THE MAUKHARIES OR VARMANA DYNASTY

THE MAUKHARIES OR VARMANA DYNASTY: 

Introduction and Origin

• The Maukhari dynasty was a post-Gupta royal dynasty that ruled vast areas of Northern India for over six generations (c. 550-606 CE)​

• Initially served as feudatories (vassals) of the Gupta Empire in South Bihar and Uttar Pradesh during the early 6th century​

• Capital: Established at Kanyakubja (modern Kannauj), which became a major political, economic, and cultural hub​

• Common Languages: Sanskrit (used extensively in inscriptions)​

• Religion: Staunch followers of Hinduism (particularly Vaishnavism and Shaivism), though Buddhism also flourished under their patronage​

Ancient References and Legendary Origins

• References to Maukharis found in ancient texts by Panini (c. 6th century BCE), Patanjali, and other classical works​

• According to legend, the dynasty originated from the 100 sons of King Ashvapati mentioned in the Mahabharata​

• A Maukhari seal from the Mauryan period (3rd century BCE) found at Gaya represents the earliest dated Maukhari record​

• Three Maukhari inscriptions on Yupa pillars from Barwā (Bāḍwā), Koṭā in Rājasthān dated to Kṛta Year 295 (c. 237 CE) commemorate Trirātra sacrifices​

Three Main Branches

The Maukhari dynasty had three major branches:​

1. Kannauj Branch (most significant and powerful)

2. Magadha/Gaya Branch (likely the original branch, ruled as feudatories)

3. Kota Branch (Rajasthan region)

Rise to Power and Independence

• The disintegration of the Gupta Empire in the early 6th century provided opportunity for independence​

• Rose to prominence after defeating the Hun invaders who had occupied the Ganga Valley​

• Ishanavarman (Īśānavarman) was the first independent Maukhari king who declared sovereignty around 550-554 CE​

• He adopted the imperial title of “Maharajadhiraja” (King of Kings), signifying full independence from Gupta overlordship​

Major Rulers and Their Achievements

1. Harivarman (Hari-varman) [Founder]

• Title: Maharaja​

• Founder of the Kannauj branch of the dynasty​

• Described as one “whose fame stretched out beyond the four oceans”​

• Recognized during late Gupta rule; established family ties with declining Guptas through marriage alliances​

• Led extensive military campaigns bringing other kings under subjection​

2. Adityavarman (Aditya-varman)

• Title: Maharaja​

• Son of Harivarman, born to Queen Jayasvāminī​

• Maintained adherence to Gupta sovereignty; followed conservative policies​

• Did not pursue aggressive territorial expansion​

3. Ishvaravarman (Iśvara-varman)

• Title: Maharaja​

• Son of Adityavarman, born to Queen Harshagupta​

• Maintained loyalty to Gupta overlords while consolidating power​

• His queen was Devi Upagupta (from Later Gupta family)​

• Strengthened family ties through strategic matrimonial alliances​

4. Ishanavarman (Īśānavarman) [First Independent King]

• Period: c. 550-560 CE / 554-576 CE​

• Title: First to adopt “Maharajadhiraja” (Emperor)​

• Born: 554 CE​

• Son of Ishvaravarman and Queen Devi Upagupta​

• Mother: Devi Upagupta was from the Later Gupta family, indicating earlier cordial relations​

Military Achievements

• Renowned as a skilled archer, particularly effective against enemy cavalry and elephants​

• His inscriptions describe him as a valiant warrior whose “hands were hardened and callused by repeated use of the bow on battlefield”​

• Commanded vast armies continuously on march​

• Defeated multiple powers:

  • Andhras (Vishnukundinas) – likely King Indravarman or Vikramendravarman I​

  • Sulikas (possibly Central Asian tribe or cavalry forces)​

  • Gaudas (checked their advance)​

• Successfully reorganized the Maukhari army, making it strong and worthy​

Conflicts and Setbacks

• Defeated by Kumaragupta III (Later Gupta king) in battle, as mentioned in Aphsad inscription​

