Harshavardhana's Reign and Post-Harsha North India

Harsha became the king of Thanesar after his father and elder brother died. Hisbrother-in-law was the ruler of Kanauj and was killed by the ruler of Bengal.

Harsha is also known as Harshavardhana, was an Indian emperor who ruled North India from 606 to 647 CE. He was a member of the Vardhana dynasty; and was the son of Prabhakarvardhana who defeated the Alchon Huna invaders, and the younger brother of Rajyavardhana, a king of Thanesar, present-day Haryana.

His biography was written by Banabhatta. We also know about Harshavardhana from Xuan Zang.

Harshavardhana ascended the throne of Thanesar in 606 A.D. after the death of his brother Rajyavardhana.

Harshavardhana's expansion into the Deccan was halted by the Chalukya king Pulakeshin II at the battle on the banks of the Narmada.

Hieun Tsang, the Chinese pilgrim, visited India during the reign of Harshavardhana with an aim of securing authentic Buddhist scripts. The Kannauj assembly (643 AD) was held in the honour of Hieun Tsang and to popularise Mahayana sect of Buddhism. Bāṇabhaṭṭa was a 7th-century Sanskrit prose writer and poet of India. He was the Asthana Kavi in the court of King Harsha Vardhana. Fa-hien was a Chinese pilgrim who visited India during the reign of Chandra Gupta II. Hence, these are incorrect. 

Harshavardhana belonged to the Pushyabhuti dynasty, also known as the Vardhana dynasty, which ruled from Thanesar.

Harshavardhana was initially a devotee of Shiva but later became a patron of Buddhism, particularly after meeting the monk Xuanzang.

Harshavardhana shifted his capital from Thanesar to Kannauj to better control the Gangetic plains.

Agriculture was the primary occupation of the people during the reign of Harshavardhana, as it was in most ancient Indian kingdoms.

Harshavardhana convened a great Buddhist assembly at Kannauj in 643 A.D. to discuss Buddhist philosophy.

Harshavardhana is credited with writing three Sanskrit plays: Ratnavali, Priyadarshika, and Nagananda.

Historical records indicate that King Harshavardhana supported Nalanda University by donating the revenue from 200 villages. This provided the necessary financial stability for the institution to function.

Kumara Matyas were a significant class of administrative officers during the Gupta and post-Gupta periods, including the reign of Harsha. They held various high-ranking positions in the imperial administration.

Kādambari is a romantic novel in Sanskrit. It was substantially composed by Bāṇabhaṭṭa in the first half of the 7th century CE, who did not survive to see it through completion. The novel was completed by Banabhatta's son Bhushanabhatta, according to the plan laid out by his late father. Hence, Option A is correct.

Harshavardhana, the ruler of the Vardhana dynasty, passed away in 647 A.D. His death marked the end of a significant era in North Indian history.

In the administrative terminology of the period, Dutakas were officials responsible for conveying royal orders and acting as messengers between the king and his subjects or other officials.

The Gupta king who had to face the first Huna invasion was Kumaragupta I. His reign lasted for 40 years between CE 415 – 455 and was one of the last great emperors of the Gupta Dynasty. He was successful in defeating the Huns and performed the Ashvamedha to celebrate his victory. 

Both Banabhatta's Harshacharita and the travel accounts of the Chinese pilgrim Hieun Tsang are primary sources for understanding the political and social life during Harsha's reign.

Harshavardhana was known for his religious generosity and held a grand assembly at Prayag (Allahabad) every five years, where he would distribute his accumulated wealth to the needy and religious orders.

Harshavardhana was an Indian Emperor, who ruled over the northern parts of India from 606 A.D to to 647 A.D. Harshacharita is the biography of Indian emperor Harsha by Banabhatta. He was a 7th-century Sanskrit prose writer and poet in the court of Harsha.

Harshavardhana was an Indian Emperor, who ruled over the northern parts of India from 606 A.D to to 647 A.D. His earliest capital was Thaneswar, present-day Haryana. After his accession, King Harshavardhan united the two kingdoms of Thanesar and Kannauj. He also shifted his capital from Thanesar to Kannauj.

Vardhana or Pushyabhuti dynasty was one of the small independent kingdoms formed after the downfall of the Gupta Empire. Prabhakar Vardhana, ruler of Thanesar who belonged to the Pushyabhuti family was the founder of the Vardhana dynasty. The capital was at Thanesar.

Hiuen Tsang was a Chinese Buddhist monk who came to India during the rule of Harshvardhan and studied at Nalanda. From his accounts, it can be said that the Nalanda University was a great center of education and was famous even in far-off countries.

Harshavardhana was an Indian Emperor, who ruled over the northern parts of India from 606 A.D to to 647 A.D. He was a learner of Buddha's ways and later became a devout Buddhist though initially he was a Shaivite. He built monasteries at the places visited by Gautam Buddha and spent great amount of his wealth on promoting Buddhism. 

