Kannauj: Difference between revisions

What links here Related changes Page information Get shortened URL
Created by Arjayay
Last edited March 18, 2026
← Older edit
VisualWikitext
UpdateBot (talk | contribs)
Bots
22,126 edits
m robot: Update article
Imteenu (talk | contribs)
20 edits
General improvements to article content
 
(One intermediate revision by one other user not shown)
Line 3: Line 3:
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2015}}
{{Infobox settlement
{{Infobox settlement
| name                   = Kannauj
| name                     = Kannauj
| native_name             =  
| native_name             =  
| native_name_lang       =  
| native_name_lang         =  
| settlement_type         = City
| settlement_type         = City
| image_skyline           = Goddess Annapurna Temple ,tirwa town,stateUttar Pradesh.jpg| image_alt               =  
| image_skyline           = Goddess Annapurna Temple ,tirwa town,stateUttar Pradesh.jpg
| image_caption           = Annapurna Temple in Tirwa, Kannauj
| image_alt               =  
| nickname               = ''Perfume Capital of India''
| image_caption           = Annapurna temple in Kannauj, [[Uttar Pradesh]]
| map_alt                 =  
| nickname                 = ''Perfume Capital of India''
| map_caption             =  
| map_alt                 =  
| pushpin_map             = India#India Uttar Pradesh
| map_caption             =  
| pushpin_relief         = yes
| pushpin_map             = India#India Uttar Pradesh
| pushpin_label_position = right
| pushpin_relief           = Yes
| pushpin_map_alt         =  
| pushpin_label_position   = right
| pushpin_map_caption     =  
| pushpin_map_alt         =  
| coordinates             = {{coord|27.07|N|79.92|E|display=inline,title}}
| pushpin_map_caption     =  
| subdivision_type       = Country
| coordinates             = {{coord|27.07|N|79.92|E|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_name       = {{flag|India}}
| subdivision_type         = Country
| subdivision_type1       = [[States and territories of India|State]]
| subdivision_name         = {{flag|India}}
| subdivision_type2       = [[List of districts of India|District]]
| subdivision_type1       = [[States and territories of India|State]]
| subdivision_name1       = [[Uttar Pradesh]]
| subdivision_type2       = [[List of districts of India|District]]
| subdivision_name2       = [[Kannauj district|Kannauj]]
| subdivision_name1       = [[Uttar Pradesh]]
| established_title       = <!-- Established -->
| subdivision_name2       = [[Kannauj district|Kannauj]]
| established_date       =  
| established_title       = <!-- Established -->
| founder                 =  
| established_date         =  
| named_for               =  
| founder                 =  
| government_type         =  
| named_for               =  
| governing_body         =  
| government_type         =  
| unit_pref               = Metric
| governing_body           =  
| area_footnotes         =  
| unit_pref               = METRIC
| area_total_km2         =
| leader_title          = [[Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha|Lok Sabha MP]]
| area_rank               =  
| leader_name            = [[Akhilesh Yadav]] ([[Samajwadi Party|SP]])
| elevation_footnotes     =  
| area_footnotes           =  
| elevation_m             = 139
| area_total_km2           =  
| population_total       = 84,862
| area_rank               =  
| elevation_footnotes     =  
| elevation_m             = 139
| population_total         = 84,862
| population_as_of        = 2011
| population_footnotes    =
| population_density_km2  = AUTO
| population_rank          =
| population_demonym      = Kannauji, Kannaujwale
| demographics_type1      = Languages
| demographics1_title1    = Official
| demographics1_title2    = Regional
| timezone1                = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset1              = +5:30
| postal_code_type        = <!-- [[Postal Index Number|PIN]] -->
| postal_code              = 209725
| registration_plate      = UP-74
<!-- unsupported | Colleges and Universities = [[Government Medical College, Kannauj]], [[Government Engineering College, Kannauj]] -->| website                  = {{URL|www.kannauj.nic.in}}
| footnotes                =
| demographics1_info1      = [[Hindi language|Hindi]]
| demographics1_info2      = [[Kannauji language|Kannauji]]
}}
'''Kannauj''' ([[Hindustani language|Hindustani]] pronunciation: {{IPA|hi|kənːɔːd͡ʒ|}}) is an ancient city, administrative headquarters and a [[municipal board]] or [[Nagar palika|Nagar Palika Parishad]] in [[Kannauj district]] in the [[India]]n [[States and territories of India|state]] of [[Uttar Pradesh]]. It is located 113&nbsp;km (71&nbsp;mi) from [[Etawah]], 93&nbsp;km (58&nbsp;mi)
from [[Kanpur]], 129&nbsp;km (81&nbsp;mi) from [[Lucknow]].
The city's name is an evolved form of the classical name ''Kanyakubja''.<ref>{{cite book|title=History of Kanauj: To the Moslem Conquest|author=Rama Shankar Tripathi|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass Publ|year=1989|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2Tnh2QjGhMQC&pg=PA2|page=2|isbn=978-81-208-0404-3|access-date=15 November 2015|archive-date=8 March 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240308060513/https://books.google.com/books?id=2Tnh2QjGhMQC&pg=PA2#v=onepage&q&f=false|url-status=live}}</ref> During the ancient [[Vedic period]], it was the capital city of the [[Pañcāla|Panchala Kingdom]] during the reign of king Vajrayudha.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-gJDAAAAYAAJ |title=Uttar Pradesh District Gazetteers: Farrukhabad. 39. Ballia|page=29|date=1988|publisher=Government of Uttar Pradesh}}</ref> In the medieval era, it formed the core of the Kingdom of Kannauj and was ruled by multiple successive royal families.


| population_as_of        = 2011
It was also known as ''Mahodaya'' during the time of [[Mihira Bhoja]].<ref>{{Cite web|url = https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/blogs/sanjeev-singh-blog/why-gurjara-is-not-gujjar-a-historical-perspective/|title = Why Gurjara is not Gujjar: A historical perspective|website = [[The Times of India]]|date = 7 August 2021|access-date = 9 August 2021|archive-date = 9 August 2021|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210809112734/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/blogs/sanjeev-singh-blog/why-gurjara-is-not-gujjar-a-historical-perspective/|url-status = live}}</ref> It is situated 104 kilometres west of the state capital,[[Lucknow]].
| population_footnotes    =
| population_density_km2  = auto
| population_rank        =
| population_demonym      = Kannauji, Kannaujwale
| demographics_type1      = Languages
| demographics1_title1    = Official
| timezone1              = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset1            = +5:30
| postal_code_type        = <!-- [[Postal Index Number|PIN]] -->
| postal_code            = 209725
| registration_plate      = UP-74
<!-- unsupported | Colleges and Universities = [[Government Medical College, Kannauj]], [[Government Engineering College, Kannauj]] -->
| website                = {{URL|www.kannauj.nic.in}}
| footnotes              =
| demographics1_info1    = [[Hindi language|Hindi, Urdu]]
}}
'''Kannauj''' ([[Hindustani language|Hindustani]] pronunciation: [[Help:IPA/Hindi and Urdu|[kənːɔːd͡ʒ]]]) is a city, administrative headquarters and a [[municipal board]] or [[Nagar palika|Nagar Palika Parishad]] in [[Kannauj district]] in the [[India]]n [[States and territories of India|state]] of [[Uttar Pradesh]]. The city's name is a modern form of the classical name ''Kanyakubja''.<ref>{{cite book|title=History of Kanauj: To the Moslem Conquest|author=Rama Shankar Tripathi|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass Publ|year=1989|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2Tnh2QjGhMQC&pg=PA2|page=2|isbn=978-81-208-0404-3}}</ref> It was also known as ''Mahodaya'' during the time of [[Mihira Bhoja]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/blogs/sanjeev-singh-blog/why-gurjara-is-not-gujjar-a-historical-perspective/|title = Why Gurjara is not Gujjar: A historical perspective|date = 7 August 2021}}</ref>


