Harshavardhana - Kings, Family and Family

Harshavardhana was born in c.590 as the second son of Prabakaravardhana, the first important king of Pushyabhuti dynasty and his queen, Yasomati. He had one elder brother, Rajyavardhana and one sister, Rajyashri, who later married Grahavarman, a member of the Maukhari, ruling family at Kannauj.

After the death of his father, his elder brother Rajyavardhana ascended the throne.

His sister’s husband, Grahavarman, was killed by the ruler of the Malava kingdom, who also kidnapped Rajyashri. Rajyavardhana marched against the Malava king and defeated him. However, he was treacherously killed by Shashanka, ruler of the Gauda kingdom.

Harshavardhana, aged just 16 at the time of his brother death in 606 was crowned the king. He decided to avenge his brother’s death and made an alliance with King Bhaskaravarman of Kamarupa and warred against King Shashanka of Gauda. He was ultimately successful in rescuing his sister who was about to commit suicide after escaping from the Malava king though he could not defeat Shashanka.

Since his brother-in-law Grahavarman left behind no male heirs, he declared himself sovereign ruler of Kannauj and transferred his capital to that city.

Over a period of time he was able to successfully add regions of Punjab, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Bengal, Odisha and the entire Indo-Gangetic plain north of the Narmada River to his kingdom. He also tried to expand his empire to the south but was unsuccessful in his attempts.

He was an able and just ruler, known to be benevolent and resourceful. Under his administration the economy thrived and the capital at Kannauj became a great centre of trade.

He cared deeply about the underprivileged citizens and built rest-houses throughout his empire which provided food, drink, and medicine to the poor. He often travelled across his kingdom and observed for himself how the citizens were faring. His rule was predominantly a peaceful and prosperous one.

Under his administration the economy became increasingly self-sufficient and feudal in nature. Over a period of time trade started declining and commerce receded. The diminishing trade and commerce also affected other industries and thus the people grew increasingly dependent upon agriculture.

As the king Harsha maintained good relations with Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty in China. Chinese Pilgrim Xuanzang spent several years in India and following his visit, Harsha sent a mission to China which established the first diplomatic relations between China and India.

He was an intellectual who openly welcomed artists and scholars into his court. As a patron of art and literature he made numerous endowments to the University at Nalanda. He had a lofty wall built which enclosed all the buildings of the university in order to defend the institution from outside attacks.

He was born a Hindu though he converted to Buddhism as a young man. He held a Buddhist convocation at Kannauj in 643 which was attended by 20 kings and thousands of pilgrims.

Harsha was also a noted author. He composed three Sanskrit dramas—Nagananda, Ratnavali and Priyadarsika. His court poet was the noted literary figure, Bana, and he also patronized the likes of scholars like Haridatta and Jayasena.

King Harsha unified several small republics in Northern India into a large kingdom under his rule. He was successful in bringing the regions of Gujarat, Bengal, Punjab, Rajasthan, Odisha and the entire Indo-Gangetic plain to the north of Narmada under his administration when he was at the height of his power.

He was married to Durgavati and had two sons with her, Vagyavardhana and Kalyanvardhana. Both his sons were killed by Arunashwa, a chief minister in Harsha's court.

Harsha died in 647, having ruled for 41 years. He left behind no heir as both his sons were dead. The empire disintegrated upon his death.