Harshavardhana (606-647 AD) All Notes

Harshavardhana (606-647 AD)

Harshavardhana

▪ After Gupta’s decline, Harshavardhana, a ruler of Thanesar, Haryana extended his authority over all fiduciaries
▪ Harshavardhana made Kannauj his capital & seat of power & became last great Hindu ruler of North India
▪ In his early life, Harsha was devoted to Shiva but later he became an ardent Mahayana Buddhist under the influence of Chinese pilgrim Huan Tsang

Kannauj Assembly 

Prayag Assembly 

→ 2nd Mahayana Buddhism assembly by Harsha, marked by great charity of Harsha where he even gave up his cloths as charity
Revenue collection during Harsha’s period was divided into 4 parts namely

• 1. For kings
• 2. For Scholars
• 3. For officials
• 4. For Religious purposes

Banskhera inscriptions contains sign & conquest of Harshavardhana

Huan Tsang Account

▪ Book → Si – Yu – Ki and Biography → Hui – Li
▪ Prevalent dowry & Sati system with no system of widow remarriage
▪ Sudras were known as agriculturist
▪ Trade declined & less issuance of coins
▪ Grants of land gained popularity
▪ Thieves at state were met with extreme punishments

Literary Sources

→ Harshacharita , Kadambari
→ Ratnavali, Nagananda, Priyadarsika
▪ Harsha patronised Nalanda university (Mahayana type mostly), which attained international reputation as a center of learning during his reign
▪ At Valabhi lied Hinyana form of Buddhism Institution
▪ Nalanda (Giver of knowledge) name was founded by Kumargupta – 1 in Gupta period

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