Kannauj is an ancient city. It is said that the [[Kanyakubja Brahmin]]s who included [[Shandilya]] (teacher of Rishi [[Bharadwaja]]) were held one of the three prominent families originally from Kannauj.<ref name="US_2008">{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=H3lUIIYxWkEC&pg=PA381 |title=A History of Ancient and Early Medieval India |author=Upinder Singh |publisher=Pearson Education India |year=2008 |isbn=9788131711200 |page=575 }}</ref>
Kannauj is famous for distilling of scents and [[Perfume|perfumes]]. It is known as "India's perfume capital" and is famous for its traditional [[Kannauj Perfume]], a government protected entity. This industry is threatened by the rise of perfumes made from chemicals, rather than using attar, made from the petals of flowers grown in this area.<ref name=perfume>{{cite news |url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/feat/archives/2012/09/20/2003543194 |title=Life: India's perfume capital threatened by scent of modernity |date=20 September 2012 |newspaper=The Taipei Times |access-date=10 February 2016 |archive-date=17 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160317085143/http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/feat/archives/2012/09/20/2003543194 |url-status=live }}</ref>


In [[Classical India]], it served as the center of imperial Indian dynasties. The earliest of these was the [[Maukhari dynasty]], and later, Emperor [[Harsha]] of the [[Vardhana dynasty]].<ref name="Tripathi, p.192">Tripathi, ''History of Kanauj'', p.192</ref> The city later came under the [[Gahadavala|Gahadavala dynasty]], and under the rule of [[Govindachandra (Gahadavala dynasty)|Govindachandra]], the city reached "unprecedented glory". Kannauj was also the main place of war in the [[Tripartite struggle]] between the [[Gurjara-Pratihara]], the [[Pala Empire|Palas]] and the [[Rashtrakuta Empire|Rashtrakutas]].
==History==
{{see also|Kingdom of Kannauj}}


However, the "glory of Imperial Kannauj" ended with conquests of the [[Delhi Sultanate]].<ref name=Sen/>
===Early history===
Archaeological discoveries show that Kannauj was inhabited by the [[Painted Grey Ware]] and [[Northern Black Polished Ware]] cultures,<ref>Dilip K. Chakrabarti (2007), ''Archaeological geography of the Ganga plain: the upper Ganga (Oudh, Rohilkhand, and the Doab)'', p.47</ref> {{Circa|1200}}–600 BCE and {{Circa|700}}–200 BCE, respectively. During the [[Vedic period]], it was the capital city of the [[Pañcāla|Panchala Kingdom]] during the reign of king Vajrayudha.<ref>{{Cite book |first=Gurcharn|last=Singh Sandhu|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0yXcAAAAMAAJ |title=A Military History of Ancient India|page=164|date=2000|publisher=Vision Books}}</ref>


Kannauj is famous for distilling of scents. It is known as ''India’s perfume capital'' and is famous for its traditional [[Kannauj Perfume]], a government protected entity,<ref name=perfume>{{cite web | url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/feat/archives/2012/09/20/2003543194 | title=Life: India's perfume capital threatened by scent of modernity | date=20 September 2012 | publisher=The Taipei Times | access-date=10 February 2016}}</ref>
[[File:Varma - Vishvamitra Meditation.jpg|thumb|Illustration of [[Vishvamitra]], a legendary [[Rigveda|Rigvedic]] sage and ruler of Kanyakubja]]


Kannauj itself has more than 200 perfume distilleries and is a market center for perfume, tobacco and rose water.<ref name=perfume/> It has given its name to a distinct dialect of the [[Hindustani language|Hindustani]] known as [[Kanauji language|Kanauji]], which has two different codes or registers.
Under the names of Kuśasthala and Kanyakubja, it is mentioned as a well-known town in the Hindu epics, the [[Mahabharata]] and the [[Ramayana]], and by the grammarian [[Mahābhāṣya|Patanjali]] ({{Circa|150 BCE}}).<ref>Rama S. Tripathi, ''History of Kanauj: To the Moslem Conquest'' (Motilal Banarsidass, 1964), pp.2,15-16</ref> Also according to the Hindu epics, Kannauj or Kanyakubja was the capital of [[Amavasu dynasty|Amavasu]] the son of [[Pururavas]] and an ancestor of Rigvedic sage [[Vishwamitra]].<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UxFuAAAAMAAJ |title=Uttar Pradesh District Gazetteers: Farrukhabad|pages=21, 22|date=1988|publisher=Government of Uttar Pradesh}}</ref>


==History==
The [[Pali Canon|early Buddhist literature]] mentions Kannauj as Kannakujja, and refers to its location on the trade route from [[Mathura]] to [[Varanasi]] and [[Rajgir]].<ref>Moti Chandra (1977), ''Trade Routes in Ancient India'' pp.16-18</ref>
=== Early history ===
Archaeological discoveries show that Kannauj was inhabited by the [[Painted Grey Ware]] and [[Northern Black Polished Ware]] cultures,<ref>Dilip K. Chakrabarti (2007), ''Archaeological geography of the Ganga plain: the upper Ganga (Oudh, Rohilkhand, and the Doab)'', p.47</ref> ca. 1200-600 BCE and ca. 700-200 BCE, respectively. Under the names of Kuśasthala and Kanyakubja, it is mentioned as a well-known town in the Hindu Epics, the [[Mahabharata]] and the [[Ramayana]], and by the grammarian [[Mahābhāṣya|Patanjali]] (ca. 150 BCE).<ref>Rama S. Tripathi, ''History of Kanauj: To the Moslem Conquest'' (Motilal Banarsidass, 1964), pp.2,15-16</ref> The [[Pali Canon|early Buddhist literature]] mentions Kannauj as Kannakujja, and refers to its location on the trade route from [[Mathura]] to [[Varanasi]] and [[Rajgir]].<ref>Moti Chandra (1977), ''Trade Routes in Ancient India'' pp.16-18</ref>


Kannauj may have been known to the Greco-Roman civilization under the name of Kanagora or Kanogiza, which appears in ''Geography'' by [[Ptolemy]] (ca. 140 CE), but this identification is not confirmed. It was also visited by the Chinese Buddhist travellers [[Faxian]] and [[Xuanzang]] in the fifth and seventh centuries CE, respectively.<ref>Tripathi, ''History of Kanauj'', pp.17-19</ref>
Kannauj may have been known to the Greco-Roman civilization under the name of Kanagoja or Kanogiza, which appears in ''Geography'' by [[Ptolemy]] ({{Circa|140 CE}}). It was also visited by the Chinese Buddhist travellers [[Faxian]] and [[Xuanzang]] in the fifth and seventh centuries CE, respectively.<ref>Tripathi, ''History of Kanauj'', pp. 17-19</ref>


[[File:Maukharis of Kanauj. Isanavarman. Circa AD 535-553.jpg|thumb|250px|Coin of the [[Maukhari]]s of Kannauj under Maharaja Isanavarman, circa 535-553 CE.]]
[[File:Maukharis of Kanauj. Isanavarman. Circa AD 535-553.jpg|thumb|Coin of the [[Maukhari]]s of Kannauj under Maharaja Isanavarman, circa 535-553 CE]]
[[File:Harshavardhana Circa AD 606-647.jpg|thumb|250px|Coin of [[Harsha|Emperor Harsha]] of the [[Vardhana dynasty]], circa 606–647 CE.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cngcoins.com/Coin.aspx?CoinID=261204|title=CNG: eAuction 329. INDIA, Post-Gupta (Ganges Valley). Vardhanas of Thanesar and Kanauj. Harshavardhana. Circa AD 606-647. AR Drachm (13mm, 2.28 g, 1h).|website=www.cngcoins.com}}</ref>]]
[[File:Harshavardhana Circa AD 606-647.jpg|thumb|Coin of [[Harsha|Emperor Harsha]] of the [[Vardhana dynasty]], circa 606–647 CE<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cngcoins.com/Coin.aspx?CoinID=261204|title=CNG: eAuction 329. INDIA, Post-Gupta (Ganges Valley). Vardhanas of Thanesar and Kanauj. Harshavardhana. Circa AD 606-647. AR Drachm (13mm, 2.28 g, 1h).|website=www.cngcoins.com|access-date=3 January 2019|archive-date=2 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190502151716/https://www.cngcoins.com/Coin.aspx?CoinID=261204|url-status=live}}</ref>]]
Kannauj formed part of the [[Gupta Empire]]. During the decline of the Gupta Empire in the 6th century, the [[Maukhari dynasty]] of Kannauj - who had served as vassal rulers under the Guptas - took advantage of the weakening of central authority, broke away and established control over large areas of northern India.<ref>Tripathi, ''History of Kanauj'', pp.22-24</ref>
[[File:Coinage of Yasovarman.jpg|thumb|Coinage of [[Varman dynasty (Kannauj)|Varman dynasty]] of Kannauj]]
[[File:Govindchandra.jpg|thumb|A [[Kalachuris of Tripuri|Kalachuri]]-style 'seated goddess' coin of [[Gahadavala dynasty]] of Kannauj (r. c. 1114-1155 CE)]]


