Kanauj is of high antiquity and renown. Founded long before the dawn of the Christian era, it first rose to importance in the sixth century a.d. when it became the capital of the Maukharis and when it grew rapidly in authority and influence till its conflict with later Guptas. This followed Harsa of Thaneswar assuming control of affairs in Kanauj. Harsa`s death plunged Kanauj into anarchy and darkness that lasted for about half a century. However, as a result of the protracted campaigns of the next rulers, Pratiharas, Kanauj grew to enormous dimensions camprising territories as widely apart as Saurastra and North Bengal, Magadha and Rajputana till it fell from its high position because of armed adventures of Mahmud and then Sihabuddin Ghori. History of Kanauj presents, in short the story of this ancient realm which is full of political vicissitudes and ephemeral grandeur.