The Maukharis (or Mokharis), a very ancient family, were possibly known to Panini a Patanjali. Their antiquity is also proved by legend ‘Mokhalinam’ written in Mauryan Brah characters on a clay seal found at Gaya.
When the Maukharis became politically significant they (air called Mukhara) claimed descent from the ‘hundre sons whom king Ashvapati got from Vaivashvata’ However, it is not till the sixth century AD that w come across definite evidence of the Maukharis a a ruling power.
Yajnavarman, who probably founded this; dynasty, was succeeded by his son Shardulavarm who in turn was succeeded by his son Anantavarman. The term samanta-chudamam shows that they were feudatories of the imperial Guptas.
Another branch of the Maukharis, who Ultimutely became far more powerful, is known Hrom several seals and inscriptions. The royal seal Kves us the following genealogy:
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J A study of the coins issued by Ishanavarman shows that he ruled over territories which were once wrested by Toramana from the Guptas. He also fought with the Hunas and defeated them.
Thus he was most probably the first Maukhari king to set up an independent kingdom. At this time started a protracted struggle between the Maukharis and the Later Guptas which resulted in the downfall of the Maukharis.
Ishanavarman was followed by at least three other rulers, Sharvavarman, Avantivarman and Grahavarman. Nothing of importance is known either of Sharvavarman or of Avantivarman.
But Avantivarman’s eldest son and successor I Grahavarman figures prominently in Bana’s I Harshacharita on account of his marriage with Rajyashri, the daughter of Prabhakarvardhana of the Pushyabhuti family of Thanesar and sister of Rajyavardhana and Harshavardhan.
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The findspots of coins and inscriptions show that Uttar Pradesh or a major part of it constituted the nucleus of the Maukhari kingdom. A portion of South Bihar, at least the Shahabad district, formed part of it for sometime.
It is generally assumed that Kanyakubja, modern Kannauj on the Ganga, was the capital city of the Maukharis. The Malava king Devagupta attacked Kannauj and killed Grahvarman bringing the Maukhari kingdom to an end.