👑 Harshavardhana (606–647 CE)

Harshavardhana was the last great Hindu emperor of North India before the Muslim invasions. He ruled from Kanauj and built a large empire covering most of North India.

Rise to Power:

• Belonged to the Pushyabhuti (Vardhana) dynasty of Thanesar
• Became king at age 16 after his brother Rajyavardhana was killed by Shashanka (king of Gauda/Bengal)
• Avenged his brother’s death and built a large empire
• Capital: Kanauj (Kannauj, UP)
• Defeated by Pulakesi II (Chalukya) on the Narmada river — could not expand south

🏛️ Harsha’s Administration

• More feudal than Gupta administration — vassal kings had more autonomy
• Harsha personally toured his empire to hear grievances
• Revenue: 1/4 for government, 1/4 for scholars, 1/4 for religion, 1/4 for personal use
• Maintained a large army: 60,000 elephants, 100,000 cavalry
• Organised Prayag Assembly (Mahaparyushana) every 5 years — distributed wealth to poor

🇨🇳 Xuanzang’s Account of Harsha’s India

• Xuanzang (Hiuen Tsang) visited India during 629–645 CE
• Spent time at Nalanda University — studied Buddhist philosophy
• Describes Harsha as a just and benevolent ruler
• Notes that India was prosperous and people were honest
• Describes Nalanda as a great centre of learning with 10,000 students
• Notes that Buddhism was declining in some parts of India
• His account: Si-Yu-Ki (Records of the Western Regions)

📚 Harsha as Author

• Harsha was himself a playwright — wrote three Sanskrit plays:
  • Ratnavali — love story
  • Priyadarshika — love story
  • Nagananda — Buddhist theme; Jimutvahana sacrifices himself for serpents
• Court poet Banabhatta wrote Harshacharita (biography of Harsha) and Kadambari (novel)

📉 Decline After Harsha

• Harsha died in 647 CE without an heir
• Empire immediately disintegrated — no strong successor
• North India fragmented into small kingdoms — Rajput period began
• Arab invasion of Sindh (712 CE) followed