Under the Maukharis, Kannauj continued to grow in importance and prosperity. It became the greatest city of Northern India under Emperor [[Harsha]] (r. 606 to 647 CE) of the [[Vardhana dynasty]], who conquered it and made it his capital.<ref>Tripathi, ''History of Kanauj'', p.147</ref><ref>James Heitzman, ''The City in South Asia'' (Routledge, 2008), p.36</ref> Chinese pilgrim [[Xuanzang]] visited India during the reign of Harsha, and described Kannauj as a large, prosperous city with many Buddhist monasteries.<ref>Heizman, ''The City in South Asia'', pp.36-37</ref> Harsha died with no heir, resulting in a power vacuum until Maharaja [[Yashovarman]] seized power as the ruler of Kannauj.<ref name="Tripathi, p.192"/>
During the decline of the Gupta Empire in the 6th century, the [[Maukhari dynasty]] of Kannauj – who had served as vassal rulers under the Guptas - took advantage of the weakening of central authority, broke away and established control over large areas of northern India.<ref>Tripathi, ''History of Kanauj'', pp. 22-24</ref>


=== The Kannauj Triangle ===
Under the Maukharis, Kannauj continued to grow in importance and prosperity. It became the greatest city of Northern India under Emperor [[Harsha]] (r. 606 to 647 CE) of the [[Vardhana dynasty]], who made it his capital.<ref>Tripathi, ''History of Kanauj'', p. 147</ref><ref>James Heitzman, ''The City in South Asia'' (Routledge, 2008), p.36</ref> Chinese pilgrim [[Xuanzang]] visited India during the reign of Harsha, and described Kannauj as a large, prosperous city with many Buddhist monasteries.<ref>Heizman, ''The City in South Asia'', pp.36-37</ref> Harsha died with no heir, resulting in a power vacuum until Maharaja [[Yashovarman]] seized power as the ruler of Kannauj.<ref name="Tripathi, p. 192"/>
{{anchor | TKT | | Triangle | Kannauj triangle  | Kannauj Triangle  | The Kannauj triangle | The Kannauj Triangle }}
{{see also | Roopkund#Jasdhaval | l1= Raja Jasdhaval at Roopkund }}


These wars took place from late 8th to early 9th century CE, after which Gurjara Pratiharas retain control of Ujjain.  
===The Kannauj Triangle===
{{main|Tripartite Struggle}}
Kannauj became a focal point for three powerful dynasties, namely the [[Gurjara Pratihara]]s (r. 730-1036 CE), [[Pala Empire|Palas]] (r. 750-1162 CE) and [[Rashtrakuta]]s (r. 753-982 CE), between the 8th and 10th centuries. The conflict between the three dynasties has been referred to as the [[Tripartite struggle]] by many historians.<ref name="Kannauj">{{cite book|title=Pratiyogita Darpan|publisher=Upkar Prakashan|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=K7ZZzk8cXh8C&pg=PA9|page=9|access-date=15 November 2015|archive-date=8 March 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240308060314/https://books.google.com/books?id=K7ZZzk8cXh8C&pg=PA9|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="R. C. Majumdar">{{cite book|title=Ancient India|author=R.C. Majumdar|author-link=R.C. Majumdar|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass|year=1994|pages=282–285|isbn=978-81-208-0436-4|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XNxiN5tzKOgC&pg=PA282}}</ref>


Kannauj became a focal point for three powerful dynasties, namely the [[Gurjara Pratihara]]s (r. 730-1036 CE), [[Pala Empire|Palas]] (r. 750-1162 CE) and [[Rashtrakuta]]s (r. 753-982 CE), between the 8th and 10th centuries. The conflict between the three dynasties has been referred to as the [[Tripartite struggle]] by many historians.<ref name="Kannauj">{{cite book|title=Pratiyogita Darpan|publisher=Upkar Prakashan|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=K7ZZzk8cXh8C&pg=PA9|page=9}}</ref><ref name="R. C. Majumdar">{{cite book|title=Ancient India|author=R.C. Majumdar|author-link=R.C. Majumdar|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass|year=1994|pages=282–285|isbn=978-81-208-0436-4|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XNxiN5tzKOgC&pg=PA282}}</ref>
[[File:Indian Kanauj triangle map.svg|thumb|left|The Kannauj was the focal point of three [[empire]]s: the [[Rashtrakuta]]s of [[Deccan Plateau|Deccan]], the Gurjara Pratiharas of [[Malwa]], and the [[Pala Empire|Palas]] of [[Bengal]].]]


[[File:Indian Kanauj triangle map.svg|thumb|left|100px|The [[Kanauj]] was the focal point of three [[empire]]s: the [[Rashtrakuta]]s of [[Deccan Plateau|Deccan]], the Gurjara Pratiharas of [[Malwa]], and the [[Pala Empire|Palas]] of [[Bengal]].]]
There were initial struggles but ultimately the Gurjara Pratiharas succeeded in retaining the city.<ref name="Kannauj" /> The Gurjara-Pratiharas ruled [[Avanti (India)|Avanti]] (based at [[Ujjain]]), which was bounded to the South by the Rashtrakuta Empire, and the Pala Empire to the East. The Tripartite struggle began with the defeat of Indrayudh at the hands of Gurjara-Pratihara ruler [[Vatsraja|Vatsaraja]] (r. 780-800 CE).<ref name="Kannauj" /> The Pala ruler [[Dharmapala (emperor)|Dharampala]] (~770-821 CE) was also keen to establish his authority at Kannauj, giving rise to a struggle between Vatsaraja and Dharmapala, in which Dharmapala was defeated.<ref>{{cite book|title=Compendium General Knowledge|author=Kumar Sundram|publisher=Upkar Prakashan|year=2007|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7XliTyOXI5kC&pg=PA195|page=195|isbn=978-81-7482-181-2|access-date=15 November 2015|archive-date=8 March 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240308060348/https://books.google.com/books?id=7XliTyOXI5kC&pg=PA195|url-status=live}}</ref> Taking advantage of the chaos, the Rastrakuta ruler [[Dhruva Dharavarsha]] (r. 780–793 CE) surged northwards, defeated Vatsaraja, and took Kannauj for himself, completing the furthest northern expansion by a South Indian ruler.<ref name="R. C. Majumdar" /><ref>{{cite book|title=Pratiyogita Darpan|publisher=Upkar Prakashan|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=K7ZZzk8cXh8C&pg=PA7|access-date=15 November 2015|archive-date=8 March 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240308060250/https://books.google.com/books?id=K7ZZzk8cXh8C&pg=PA7|url-status=live}}</ref>
There were initial struggles but ultimately the Gurjara Pratiharas succeeded in retaining the city.<ref name="Kannauj" /> The Gurjara-Pratiharas ruled [[Avanti (India)|Avanti]] (based at [[Ujjain]]), which was bounded to the South by the Rashtrakuta Empire, and the Pala Empire to the East. The Tripartite struggle began with the defeat of Indrayudh at the hands of Gurjara-Pratihara ruler [[Vatsraja|Vatsaraja]] (r. 780-800 CE).<ref name="Kannauj" /> The Pala ruler [[Dharmapala (emperor)|Dharampala]] (~770-821 CE) was also keen to establish his authority at Kannauj, giving rise to a struggle between Vatsaraja and Dharmapala, in which Dharmapala was defeated.<ref>{{cite book|title=Compendium General Knowledge|author=Kumar Sundram|publisher=Upkar Prakashan|year=2007|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7XliTyOXI5kC&pg=PA195|page=195|isbn=978-81-7482-181-2}}</ref> Taking advantage of the chaos, the Rastrakuta ruler [[Dhruva Dharavarsha]] (r. 780–793 CE) surged northwards, defeated Vatsaraja, and took Kannauj for himself, completing the furthest northern expansion by a South Indian ruler.<ref name="R. C. Majumdar" /><ref>{{cite book|title=Pratiyogita Darpan|publisher=Upkar Prakashan|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=K7ZZzk8cXh8C&pg=PA7}}</ref>


