An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v2.c47.61

v2.c47.61

**Ujjain** (23°12'; 75°48'), headquarters of the Dt of the same name, situated on the e. bank of the Sipra and well-known as the capital of Avanti, one of the 16 *mahājanapadas* in the 6th century B.C., and as the seat of a viceroy (*kumāra*) of the Mauryan empire during the rule of Aśoka in the 3rd century B.C., as mentioned in his Dhauli Separate Rock-edict I. It is hallowed traditionally by its association with the *jyotir-liṅga* of Mahākāla and as one of seven holy cities of India, and remembered through later history and literature, especially the *Meghadūta* of Kālidāsa. It is also known for its legendary association with proverbial Vikramāditya, often identified with Candragupta II (375-414), and his court which included Kālidāsa as one of its nine gems. In the *Periplus of the Erythraean Sea* it is mentioned as Ozene, an important trade centre carrying on trade with Rome. The modern township has shifted from the ancient spot, now known as *Garh-kālikā*, an impressive mound to the n. of the township on the e. bank of the Sipra, marked by a frequently renovated medieval temple of Kālikā, believed to be the patron deity of Kālidāsa. The mound is 10·7 m in height, 1· km in n.-s. length and 900 m in e.-n. width, protected by a mud rampart from the beginning.