Raja Harshawardhan


After the decline of the Gupta Empire in the North, many small kingdoms rose throughout India. These kingdoms were constantly at war with each other. Taking advantage of the situation, the Shakas and the Pahlava Invaders established their own strongholds in Western India.
Prabhakarvardhan was a king of one such kingdom of Thaneshwar. He had two sons, Rajyavardhan and Harshwardhan. His daughter, Rajyashri was married to King Grahavarman. After the death of King Prabhakarvardhan, Rajyavardhan ascended the throne. Meanwhile, the King of Malwa, Devadutta, attacked Grahavarman and killed him. Rajyashri was made a prisoner. To free his sister, Rajyavardhan marched out with his armies. Unfortunately he was murdered by King Shashanka of Gouda.
The responsibility of ruling the kingdom fell on the shoulders of the young Harshwardhan. He ascended the throne at the tender age of 16. Upon ascending to the throne, he started training troops and established a large standing army. He marched upon King Devadutta and King Shashanka and killed the two of them in battles. He freed his sister and established his capital at Kannauj.
Harsha was a wise and capable ruler. Under his reign, North India prospered a lot. He could field an army of 100,000 soldiers at a time. He tried to expand his kingdom to the South but was defeated by the Chalukya King, Pulakeshi II.
In his later years, Harsha embraced Buddhism. He donated huge amounts of wealth to the poor and the needy. He embarked on pilgrimages and prevented violence in his kingdom.
Harsha maintained diplomatic relations with Emperor Taizhong of China. A chinese traveller, Hiuen Tsang visited his Empire in 636 CE. We can find Harsha's kingdom mentioned in the travel records of Hiuen Tsang.
Coins of Harshwardhan

Extent of Harsha's Empire

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