CHEAT SHEET
Vardhana Dynasty
House of Pushyabhuti
Naravardhana (Thanesar)
↓
Rajyavardhana I
↓
Adityavardhana
↓
Prabhakaravardhana
Rajyavardhana II
Harshavardhana (Siladitya) (Thanesar and Kannauj)
Rajyashri (Queen of the Maukharis)
↓ Daughter of Harsha → Dhruvasena II (Dhruvabhata
Baladitya) (Valabhi)
↓ Dharasena IV (Valabhi)
Purpose of Visit: Xuanzang traveled to India to obtain authentic Buddhist
scriptures and gain a deeper understanding of Buddhism. He stayed in India
for about 17 years (629–645 CE), studying at famous centers of learning like
Nalanda University.
Relation with Harsha: Xuanzang developed a close relationship with Harsha,
who hosted him and supported his travels. Harsha was a great patron of
Buddhism, and he provided Xuanzang with protection and patronage.
Records of India: Xuanzang documented his observations of Indian society,
religion, politics, and culture in his work Great Tang Records on the Western
Regions (Da Tang Xi Yu Ji). His accounts provide valuable information about
Harsha's rule, the prosperity of his kingdom, and the conditions of major cities,
monasteries, and universities.
Religious Assemblies:
Xuanzang mentioned the
grand religious assemblies
held by Harsha, especially the
Kannauj Assembly and the
Prayag Assembly, where
Harsha distributed wealth to
monks, scholars, and the poor.
Banabhatta’s Harshacharita
Author:
Banabhatta, court poet of King Harsha, known for refined Sanskrit style.
Content:
Biography of Harsha, covering his rise to power, military campaigns, and personal virtues.
Structure:
Eight chapters; begins with Banabhatta's life, transitions to Harsha’s story.
Historical Importance:
A mix of fact and literary embellishment, it provides insight into socio-political life in Harsha’s era.
Style:
Written in complex, poetic Sanskrit with rich metaphors and descriptions.
Religious Reflections:
Highlights Hindu beliefs while showing Harsha’s religious tolerance.
Unified large parts of northern India,
including Punjab, Bengal, Odisha,
POLITICAL
and Kannauj, making Kannauj his
UNIFICATION:
capital.
Successful in northern India,
MILITARY SUCCESS:
ACHIVEMENTS
though defeated by Pulakesin II of
HARSHA’S
the Chalukyas in the south at the
Narmada River.
PATRON OF A Shaiva by faith but supported both
RELIGION: Hinduism and Buddhism, organizing
grand religious assemblies and
charitable distributions.
Maintained peaceful relations with
DIPLOMACY: kingdoms like Kamarupa (Assam) and
Valabhi (Gujarat), strengthening
alliances through marriages and
diplomacy.
HARSHA’S
ADMINISTARTION
Harsha's administration was largely decentralized and feudal, similar to the Gupta era,
with significant support from feudatories.
Some of the prominent feudatories included Bhaskaravarmana of Kamarupa and
Dhruvabhatta of Vallabhi.
His empire was governed with the help of a large army, which was supplemented by the
forces of these feudatories when needed. The administrative structure relied on military
camps, known as skandhavaras, and land grants were often given to officers and priests
instead of salaries.
Harsha personally supervised administration and frequently toured his empire.
According to the accounts of the Chinese traveler Hsuan Tsang, the taxation was light, and
revenues were divided into four parts:
1. One part for the king
2. One part for scholars
3. One part for the officials and public servants
4. One part for religious purposes