The Gupta Empire which had flourished for two centuries,disintegrated around 6th century C.E. Many small kingdoms sprang up at this time. The kingdom of the Vardhanas was one of them. They ruled from Thaneswar in 6th century. Some copper inscriptions, Banas Harshacharita and the Chinese traveller, Hiuen Tsangs writings throw light upon this period. Pushyabhuti is the founder of this dynasty. Prabhakaravardhana and Harshavardhana are the prominent kings of the dynasty. After the death of his father, Prabhakaravardhana, and his brother, Rajyavardhana, Harsha became the king of Thaneswar. 

Buddha's followers believe that Nalanda was the name of Buddha in his previous birth. This is famous as an ancient university. Buddha had visited Nalanda. Mention has been made of the 25-metre tall bronze image of Buddha that Harshavardhana gifted to Nalanda.

While Harsha was originally a devotee of Shiva, he became a great patron of Buddhism, especially after his interaction with the Chinese traveler Hieun Tsang.

Harshavardhana is historically famous for the quinquennial (five-year) religious assemblies he organized at Prayag, where he donated vast amounts of wealth.

Harshavardhana was a talented playwright and is credited with writing three major Sanskrit plays: Nagananda, Ratnavali, and Priyadarsika.

Harshavardhana sent a diplomatic mission to the Tang dynasty in China in 641 C.E., which helped foster cultural and diplomatic ties between the two civilizations.

The Chinese traveller, Hiuen Tsang, visited Nalanda and stayed for some time. He has given a detailed description of this place. There were stupas, chaityas, viharas, rest houses, steps here and there to sit and rest awhile, meditation rooms, lecture rooms, and many other structures reveal the glory of this place. The Gupta kings and Harshavardhana have been the famous patrons of this place. An accidental fire destroyed many texts at Nalanda. 

Harshavardhana's expansion into the Deccan was halted by the Chalukya king Pulakesin II, who defeated him near the Narmada River around 618-620 A.D.

After the decline of the Gupta Empire, Kannauj (Kanyakubja) rose to prominence and became the political center of North India, especially under the reign of Harshavardhana.

The tripartite struggle for Kannauj involved the Gurjara-Pratiharas, the Palas, and the Rashtrakutas. The Paramaras were not part of this specific conflict.

Harshavardhana is widely recognized as one of the last great royal patrons of Buddhism in ancient India, supporting the religion extensively through his patronage of Nalanda and his religious assemblies.

The decline of the Gupta Empire was a multifaceted process caused by the Huna invasions, the weakness of later rulers, and the rise of independent regional powers.

Banabhatta was the court poet of Harshavardhana and is famous for writing the Harshacharita, a biography of the king.

The Harshacharita, which serves as the biography of King Harshavardhana, was authored by his court poet, Banabhatta.

Harshavardhana's empire did not cover the entire Indian subcontinent; it was primarily centered in northern India, extending over regions like Punjab, Rajasthan, and parts of the Gangetic plain.

Answer - (C) - Banbhatta 

Pulakesin II, the Chalukya king, successfully stopped Harshavardhana's southward expansion at the Narmada River, preventing him from entering the Deccan.

The Gupta empire faced internal instability due to the rise of semi-independent feudatories and the loss of central control over provincial governors. While Hun invasions were a major external pressure, the internal fragmentation and revolts by principal chiefs were critical factors in the collapse of central authority.

Harshavardhana was a devout Buddhist who actively promoted the religion. He sent missionaries to various regions to spread Buddhist teachings and held grand assemblies to discuss and propagate the faith.

The repeated and devastating invasions by the Huns (Hunas) during the fifth century severely drained the Gupta empire's resources and military strength. This external pressure significantly contributed to the weakening and eventual decline of the empire.

Banabhatta was a renowned Sanskrit scholar and poet who served as the court poet of King Harshavardhana. He is best known for writing the Harshacharita, a biography of the king.

Harshavardhana is often praised for his administrative efficiency and military prowess, similar to Samudragupta, while also being noted for his benevolence and religious tolerance, which draws comparisons to Ashoka.

After the downfall of the Gupta Empire in the middle of the 6th century, North India was split into several independent kingdoms. The northern and western regions of India passed into the hands of a dozen or more feudatory states. Prabhakara Vardhana, the ruler of Sthanvisvara, who belonged to the Vardhana family, extended his control over neighbouring states. Prabhakar Vardhana was the first king of the Vardhana dynasty with his capital at Thaneswar. After Prabhakar Vardhana's death in 605, his eldest son, Rajya Vardhana, ascended the throne. Harsha Vardhana was Rajya Vardhana's younger brother. This period of kings from the same line has been referred to as the Vardhana dynasty or Pushyabuthi dynasty in several sources.

Harshavardhana is credited with writing Priyadarshika, Nagananda, and Ratnavali. Harshacharita is the biography of Harshavardhana written by his court poet, Banabhatta.

