POST GUPTA ERA 

Major Dynasties in Ancient India

Hunas (454 AD)

• The Hunas were a nomadic group from Central Asia who invaded India.
• They first tried to enter India during the reign of Kumaragupta, but they were stopped by Kumaragupta and Skandagupta.
• Although they managed to enter India, they only ruled for about 30 years.
• The Hunas became dominant in North India.
• Toramana was their most important ruler, while Mihirakula was the most powerful and influential.
• The Hunas defeated Firoz, the king of Persia, and took control of Persia.
• Initially, they were tributary chiefs under the Guptas, but they later established their own independent kingdom in Western India.

Maitrakas

• The most important ruler of this dynasty was Dhruvasena II, who ruled during the time of Harshavardhana.
• Their capital was Vallabhi, which became a major center for learning.
• Vallabhi was also a port town, which helped boost trade and commerce.
• They ruled until the mid-8th century but were eventually weakened by Arab invasions.

Maukharis

• The Maukharis controlled the Kanauj region (Western Uttar Pradesh) and later conquered parts of Magadha.
• Over time, they defeated the later Guptas and forced them to retreat to Malwa.

Mukhari Dynasty

• They were originally subordinate rulers under the Gupta Empire.
• Harshavardhana’s sister, Rajyashri, was married to Griha Verma, a ruler of the Mukhari dynasty.
• However, Sashanka (ruler of Bengal) and Dev Gupta (a later Gupta ruler) attacked and killed Griha Verma.
• Eventually, the Kingdom of Kannauj merged with the Pushyabhuti dynasty, ruled by Harshavardhana.