Vardhanas and Chalukyas

After the Guptas, the well-known last Hindu dynasty in the north was Vardhana dynasty of which Harsha Vardhana was a famous king. Harsha was a great scholar. Hieun Tsang visited India in the 7th Century A.D. during Harsha's period. Hieun Tsang's accounts are a valuable source of information on Harsha's period. Nalanda University flourished and two conferences on Buddhism were held under Harsha--one at Kannauj, second conference at Allahabad. He was defeated ultimately by Pulakesin ll of Chalukya dynasty. Banabhatt wrote Harsha Charita. Harsha himself wrote three dramas Ratnavali, Priyadarsika and Nagananda in Sanskrit. Thus Harsha was not only a warrior but a scholar and good administrator also.

Age of Harsha

The founder of the Pushyabhuti dynasty was Pushyabhuti. The fourth King Prabhakarvardhan assumed the title of Maharajadhiraia. His daughter Rajyashree was married to the Maukhari king Grahavarman of Kannauj. Sasanka, King of Gauda advanced towards the West and in alliance with the King of Malwa Devagupta, defeated and killed the Maukhari king Grahavarman and imprisoned his queen Rajyashree. Harshavardhana was offered the Crown when both the throne of Kannauj and Thaneswar was lying vacant. The statesmen of Kannauj offered the crown to Harsha on the  advice of their leading noble Bani (Bandhi). Hieun Tsang mentions the Vallabhi King Dhruvasena II as Harsha‘s son-in-Iaw.  He also attended the Religious Assembly called by Harsha at Prayag. The Vallabhis remained a strong power during the reign of Harsha. The Gurjaras were feudatories of the Chalukyan ruler Pulakesin ll. An eulogy or Prasasti of Pulakesin ll mentions his success against Harshavardhana. A Chinese account mentions Harsha as the King of Magadha in 641 A.D. Harsha had diplomatic relations with the Chinese for his contemporary Tang emperor sent three Embassies to his Court. Harsha died in 647 A.D.

  • Harsha made Kannauj the seat of power from where be extended his authority in all directions. In the beginning he contended himself with the modest title of 'Rajaputra Siladitya‘.
  • The early history of Harsha's reign is reconstructed by his biography ‘Harshacharita’ written by his court poet Banabhatta.
  • The later history is known from the accounts at ”Hiuen-Tsang. the chinish pilgrim, who visited India during hIs reign, travelled all over the country. Stayed for about 15 years and was on frIendIy terms with him.
  • Harsha is called the last great Hindu emperor of India but he was neither a staunch Hindu nor the ruler of the whole country.

Extent of Harsha’ s empire:

He ruled a vast territory comprising eastern Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal and Orissa under direct control. But his sphere of influence spread over a much wider areas; Kashmir does not seem to be included in his territory, though he is reported to have led an expedition to Kashmir from where he carried up the tooth-relic of Buddha.

  • Independent kings like his son in law, the king of Valabhi, and his ally king Bhaskarvarman of Kamaroopa offered him homage and even attended his court.
  • In eastern India he faced opposition from the Shaivite king Sasanka of Gauda, but his death in A.D. 619 put an end to this hostility.
  • He also attempted to extend his empire beyond the Narmada but was defeated by Chalukayan king Pulakesin ll In A.D. 634.

Administration

  • The empire was administerd on almost the same lines as that of the Guptas, except that Harsha’s administration had become more feudal and decentralised.
  • Land grants to the Officers in lieu of salary was probably began by Harsha on a consideIable scale.
  • Hiuen-Tsang says that the revenue of Harsha was divided into four parts-one part was earmaked for the expenditure of the king, second part for scholars, third part for the endowment of the officials and public servents and a fourth for religious purposes.
  • Besides officials, land grants continued to be made to the priest.
  • Land revenue was 1/6 of the produce.
  • Hiuen-Tsang says, ‘He personally supervised the administration. He was indefatigable and the day was too short for him”.
  • In the empire of Harsha, law and order was not well maintained. The Chinese piIlgrim Hiuen-Tsang was robbed of his belongings, although he reports that accolding to the laws of the land severe punishments weIe inflicted on crime.
  • Harsha assumed the title of king of Magadha, and exchanged embassis with China, maintained diplomatic relations with China.

