Harsha Vardhana | History for UPSC 2024 (Pre & Mains) PDF Download

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HARSHA VARDHANA (606 – 647 C.E.)
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HARSHA VARDHANA (606 – 647 C.E.)
Post-Gupta
Circa ~550 C.E.
Huna invasion 
A gradual decline in economic prosperity
Rise of Feudalism. 
? Under this practice, the donee (the one who receives the grant) was given the right not only to collect 
the taxes but also to administer the donated land. 
? This created small-small pockets of power trying ceaselessly to expand their sphere of influence at the 
cost of the ruling authority. 
Emergence of numerous ruling dynasties in different parts of northern India. 
? Pushyabhutis of Thanesar, Maukharies of Kanauj and the Maitrakas of Valabhi. 
? The Chalukyas and the Pallavas emerged as strong regional powers in Deccan and northern Tamil Nadu 
respectively.
Page 3


HARSHA VARDHANA (606 – 647 C.E.)
Post-Gupta
Circa ~550 C.E.
Huna invasion 
A gradual decline in economic prosperity
Rise of Feudalism. 
? Under this practice, the donee (the one who receives the grant) was given the right not only to collect 
the taxes but also to administer the donated land. 
? This created small-small pockets of power trying ceaselessly to expand their sphere of influence at the 
cost of the ruling authority. 
Emergence of numerous ruling dynasties in different parts of northern India. 
? Pushyabhutis of Thanesar, Maukharies of Kanauj and the Maitrakas of Valabhi. 
? The Chalukyas and the Pallavas emerged as strong regional powers in Deccan and northern Tamil Nadu 
respectively.
Page 4


HARSHA VARDHANA (606 – 647 C.E.)
Post-Gupta
Circa ~550 C.E.
Huna invasion 
A gradual decline in economic prosperity
Rise of Feudalism. 
? Under this practice, the donee (the one who receives the grant) was given the right not only to collect 
the taxes but also to administer the donated land. 
? This created small-small pockets of power trying ceaselessly to expand their sphere of influence at the 
cost of the ruling authority. 
Emergence of numerous ruling dynasties in different parts of northern India. 
? Pushyabhutis of Thanesar, Maukharies of Kanauj and the Maitrakas of Valabhi. 
? The Chalukyas and the Pallavas emerged as strong regional powers in Deccan and northern Tamil Nadu 
respectively.
Page 5


HARSHA VARDHANA (606 – 647 C.E.)
Post-Gupta
Circa ~550 C.E.
Huna invasion 
A gradual decline in economic prosperity
Rise of Feudalism. 
? Under this practice, the donee (the one who receives the grant) was given the right not only to collect 
the taxes but also to administer the donated land. 
? This created small-small pockets of power trying ceaselessly to expand their sphere of influence at the 
cost of the ruling authority. 
Emergence of numerous ruling dynasties in different parts of northern India. 
? Pushyabhutis of Thanesar, Maukharies of Kanauj and the Maitrakas of Valabhi. 
? The Chalukyas and the Pallavas emerged as strong regional powers in Deccan and northern Tamil Nadu 
respectively.
Rise of Harsha
End of Gupta Empire
Rise of several independent kingdoms and feudatory states in North India
An important ruling family to gain prominence after the fall of the Gupta was that of the Pushyabhutis
who had their capital at Thanesar (Thanesvara in Kurukshetra). 
The dynasty became influential with the accession of Prabhakarvardhana, who was able to defeat the 
Hunas and strengthen his position in the regions of Punjab and Haryana. 
Prabhakara Vardhana – first King of his dynasty – capital at Thanesar
Later son Rajya Vardhana (elder brother of Harsha)
Rajyashri (Harsha’s sister) had been married to the Maukhari king, Grahavarman
Defeated and killed by king Devagupta of Malwa
Rajya Vardhana marched against Devagupta and defeated him
Shashanka, king of Gauda in Eastern Bengal, treacherously murdered Rajya Vardhana