When the Rashtrakuta ruler Dhruva Dharavarsha advanced back to the south, Dharampala was left in control of Kannauj for some time. The struggle between the two northern dynasties of Palas and Gurjara Pratiharas continued: the Pala's vassal [[Dharmapala_(emperor)#Chakrayudha|Chakrayudha]] (Dharmapala's nominee for Ujjain) was defeated by the Pratihara [[Nagabhata II]] (r. 805–833 CE), and Kannauj was again occupied by the Gurjara Pratiharas. Dharmapala tried to take control of Kannauj but was defeated badly at [[Munger_Fort#Etymology|Moongher]] by the Gurjara Pratiharas.<ref name="Kannauj" /> However, Nagabhata II was in turn soon defeated by the [[Rashtrakuta]] [[Govinda III]] (r. 793–814 CE) , who had initiated a second northern surge. An inscription states that Chakrayudha and Dharmapala invited Govinda III to war against the Gurjara Pratiharas, but Dharmapala and Chakrayudh both submitted to the Govinda III, in order to win his sympathy. After this defeat, Pratihara power degenerated for some time. After the death of Dharampala, Nagabhata II regained hold over Kannuaj and made it the capital of the Gurjara Pratihara Empire. During this period, the Rashtrakutas were facing some internal conflicts, and so they, as well as the Pala Empire, did not contest this.<ref name="Kannauj" /> Thus Gurjara Pratiharas became the greatest power in Northern India after occupying Kannauj (9th century CE).<ref name="Kannauj" />
When the Rashtrakuta ruler Dhruva Dharavarsha advanced back to the south, Dharampala was left in control of Kannauj for some time. The struggle between the two northern dynasties of Palas and Gurjara Pratiharas continued: the Pala's vassal [[Dharmapala (emperor)#Chakrayudha|Chakrayudha]] (Dharmapala's nominee for Ujjain) was defeated by the Pratihara [[Nagabhata II]] (r. 805–833 CE), and Kannauj was again occupied by the Gurjara Pratiharas. Dharmapala tried to take control of Kannauj but was defeated badly at [[Munger Fort#Etymology|Moongher]] by the Gurjara Pratiharas.<ref name="Kannauj" /> However, Nagabhata II was in turn soon defeated by the [[Rashtrakuta]] [[Govinda III]] (r. 793–814 CE), who had initiated a second northern surge. An inscription states that Chakrayudha and Dharmapala invited Govinda III to war against the Gurjara Pratiharas, but Dharmapala and Chakrayudh both submitted to the Govinda III, in order to win his sympathy. After this defeat, Pratihara power degenerated for some time. After the death of Dharampala, Nagabhata II regained hold over Kannuaj and made it the capital of the Gurjara Pratihara Empire. During this period, the Rashtrakutas were facing some internal conflicts, and so they, as well as the Pala Empire, did not contest this.<ref name="Kannauj" /> Thus Gurjara Pratiharas became the greatest power in Northern India after occupying Kannauj (9th century CE).<ref name="Kannauj" />


===Medieval times===
===Medieval times===
Famous Pir-e-Kamil, Hazrat Pir Shah Jewna Al-Naqvi Al-Bokhari was also born in Kannauj in 1493 in the reign of King Sikandar Lodi. He was a descendant of [[Jalaluddin Surkh-Posh Bukhari]] and his father Syed Sadar-ud-din Shah Kabeer Naqvi Al Bukhari was a great saint and was also among the advisors of King Sikandar Lodhi. [[Shah Jewna]] migrated to [[Shah Jeewna]] (a town named after him) now in Pakistan. Shah Jewna’s colonized towns in Kannauj :- Siray- e-Miraan, Bibiyaan Jalalpur, Makhdoom Pur, Laal Pur (associated with the name of Saint Sayyed Jalaluddin Haider Surkh Posh Bukhari or Laal Bukhari). His descendants  still present in various  parts of India and Pakistan.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Pir-e-Kamil Hazrat Pir Shah Jewna Al-Naqvi Al-Bokhari|url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/469327-pir-e-kamil-hazrat-pir-shah-jewna-al-naqvi-al-bokhari|access-date=2021-01-01|website=www.thenews.com.pk|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2012-05-09|title=Hazrat Pir Shah Jewna (RA)|url=https://nation.com.pk/10-May-2012/hazrat-pir-shah-jewna-ra|access-date=2021-01-01|website=The Nation|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Indian Journal Of Archaeology|url=http://ijarch.org/CurrentIssue.aspx|access-date=2021-01-01|website=ijarch.org}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Nazaria-i-Pakistan Trust|url=http://nazariapak.info/Sufism/Pir-Shah-Jewna.php|access-date=2021-01-01|website=nazariapak.info}}</ref>
[[File:A panel depicting the Saptamatrikas , Kannauj,9th-10 century, Pratihara dynasty.jpg|thumb|A panel depicting the Saptamatrikas, Kannauj, 9th-10th century]]
 
In [[Golden Age of India|Classical India]], it served as the center of imperial Indian dynasties. The earliest of these was the [[Maukhari dynasty]], and later, Emperor [[Harsha]] of the [[Vardhana dynasty]].<ref name="Tripathi, p. 192">Tripathi, ''History of Kanauj'', p. 192</ref> The city later came under the [[Gahadavala|Gahadavala dynasty]], and under the rule of [[Govindachandra (Gahadavala dynasty)|Govindachandra]], the city reached "unprecedented glory". Kannauj was also the main place of war in the [[Tripartite struggle]] between the [[Gurjara-Pratihara]], the [[Pala Empire|Palas]] and the [[Rashtrakuta Empire|Rashtrakutas]].
 
[[File:Skanda, from Kannuaj.jpg|thumb|Sculpture of Skanda, The Hindu God of War, Kannauj, 8th century]]
 
Kannauj was clearly the wealthiest city in early Medieval India at large<ref>{{Cite book |last=wink|first=Andre |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uPXvDwAAQBAJ |title=The Making of the Indo-Islamic World, C.700-1800 CE|page=42|date=2020 |publisher=Cambridge university press|language=en}}</ref> and the country all around Kannauj was called [[Āryāvarta]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Hussain jafri|first=Saiyid Zaheer |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=K4SzQL1uds4C |title=Recording the Progress of Indian History|page=148|date=2016 |publisher=Primus Books|language=en}}</ref>
It seems likely that Kannauj and Middle country was the place of origin of majority of migrating Brahmins throughout the medieval centuries.<ref>{{Cite book |first=André|last=Wink|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uPXvDwAAQBAJ |title=The Making of the Indo-Islamic World C.700-1800 CE|page=42|date=2020|publisher=E.J. Brill }}</ref>
 
[[File:019XZZ000004324U00012000(SVC2).jpg|thumb|Kannauj on the bank of the Ganges]]
 
In 1010 A.D., [[Mahmud of Ghazni]] saw Kannauj as a "City which raised its head to skies which in strength and structure might justly boast to have no equals".<ref>{{Cite book |first=Makkhan|last=Lal|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pTluAAAAMAAJ |title=Settlement History and Rise of Civilization in Ganga-Yamuna Doab, from 1500 B.C. to 300 A.D.|page=18|date=1984|publisher=B R Publishing Corporation}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-gJDAAAAYAAJ |title=Uttar Pradesh District Gazetteers: Farrukhabad. 39. Ballia|page=30|date=1988|publisher=Government of Uttar Pradesh}}</ref>


Sultan [[Mahmud of Ghazni]] captured Kanauj in 1018. [[Chandradeva]] founded the [[Gahadvala]] dynasty with its capital at Kanauj around 1090.  His grandson [[Govindachandra (Gahadavala dynasty)|Govindachandra]] "raised Kanauj to unprecedented glory." [[Muhammad Ghori]] advanced against the city, and in the [[Battle of Chandwar]] of 1193 killed [[Jayachandra]].
Sultan [[Mahmud of Ghazni]] [[Ghaznavid invasion of Kannauj|captured Kanauj]] in 1018. [[Chandradeva]] founded the [[Gahadvala]] dynasty with its capital at Kannauj around 1090.  His grandson [[Govindachandra (Gahadavala dynasty)|Govindachandra]] "raised Kannauj to unprecedented glory." [[Muhammad Ghori]] advanced against the city, and in the [[Battle of Chandwar]] of 1193 killed [[Jayachandra]].


