Harshavardhana (606 – 647 AD)

• 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 → Harsha organised a Kannauj assembly to honour Chinese

pilgrim Huan Tsang where he explained doctrines of Mahayana Buddhism & claimed his superiority over others

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

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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

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Literary Sources

Banabhatta	Harshacharita , Kadambari
Harshavardhana	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