Sondani

Sondani, also Sondhni, is a small village at a distance of about 4 km from Mandsaur situated on Mahu-Nimach Highway towards Mahu.

The spot is famous for a series of monuments with inscriptions, established by Yasodharman (ruled 515 – 545 CE), who praised himself for having defeated the Alchon Hun king Mihirakula.

[1] "He (Yasodharman) to whose two feet respect was paid, with complimentary presents of the flowers from the lock of hair on the top of (his) head, by even that (famous) king Mihirakula, whose forehead was pained through being bent low down by the strength of (his) arm in (the act of compelling) obeisance"The victory monuments consist in two pillars, with various other sculptural elements pointing to the existence of a former temple at this spot.

[3] The art and style of the sculptural remains at Sodani are considered as a good marker of the final period of Gupta art, being dated to the reign of Yasodharman (ruled 515 – 545 CE), and more precisely to about 525 CE.

[4][5] After that point and for the next centuries, Indian politics became extremely fragmented, with the territory being divided between smaller dynasties.

Mandasor stone pillar inscription of Yashodharman.
Mandasor stone pillar inscription of Yashodharman.