[[Al-Biruni|Alberuni]] has referred to "Kanoj" as the key geographical point to explain marching distances to other Indian cities <ref>(India, Vol 1, from p 199 onwards, Translated by Dr Edward C. Sachau, London 1910).</ref> The "glory of Imperial Kanauj" ended with [[Iltutmish]]'s conquest.<ref name="Sen">Sen, S.N., 2013, A Textbook of Medieval Indian History, Delhi: Primus Books, {{ISBN|9789380607344}}</ref>{{rp|21,32–33}}
[[Al-Biruni|Alberuni]] has referred to "Kannoj" as the key geographical point to explain marching distances to other Indian cities.<ref>(India, Vol 1, from p 199 onwards, Translated by Dr Edward C. Sachau, London 1910).</ref> The "glory of Imperial Kannauj" ended with [[Iltutmish]]'s conquest.<ref name="Sen">Sen, S.N., 2013, A Textbook of Medieval Indian History, Delhi: Primus Books, {{ISBN|9789380607344}}</ref>{{rp|21,32–33}}


[[Sher Shah Suri]] defeated [[Humayun]] at the [[Battle of Kannauj]] on 17 May 1540.
[[Sher Shah Suri]] defeated [[Humayun]] at the [[Battle of Kannauj]] on 17 May 1540.
Famous Pir-e-Kamil, Hazrat Pir Shah Jewna Al-Naqvi Al-Bokhari was also born in Kannauj in 1493 in the reign of the [[Delhi Sultanate]] [[Sultan]] [[Sikandar Lodi]] (r. 1489-1517). He was a descendant of [[Jalaluddin Surkh-Posh Bukhari]] and his father Syed Sadar-ud-din Shah Kabeer Naqvi Al Bukhari was a great saint and was also among the advisors of Sultan Sikandar Lodhi. [[Shah Jewna]] migrated to [[Shah Jeewna]] (a town named after him) now in Pakistan. Shah Jewna’s colonized towns in Kannauj :- Siray-e-Miran, Bibiyan Jalalpur, Makhdumpur, Lal Pur (associated with the name of Saint Sayyed Jalaluddin Haider Surkh Posh Bukhari or Lal Bukhari). His descendants  still present in various  parts of India and Pakistan.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Pir-e-Kamil Hazrat Pir Shah Jewna Al-Naqvi Al-Bokhari|url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/469327-pir-e-kamil-hazrat-pir-shah-jewna-al-naqvi-al-bokhari|access-date=2021-01-01|website=www.thenews.com.pk|language=en|archive-date=9 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109111019/https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/469327-pir-e-kamil-hazrat-pir-shah-jewna-al-naqvi-al-bokhari|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2012-05-09|title=Hazrat Pir Shah Jewna (RA)|url=https://nation.com.pk/10-May-2012/hazrat-pir-shah-jewna-ra|access-date=2021-01-01|website=The Nation|language=en|archive-date=2 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190902113011/https://nation.com.pk/10-May-2012/hazrat-pir-shah-jewna-ra|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Indian Journal Of Archaeology|url=http://ijarch.org/CurrentIssue.aspx|access-date=2021-01-01|website=ijarch.org|archive-date=18 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210118035325/http://ijarch.org/CurrentIssue.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Nazaria-i-Pakistan Trust|url=http://nazariapak.info/Sufism/Pir-Shah-Jewna.php|access-date=2021-01-01|website=nazariapak.info|archive-date=3 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803082114/http://nazariapak.info/Sufism/Pir-Shah-Jewna.php|url-status=live}}</ref>


===Colonial period===
===Colonial period===
During early English rule in India, the city was spelled '''Cannodge''' by them. The [[iarchive:in.ernet.dli.2015.81794/page/n70/mode/1up/search/Hakim|Nawab Hakim Mehndi Ali Khan]] has been constantly associated with the development of city of kannouj by the travellers and writers of the period. A ghat ([[iarchive:wanderingsofpilg02parluoft/page/16/mode/1up|Mehndighat]]), a Sarai (for the free stay of travellers and merchants) and various metalled roads were built by the Nawab which also bear his name.
[[File:Ruins at Cannouge - British Library X432 3(7).jpg|thumb|''Ruins at Cannouge'', an engraving by [[Thomas Daniell]] from 1802]]


== Geography ==
During early English rule in India, the city was spelled '''Cannodge''' by them.<ref>{{Cite book |chapter-url=http://www.columbia.edu/itc/mealac/pritchett/00islamlinks/mrsmeerhassanali/letter_19.html |title=Observations on the Mussalmauns of India |author=Mrs. Meer Hassan Ali |chapter=Letter Nineteen |year=1832 |access-date=1 September 2022 |archive-date=21 April 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170421155244/http://www.columbia.edu/itc/mealac/pritchett/00islamlinks/mrsmeerhassanali/letter_19.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[iarchive:in.ernet.dli.2015.81794/page/n70/mode/1up/search/Hakim|Nawab Hakim Mehndi Ali Khan]] has been constantly associated with the development of city of Kannauj by the travellers and writers of the period. A ghat ([[iarchive:wanderingsofpilg02parluoft/page/16/mode/1up|Mehndighat]]), a Sarai (for the free stay of travellers and merchants) and various metalled roads were built by the Nawab which also bear his name.
Kannauj is located at {{Coord|27.07|N|79.92|E|}}.<ref>[http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/36/Kannauj.html Falling Rain Genomics, Inc – Kannauj]</ref> It has an average elevation of 139&nbsp;metres (456&nbsp;feet).
 
Different spellings that are used to refer to Kannauj, apart from the official Kannauj, are '''Cannodge''', '''Kannauj''', '''Kannoj''', '''Kinnouge''', '''Qannauj''' and '''Qannawj'''. The British who visited Kannauj in the later part of 19th century mostly referred to it as '''Kanauj''' (notice the single "n"). [[George Forster (traveller)|George Forster]] spells it Kinnouge. [[Alexander Cunningham|Alexander Cunnigham]] wrote its spelling as Kanoj.
 
[[File:Annapurna Temple, Kannauj, Uttar Pradesh, 2018.jpg|thumb|Annapurna Temple, Tirwa, Kannauj]]
 
==Perfume and flowers==
Kannauj is famous for distilling of scents and perfumes. It is known as "India's perfume capital" and is famous for its traditional [[Kannauj Perfume]], a government protected entity.<ref name=perfume/>
 
Kannauj itself has more than 200 perfume distilleries and is a market center for perfume, tobacco and rose water.<ref name=perfume/> It has given its name to a distinct dialect of the [[Hindustani language|Hindustani]] known as [[Kannauji language|Kannauji]], which has two different codes or registers.
 
Changes in when flower crops bloom due to climate change are affecting the industry of perfumes made from natural sources, like attar from roses. The unpredictable bloom times make it difficult to deliver the blooms and raises a concern that perfumes from these natural sources will be replaced by chemicals.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/w3ct6r60 |title=Losing Attar |work=BBC: The Documentary |first=Jigyasa |last=Mishra |date=20 June 2024 |access-date=20 June 2024 }}</ref>
 
Kannauj has been a centre of attar production for several centuries, especially since the Mughal era. Traditional attars are produced using the ancient deg and bhapka method, a hydro-distillation process using copper stills passed down through generations of artisans.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gangopadhyay |first=Uttara |date=2022-04-26 |title=Do you know why Kannauj is called the perfume capital of India? |url=https://www.outlookindia.com/travel/kannauj-is-the-perfume-capital-of-india-news-193263 |access-date=2026-03-18 |website=Outlook India |language=en}}</ref>
 
Thousands of residents of Kannauj are directly or indirectly involved in attar production. Popular attars include rose, jasmine, khus, kewra, and mogra. These perfumes are exported to the Middle East, Europe, and the United States.
 
