11. POST-GUPTA PERIOD — HARSHAVARDHANA & THE PUSHYABHUTIS (c. 550 CE – 647 CE)

11. POST-GUPTA PERIOD — HARSHAVARDHANA & THE PUSHYABHUTIS (c. 550 CE – 647 CE)

11.1 Background

• After Gupta decline (mid-6th century), North India fragmented into several regional kingdoms — Maukharis (Kannauj), Later Guptas (Magadha), Maitrakas (Valabhi, Gujarat), Pushyabhutis/Vardhanas (Thanesar).

11.2 Harshavardhana (c. 606 CE – 647 CE)

• Belonged to the Pushyabhuti (Vardhana) dynasty of Thanesar (Haryana); ascended the throne after the deaths of his father Prabhakaravardhana and elder brother Rajyavardhana (killed by the king of Gauda, Shashanka); avenged his brother-in-law Grihavarman's murder (of the Maukhari dynasty) and his sister Rajyashri's captivity by defeating the Malwa/Gauda alliance.
• Shifted/expanded capital effectively to Kannauj; united much of North India under his rule (though his southward expansion was checked).
• Battle with Pulakeshin II (Chalukya ruler of the Deccan) on the banks of the Narmada River (c. 618-620 CE) — Harsha was defeated/repulsed, and the Narmada became the boundary between his empire and the Chalukya kingdom — confirmed by Pulakeshin II's Aihole inscription (composed by his court poet Ravikirti).
• Was a great patron of learning and Buddhism (though personally had eclectic religious views — worshipped Shiva and Surya too, later leaned towards Mahayana Buddhism); patronized Nalanda University.
• Court poet: Banabhatta, who wrote "Harshacharita" (biography of Harsha, in ornate Sanskrit prose) and also "Kadambari".
• Harsha himself was a playwright — credited with "Ratnavali", "Priyadarshika", and "Nagananda" (Sanskrit plays).
• Chinese Buddhist pilgrim Hiuen Tsang (Xuanzang) visited India during Harsha's reign (c. 630–644 CE) — his account "Si-Yu-Ki" (Record of the Western World) is a crucial source for the period; described Harsha's grand assemblies at Kannauj (religious assembly) and Prayag (Kumbh Mela-type mass alms-giving event, held every 5 years).
• Harsha convened a grand Buddhist assembly at Kannauj in honor of Hiuen Tsang, promoting Mahayana Buddhism.
• After Harsha's death (c. 647 CE, no heir), his empire quickly disintegrated — traditionally marks the end of the "ancient" period and transition toward early medieval regional kingdoms in North India.

Key Facts / Quick Revision — Harsha and Pushyabhutis

• Harsha = last major ruler to unify large parts of North India before medieval fragmentation
• Defeated by Pulakeshin II (Chalukya) at Narmada — confirmed by Aihole inscription (poet Ravikirti)
• Banabhatta = Harshacharita; Harsha's own plays = Ratnavali, Priyadarshika, Nagananda
• Hiuen Tsang (Xuanzang) = Chinese pilgrim, wrote Si-Yu-Ki, visited Nalanda and Harsha's court
• Harsha's capital: Kannauj; original dynasty seat: Thanesar