[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Reference works](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference) › [An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.ghosh-1989) › v2.c47.61 # An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v2.c47.61 An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v2.c47.61 - **Language:** English ### [v2.c47.61](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.ghosh-1989.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. - [Previous: v2.c47.60](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.ghosh-1989.v2.c47.60) - [Next: v2.c47.62](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.ghosh-1989.v2.c47.62) - [Up: v2.c47](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.ghosh-1989.v2.c47) ## Linked texts (1) - [Meghadūta](https://indike.org/pramana/in.lit.kavya.duta.meghaduta) — Kālidāsa, Sanskrit --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.ghosh-1989.v2.c47.61](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.ghosh-1989.v2.c47.61) · Pramāṇa