Kannauj perfumes received a Geographical Indication (GI) tag in 2014, helping protect their authenticity and heritage.<ref>https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/kannauj-gets-gi-tag-for-perfumes/article5839344.ece</ref>
 
==Demographics==
{{As of|2011}} India [[census]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.censusindia.net/results/town.php?stad=A&state5=999|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040616075334/http://www.censusindia.net/results/town.php?stad=A&state5=999|archive-date=2004-06-16|title= Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)|access-date=2008-11-01|publisher= Census Commission of India}}</ref> Kannauj had a population of 84,862. Males constitute 53% of the population and females 47%. Kannauj has an average literacy rate of 72.70%: male literacy is 80.90%, and female literacy is 63.33%. In Kannauj, 14% of the population is under 6 years of age.
{{Pie chart
|thumb = yes
|caption = Religion in Kannauj
|label1 = Hindu
|value1 = 62.53
|color1 = orange
 
|label2 = Muslim
|value2 = 36.60
|color2 = green
 
|label3 = Christian
|value3 = 0.09
|color3 = blue
 
|label4 = Jain
|value4 = 0.58
|color4 = yellow
 
|label5 = Sikh
|value5 = 0.07
|color5 = purple
 
|label6 = Buddhist
|value6 = 0.02
|color6 = brown
 
|label7 = Others
|value7 = 0.02
|color7 = grey
 
|label8 = No religion
|value8 = 0.10
|color8 = black
}}


== Demographics ==
{{As of|2001}} India [[census]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.censusindia.net/results/town.php?stad=A&state5=999|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040616075334/http://www.censusindia.net/results/town.php?stad=A&state5=999|archive-date=2004-06-16|title= Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)|access-date=2008-11-01|publisher= Census Commission of India}}</ref> Kannauj had a population of 71,530. Males constitute 53% of the population and females 47%. Kannauj has an average literacy rate of 58%: male literacy is 64%, and female literacy is 52%. In Kannauj, 15% of the population is under 6 years of age.


==Colleges==
==Colleges==
===Medical College===
[[Government Medical College, Kannauj]] is a government medical college located in Tirwa of Kannauj, Uttar Pradesh, India. It is affiliated to [[King George's Medical University|King George's Medical University, Lucknow]].
[[Government Medical College, Kannauj]] is a government medical college located in Tirwa of Kannauj, Uttar Pradesh, India. It is affiliated to [[King George's Medical University|King George's Medical University, Lucknow]].


===Engineering College===
[[Government Engineering College, Kannauj]] is a government [[engineering college]] located at Kannauj. It is a constituent college of [[Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Technical University]] (formerly [[Uttar Pradesh Technical University]]) in [[Lucknow]]. The college is situated at Aher, Tirwa.
[[Government Engineering College, Kannauj]] is a government [[engineering college]] located at Kannauj. It is a constituent college of [[Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Technical University]] (formerly [[Uttar Pradesh Technical University]]) in [[Lucknow]]. The college is situated at Aher, Tirwa.


==Transportation==
==Transportation==
The city is served by two major railway station [[Kannauj railway station]] and [[Kannauj City railway station]]. The nearest airport is [[Kanpur Airport]] situated about 2 hours drive from the town.
The city is served by two major railway station [[Kannauj railway station]] and [[Kannauj City railway station]]. The nearest airport is [[Kanpur Airport]], about two hours drive from the town.


It is situated on GT road(Delhi to Kanpur). It has road transportation Kannauj Depo. under the Uttar Pradesh State Road Transportation Corporation(UPSRTC).
It is situated on GT road (Delhi to Kanpur). It has road transportation Kannauj Depo. under the Uttar Pradesh State Road Transportation Corporation (UPSRTC).


==Notable people==
==Notable people==
<!---♦♦♦ Only add a person to this list if they already have their own article on the English Wikipedia ♦♦♦--->
<!---♦♦♦ Only add a person to this list if they already have their own article on the English Wikipedia ♦♦♦--->
<!---♦♦♦ Please keep the list in alphabetical order by LAST NAME ♦♦♦--->
<!---♦♦♦ Please keep the list in alphabetical order by LAST NAME ♦♦♦--->
*[[Ajamila]], famous Brahmin
*[[Āma]], King of Kannauj
*[[Āma]], King of Kannauj
*[[Malini Awasthi]], folk singer
*[[Malini Awasthi]], folk singer
*[[Mihira Bhoja]], King of North India
*[[Mihira Bhoja]], king of North India
*[[Shah Jewna]], Missionary or Pir
*[[Siddiq Hasan Khan]], nawab of Bhopal
*[[Sayyid Muhammad Qanauji]], Sufi
*[[Sayyid Muhammad Qanauji]], Sufi
*[[Samyukta]], Princess of Kannauj
*[[Samyukta]], princess of Kannauj
*[[Yashovarman]], King of Kannauj
*[[Yashovarman]], king of Kannauj


==See also==
==See also==
*[[Kannauji language]]
*[[Kannauji language]]
*[[Kannauj Perfume]]
*[[Bishungarh, Uttar Pradesh]]


== References ==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


==Further reading==
==Further reading==
*Majumdar, R. C., In Pusalker, A. D., In Majumdar, A. K., & Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan,. (1993). The age of imperial Kanauj.
*[[R. C. Majumdar|Majumdar, R. C.]], In Pusalker, A. D., In Majumdar, A. K., & [[Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan]] (1993). ''[https://archive.org/details/ageofimperialkan04bhar History and Culture of the Indian People, Volume 04: The Age Of Imperial Kanauj]''.
*Kishori Lal, Munshi, [https://www.rekhta.org/ebooks/detail/guldasta-e-qannauj-munshi-kishori-lal-ebooks Guldasta e Qannauj] (1871)


== External links ==
==External links==
{{Wikiquote}}
{{Wikiquote}}
* [http://kannauj.nic.in/ District Kannauj Website.]
* [http://kannauj.nic.in/ District Kannauj website]
* {{cite news | url=http://travel.cnn.com/mumbai/life/pictures-fading-fragrance-kannauj-indias-perfume-capital-974565 | title= In pictures: Fading fragrance of Kannauj, India's perfume capital | first=Divya | last=Dugar | publisher=CNN | date=7 August 2012 | access-date=1 January 2021 }}
* {{cite news | url=http://travel.cnn.com/mumbai/life/pictures-fading-fragrance-kannauj-indias-perfume-capital-974565 | title= In pictures: Fading fragrance of Kannauj, India's perfume capital | first=Divya | last=Dugar | publisher=CNN | date=7 August 2012 | access-date=1 January 2021 }}
* [https://books.google.com/books?id=2Tnh2QjGhMQC&pg=PA78&dq History of Kanauj: To the Moslem Conquest By Rama Shankar Tripathi]
* [https://books.google.com/books?id=2Tnh2QjGhMQC&pg=PA78 History of Kanauj: To the Moslem Conquest By Rama Shankar Tripathi]


{{Kannauj district}}
{{Kannauj district}}
Line 154: Line 228:


[[Category:Kannauj| ]]
[[Category:Kannauj| ]]
[[Category:History of Uttar Pradesh]]
[[Category:Capitals of ancient kingdoms in Uttar Pradesh]]
[[Category:Former capital cities in India]]
[[Category:Rashtrakuta dynasty]]
[[Category:Rashtrakuta dynasty]]
[[Category:Pratihara empire]]
[[Category:Pratihara Empire]]
[[Category:Ancient Indian cities]]
[[Category:Medieval Indian cities]]

Latest revision as of 15:47, 18 March 2026

This article is about the municipality in Uttar Pradesh, India. For its namesake district, see Kannauj district.
Kannauj
City
Annapurna temple in Kannauj, Uttar Pradesh
Annapurna temple in Kannauj, Uttar Pradesh
Nickname: 
Perfume Capital of India
Kannauj is located in India
Kannauj
Kannauj
Coordinates: 27°04′N 79°55′E / 27.07°N 79.92°E / 27.07; 79.92
Country India
StateUttar Pradesh
DistrictKannauj
Government
 • Lok Sabha MPAkhilesh Yadav (SP)
Elevation
139 m (456 ft)
Population
 (2011)
 • Total84,862
Demonym(s)Kannauji, Kannaujwale
Languages
 • OfficialHindi
 • RegionalKannauji
Time zoneUTC+5:30 (IST)
Vehicle registrationUP-74
Websitewww.kannauj.nic.in

Kannauj (Hindustani pronunciation: hi) is an ancient city, administrative headquarters and a municipal board or Nagar Palika Parishad in Kannauj district in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. It is located 113 km (71 mi) from Etawah, 93 km (58 mi) from Kanpur, 129 km (81 mi) from Lucknow. The city's name is an evolved form of the classical name Kanyakubja.[1] During the ancient Vedic period, it was the capital city of the Panchala Kingdom during the reign of king Vajrayudha.[2] In the medieval era, it formed the core of the Kingdom of Kannauj and was ruled by multiple successive royal families.

It was also known as Mahodaya during the time of Mihira Bhoja.[3] It is situated 104 kilometres west of the state capital,Lucknow.

