King Harshavardhana – UPSC Notes

India is a country that has been ruled by numerous emperors and kings throughout history. One such king who is often overlooked and underrated is King Harshavardhana, also known as Harsha. He was a ruler of the Indian subcontinent from 606 to 647 CE and his reign is considered to be a golden age in the history of India. Harshavardhana was a great warrior, administrator, and patron of art and literature. In this article, we will take a closer look at the life and achievements of this king.

King Harshavardhana – Overview

Category	Details
Name and Title	King Harshavardhana (also known as Harsha)
Reign	606 CE to 647 CE
Birthplace	Thanesar, present-day Haryana, India
Dynasty	Vardhana dynasty
Family Education	Father – Comprehensive education including philosophy, literature, and military strategy.
Ascension to Throne	Became king after the assassination of his brother Rajyavardhana.
Military Campaigns	Waged successful wars against neighboring kingdoms; notable victory over Chalukya king Pulakeshin II.
Cultural Patronage	Great patron of the arts, literature, and learning; composed plays and poetry.
Foreign Relations	Welcomed Chinese Buddhist monk Xuanzang, providing support for his travels; engaged in diplomatic efforts for religious harmony.
Religious Tolerance	Follower of Hinduism but demonstrated tolerance towards Buddhism and jainsm; supported religious diversity.
Legacy	Left a lasting impact on Indian history and culture; contributions to literature and religious tolerance celebrated; legacy endured in cultural and historical contexts.
Death	647 CE
Empire Decline	Harsha’s empire gradually declined after his death, succumbing to internal strife and external invasions.

Early Life and Family of King Harshavardhana

Early Life

• Harshavardhana was born in 590 AD in Thanesar, which is now in Haryana, India. His parents were King Prabhakara Vardhana and Queen Yasomati.
• He came from a family called the Pushyabhuti dynasty, known for being brave and strong in battles.
• When he was a child, his name was Vardhana, which means ‘one who increases wealth’.
• Harshavardhana went to school like other kids, where he learned many things like Vedas (ancient scriptures), philosophy (thinking about life), and astrology (studying stars and planets).
• He also liked arts and literature from a young age, which later became important to him as a king.

Family

• Harshavardhan’s family was very important in making him the great ruler he became.
• His dad, Prabhakara Vardhana, was the king of Thanesar and was famous for winning battles.
• His mom, Queen Yasomati, was a strong believer in Buddhism, and her beliefs influenced Harshavardhan a lot.
• He had an older brother named Rajya Vardhana, who was also a good fighter and helped their dad rule the kingdom.
• When Rajya Vardhana died unexpectedly, it was a big shock to the family. Harshavardhana became the only one left to take over as king.

King Harshavardhana – Rise to Power

• Determination and Perseverance: Harshavardhana always dreamed of being a king and making India strong and happy and he never gave up, even when things were tough. His determination helped him face all the problems that came his way.
• Great Warrior: Harshavardhana was a brave fighter and knew how to plan battles well. He learned fighting from his dad and fought in many battles. Because of his bravery and smart thinking, he won many battles and earned the respect of other fighters.
• Making Friends: To become powerful, Harshavardhana made friends with other powerful kings. He became allies with the king of Maukhari, Grahavarman, by marrying his sister. This made him even stronger in the northern part of India.
• Good at Talking: Harshavardhana wasn’t just good at fighting; he was also good at talking and making deals. He knew how to talk to other kings and make them his friends. This helped him keep peace with other kingdoms and become even more powerful.
• Taking Over Land: Harshavardhana wanted to bring all of India under one ruler. So, he fought many battles and took over lands like Punjab, Gujarat, and Bengal. This made his kingdom bigger and made people like him even more.

Administrative Reforms of Harshavardhana

• Fair Taxes on Land: King Harsha Vardhan changed how taxes were collected on land. Before, people had to pay taxes randomly, but he made it fair. He divided land into three types – good, okay, and not so good – and taxed them accordingly. This helped farmers and made farming better.
• Better Courts: Harsha Vardhan wanted everyone to get fair treatment in court. So, he made changes to the court system. He started courts in different areas, picked good judges, and made sure trials were fair and quick.
• New Capital Cities: The king made two new capital cities – Thanesar and Kannauj. Thanesar was for religious things, and Kannauj was for running the government. He put people in charge of these cities to make things run smoothly.
• Local Leaders: Harsha Vardhan divided his kingdom into different areas, each with its leader called a ‘Mahasamanta.’ These leaders took care of the area, collected taxes, and made sure everyone was safe and happy.
• Stronger Army: The army was vital for protecting Harsha Vardhan’s kingdom. He made the army bigger, gave better training, and got newer weapons. This made the kingdom safe and peaceful.
• More Schools: King Harsha Vardhan liked education and wanted more people to learn. He started many schools and even made big universities like Nalanda and Vikramshila. People from all over the world came to these universities to study. He also encouraged learning Hindu texts and made Sanskrit the language of his court.

