Aulikara dynasty
Also called: Aulikaras · Topic: Gupta Empire and the Classical Age · NCERT: Class 7, Ch 3 "Empires and Kingdoms: 6th to 10th Centuries"
Meaning
The Aulikaras were a ruling family of Malwa in central India. Their capital was Dashapura, now Mandsaur in Madhya Pradesh. They held power in c. 5th–6th century CE, first under the Guptas and later on their own. Their most famous king, Yashodharman, defeated the Huna ruler Mihirakula around c. 528 CE. This broke Huna power in central India. It also showed that strong regional rulers were taking the place of the weakening Guptas.
Example
Yashodharman's Mandsaur pillar inscriptions (c. 6th century CE) boast that Mihirakula had to bow before him. They also claim he ruled lands that even the Guptas had never held.
Don't confuse with
- Mandsaur silk weavers' inscription (473 CE): it also comes from Dashapura. But it records a guild of silk weavers who moved there from Lata (Gujarat). It is not about Yashodharman's victories.
Related concepts
- Hunas
- Skandagupta
- Bhitari pillar inscription
- Eran inscription of Bhanugupta
- Mihirakula
- Song Yun
- Yashodharman
- Decline of the Guptas
- Valabhi