Short Notes
Four major kingdoms held power in Northern India. The Guptas of Magadha were a minor line of the Gupta dynasty, not part of the main line but sharing the same name. The Maukharis of Kanauj started as tributary rulers but eventually ousted the Guptas, adopting the title Maharaja-Adhiraja, similar to the Guptas. The Pushyabhutis of Thanesar, who ruled north of Delhi, formed a marriage alliance with the Maukharis and unified the two kingdoms after the Maukhari king's death. This dynasty was led by Harsha. The Maitrakas of Valabhi ruled in Saurashtra, Gujarat, making Valabhi an important center for commerce and learning, though they were weakened by Arab attacks by the mid-8th century.
Lesser dynasties existed on the periphery, such as the Manas and Shailodbhavas in Orissa, the Varmans in Assam, and the Aulikaras, noted in inscriptions for land grants.
The Pushyabhuti family's rise to power began with Prabhakaravardhana, who was a powerful force against other regions and rulers. His son, Harsha-vardhana (Harsha), continued these conquests and reigned from AD 606. Harsha’s early life and reign are detailed in the biography Harshacharita by Banabhatta, which marked the beginning of formal royal biographies, a genre used to legitimize a king’s reign, particularly in cases of rivalry.
Chinese Buddhist monk Hsiian Tsang (Xuan Zhuang) offered a detailed account of Harsha’s reign during his travels. Harsha’s territory expanded to include tributary rulers in Jalandhar, Kashmir, Nepal, and Valabhi, though his attempts to extend his power into the Deccan failed after a major defeat by Pulakeshin II, a Chalukya king. Harsha moved his capital from Thanesar to Kanauj, gaining control over the western Ganges Plain. He was also known for traveling frequently and writing three plays, though it is uncertain if he personally authored them or if they were attributed to him.
The decline of Harsha’s kingdom is described in Chinese sources. In 643 and 647, T'ang Emperor Tai Tsung sent an embassy to Harsha’s court, but in 647, the ambassador found that Harsha had died and the throne had been usurped. The ambassador helped raise a force to defeat the usurper, who was taken to China as a prisoner. After Harsha's death, his kingdom fragmented into smaller states. Successors faced conflicts with the Karkota dynasty in Kashmir, and in the 8th century, Lalitaditya attacked Yashovarman of Kanauj. Despite briefly uniting his neighbors, Harsha's kingdom did not survive due to political and economic challenges.
- Harsha, also called Harshavardhana, (born c. 590 CE—died c. 647), was a ruler of a large empire in northern India from 606 to 647 CE.
- Harsha’s reign seemed to mark a transition from the ancient to the medieval period, when decentralized regional empires continually struggled for hegemony.
- He was the last ruler of the Vardhana Empire, the last great empire in ancient India before the Islamic Invasion.
- After the fall of the great Gupta Empire in the middle of the 6th century CE, it was Harshavardhana who unified most of northern India and ruled for four decades from his capital Kanyakubja.
History and Extent
- The Pushyabhuti dynasty, also known as the Vardhana dynasty, came into prominence after the decline of the Gupta Empire.
- He was succeeded by his elder son, Rajyavardhana.
- After his brother’s death, at the age of 16, Harshavardhana became the undisputed ruler of Thaneshwar (modern-day Haryana).
- Being one of the largest Indian empires of the 7th Century CE, it covered the entire North and North-western India.
- In the east, his empire extended till Kamarupa and ran all the way down to the Narmada River.
- It is said that his empire was spread across the present-day states of Orissa, Bengal, Punjab, and the whole of Indo-Gangetic plain.
- The Vardhana Empire consisted of two distinctive types of territories: areas directly under Harsha’s rule such as Central Provinces, Gujarat, Bengal, Kalinga, Rajputana, and the states and kingdoms which had become feudatories under him including Jalandhar, Kashmir, Nepal, Sind, Kamarupa (modern-day Assam).