Patronage of Arts and Literature of Harshavardhana

King Harshavardhana ruled during the 7th century, a time of great cultural, artistic, and literary achievements. Let’s explore how he supported and promoted arts and literature during his reign.

• King Harshavardhana loved art and literature. He knew Sanskrit, an ancient Indian language, and wrote many things himself, like the famous play “Nagananda” and a story about his ancestor called “Harshacharita.”
• His passion for art and literature encouraged other poets and writers to do well under his support.
• The king helped all kinds of art, like music, dance, painting, and sculpture. He thought these things weren’t just for fun but also ways to express feelings and thoughts.
• Artists from different parts of India came to his court because they got money and a good place to do their art.
• King Harshavardhana did something very important – he made Nalanda University, a big center for learning. People from all over the world came to study there.
• It also helped the economy because it created jobs for artists, writers, and craftsmen, which made trade and business grow.

Death and Legacy of Harshavardhana

• In 647 CE, King Harshavardhana died when he was 57 because he got very sick suddenly.
• Many people were sad about his death, and lots of his subjects came to his funeral to pay their respects.
• Harshavardhan didn’t have a son or daughter to become the next king, so there was a fight between his ministers and family members to decide who would be the new ruler.
• Eventually, his sister’s son, Arjuna Vardhana, became the new king.
• Even though Harshavardhan was only king for 41 years, he made a big mark on Indian history.
• His ideas and things he did for education, culture, and religion continued to be important even after he was gone.

Harshavardhana’s Influence on Indian Culture

King Harshavardhana influenced Indian culture in many ways, leaving a lasting impact on the country. Here are some of the key ways he contributed:

1. Promoting Hinduism: Harshavardhana was a strong supporter of Hinduism, and he worked to spread the religion. He funded Hindu temples, organized important religious events like the Mahakumbh Mela, and made Hindu scriptures more accessible to people by translating them into local languages.
2. Encouraging the Spread of Buddhism: Despite being a Hindu king, Harshavardhana respected other religions, especially Buddhism. He constructed Buddhist monasteries and supported the growth of Buddhism in his kingdom, fostering a sense of harmony between Hindus and Buddhists.
3. Patron of Arts and Literature: Harshavardhana was a big supporter of art and literature. Many famous poets, scholars, and artists found a home in his court. He himself was a scholar, creating Sanskrit plays and poems that reflected deep insights into Indian culture and philosophy.
4. Promotion of Sanskrit Language: Recognizing Sanskrit’s significance in Hinduism, Harshavardhana actively encouraged its use in literature, art, and religious ceremonies. This support helped preserve and promote Sanskrit as a vital language in Indian culture.
5. Construction of Monuments: Known for grand architectural projects, Harshavardhana built magnificent temples and monasteries. The Buddhist stupa at Rajgir is one such example, standing tall today as a cultural landmark.

Summary – King Harshavardhana

King Harshavardhana was a remarkable king who left a lasting impact on the history of India. His military conquests, administrative reforms, and patronage of art and literature have cemented his place as one of the greatest rulers of ancient India. His legacy continues to inspire generations and his reign will always be remembered as a golden period in Indian history.

FAQs on King Harshavardhana

Who was King Harshavardhana?

From 606 to 647 CE, King Harshavardhana, popularly called Harsha, ruled over ancient India as a well-known monarch. He was a member of the Pushyabhuti dynasty and is well-known for his contributions to culture, politics, and administration.

Where was King Harshavardhana born?

In the year 590 CE, Harshavardhana was born in Thanesar, which is now in the Indian state of Haryana. The capital of his father’s empire was Thanesar.

What were King Harshavardhana’s contributions to Indian culture?

King Harshavardhana promoted Buddhism, Hinduism, literature, art, and education, all of which had a profound impact on Indian culture. He constructed monasteries and temples, gave patronage to intellectuals and artists, and promoted the dissemination of knowledge.

What were some of King Harshavardhana’s notable achievements?

Harshavardhana is renowned for his military prowess, diplomatic abilities, administrative reforms, and encouragement of literature and the arts. During his reign, he also planned elaborate religious rituals and cultural festivities.

How did King Harshavardhana die?

At the age of 57, King Harshavardhana succumbed to a sudden illness in 647 CE. His passing signaled the end of an era, and Indian history and culture have continued to be influenced by his legacy.