Kannauj is famous for distilling of scents and perfumes. It is known as "India's perfume capital" and is famous for its traditional Kannauj Perfume, a government protected entity. This industry is threatened by the rise of perfumes made from chemicals, rather than using attar, made from the petals of flowers grown in this area.[4]

History[edit | edit source]

See also: Kingdom of Kannauj

Early history[edit | edit source]

Archaeological discoveries show that Kannauj was inhabited by the Painted Grey Ware and Northern Black Polished Ware cultures,[5] c. 1200–600 BCE and c. 700–200 BCE, respectively. During the Vedic period, it was the capital city of the Panchala Kingdom during the reign of king Vajrayudha.[6]

Illustration of Vishvamitra, a legendary Rigvedic sage and ruler of Kanyakubja

Under the names of Kuśasthala and Kanyakubja, it is mentioned as a well-known town in the Hindu epics, the Mahabharata and the Ramayana, and by the grammarian Patanjali (c. 150 BCE).[7] Also according to the Hindu epics, Kannauj or Kanyakubja was the capital of Amavasu the son of Pururavas and an ancestor of Rigvedic sage Vishwamitra.[8]

The early Buddhist literature mentions Kannauj as Kannakujja, and refers to its location on the trade route from Mathura to Varanasi and Rajgir.[9]

Kannauj may have been known to the Greco-Roman civilization under the name of Kanagoja or Kanogiza, which appears in Geography by Ptolemy (c. 140 CE). It was also visited by the Chinese Buddhist travellers Faxian and Xuanzang in the fifth and seventh centuries CE, respectively.[10]

Coin of the Maukharis of Kannauj under Maharaja Isanavarman, circa 535-553 CE
Coin of Emperor Harsha of the Vardhana dynasty, circa 606–647 CE[11]
Coinage of Varman dynasty of Kannauj
A Kalachuri-style 'seated goddess' coin of Gahadavala dynasty of Kannauj (r. c. 1114-1155 CE)

During the decline of the Gupta Empire in the 6th century, the Maukhari dynasty of Kannauj – who had served as vassal rulers under the Guptas - took advantage of the weakening of central authority, broke away and established control over large areas of northern India.[12]

Under the Maukharis, Kannauj continued to grow in importance and prosperity. It became the greatest city of Northern India under Emperor Harsha (r. 606 to 647 CE) of the Vardhana dynasty, who made it his capital.[13][14] Chinese pilgrim Xuanzang visited India during the reign of Harsha, and described Kannauj as a large, prosperous city with many Buddhist monasteries.[15] Harsha died with no heir, resulting in a power vacuum until Maharaja Yashovarman seized power as the ruler of Kannauj.[16]

The Kannauj Triangle[edit | edit source]

Main article: Tripartite Struggle

Kannauj became a focal point for three powerful dynasties, namely the Gurjara Pratiharas (r. 730-1036 CE), Palas (r. 750-1162 CE) and Rashtrakutas (r. 753-982 CE), between the 8th and 10th centuries. The conflict between the three dynasties has been referred to as the Tripartite struggle by many historians.[17][18]

The Kannauj was the focal point of three empires: the Rashtrakutas of Deccan, the Gurjara Pratiharas of Malwa, and the Palas of Bengal.

There were initial struggles but ultimately the Gurjara Pratiharas succeeded in retaining the city.[17] The Gurjara-Pratiharas ruled Avanti (based at Ujjain), which was bounded to the South by the Rashtrakuta Empire, and the Pala Empire to the East. The Tripartite struggle began with the defeat of Indrayudh at the hands of Gurjara-Pratihara ruler Vatsaraja (r. 780-800 CE).[17] The Pala ruler Dharampala (~770-821 CE) was also keen to establish his authority at Kannauj, giving rise to a struggle between Vatsaraja and Dharmapala, in which Dharmapala was defeated.[19] Taking advantage of the chaos, the Rastrakuta ruler Dhruva Dharavarsha (r. 780–793 CE) surged northwards, defeated Vatsaraja, and took Kannauj for himself, completing the furthest northern expansion by a South Indian ruler.[18][20]

When the Rashtrakuta ruler Dhruva Dharavarsha advanced back to the south, Dharampala was left in control of Kannauj for some time. The struggle between the two northern dynasties of Palas and Gurjara Pratiharas continued: the Pala's vassal Chakrayudha (Dharmapala's nominee for Ujjain) was defeated by the Pratihara Nagabhata II (r. 805–833 CE), and Kannauj was again occupied by the Gurjara Pratiharas. Dharmapala tried to take control of Kannauj but was defeated badly at Moongher by the Gurjara Pratiharas.[17] However, Nagabhata II was in turn soon defeated by the Rashtrakuta Govinda III (r. 793–814 CE), who had initiated a second northern surge. An inscription states that Chakrayudha and Dharmapala invited Govinda III to war against the Gurjara Pratiharas, but Dharmapala and Chakrayudh both submitted to the Govinda III, in order to win his sympathy. After this defeat, Pratihara power degenerated for some time. After the death of Dharampala, Nagabhata II regained hold over Kannuaj and made it the capital of the Gurjara Pratihara Empire. During this period, the Rashtrakutas were facing some internal conflicts, and so they, as well as the Pala Empire, did not contest this.[17] Thus Gurjara Pratiharas became the greatest power in Northern India after occupying Kannauj (9th century CE).[17]

Medieval times[edit | edit source]

A panel depicting the Saptamatrikas, Kannauj, 9th-10th century

In Classical India, it served as the center of imperial Indian dynasties. The earliest of these was the Maukhari dynasty, and later, Emperor Harsha of the Vardhana dynasty.[16] The city later came under the Gahadavala dynasty, and under the rule of Govindachandra, the city reached "unprecedented glory". Kannauj was also the main place of war in the Tripartite struggle between the Gurjara-Pratihara, the Palas and the Rashtrakutas.

Sculpture of Skanda, The Hindu God of War, Kannauj, 8th century

Kannauj was clearly the wealthiest city in early Medieval India at large[21] and the country all around Kannauj was called Āryāvarta.[22] It seems likely that Kannauj and Middle country was the place of origin of majority of migrating Brahmins throughout the medieval centuries.[23]

Kannauj on the bank of the Ganges

In 1010 A.D., Mahmud of Ghazni saw Kannauj as a "City which raised its head to skies which in strength and structure might justly boast to have no equals".[24][25]

Sultan Mahmud of Ghazni captured Kanauj in 1018. Chandradeva founded the Gahadvala dynasty with its capital at Kannauj around 1090. His grandson Govindachandra "raised Kannauj to unprecedented glory." Muhammad Ghori advanced against the city, and in the Battle of Chandwar of 1193 killed Jayachandra.

Alberuni has referred to "Kannoj" as the key geographical point to explain marching distances to other Indian cities.[26] The "glory of Imperial Kannauj" ended with Iltutmish's conquest.[27]:21,32–33

Sher Shah Suri defeated Humayun at the Battle of Kannauj on 17 May 1540.

Famous Pir-e-Kamil, Hazrat Pir Shah Jewna Al-Naqvi Al-Bokhari was also born in Kannauj in 1493 in the reign of the Delhi Sultanate Sultan Sikandar Lodi (r. 1489-1517). He was a descendant of Jalaluddin Surkh-Posh Bukhari and his father Syed Sadar-ud-din Shah Kabeer Naqvi Al Bukhari was a great saint and was also among the advisors of Sultan Sikandar Lodhi. Shah Jewna migrated to Shah Jeewna (a town named after him) now in Pakistan. Shah Jewna’s colonized towns in Kannauj :- Siray-e-Miran, Bibiyan Jalalpur, Makhdumpur, Lal Pur (associated with the name of Saint Sayyed Jalaluddin Haider Surkh Posh Bukhari or Lal Bukhari). His descendants still present in various parts of India and Pakistan.[28][29][30][31]

Colonial period[edit | edit source]

Ruins at Cannouge, an engraving by Thomas Daniell from 1802

During early English rule in India, the city was spelled Cannodge by them.[32] The Nawab Hakim Mehndi Ali Khan has been constantly associated with the development of city of Kannauj by the travellers and writers of the period. A ghat (Mehndighat), a Sarai (for the free stay of travellers and merchants) and various metalled roads were built by the Nawab which also bear his name.

