The reign of Harshavardhana marks the last great Hindu empire in North India before the medieval transition. After the fall of the Guptas, North India was fragmented into several small kingdoms until Harsha, of the Pushyabhuti (Vardhana) dynasty, consolidated power.
Lineage: Son of Prabhakaravardhana and younger brother of Rajyavardhana.
Capital Shift: He originally ruled from Thanesar but shifted his capital to Kannauj after the death of his brother-in-law, the Maukhari King Grahavarman. This established Kannauj as the new political center of North India, replacing Pataliputra.
The "Three Indias": He is often described as the lord of the north (Sakalauttarapathanatha), though his authority was primarily over Punjab, UP, Bengal, Bihar, and Odisha.
Conflict with Shashanka: Harsha fought long wars against Shashanka, the King of Gauda, who had killed his brother and imprisoned his sister Rajyashri.
The Battle of Narmada: Harsha’s southward expansion was halted at the Narmada River by the Chalukya King Pulakeshin II. This defeat is recorded in the Aihole Inscription.
Feudal Nature: Harsha’s administration was more decentralized than the Guptas. High-ranking officials were often paid in land grants rather than cash.
Hiuen Tsang (Xuanzang): The Chinese pilgrim visited India during Harsha’s reign. His book Si-Yu-Ki provides a vivid account of the social, economic, and religious conditions.
He noted that the caste system was rigid but the people were honest and law-abiding.
He described Harsha as a hardworking king who personally supervised his administration.
Harsha was a great patron of learning and later converted to Mahayana Buddhism under the influence of Hiuen Tsang.
Kannauj Assembly: A massive religious assembly held to honor Hiuen Tsang and promote Mahayana Buddhism.
Prayag Assembly: Held every five years at the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati, where Harsha distributed all his wealth as charity.
Nalanda University: Harsha patronized Nalanda and granted villages for its maintenance.
Harsha was himself a scholar and playwright.
His Works: Ratnavali, Priyadarshika, and Nagananda.
Banabhatta: His court poet wrote Harshacharita and Kadambari.
Harsha died in 647 CE without an heir, leading to political instability.
Tripartite Struggle: The Palas, Pratiharas, and Rashtrakutas fought for control over Kannauj.