• Probably also defeated by Damodaragupta (Later Gupta ruler)​

• Despite setbacks, maintained control and revived Maukhari prestige​

Significance

• First Maukhari ruler to issue coins (silver drachmas)​

• Developed Maukharis into a prominent imperial power​

• Established true independence from Later Guptas, though this soured relations​

5. Sarvavarman / Sharvavarman (Śarvavarman)

• Period: c. 554-570 CE / 560-575 CE​

• Title: Maharajadhiraja​

• Son of Ishanavarman, born to Queen Lakshamīvatī​

• Alternative names: Second son of Ishanavarman​

Military Supremacy

• Considered possibly the greatest of Maukhari emperors​

• Successfully retrieved lost prestige of Maukharis after his father’s defeats​

• Invaded Magadha circa 575 CE​

• Defeated two Later Gupta kings:

  • Damodaragupta​

  • Mahasenagupta​

• This victory made him ruler of entire Uttar Pradesh​

• Important rival of Late Gupta king Mahasenagupta during 575-585 CE​

Historical Evidence

• Well-documented through the Asirgarh copper seal inscription​

• Several Nalanda clay seals discovered, nearly identical but from different molds​

• Issued dated coins (silver drachmas with his portrait)​

• The seals provide complete genealogy of Maukhari rulers​

6. Avantivarman (Avanti-varman)

• Period: c. 570-600 CE / 575-600 CE​

• Son of Sarvavarman​

• Described by Banabhatta in Harshacharita as “the pride of the Maukhari race” and that “Maukharis stood at head of all royal houses”​

• Implemented key administrative reforms strengthening governance​

• Consolidated dynasty’s hold over territories​

• Extended Maukhari control to include parts of present-day Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Bengal​

• Patron of arts, culture, and religion​

• Issued coins (silver drachmas)​

• Maukharis enjoyed sovereignty till beginning of 7th century CE under his rule​

7. Grahavarman (Graha-varman) [Last King]

• Period: c. 600-605 CE / 600-606 CE​

• Last independent Maukhari king​

• Ruled from Kannauj​

Matrimonial Alliance

• Married Rajyasri (Rajyashri), daughter of Prabhakaravardhana of Thanesar (Pushyabhuti dynasty) and sister of famous ruler Harshavardhana​

• This was an important marriage alliance that strengthened ties between Maukharis and Pushyabhutis​

• The alliance influenced subsequent political developments​

Downfall and Death

• Shashanka (ruler of Gauda Kingdom in Bengal) found the Maukhari-Pushyabhuti alliance unacceptable​

• Shashanka allied with Devagupta (Malava/Malwa king)​

• The Bengal-Malwa league launched a surprise attack on Kannauj​

• Grahavarman was defeated and killed in battle​

• Rajyasri was captured and imprisoned​

• This attack brought the Maukhari kingdom to an end (c. 606 CE)​

Post-Maukhari Period: Integration with Harsha’s Empire

Rajyavardhana’s Campaign

• Rajyavardhana (Harsha’s elder brother) commanded a 10,000-strong cavalry force to avenge Grahavarman’s death​

• Successfully defeated the Malava ruler Devagupta​

• Main army of infantry and war elephants supported the cavalry under Harsha’s charge​

• Rajyavardhana advanced toward Kannauj to press action​

• Treacherously murdered by Shashanka in 606 CE, possibly invited to a meeting with deceit​

Harsha’s Succession

• Harsha rescued Rajyasri after both her husband and brother-in-law were killed​

• Since Grahavarman had no successor, Maukhari ministers offered the throne to Harsha​

• Harsha occupied throne of both Kanyakubja (Kannauj) and Thanesar, uniting both kingdoms​

• Shifted his capital from Thanesar to Kannauj, recognizing its strategic importance​

• Took vow to avenge his brother’s death and punish Shashanka​

• Maukhari family disappeared into obscurity after this merger​

• Under Harsha’s rule (606-647 CE), Later Guptas were restored in Magadha as vassals​

Military Organization and Strategy

Army Composition

• Consisted of three main divisions:​

  1. Elephants (elephant corps – primary striking force)

  2. Cavalry (horse-mounted warriors)

  3. Infantry (foot soldiers)

Military Strategy

• Elephant corps formed the backbone of military strategy​

• Used primarily to crush enemy armies through overwhelming force​

• Deployed effectively against:

  • Huna invaders​

  • Later Gupta armies​

• Ishanavarman particularly focused on:

  • Reorganizing the army systematically​

  • Building strength and combat-worthiness​

  • Training specialized corps for different terrains and enemies​

Military Reputation

• Successful campaigns against foes known for their specialized forces:

