Study Guide · Chapter 12
Post-Gupta North India: The Vardhana Dynasty
Free study material · concepts, shortcuts & solved questions
- After the fall of the Guptas, North India fragmented into several regional kingdoms until Harshavardhana (606–647 CE) united much of the north from his capital at Kanauj (Kannauj), after the death of his brother Rajyavardhana and the tragic circumstances involving his sister Rajyashri (widow of the Maukhari king of Kanauj, whom he rescued).
- Harsha's court poet Banabhatta wrote the Harshacharita (a biography, one of India's earliest works of this genre) and the play Kadambari.
- The Chinese pilgrim Hiuen Tsang (Xuanzang) visited Harsha's court and Nalanda University, leaving a detailed account (Si-Yu-Ki) of contemporary Indian society, religion, and administration; Harsha organised grand religious assemblies at Kanauj and Prayaga (Kumbh-like distributions of charity at the Prayaga Sangam every five years).
- Harsha was defeated by the Chalukya king Pulakeshin II at the Battle of the Narmada (c. 618–620 CE), which halted his southward expansion — this event is recorded in Pulakeshin II's Aihole inscription, composed by his court poet Ravikirti.
- Harsha was himself a playwright, credited with Ratnavali, Priyadarshika, and Nagananda.
- After Harsha's death (with no heir), his empire quickly disintegrated, and North India entered a long period of political fragmentation, setting the stage for the rise of the Rajput states in the early medieval period.
Page 1 of 1