Maharajas of Valkha

The Maharajas of Valkha were an ancient Indian dynasty that ruled the region of Valkha in central India during the 3rd and 4th centuries CE. They are known from a series of copper-plate inscriptions dated between the years 38 and 134 of an unspecified era. Modern historiography, led by V.V. Mirashi, conclusively identifies this era as the Abhira-Kalachuri era (starting from 248/249 CE), placing their rule from approximately 286 to 382 CE. They are significant as early rulers in the area of ancient Anupa, around modern Khargone and Dhar in Madhya Pradesh and are considered direct predecessors to the Kalachuris of Mahishmati.

 Historical Sources 
The dynasty is known primarily from copper-plate grants recording land donations to Brahmins and local deities. Key inscriptions include those of Maharaja Bhulunda (years 38-59), Maharaja Swamidasa (year 67), and Maharaja Subandhu of Mahishmati (year 167). The exact find-spots of many plates are unknown, but a major hoard was discovered at Risawala, near Bagh, Dhar district.

 Territory 
The core territory of Valkha was located along the Narmada River, corresponding to the present-day Khargone (West Nimar) and Dhar districts of Madhya Pradesh. The name of the modern town "Bagh" is considered by some scholars to be a derivative of "Valkha." V.V. Mirashi identified the capital, Valkha, with modern Vaghli (Bahal) in the Jalgaon district of Maharashtra, situating the dynasty within the core region where the Abhira era was prevalent.

 Date and Era 
The dating of the Valkha inscriptions has been a subject of historical debate. R.C. Majumdar and D.C. Sircar, speculated that the era used was the Gupta era (starting 319 CE), interpreting the Valkha rulers as Gupta feudatories. However, this theory was conclusively refuted by historian V.V. Mirashi. He presented several key facts: first, the early Valkha grants (e.g., year 67 = 316 CE) were issued decades before the Gupta Empire conquered the Malwa region from the Western Satraps around 388 CE, making Gupta suzerainty impossible. Second, the Valkha territory was in the Anupa region, far from the Gupta heartland, where the local Abhira era (starting 249 CE) was the established calendar used by various local dynasties. Finally, Mirashi showed the Valkha dynasty was a direct precursor to the Kalachuris of Mahishmati, who unequivocally used the Kalachuri-Chedi era (a continuation of the Abhira era). Due to this irrefutable evidence, Mirashi's dating using the Abhira-Kalachuri era is now the universally accepted view in modern scholarship, and the Gupta-era theory is considered invalid.

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