  • Andhras – renowned for their powerful elephant corps​

  • Sulikas – known for formidable cavalry​

• Inscriptions describe armies as “vast and continuously on the march”​

• Warriors’ hands described as “hardened and callused” from battlefield experience​

Administrative System

Political Organization

• Centralized monarchy with king as supreme authority​

• Early rulers used title “Maharaja” (Great King)​

• Later rulers adopted “Maharajadhiraja” (King of Kings/Emperor) showing increased power​

• Well-structured governance promoting urbanization and economic activities​

Territorial Administration

• Ruled over vast territories including:

  • Most of present-day Uttar Pradesh​

  • Magadha (southern Bihar)​

  • Parts of Bundelkhand​

  • Parts of Himachal Pradesh​

  • Extended influence to Orissa and Bengal​

Capital – Kannauj (Kanyakubja)

• Grew in prosperity and importance under Maukharis​

• Developed as a great cosmopolitan town​

• Strategic location:

  • Situated in fertile Ganga-Yamuna doab plains​

  • Located on elevated area, easily fortifiable despite being in plains​

  • Well-connected by routes to eastern Ganges plains and southward​

• Economic significance:

  • Rooted in large agrarian expanse enabling numerous land-grants​

  • Connected to silk route and Ganga trade route​

  • Hub for trade and commerce​

• Cultural significance:

  • Attracted many brahmanas who settled there​

  • Brahmanas of Kannauj widely esteemed in royal courts throughout country​

• Became symbol of political power after Maukharis, contested by imperial powers​

• Later became capital of Harsha’s empire​

• Strategic importance led to later Tripartite Struggle (8th-9th centuries) between Palas, Pratiharas, and Rashtrakutas​

Jayaskandhavaras (Military Camps)

• Maukhari rulers issued land-grants from military camps called Jayaskandhavaras​

• These were temporary administrative centers during campaigns​

• Land-grants given to religious recipients like brahmanas, monasteries, and temples​

Religious Patronage and Policy

Hinduism

• Maukharis were staunch Hindus who tried to enforce traditional social order​

• Hinduism received state support​

• Primary allegiance to:

  • Vaishnavism (worship of Vishnu)​

  • Shaivism (worship of Shiva)​

• Temple construction actively supported​

• Promoted Vedic religion and rituals​

• Patronized sacrificial ceremonies:

  • Maukharis of Badvā (Kotāh State) performed Trirātra sacrifices​

  • Commemorated on sacrificial pillars preserved in Kotah Museum​

• Enforced and maintained traditional social order (varna system)​

• Used sovereignty for “regulating different castes and stages of religious life”​

Buddhism

• Though Hindu rulers, Buddhism remained prominent religion​

• Several Maukhari rulers patronized Buddhism​

• Nalanda clay seals recovered prove they were patrons of this famous Buddhist university​

• Chinese Buddhist travelers Faxian and Xuanzang visited Kannauj, documenting its prosperity​

• Xuanzang described Kannauj as “large, prosperous city with many Buddhist monasteries” during Harsha’s reign​

• Religious freedom maintained – no persecution of Buddhists​

• This religious harmony contributed to cultural development​

Religious Tolerance

• Extended support to both Hinduism and Buddhism​

• Commissioned construction of temples and monasteries​

• Focus on traditional Brahmanical Hinduism while accommodating Buddhism​

• Ancient India enjoyed religious freedom and encouraged path of Dharma​

Cultural Achievements and Contributions

Art and Architecture

• Continued and promoted traditions of Gupta art​

• Developed distinct styles in temple architecture and sculpture​

• Notable for:

  • Intricate carvings​

  • Use of stone in construction​

• Architectural developments flourished during their reign (554-606 CE)​

• Construction activities supported arts and craftsmanship​

Literature and Education

• Maukhari kings were patrons of poets and writers​

• Many literary works composed during their reign​

• Sanskrit language used extensively in inscriptions​

• Contributed to preservation and promotion of Sanskrit literature​

• Education thrived under their rule​

• Scholars and poets found patronage in Maukhari court​

• Inscriptions provide valuable historical data on administration and society​

The Invention of Chess (Chaturanga)

• The game of chess (then called Chaturanga, meaning “army”) was invented during Maukhari rule in the 6th century​

• Chaturanga is Sanskrit for “having four limbs or parts” referring to four divisions of ancient Indian army:

