Harshavardhan (AD 606-647)

  • Harsha, also known as Slladitya, ascended the throne in AD 606 and from this year started the Harsha Era. 
  • Harsha made Kannauj, his capital.
  • This early history of Harsha's reign is con-structed from a study of the book Harshacharita.
  • Harsha is called the last great Hindu emperor of india, but he was neither a staunch Hindu nor the ruler of the whole country.
  • In Eastern India, he faced opposition from Shaivite King Shashanka of Cauda, who cut off the Bodhi tree of Bodhgaya.
  • Harsha defeated Dhruvasena-II, the Maitraka ruler of Vallabhi.
  • Harsha was defeated in Deccan by Pulakesin-II, the Chaiukyan king of Vatapi.
  • Harsha's administration become more feudal and decentralized.
  • The Chinese pilgrim Hiu en Tsang visited India during Harsha period, he informs us that the revenue of Harsha was divided into four parts one for the king, second for the scholar, third for officer and fourth for religious purpose.
  • Harsha use to celebrate a solemn festival at Prayag after every five years.
  • After the death of Harsha in AD 657, the emipre once again broke up into petty states and the throne was usurped by his ministry Arunashva.
  • Harsha was a Shaivite. He also granted revenue of 200 villages for the maintenance of Nalanda University. It is said that Harsha brought '5 regions' under his control Punjab, Kannauj, Bengal, Bihar and Orissa).
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