Yashodharman of the Aulikara-Malava Dynasty – The Conqueror Who Vanquished the Huns

Yashodharman was a powerful Indian ruler from the Aulikara-Malava dynasty, who reigned in the early 6th century CE from his capital at Dashapura (modern Mandsaur, Madhya Pradesh). He is best known for his victory over the Huna invader Mihirakula, one of the fiercest enemies of ancient India. This triumph restored Indian sovereignty after years of Huna domination and made Yashodharman one of the greatest monarchs of post-Gupta India.

L. F. Kieflhorn quotes the 6th line of Mandsor Inscription:

He (Yasodharman) to whose two feet respect was paid, with complimentary presents of the flowers from the lock of hair on the top of (his) head, by even that (famous) king Mihirakula, whose forehead was pained through being bent low down by the strength of (his) arm in (the act of compelling) obeisance

Under Yashodharman’s rule, the Malava kingdom rose to imperial status, extending its influence across northern India—from the Arabian Sea in the west to the Bay of Bengal in the east. His Mandsaur inscriptions proudly proclaim his conquests and describe him as a ruler before whom even mighty kings bowed.

Yashodharman’s reign symbolizes the revival of Indian unity, culture, and political strength after the decline of the Gupta Empire. His legacy stands as a testament to the resilience of Indian civilization against foreign invasions.

The Aulikaras – Ancient Malava Dynasty and Forebears of the Parmar Rajputs

The Aulikaras were a distinguished dynasty of the Malava people, who ruled over the historic region of Malwa (in present-day Madhya Pradesh) between the 4th and 6th centuries CE. They are known from inscriptions found at Dashapura (modern Mandsaur), which served as their capital. The Aulikara lineage is divided into two successive dynasties. The First Aulikara Dynasty included kings such as Jayavarma, Simhavarma, Naravarma, Vishvavarma, and Bandhuvarma, who initially ruled as feudatories under the Guptas. The Second Aulikara Dynasty, emerging around the early 6th century CE, rose to imperial prominence under powerful rulers like Prakashadharma and Yashodharman.

King Prakashadharma is celebrated for his victory over the Huna ruler Toramana, which restored stability to central India after years of foreign invasions. His successor, Yashodharman, later achieved lasting fame by defeating Mihirakula, Toramana’s son, and briefly uniting much of northern India under Malava rule. The Aulikaras, as guardians of Malava’s sovereignty and culture, laid the foundation for later dynasties such as the Parmar Rajputs, who are regarded as the modern descendants and representatives of the ancient Malavas. Their legacy reflects a proud lineage of valor, statecraft, and devotion to the cultural revival of post-Gupta India.