Religion and Learning

  • A Shaiva In the beginning, gradually embraced Buddhism.
  • He held two grand assemblies-one in the city of Kannauj and the other at Prayag known as ‘Mahamoksha Parishad’.
  • The Kannauj assembly was summoned to honour Hiuen-Tsang and publicize the Mahayana form of Buddhism.  The assembly was attended by Bhaskarvarman, the ruler of Kamarupa and king of twenty countries.
  • Harsha forbade the slaughter of animals.
  • The Buddhism was divided into 18 sects in the time of Chinese pilgrim.
  • Harsha is remembered not only for his patronage and learning but also for the authorship of three dramas - Priyadarshika, Ratnavali and Nagananda.
  • Banabhatta wrote Harshacharita, Kadambari; other scholaIs included Matanga, Divakara, Jayasena and Bhartrihari.
  • Harsha is generally believed to have founded an era called ‘Harsha-era’ in A.D. 606 to commemorate the date of his accession. 

Vakataka Dynasty

The Vakataka Kingdom was founded by Vindhyashakti; who was succeeded by his son Pravarasena. The Vakataka King Rudrasena ll married Prabhavati Gupta the daughter of Chandragupta ll. After the death of Rudrasena ll, the Administration was carried on by Prabhavi Gupta as agent of her minor son.  Probably Kalidas lived for some time in the Court of Pravarasena II and wrote his lonely lyric Meghduttam during his sojourn there, as Meghduttam is called a Kavya of Vidarbha.  It is said that the caves XVI and XVII and Chaitya cave XIX of Ajanta belong to Vakataka Age.

Yasodhavarman

He belonged to the Aulikara family which probably ruled upto the beginning of 6th century A.D. He defeated Mihirkula aceording to his Mandsor Inscription. 

Maukharis

They are mentioned in Patanjali’s work.  The first three Maukhari Kings are Yagnavarman, Sardulvarman and Anantavarman. Isanavarman was known as Maharajadhiraja according to Asirgarh Copper Plate Inscription. According to Apshad inscription, Kumaragupta of the later Guptas defeated Isanavarrnan.  Sarvavarman defeated Damodaragupta of the later Gupta dynasty. The last of the Maukhari King was Grahavarman who was married to Rajyasri, the sistrr of Harshavardhanma. The Malwa KIng Devagupta attacked Kannauj and killed Grahavarman bringing the Maukhari rule to an end. 

Chalukyas of Vatapi(Badami):

Established their kingdom at Vatapi (modern Badami, Karnataka). Pulakesin-II was their most famous king, who was a contemporary of Harsha. He sent an embassy to the Persian king, Khusro-II. His court poet, Ravikirti, wrote Aihole inscription. Hiuen Tsang visited his kingdom. They were the maritime powers of their time. Much of the paintings and sculptures of the Ajanta and Ellora caves were completed during the Chalukya reign. They built several magnificent temples in Aihole ant places. Aihole is called the cradle of Indian temple architecture.

The Chalukya Of Badami (Vatapi)

The end of the rule of Vakataka almost synchronised with the rise of the Chalukyas in Deccan. Sometimes in A.D. 535, one of their Chiefs, Pulakesin-I founded a small kingdom with ‘Vatapipura’ (Modern Badami) In Bijapur district as his capital. The next notable king was Pulakesin-II. son of Kritivarman-I, who ascended the throne in A.D. 609-10. A long inscription on the walls of a Jaina temple at Aihole gives an account of his reign (Aihole prasasti, written by Ravikriti).

  • The greatest achievement of Pulakesm-II was the defeat he inflicted on Harshavardhana.
  • He annexed the region from the Pallavas between the Krishna and Godavari (Vengi) and placed them under his brother, and this was the beginning of the kingdom of Eastern Chalukyas or Chalukya of VengI.
  • The pallava ruler Narsimhavarman invaded his kingdom, routed and killed him, devasted his capital Vatapi and assumed the title of, ‘Vatapikondan’ or the conqueror of Vatapi.
  • Vikramaditya-l, son of Pulakesin-II, re-established his authority over the whole kingdom and wrecked vengeance upon the Pallava by defeating three successive Pallava kings and captured Kanchi. He also defeated southern powers-the Chera, the Chola and the Pandyas.
  • Kirtivarman, the last ruler of the dynasty, was defeated by the Rashtrakuta and the Chalukya rule came to an end in about A.D. 757. 

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