Harsha and Rise of Regional Kingdoms

Harsha and Rise of Regional Kingdoms

I Harsha

Introduction

North India splintered into several warrior kingdoms after the downfall of the Gupta Empire. Excepting in the areas that were subdued by the Huns (modern Punjab, Rajasthan and Malwa), regional identity became pronounced with the emergence of many small states. Maithriyas had organised a powerful state in Sourashtra (Gujarat), with Valabhi as their capital. Agra and Oudh were organised into an independent and sovereign state by the Maukharis. The Vakatakas had recovered their position of ascendency in the western Deccan. Despite political rivalry and conflict among these states, Thaneswar, lying north of Delhi between Sutlej and Yamuna, was formed into an independent state by Pushyabhutis. It rose to prominence under Harsha. Harsha ruled the kingdom as large as that of the Guptas from 606 to 647 CE.

Sources

Literary sources

Bana’s Harshacharita

Hieun Tsang’s Si-Yu-ki

Epigraphical sources

Madhuban copper plate inscription

Sonpat inscription on copper seal

Banskhera copper plate inscription

Nalanda inscription on clay seals