Post-Gupta Age: Political, Social, and Cultural Developments

Harshavardhana- Pushybhuti Dynasty - Post Gupta Age: Introduction

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 Hiuen 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.

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• Harsha, also known as Harshavardhana (c. 590 CE–c. 647 CE), ruled a vast empire in northern India from 606 to 647 CE.
• Harsha’s reign marked a transition from the ancient to the medieval period, characterized by decentralized regional empires vying for dominance.
• He was the final ruler of the Vardhana Empire, the last significant empire in ancient India before the Islamic invasions.
• After the decline of the Gupta Empire in the mid-6th century CE:
  • Harshavardhana unified much of northern India.
  • He ruled for four decades from his capital, Kanyakubja (modern-day Kannauj).

History and Extent

• The Pushyabhuti dynasty, also known as the Vardhana dynasty, gained prominence after the decline of the Gupta Empire.
• Harsha was succeeded by his elder brother, Rajyavardhana.
• After his brother's death, Harshavardhana became the ruler of Thaneshwar (modern-day Haryana) at the age of 16.
• The Vardhana Empire became one of the largest Indian empires of the 7th century CE, covering:
  • The entire North and Northwestern regions of India.
  • The eastern territories, extending to Kamarupa (modern-day Assam).
  • Southern boundaries reaching the Narmada River.
• Present-day states under Harsha’s empire included:
  • Orissa
  • Bengal
  • Punjab
  • The entire Indo-Gangetic plain.
• The Vardhana Empire comprised two types of territories:
  • Directly ruled regions: Central Provinces, Gujarat, Bengal, Kalinga, and Rajputana.
  • Feudatory states: Jalandhar, Kashmir, Nepal, Sind, and Kamarupa.

Administration and the Empire

• Harshavardhana’s empire was often compared to the great Gupta Empire due to similarities in administration.
• Slavery was absent in his empire, and people were free to live as they wished.
• The empire took care of the poor by building rest houses with essential amenities.
• Many texts describe Harshavardhana as a noble emperor who ensured the happiness of his subjects.
• He did not impose heavy taxes, and the economy was largely self-sufficient.
• The capital, Kannauj (modern-day Uttar Pradesh), became a hub for artists, poets, religious leaders, and scholars from across the world.
• Diplomatic relations with China were notable:
  • Harsha sent an Indian mission to China, establishing diplomatic ties.
  • The famous Chinese monk and traveler Xuanzang spent eight years in his empire.
• During his reign, Harshavardhana built a formidable military:
  • 100,000 cavalry, 50,000 infantry, and 60,000 elephants at the peak of his rule.
  • Historical records suggest a paucity of coins, indicating a feudal economy.
  • Independent rulers, known as ‘Mahasamantas,’ paid tribute to Harshavardhana and provided military reinforcements, aiding in the expansion of his empire.

Art and Education

• Harsha was a patron of art and education. He was also an accomplished author who wrote three Sanskrit plays:
  • Nagananda
  • Ratnavali
  • Priyadarshika
  Additionally, one-fourth of his revenue was dedicated to supporting scholars.
• Hiuen Tsang provided a vivid description of the renowned Nalanda University, which flourished during Harsha’s reign.
• Nalanda University hosted approximately:
  • 10,000 students
  • 2,000 teachers
• The curriculum at Nalanda included a wide range of subjects:
  • Vedas
  • Buddhism
  • Philosophy
  • Logic
  • Urban planning
  • Medicine
  • Law
  • Astronomy
• Famed Indian writer and poet Banabhatta served as the ‘Asthana Kavi’ (court poet) in Harshavardhana’s kingdom.

Society and Religion

• The caste system was prevalent among Hindus, divided into four main castes (varna):
  • Brahmana
  • Vaishya
  • Kshatriya
  • Shudra
  Each caste also had its own subcastes.
• The status of women declined compared to earlier liberal eras.
• Satipratha (widow immolation) was common, and widow remarriage was prohibited among higher castes.
• Harsha initially worshipped Shiva but later embraced Mahayana Buddhism.
• Despite his conversion, he remained tolerant of other faiths.
• To propagate Mahayana Buddhism, Harsha organized a grand assembly at Kanyakubja in 643 CE, presided over by Hiuen Tsang.
• Religious ceremonies were celebrated every five years in the ancient city of Allahabad.
  • These events, known as Dana (giving), lasted three months.
  • During this time, most of the wealth accumulated over five years was distributed.

Death and Legacy

• Harsha’s empire marked the beginning of feudalism in India.
• Land was granted in villages, increasing the power of local landlords.
• This contributed to the weakening of the empire and the rise of local feuds. Harsha had to be in constant motion to maintain order.
• After ruling over most of North India for more than 40 years, Harsha passed away in 647 CE.
• As he had no heirs, his empire collapsed and fragmented into smaller states.
• The death of King Harshavardhana marked the end of the powerful Vardhana dynasty.

Harshavardhana and his kingdom

• Harshavardhana, also known as Harsha, ruled from A.D. 606 to 647.
• He unified northern India following the decline of the Gupta Empire.
• His kingdom included regions such as 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 a patron of the arts and literature, known for works such as Banabhatta's Harshacharita.
• He maintained diplomatic relations with the Chinese emperor.
• Harsha was also an author, known for his Sanskrit plays:
  • Nagananda
  • Ratnavali
  • Priyadarsika
• His reign saw significant cultural and religious activity, especially in promoting Buddhism.
• Despite his efforts, Harsha’s empire disintegrated after his death.

Administration

• Harsha's administration was decentralized and feudal in nature.
• He 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
  • Religious purposes
• Despite severe punishments for crimes, Harsha struggled to maintain law and order.
• He emphasized public welfare, supporting charitable activities such as the construction of roads, rest houses, and hospitals.
• Religious assemblies were organized every five years, where wealth and clothing were distributed 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.
• He noted the economic decline of cities like Pataliputra and Vaisali.
• He 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 challenges in law and order, including widespread robbery.
• Provided valuable 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 key 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 to promote 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.
• The university attracted scholars from across Asia, including the Chinese traveler Hiuen Tsang.
• Nalanda was known for its architectural splendor, featuring 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 Hiuen 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.