Administration and the Empire
- It is said that Harshavardhana’s empire reminded many of the great Gupta Empire, as his administration was similar to that of the administration of the Gupta Empire.
- There was no slavery in his empire and people were free to lead their life according to their wish.
- His empire also took good care of the poor by building rest houses that provided all the amenities required.
- In many texts, Harshavardhana has been described as a noble emperor who made sure all his subjects stayed happy.
- He did not impose heavy taxes on his people and the economy was somewhat self-sufficient.
- His capital Kannauj (in present-day Uttar Pradesh) attracted many artists, poets, religious leaders and scholars who traveled from far and wide.
- He also maintained cordial relations with the Chinese. He even sent an Indian mission to China, establishing a diplomatic relationship between India and China. The famous Chinese monk and traveler Xuanzang spent eight years in his empire.
- During the course of his rule, Harshavardhana built a strong army. Historical records suggest that he had 100,000 strong cavalry, 50,000 infantry, and 60,000 elephants during the peak of his reign. Further, during Harsha’s reign, there was a paucity of coins in most parts of North India. This fact suggests that the economy was feudal in nature. Independent rulers, collectively known as ‘Mahasamantas,’ paid tribute to Harshavardhana and also helped him by supplying military reinforcements. This played an important role in the expansion of Harshavardhana’s empire.
Art and Education
- Harsha was a patron of both art and education. He himself was an author and wrote three Sanskrit plays, Nagananda, Ratnavali, Priyadarshika. One-fourth of his revenue went for patronizing scholars.
- Further, Hiuen Tsang gives a quite vivid description of the famous Nalanda University which was at its zenith during Harsha’s reign.
- Nalanda had around 10,000 students and 2,000 teachers.
- The curriculum included Vedas, Buddhism, philosophy, logic, urban planning, medicine, law, astronomy, etc.
- Also, a famous Indian writer and poet named Banabhatta served as the ‘Asthana Kavi’ (primary poet of the kingdom) in the court of Harshavardhana.
Society and Religion
- Caste system was prevalent among Hindus. They were divided into four castes or varna: Brahmana, Vaishya, Kshatriya, and Shudra, which among them had their own subcastes.
- The status of women declined as compared to the liberal era of earlier times.
- Satipratha (widow immolation) was common, and widow remarriage was not allowed in higher castes.
- Harsha was a worshiper of Shiva in the beginning but later became a Mahayana Buddhist.
- Yet, he was tolerant of other faiths.
- With a view to popularize and propagate the doctrines of Mahayana Buddhism, Harsha arranged at Kanyakubja a great assembly which was presided over by Hiuen Tsang, in 643 CE.
- Also, every five years religious ceremonies were celebrated at the ancient city of Allahabad. Here, he held the ceremony of Dana, or giving, which lasted for three months. During this, most of the wealth accumulated in the last five years was exhausted.
Death and Legacy
- Harsha’s empire marked the beginning of feudalism in India.
- Land was granted in villages, which made the local landlords powerful.
- This led to the weakening of the empire and gave rise to local feuds. Harsha had to be in constant movement to keep things in order.
- After ruling over most parts of North India for more than 40 years, Harsha died in 647 C.E.
- Since he did not have any heirs his empire collapsed and disintegrated rapidly into small states.
- The demise of King Harshavardhana marked the end of the mighty Vardhana dynasty.
Harshavardhana and his kingdom
- Harshavardhana, also known as Harsha, ruled from A.D. 606 to 647.
- He unified northern India after the decline of the Gupta Empire.
- His kingdom included regions like Rajasthan, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Orissa.
- Harsha's southern expansion was halted by the Chalukyan king Pulakesin II.
- He moved the political center from Pataliputra to Kanauj.
- Harsha was known for his literary works and court patronage, including Banabhatta's Harshacharita.
- He maintained diplomatic relations with the Chinese emperor.
- Harsha was an author himself, known for plays such as "Nagananda," "Ratnavali," and "Priyadarsika".