In the year 643 A.D.Harsha held a great religious assembly in his capital at Kanauj on the bank of the river Ganges. The purpose of the assembly was to highlight the teachings of Buddha. On that occasion, Harsha also wanted to honour the Chinese Master of the Law, Hiuen Tsang.
This grand function was attended by twenty tributary kings. Three thousand Mahayana and Hinayana Buddhists, three thousand Brahmins and Jainas, and one thousand Buddhist scholars from the University of Nalanda attended this assembly. Harsha himself proposed the name of Hiuen Tsang to take the chair. The subject of discussion in the assembly related to Mahayana Buddhism. The assembly continued for long 23 days.

As North India reverted to small republics and small monarchical states ruled by Gupta rulers after the fall of the prior Gupta Empire, Harsha united the small republics from Punjab to central India, and their representatives crowned him king at an assembly in April 606 giving him the title of Maharaja. 

Harsha established an empire that brought all of northern India under his control. The peace and prosperity that prevailed made his court a centre of cosmopolitanism, attracting scholars, artists and religious visitors from far and wide. The Chinese traveller Hieun Tsang visited the court of Harsha, and wrote a very favourable account of him, praising his justice and generosity.

Pulakeshin II defeated Harsha on the banks of Narmada in the winter of 618-619 CE. Pulakeshin entered into a treaty with Harsha, with the Narmada River designated as the border between the Chalukya Empire and that of Harshavardhana.

Administrative system during Harshavardhana's reign continued to be as that of the Gupta empire. Kumaramatyas were the most important bureaucratic officers of the empire. The other important bureaucratic posts were mantris (ministers), dutakas (messengers), ayuktas (district officers), and Senapati (commander).

In the year 643 A.D. Harsha held a great religious assembly in his capital at Kannauj on the bank of the river Ganges. The purpose of the assembly was to highlight the teachings of Buddha. On that occasion, Harsha also wanted to honour the Chinese Master of the Law, Hiuen Tsang. The assembly continued for long 23 days.

As North India reverted to small republics and small monarchical states ruled by Gupta rulers after the fall of the prior Gupta Empire, Harsha united the small republics from Punjab to central India, and their representatives crowned him king at an assembly in April 606 giving him the title of Maharaja. 

Harsha established an empire that brought all of northern India under his control. The peace and prosperity that prevailed made his court a center of cosmopolitanism, attracting scholars, artists and religious visitors from far and wide. The Chinese traveler Heun Tsang visited the court of Harsha, and wrote a very favourable account of him, praising his justice and generosity.

Historical accounts, particularly those by the Chinese traveler Hiuen-Tsang, record that the grand religious assembly held by Harsha at Prayag lasted for 75 days.

Priyadarshika , Ratnavali and Nagananda of Harsha are works of Drama. Besides being  a great conqueror and religious minded and generous king, Harshavardhan was also a great lover of education and learning.Emperor Harshvardhana wrote three plays in the Sanskrit Language.

The grand assembly held by Harshavardhana at Prayag, where he distributed his wealth in charity, was known as the Maha Moksha Parishad.

Historical tradition credits King Harshavardhana with the organization of the Kumbh Mela at Prayag (Allahabad) during his reign, as part of his quinquennial charity assemblies.

Hiuen-Tsang (Xuanzang) was a Chinese Buddhist monk who traveled to India during the reign of Harshavardhana. His detailed travelogues provide invaluable information about the administration and social life of that period.

Harshavardhana is historically recognized as the last great Hindu emperor of northern India before the onset of the medieval period and the rise of regional powers.

The Maukharis ruled from Kannauj, the Pusyabhutis (Vardhans) were based in Thaneshvar, Sasanka ruled from Bengal (Gauda), and the Maitrakas were based in Valabhi, Gujarat.

Rajya Vardhanas and Harshas sister Rajyashri had been married to the Maukhari king, Grahavarman. This king, some years later, had been defeated and killed by king Devagupta of Malwa and after his death Rajyashri had been cast into prison by the victor. Harsha's brother, Rajya Vardhana, then the king at Thanesar, could not stand this affront on his family, marched against Devagupta and defeated him. But it so happened at this moment that Shashanka, king of Gauda in Eastern Bengal, entered Magadha as a friend of Rajyavardhana, but in secret alliance with the Malwa king. Accordingly, Shashanka treacherously murdered Rajyavardhana. On hearing about the murder of his brother, Harsha resolved at once to march against the treacherous king of Gauda and killed Shashanka in a battle.

Harshacharita (life and works of Kinga Harsha) was written by Sanskrit poet Banabhatta or Bana (7th century CE). He was the court poet of King Harsha. Harsha or Harshavardhana was the North Indian king, who ruled between 606 to 647 CE. His capital was Kannauj (present Uttar Pradesh). Harshacharita was written in a poetic manner or and it is regarded as the first historical biography in Sanskrit. Harsha wrote three Sanskrit plays- Nagananda, Ratnavali, and Priyadarshika.

Historical records indicate that the grand assembly at Prayag, which Hiuen-Tsang attended, took place in 643 A.D.