Kannauj is an ancient city located in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. It serves as a municipal board and houses the administrative headquarters for the eponymous district.
Historically, the city was known as Kanyakubja during the ancient Vedic period. It served as the capital city for both the Mahajanapada Panchala Kingdom and the Ayudha dynasty. During the later medieval era, it was referred to as Mahodaya under the Pratihara dynasty and formed the core of the Kingdom of Kannauj.
Throughout its history, the city has been governed by multiple successive royal families or functioned as a component of various greater imperial polities.