- His reign marked significant cultural and religious activity, particularly in promoting Buddhism.
- Despite his efforts, Harsha’s empire disintegrated after his death.
Administration
- Harsha's administration was decentralized and feudal.
- Relied on local feudatories for military support.
- Land grants were used to reward officers, priests, and scholars.
- Revenue was divided into four parts: king's expenditure, scholars, officials, and religious purposes.
- Struggled with maintaining law and order, despite severe punishments for crimes.
- Harsha emphasized public welfare and charitable activities, including the construction of roads, rest houses, and hospitals.
- Organized religious assemblies every five years, distributing wealth and clothing to the needy.
- Harsha’s administrative structure was detailed in the writings of Banabhatta and the accounts of Hiuen Tsang.
Hiuen Tsang's Account
- Hiuen Tsang, a Chinese traveler, visited India during Harsha’s reign.
- His accounts provide a detailed description of Indian life and administration.
- Noted the economic decline of cities like Pataliputra and Vaisali.
- Described the social hierarchy and the roles of different social groups.
- Mentioned the prevalence of 18 sects of Buddhism in India at the time.
- Highlighted the challenges in law and order, including widespread robbery.
- Provided insights into the cultural and religious vibrancy of Harsha's court.
- Noted Harsha’s patronage of Buddhism and the grand religious assemblies he organized.
- His writings remain a valuable source for understanding the period of Harsha's reign.
Buddhism and Nalanda
- Harsha's reign saw significant patronage of Buddhism.
- He organized major religious assemblies, promoting Buddhist teachings.
- Nalanda University became a renowned center of Buddhist learning during his reign.
- Nalanda housed around 3,000 monks and was supported by 200 villages.
- Attracted scholars from across Asia, including the Chinese traveler Hiuen Tsang.
- Known for its architectural splendor, with numerous monasteries, temples, and lecture halls.
- Despite sectarian divisions, Nalanda served as a unifying center for Buddhist learning.
- Harsha’s support extended to other Buddhist centers and public works, enhancing religious and educational infrastructure.
- The university’s library was a major repository of Buddhist and secular texts.
- Harsha’s efforts contributed to the preservation and dissemination of Buddhist philosophy and education.
Discuss the achievements of Harsha
- Unified large parts of northern India, bringing political stability.
- Made Kanauj the seat of power, marking the shift from Pataliputra.
- Promoted trade and agriculture, boosting the economy.
- Supported arts and literature, patronizing scholars like Banabhatta.
- Encouraged religious tolerance and supported both Buddhism and Hinduism.
- Organized assemblies like the one at Prayag to promote religious discourse.
How did Harsha administer his kingdom?
- Followed administrative practices of the Guptas, with more feudal and decentralized aspects.
- Maintained a large army, supported by contributions from feudatories.
- Paid officers and soldiers through land grants instead of regular salaries.
- Divided revenues into four parts: for the king's expenditure, scholars, officials and public servants, and religious purposes.
- Despite efforts, law and order were not always well maintained, with reports of robbery and crime.
What light does the account of Hsuan Tsang throw on Indian life?
- Highlighted the decline of Pataliputra and rise of Prayag and Kanauj.
- Noted the simple lifestyle of brahmanas and kshatriyas, contrasting with the luxury of nobles and priests.
- Observed the agricultural role of sudras, a shift from their earlier depiction in texts.
- Described the marginalized position of untouchables, who lived outside villages and announced their presence loudly.
Describe society and religion in the time of Harsha
- Society was hierarchical, with brahmanas and kshatriyas enjoying higher status.
- Sudras were primarily engaged in agriculture, indicating a shift in their societal role.
- Untouchables had specific roles and lived on the outskirts of villages, highlighting social stratification.
- Religion was marked by tolerance, with Harsha supporting both Hinduism and Buddhism.
- Buddhism was divided into various sects, with Nalanda as a major center of learning.
- Harsha held grand assemblies to promote religious discourse and unity.
