Gauda (region)

Gauda was a region of ancient and medieval Bengal, roughly the north-western part of present-day West Bengal and neighbouring Bangladesh. In the sixth century its people, the Gaudas, were rivals of the Maukharis, and under King Shashanka in the early seventh century Gauda became a powerful kingdom. Later the name was used for Bengal as a whole and for the city of Gaur, a capital of Bengali rulers.