Harsha & Regional Kingdoms

• Harsha (606–647 CE) — the last great north Indian emperor before medieval period.
• Xuanzang (Hiuen Tsang) — Chinese pilgrim's account of India under Harsha.
• Regional kingdoms after the Guptas — Pallavas, Chalukyas, Rashtrakutas.
• Importance of assemblies and prashastis as historical sources.

Harsha (606–647 CE)

• Ruled from Kanauj (Kannauj, UP).
• United north India after Gupta collapse; never matched Gupta extent but largest north Indian kingdom of his time.
• Lost to Pulakesi II (Chalukya king of Deccan, 618 CE) — could not expand south; Deccan remained independent.
• Known for:
  • Religious tolerance: began as Shaivite; later influenced by Buddhism.
  • Held great religious assemblies at Prayag (Allahabad) every 5 years — gave away all royal treasury to monks, priests, poor.
  • Patron of arts and learning.
  • Wrote three Sanskrit plays: Ratnavali, Priyadarshika, Nagananda.

Xuanzang (Hiuen Tsang) — our window into Harsha's India

• Chinese Buddhist monk; visited India ~629–645 CE.
• Spent time studying at Nalanda University (Bihar).
• Wrote Great Tang Records on the Western Regions — detailed account of India.
• Describes Nalanda: 10,000 students, 2,000 teachers; students from China, Korea, Japan, SE Asia; famous for logic, philosophy, Buddhist texts.
• Describes Harsha's empire as prosperous; people mild-mannered; crime low.
• Observations: no capital punishment; criminals fined or imprisoned; vegetarianism widespread among upper classes.

Nalanda University

• Founded by Kumaragupta I (Gupta emperor, ~415–455 CE).
• Greatest centre of learning in ancient world.
• Free education; state-funded.
• Subjects: Buddhism, logic, grammar, medicine, mathematics, astronomy.
• Destroyed by Bakhtiyar Khilji (1193 CE) — library burned; monks killed or fled.
• Modern Nalanda University re-established 2010 near the ancient site.

Prashastis — royal praise poems

• Prashasti = inscription or poem praising a king; composed by poets in the king's court.
• Example: Allahabad Pillar Inscription — praises Samudragupta (Gupta king); composed by court poet Harisena.
• Tells us about Samudragupta's campaigns, conquered kings, personal qualities (exaggerated).
• Limitation: extremely biased; kings never lose battles in their own prashastis.

Regional kingdoms — Deccan and South

After Guptas, powerful regional kingdoms arose:

Pallavas (South India, ~300–900 CE)

• Capital: Kanchipuram (Tamil Nadu).
• Patrons of Tamil literature and Sanskrit learning.
• Famous for rock-cut architecture:
  • Shore Temple (Mahabalipuram/Mamallapuram) — built by Narasimhavarman II (~700 CE); UNESCO World Heritage Site.
  • Rathas (monolithic temples) carved from single rocks.
• Pallava kings fought constantly with Chalukyas (Deccan) and Pandyas (far south).

Chalukyas (Deccan, ~543–753 CE)

• Capital: Vatapi (Badami), Karnataka.
• Pulakesi II: greatest Chalukyan king; stopped Harsha at Narmada; also defeated by Pallava Narasimhavarman I.
• Famous cave temples at Badami, Aihole, Pattadakal.
• Pattadakal temples = UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Rashtrakutas (~753–982 CE)

• Overthrew Chalukyas; dominated Deccan.
• Capital: Manyakheta (near Gulbarga, Karnataka).
• Kailasa Temple, Ellora (Maharashtra) — carved out of a single rock hillside by Rashtrakuta king Krishna I; largest monolithic rock-cut structure in the world.

• Who was Harsha? Where was his capital?
• What did Xuanzang write about Nalanda University?
• What is a prashasti? What are its limitations as a historical source?
• Name three regional kingdoms that arose after the Guptas.
• What is the Kailasa Temple at Ellora? Why is it remarkable?

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