  1. Elephantry (gaja/pil – became bishop)​

  2. Chariotry (ratha/rukh – became rook)​

  3. Cavalry (ashva/asp – became knight)​

  4. Infantry (padati/piyadak – became pawn)​

Transmission to Persia

• During reign of Sassanid Persian king Khosrow I (531-579 CE), a gift from an Indian king (possibly Maukhari King Sharvavarman of Kannauj) included the chess game​

• The game consisted of 16 pieces of emerald and 16 of ruby (green vs. red)​

• Came with a challenge which was successfully resolved by Khosrow’s courtiers​

• The Maukhari envoy challenged the Sassanid court to understand how the game was played​

• If Persians discovered how to play, Indians would pay tribute; if not, Persians would pay tribute​

• Adopted as “chatrang” (shatranj) in Sassanid Persia, which later became form of chess brought to medieval Europe​

• This incident originally referred to in “Mâdayân î chatrang” (c. 620 AD)​

• Also mentioned in Ferdowsi’s Shahnama (c. 1010 CE)​

• From Persia, chess spread westward after Islamic conquest and eventually to Europe​

Earliest References

• Banabhatta’s Harshacharita (c. 625 CE) contains earliest reference to name chaturanga​

• First known from India around seventh century AD​

• Chaturanga is considered common ancestor of modern chess, xiangqi (Chinese), janggi (Korean), shogi (Japanese), and other Asian chess variants​

Important Historical Sources and Inscriptions

Major Inscriptions

1. Asirgarh Copper Seal Inscription of Sarvavarman​

   • Provides complete genealogy of Maukhari rulers

   • Lists: Harivarman → Adityavarman → Isvaravarman → Isanavarman → Sarvavarman​

   • Mentions queens and their lineages​

2. Haraha Stone Inscription of Ishanavarman​

   • Found at Haraha in Barabanki district, Uttar Pradesh​

   • Dated Vikrama 611 (= 554 CE)​

   • One of earliest and most important Maukhari epigraphic records​

   • Mentions Ishanavarman as Maharajadhiraja​

   • Records his military victories over Andhras, Sulikas, and Gaudas​

   • Unique feature: mentions Isanavarman’s son as Suryavarman (name not found in other records)​

   • States aim to renovate temple of god Shankara (Kshemeshwara)​

3. Nalanda Clay Seals of Sarvavarman​

   • Several nearly identical seals discovered at Nalanda​

   • Small variations indicate different molds​

   • Prove Maukhari patronage of Nalanda Buddhist university​

4. Jaunpur Inscription​

   • Incomplete inscription

   • References conflict with Aulikara dynasty​

5. Barabar Caves Inscriptions​

   • Another Maukhari branch ruled as feudatories in Magadha region​

   • Inscriptions from Anantavarman located in Barabar Caves​

   • This Gaya branch likely ruled as feudatories of Later Guptas​

   • Known rulers include:

     • Nrpa Shri Yajna-varman​

     • Nrpa Samantachudamani Shri Shardula-varman​

     • Ananta-varman​

6. Barwā (Koṭā) Inscriptions​

   • Three Yūpa pillar inscriptions dated Kṛta Year 295 (c. 237 CE)​

   • Commemorate Trirātra sacrifice performed by three brothers​

   • Earliest dated Maukhari records apart from Mauryan-period seal​

Numismatic Evidence

• Silver drachmas (coins) issued by:

  • Ishanavarman (c. 535-553 CE)​

  • Sarvavarman (with dates, unique right-facing bust)​

  • Avantivarman​

• Coins are extremely rare – very few listed in coin archives​

• Coin findspots help determine extent of Maukhari dominions​

• Some coins have Brahmi legends and dates​

• Feature Garuda (fan-tailed) on reverse​

Literary Sources

1. Banabhatta’s Harshacharita (7th century)​

   • Primary source for late Maukhari period

   • Chronicles of Vardhana dynasty and their relations with Maukharis

   • Describes Avantivarman as pride of Maukhari race​

   • May have been wrong about status of early Vardhana rulers​

2. Xuanzang’s Accounts (7th century Chinese traveler)​

   • Describes Kannauj as prosperous city with many Buddhist monasteries​

   • Provides information about Shashanka and regional politics​

3. Kalhana’s Rajatarangini (12th century)​

   • Kashmiri chronicle giving different perspective

   • Depicts Yashovarman as defeated by Lalitaditya Muktapida​

Chronology of Maukhari Rulers (Kannauj Branch)