajadhiraja | |||||||||||||||||
| Historical era | Medieval India | ||||||||||||||||
• Established | c. 510 CE | ||||||||||||||||
• Disestablished | c. 606 CE | ||||||||||||||||
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The Maukhari dynasty (Gupta script: , Mau-kha-ri) was a post-Gupta dynasty who controlled the vast plains of Ganga-Yamuna for almost a century from Kannauj. 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. According to Xuanzang, the territory may have been lost to King Shashanka of the Gauda Kingdom, who declared independence circa 600CE.