MINOR POST GUPTA EMPIRES

(Only prominent kingdoms that existed between Gupta and Harsha rule are included.)

WHY IN NEWS?

The Hindu: Expo of rare gupta coins held in mysore

MAUKHARIS

Earlier vassals of Guptas, later established their independence around middle of 6^th century (550 AD) and ruled over present day Ganga Yamuna doab with capital at Kanyakbhuja.

LATER GUPTAS

They succeeded the imperial Guptas and ruled over a small territory comprising eastern Bihar between 550- 675 AD.

Later ruled as vassals of Harsha

MAITRAKAS OF VALLABHI

Was initially under the imperial Guptas, but asserted their independence in Gujarat after their decline with capital at Vallabhi (475-775 AD)

Maitrakas set up a Vallabhi University . They came under the rule of Harṣa of Vardhana dynasty in the mid-seventh century, but retained local autonomy, and regained their independence after Harṣa’s death.

PUSHYABUTIS OF THANESWAR

Also known as Vardhana dynasty, founded in the 6^th cy(500 AD) with their capital at Thaneswar, the

Dynasty reached its zenith under Harsha ( 606 -647) who  covered much of north and north-western India, extending till Kamarupa in the east and Narmada River in the south.

PRATIHARAS/ GURJARAS OF RAJPUTANA AND GUJARAT / MANDOR

(Not the same as Gurjara Pratiharas who ruled between between mid 750 to 11^th cy)

They ruled parts of Rajputana between 550 -800s

Their 1^st capital was at Mandore (Rajasthan)

AULIKARAS

A short lived dynasty that ruled parts of Malwa. Was established after Yashodavarman defeated the Huna king Mihirakula in 528.

Under its peak it ruled over Northern India and parts of Deccan during the reign of Yashodavarman, but the kingdom disintegrated after his death.

EASTERN INDIA

VARMAN DYNASTY OF KAMARUPA  (350-650)

1^st historical kingdom of Assam. Established in 350 AD by Pushyavarman a contemporary of Samudragupta.

Capital: Pragyajyotishpura

Famous ruler Bhaskaravarman formed alliance with Harsha against the neighbouring Gauda kingdom in Bengal

GAUDA/ SHASHANKA OF BENGAL

Comprised northern and north western Bengal. (4^th cy -7^th cy)

Most famous ruler was Shashanka who was the arch rival of Harsha.

After Shashanka’s death, the kingdom was divided between Harsha and Kamarupa.

SOUTH INDIA

EARLY KALACHURIS OF MAHISMATI

Between 550-675

They succeeded the Vakataka dynasty during gupta times and were later succeeded by Chalukyas of Badami (defeated by Pulikeshin II)

Capital: Mahismati on the banks of Narmada.

CHALUKYAS OF BADAMI

Established in 543 by Pulikeshin 1. Was succceded by Rashtrakutas in 753.

Pulikeshin II captured the Kadamba, Early Kalachuri and Vishnukundin Kingdoms (appointed his brother Vishnivardhana as the head, which gave rise to the Chalukyas of Vengi/ Eastern Chalukyas)

PALLAVAS

Prominent period 574-900 began with Simhavishnu who overthrew Kalabhras from south India and established Palllava kindom with capital at Kanchi.

Prominent Kings

 Mahendravarman I (600–630 CE) and Narasimhavarman I (630–668 CE),

Finally defeated by Aditya Chola 1 in 897 AD

 MEDEIVAL PANDYAS (6^TH -9^TH CE)

The Pandyan king overthrew the Kalabhras revolt in south India in 590s and dominated regions of southern Tamil Nadu between 6^th -9^th CE.

Their emprire was destablished by Chola king Parantaka 1 (873-955) who captured Madurai from them.

(Focus on kingdoms, their regions and their contemporaries)