Different spellings that are used to refer to Kannauj, apart from the official Kannauj, are Cannodge, Kannauj, Kannoj, Kinnouge, Qannauj and Qannawj. The British who visited Kannauj in the later part of 19th century mostly referred to it as Kanauj (notice the single "n"). George Forster spells it Kinnouge. Alexander Cunnigham wrote its spelling as Kanoj.

Annapurna Temple, Tirwa, Kannauj

Perfume and flowers[edit | edit source]

Kannauj is famous for distilling of scents and perfumes. It is known as "India's perfume capital" and is famous for its traditional Kannauj Perfume, a government protected entity.[4]

Kannauj itself has more than 200 perfume distilleries and is a market center for perfume, tobacco and rose water.[4] It has given its name to a distinct dialect of the Hindustani known as Kannauji, which has two different codes or registers.

Changes in when flower crops bloom due to climate change are affecting the industry of perfumes made from natural sources, like attar from roses. The unpredictable bloom times make it difficult to deliver the blooms and raises a concern that perfumes from these natural sources will be replaced by chemicals.[33]

Kannauj has been a centre of attar production for several centuries, especially since the Mughal era. Traditional attars are produced using the ancient deg and bhapka method, a hydro-distillation process using copper stills passed down through generations of artisans.[34]

Thousands of residents of Kannauj are directly or indirectly involved in attar production. Popular attars include rose, jasmine, khus, kewra, and mogra. These perfumes are exported to the Middle East, Europe, and the United States.

Kannauj perfumes received a Geographical Indication (GI) tag in 2014, helping protect their authenticity and heritage.[35]

Demographics[edit | edit source]

As of 2011 India census,[36] Kannauj had a population of 84,862. Males constitute 53% of the population and females 47%. Kannauj has an average literacy rate of 72.70%: male literacy is 80.90%, and female literacy is 63.33%. In Kannauj, 14% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Religion in Kannauj

  Hindu (62.53%)
  Muslim (36.60%)
  Christian (0.09%)
  Jain (0.58%)
  Sikh (0.07%)
  Buddhist (0.02%)
  Others (0.02%)
  No religion (0.10%)


Colleges[edit | edit source]

Government Medical College, Kannauj is a government medical college located in Tirwa of Kannauj, Uttar Pradesh, India. It is affiliated to King George's Medical University, Lucknow.

Government Engineering College, Kannauj is a government engineering college located at Kannauj. It is a constituent college of Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Technical University (formerly Uttar Pradesh Technical University) in Lucknow. The college is situated at Aher, Tirwa.

Transportation[edit | edit source]

The city is served by two major railway station Kannauj railway station and Kannauj City railway station. The nearest airport is Kanpur Airport, about two hours drive from the town.

It is situated on GT road (Delhi to Kanpur). It has road transportation Kannauj Depo. under the Uttar Pradesh State Road Transportation Corporation (UPSRTC).

Notable people[edit | edit source]

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ Rama Shankar Tripathi (1989). History of Kanauj: To the Moslem Conquest. Motilal Banarsidass Publ. p. 2. ISBN 978-81-208-0404-3. Archived from the original on 8 March 2024. Retrieved 15 November 2015.
  2. ↑ Uttar Pradesh District Gazetteers: Farrukhabad. 39. Ballia. Government of Uttar Pradesh. 1988. p. 29.
  3. ↑ "Why Gurjara is not Gujjar: A historical perspective". The Times of India. 7 August 2021. Archived from the original on 9 August 2021. Retrieved 9 August 2021.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 "Life: India's perfume capital threatened by scent of modernity". The Taipei Times. 20 September 2012. Archived from the original on 17 March 2016. Retrieved 10 February 2016.
  5. ↑ Dilip K. Chakrabarti (2007), Archaeological geography of the Ganga plain: the upper Ganga (Oudh, Rohilkhand, and the Doab), p.47
  6. ↑ Singh Sandhu, Gurcharn (2000). A Military History of Ancient India. Vision Books. p. 164.
  7. ↑ Rama S. Tripathi, History of Kanauj: To the Moslem Conquest (Motilal Banarsidass, 1964), pp.2,15-16
  8. ↑ Uttar Pradesh District Gazetteers: Farrukhabad. Government of Uttar Pradesh. 1988. pp. 21, 22.
  9. ↑ Moti Chandra (1977), Trade Routes in Ancient India pp.16-18
  10. ↑ Tripathi, History of Kanauj, pp. 17-19
  11. ↑ "CNG: eAuction 329. INDIA, Post-Gupta (Ganges Valley). Vardhanas of Thanesar and Kanauj. Harshavardhana. Circa AD 606-647. AR Drachm (13mm, 2.28 g, 1h)". www.cngcoins.com. Archived from the original on 2 May 2019. Retrieved 3 January 2019.
  12. ↑ Tripathi, History of Kanauj, pp. 22-24
  13. ↑ Tripathi, History of Kanauj, p. 147
  14. ↑ James Heitzman, The City in South Asia (Routledge, 2008), p.36
  15. ↑ Heizman, The City in South Asia, pp.36-37
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 Tripathi, History of Kanauj, p. 192
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 17.3 17.4 17.5 Pratiyogita Darpan. Upkar Prakashan. p. 9. Archived from the original on 8 March 2024. Retrieved 15 November 2015.
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 R.C. Majumdar (1994). Ancient India. Motilal Banarsidass. pp. 282–285. ISBN 978-81-208-0436-4.
  19. ↑ Kumar Sundram (2007). Compendium General Knowledge. Upkar Prakashan. p. 195. ISBN 978-81-7482-181-2. Archived from the original on 8 March 2024. Retrieved 15 November 2015.
  20. ↑ Pratiyogita Darpan. Upkar Prakashan. Archived from the original on 8 March 2024. Retrieved 15 November 2015.
  21. ↑ wink, Andre (2020). The Making of the Indo-Islamic World, C.700-1800 CE. Cambridge university press. p. 42.
  22. ↑ Hussain jafri, Saiyid Zaheer (2016). Recording the Progress of Indian History. Primus Books. p. 148.
  23. ↑ Wink, André (2020). The Making of the Indo-Islamic World C.700-1800 CE. E.J. Brill. p. 42.
  24. ↑ Lal, Makkhan (1984). Settlement History and Rise of Civilization in Ganga-Yamuna Doab, from 1500 B.C. to 300 A.D. B R Publishing Corporation. p. 18.
  25. ↑ Uttar Pradesh District Gazetteers: Farrukhabad. 39. Ballia. Government of Uttar Pradesh. 1988. p. 30.
  26. ↑ (India, Vol 1, from p 199 onwards, Translated by Dr Edward C. Sachau, London 1910).
  27. ↑ Sen, S.N., 2013, A Textbook of Medieval Indian History, Delhi: Primus Books, ISBN 9789380607344
  28. ↑ "Pir-e-Kamil Hazrat Pir Shah Jewna Al-Naqvi Al-Bokhari". www.thenews.com.pk. Archived from the original on 9 January 2021. Retrieved 1 January 2021.
  29. ↑ "Hazrat Pir Shah Jewna (RA)". The Nation. 9 May 2012. Archived from the original on 2 September 2019. Retrieved 1 January 2021.
  30. ↑ "Indian Journal Of Archaeology". ijarch.org. Archived from the original on 18 January 2021. Retrieved 1 January 2021.
  31. ↑ "Nazaria-i-Pakistan Trust". nazariapak.info. Archived from the original on 3 August 2020. Retrieved 1 January 2021.
  32. ↑ Mrs. Meer Hassan Ali (1832). "Letter Nineteen". Observations on the Mussalmauns of India. Archived from the original on 21 April 2017. Retrieved 1 September 2022.
  33. ↑ Mishra, Jigyasa (20 June 2024). "Losing Attar". BBC: The Documentary. Retrieved 20 June 2024.
  34. ↑ Gangopadhyay, Uttara (26 April 2022). "Do you know why Kannauj is called the perfume capital of India?". Outlook India. Retrieved 18 March 2026.
  35. ↑ https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/kannauj-gets-gi-tag-for-perfumes/article5839344.ece
  36. ↑ "Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)". Census Commission of India. Archived from the original on 16 June 2004. Retrieved 1 November 2008.

Further reading[edit | edit source]

External links[edit | edit source]

Template:Historical places of Rashtrakuta

Retrieved from "https://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kannauj&oldid=451628"
Discover more