Harsha’s Empire

  1. Harsha Vardhana ascended the throne of Thanesar in 606 CE after the death of his brother, Rajyavardhana.
  2. Harsha united the regions of Thanesar, Kannauj, and other territories to establish a strong empire in northern India.
  3. His empire extended from the Himalayas in the north to the Narmada River in the south, and from Bengal in the east to Gujarat in the west.
  4. Kannauj became the political and cultural center of Harsha’s empire.
  5. Harsha’s administration was decentralized but efficient, with local governors overseeing provinces.
  6. He maintained diplomatic relations with foreign powers, including the Chinese Tang dynasty under Emperor Taizong.
  7. The Chinese traveler Xuanzang (Hsuan Tsang) visited Harsha’s court and documented his reign in detail.
  8. Harsha was a patron of art, culture, and literature, promoting Sanskrit literature and Buddhist studies.
  9. He authored three plays: Nagananda, Ratnavali, and Priyardarshika.
  10. Harsha was initially a follower of Shaivism but later adopted Buddhism, becoming a major patron of the religion.
  11. The Kumbh Mela at Allahabad is said to have originated during Harsha’s reign.
  12. Harsha organized large religious assemblies at Prayaga to distribute wealth and promote Buddhism.
  13. Harsha’s military campaigns in the Deccan were unsuccessful due to the resistance of the Chalukya king Pulakeshin II.
  14. The Aihole inscription of Pulakeshin II mentions his victory over Harsha.
  15. Harsha’s reign marked the last major unification of northern India before the rise of the Delhi Sultanate.
  16. The empire’s economy was based on agriculture, with trade and commerce flourishing under Harsha.
  17. Harsha’s administration relied on land revenue as its primary source of income.
  18. Coinage under Harsha featured inscriptions and reflected the influence of Gupta numismatics.
  19. Harsha’s reign witnessed the coexistence of Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism.
  20. The decline of Harsha’s empire after his death in 647 CE was due to the absence of a strong successor.
  21. The rise of regional powers like the Rashtrakutas, Chalukyas, and Pallavas fragmented the political landscape of India.
  22. Harsha’s capital, Kannauj, became a highly contested region among subsequent kingdoms.
  23. His reign marked the transition between the ancient and early medieval periods of Indian history.
  24. Harsha’s court was adorned with scholars like Banabhatta, the author of Harshacharita.
  25. Xuanzang described Harsha as a just and benevolent ruler in his work Si-Yu-Ki.
  26. Harsha’s contributions to religion and culture left a lasting legacy in Indian history.
Category
Post-Gupta and Regional Kingdoms (c. 550–1200 CE)
History of India