Last Pan-Indian Kingdom of Emperor Harsha Vardhana

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The Last Pan-Indian Kingdom of Emperor Harsha Vardhana

 

The last pan-Indian Hindu Kingdom was that of Emperor Harsha

Vardhana. He successfully defeated the Huns and established a large

kingdom over most of North India. But he could not bring the entire

country under his rule.

 

The Hoysalas have built temples on a star shaped foundation. This

was due to Vastu Shastra (Hindu Architectural Principles). It also

gives the temple complex a unique aesthetic value. According to

Principles of Vastu architecture, round shapes and curves are to be

avoided, hence the Hoysalas seem to have used star shapes in place of

round-shaped foundations for the temples.

 

 

In his days, Central India was under the rule of the Chalukya ruler

Pulikeshin who checked Harsha's advance south of the Narmada and who

in turn was checked by the Pallavas from extending his rule to the

deep south. Thus the picture of India after the Guptas in the 5th

century C.E. is that of political fragmentation, of which the

Harsha's rule from roughly 606 till 644 C.E. is an exception in

political unification in relation the fragmentation that existed

before and after it.

 

Harsha's Mobile Royal Court

 

The Harsha Charita authored by Bana-Bhatta talks of the resplendent

court of the Emperor which moved from place to place of his large

kingdom in North India. Although formally the capital was at

Staneshwara (Thanesar), Harsha alternatively ruled from Kanyakubja

(Kannauj) and also moved along with his court from place to place of

his empire.

 

The reason for such mobility probably was that the Emperor wanted to

be physically present at as many places of his kingdom, to collect

tribute (taxes) and to prevent the fissiparous tendencies of the

rebellious noblemen who paid him tribute. A highlight of Harsha's

rule was the visit of Huen Tsang the Buddhist monk from China. Huen

Tsang has left vivid descriptions of Harsha and his mobile court.

Harsha patronised Buddhism and entertained Huen Tsang's stay at the

court and at the Nalanda University.

 

The first Muslim Aggression in Sindh

When Harsha's rule ended with his death in 641 C.E., an event had

taken place in far away Arabia which was to have a deep impact on

India and its subsequent history. Needless to state that this was the

rise of Islam and the beginning of the Jehad which was to bring

Muslim invaders and rule to India from 1194. The very first Muslim

attack on India had taken place nearly 500 years earlier in Sindh in

the year 715 C.E. These Muslim invaders were Arabs led by Mohammad

Bin Qasim.