Harshavardhana (606–647 CE) was one of the most important rulers of early medieval India. His reign marked the transition from the Gupta period to early medieval Indian polity. His empire covered a large part of North India, and he is known for his military conquests, administration, and patronage of Buddhism.
1. Early Life & Ascension
- Harsha belonged to the Pushyabhuti dynasty, which ruled Thanesar (present-day Haryana).
- His father Prabhakaravardhana was a powerful king.
- His elder brother Rajyavardhana was killed by Shashanka (Bengal’s ruler), leading Harsha to ascend the throne in 606 CE.
2. Harsha’s Empire & Administration
Territorial Expansion
- Harsha expanded his empire across North and Central India.
- His empire included Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Odisha, and parts of Madhya Pradesh.
- Capital: Initially at Thanesar, later shifted to Kannauj.
- Failed to conquer Deccan: Defeated by Pulakeshin II (Chalukya ruler of Badami) in 618–619 CE.
Administration
- Harsha followed the Gupta administrative model but had a stronger centralized control.
- The empire was divided into provinces (Bhuktis), districts (Vishayas), and villages.
- Feudal System: Local feudal lords (Mahasamantas) played an important role.
- Taxation: Lighter than Mauryan and Gupta times.
3. Religion & Patronage
- Though a Hindu (Shaivite) by birth, he was deeply influenced by Buddhism.
- Chinese traveler Xuanzang (Hiuen Tsang) visited India during his reign and described him as a Buddhist ruler.
- Conducted the Kanauj Assembly (643 CE), inviting Buddhist scholars from all over India.
- Banned animal slaughter and promoted charitable activities.
- Nalanda University flourished under his patronage.
4. Literature & Art
- Harsha was a scholar and writer, known for his Sanskrit plays:
- Nagananda
- Ratnavali
- Priyadarshika
- His court poet Banabhatta wrote Harshacharita, the biography of Harsha.
- Xuanzang’s account: Gave valuable descriptions of Indian society, economy, and Buddhism during Harsha’s reign.
5. Decline & Legacy
- Harsha ruled for 41 years (606–647 CE).
- His empire disintegrated after his death due to lack of a strong successor.
- Remembered for his administration, religious tolerance, and patronage of learning.
6. Sample Questions for Competitive Exams
Prelims-Based Questions (Objective Type)
- Who was the founder of the Pushyabhuti dynasty?
- (a) Harshavardhana
- (b) Rajyavardhana
- (c) Prabhakaravardhana
- (d) Naravardhana
- Answer: (d) Naravardhana
- Which Chinese traveler visited India during Harsha’s reign?
- (a) Fa-Hien
- (b) I-tsing
- (c) Xuanzang
- (d) Marco Polo
- Answer: (c) Xuanzang
- Which city was Harsha’s capital?
- (a) Thanesar
- (b) Pataliputra
- (c) Ujjain
- (d) Kannauj
- Answer: (d) Kannauj
- Harsha was defeated by which Chalukya ruler?
- (a) Kirtivarman I
- (b) Pulakeshin I
- (c) Pulakeshin II
- (d) Vikramaditya I
- Answer: (c) Pulakeshin II
- Which of the following books was NOT written by Harsha?
- (a) Nagananda
- (b) Ratnavali
- (c) Priyadarshika
- (d) Harshacharita
- Answer: (d) Harshacharita (written by Banabhatta)
Mains-Based Questions (Descriptive Type)
- Discuss the achievements of Harshavardhana in administration, religion, and literature.
- Explain the importance of Xuanzang’s account in understanding Harsha’s reign.
- Evaluate Harsha’s contributions to Indian culture and Buddhism.
- Analyze the reasons for the decline of Harsha’s empire after his death.
7. Conclusion
Harshavardhana was a powerful ruler, a patron of learning, and a supporter of Buddhism. His reign is significant as a bridge between ancient and medieval Indian history. Despite his military failures in the south, he maintained a strong and prosperous empire in North India.
Would you like a mind map or a timeline to visually summarize Harsha’s reign
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