Editing Ayodhya (section)

=== Decline as a political centre ===
Ayodhya probably suffered when the Hunas led by [[Mihirakula]] invaded the Gupta empire in the sixth century. After the fall of the Guptas, it may have been ruled by the [[Maukhari]] dynasty, whose coins have been found in the nearby areas. It was not devastated, as Xuanzang describes it as a flourishing town and a Buddhist centre.{{sfn|Bakker, Ayodhya, Part 1|1984|pp=32–33}} However, it had lost its position as an important political centre to [[Kanyakubja]] (Kannauj).{{sfn|Bakker, Ayodhya, Part 1|1984|pp=33–34}} At the time of Xuanzang's visit, it was a part of [[Harsha]]'s empire, and was probably the seat of a vassal or an administrative officer. Xuanzang states that the city measured about 0.6&nbsp;km (20 [[li (unit)|li]]) in circumference. Another seventh-century source, ''[[Kāśikāvṛttī]]'', mentions that the town was surrounded by a moat similar to that around [[Pataliputra]].{{sfn|Bakker, Ayodhya, Part 1|1984|p=33}}

After the fall of Harsha's empire, Ayodhya appears to have been variously controlled by local kings and the rulers of Kannauj, including [[Yashovarman]] and the [[Gurjara-Pratihara]]s. The town is not mentioned in any surviving texts or inscriptions composed during 650–1050 AD, although it may be identified with the "city of [[Harishchandra]]" mentioned in the eighth-century poem ''[[Gaudavaho]]''. Archaeological evidence (including images to [[Vishnu]], Jain [[tirthankara]]s, [[Ganesha]], the seven [[Matrikas]], and a Buddhist stupa) suggests that the religious activity in the area continued during this period.{{sfn|Bakker, Ayodhya, Part 1|1984|p=34}}