kingdom · South Asia

Maukharis

550 CE – 606 CE (approx.) · capital Kannauj

The dynasty that made Kannauj an imperial city in the 6th century, contesting the Gupta legacy before passing its throne to Harsha.

Origins

Maukhari chiefs are known from inscriptions in Rajasthan and Bihar from earlier centuries. The line that ruled Kannauj began as feudatories of the Gupta Empire in the early 6th century. As Gupta power faded, Ishanavarman took the imperial title maharajadhiraja around 554.

Rule and society

Ishanavarman claimed victories over the Andhras, the Gaudas and the Huns, and the Maukharis fought a long rivalry with the Later Guptas for control of the Ganges plain. They ruled the Doab and Awadh from Kannauj, which began its rise as the leading city of northern India. They issued silver coins modelled on Gupta issues and supported Vedic and Shaiva traditions.

Decline and legacy

The last king, Grahavarman, married Rajyashri, sister of Harsha, but was killed around 606 by the king of Malwa. Harsha of the Pushyabhuti dynasty then took over the Maukhari kingdom and ruled from Kannauj.

Lineage

Gupta Empire 240 CE – 550 CEMaukharisPushyabhuti dynasty 500 CE – 647 CE

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Cite this page
APA
The Epoch Institute. (2026). Maukharis. In The Epoch Institute States Register. https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/maukharis
MLA
“Maukharis.” The Epoch Institute States Register, The Epoch Institute, 2026, https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/maukharis. Accessed .
Chicago
The Epoch Institute. “Maukharis.” The Epoch Institute States Register. 2026. https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/maukharis.
Harvard
The Epoch Institute (2026) ‘Maukharis’, The Epoch Institute States Register. Available at: https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/maukharis (Accessed: ).

Last reviewed October 2026Random state ↻