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During the 6th century CE, the Pushyabhuti dynasty emerged in northern India after the collapse of the Gupta Empire (3rd century CE–6th century CE). This dynasty, also known as the Vardhana or Pushpabhuti dynasty, dominated a significant area centered in present-day Haryana, India. Initially, their capital was located at Sthanishwar or Thaneshwar (modern Thanesar) and was later shifted to Kanyakubj (known today as Kannauj) in the state of Uttar Pradesh.

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Emperor Harshavardhan: Pinnacle of the Dynasty

One of the most notable rulers of the Pushyabhuti dynasty was Emperor Harshavardhana, who ruled from 606 AD to 647 AD. The reign of Harsha was at the pinnacle of the power of this dynasty. Under his leadership, the Pushyabhutis established a formidable empire, engaging in political rivalry with other regional powers across India. Harsha's reign elevated the dynasty to imperial status.

Fleeting Glory and Legacy—The Rise and Fall

Despite laudable achievements, the glory of the Pushyabhuti dynasty was relatively short-lived. Eventually, Kannauj emerged as a major base state for future kingdoms in the region. Nevertheless, the dynasty's influence during Harsha's rule left a lasting impression on the political landscape of India.

In conclusion, in the 6th century B.C. The Pushyabhuti dynasty emerged in AD 500, which filled the void left by the collapse of the Gupta Empire. Under the leadership of Emperor Harshavardhana, they established a powerful kingdom with their capital first at Thanesar and later at Kannauj. Although his royal status was transient, his legacy endured and shaped the course of subsequent empires in the region.

6th century BC political scenario in India

After the fall of the Gupta Empire, the political landscape in northern India went through a period of fragmentation. With the absence of a major empire to fill the power vacuum, a number of independent powers emerged alongside the rise of the Pushyabhuti dynasty. These included the Maukharis of Kosala/Kanyakubj in present-day Uttar Pradesh, as well as the later Guptas of Magadha and Malwa in Bihar and Madhya Pradesh, respectively.

In addition, various kingdoms took shape in regions such as Odisha, Bengal, and Assam. In particular, towards the end of the 6th century, the Gauda kingdom emerged under the rule of King Shashanka, which included a significant part of the northern and western regions of Bengal.

The political landscape during this era saw a decentralized structure, with several powers striving for control and influence over their respective dynasties. This period of political disintegration marked a transitional stage in the history of northern India, setting the stage for further changes and the rise of future kingdoms.

The early rulers of Sthaneshwar (Thaneshwar)

The origins of the Sthanishvara kingdom, today known as Thaneshwar, are shrouded in obscurity, as noted by the historian Majumdar (96). It is believed "that the kingdom was founded by a man named Pushyabhuti, although information about the early rulers and their achievements is scarce. Inscriptions suggest that there were many unknown kings between Pushyabhuti and Prabhakaravardhana who ruled. Prabhakaravardhana Notable rulers before AD include Naravardhana, Rajyavardhana, and Adityavardhana. They are estimated to have ruled from around 500 BC to 580 BC, during which they served as vassals of the Hunas, the Imperial Guptas, and later the Maukharis. Worked in

Two important primary sources throw light on the Pushyabhuti dynasty. One such source is the account known as Si-yu-ki, which was left by the Chinese Buddhist monk-scholar Hiuen Tsang or Xuanzang (602–664 BC). Xuanzang visited India in the 7th century CE and met with Harsha and provided valuable information about contemporary life at the court as well as economic, social, and religious conditions.

The second and more important source is the Harshacharita, a biography of Harsha, written by his court poet Banabhatta or Bana (circa 7th century BCE). This biography contains a detailed description of King Prabhakaravardhana, his sons Rajyavardhana and Harsha, and his daughter Rajyashri. Banabhatta's work, along with the biography of Harsha, known as the Harshacharita, provides valuable insight into the history of Thaneshwar (Thaneshwar) during this period (Majumdar, 97).

Thanks to historical accounts written by Banabhatta and records left by Xuanzang, the history of Thaneshwar begins to take shape, allowing us to gain a more defined understanding of this early era in the region's history (Mazumdar, 97).

Prabhakaravardhana

Prabhakaravardhana, also known as Pratapashila, ruled from 580 to 605 CE. Bana describes him as a proud man driven by ambitious aspirations (Banabhatta, 101). Eager to expand his kingdom, he engaged in frequent warfare against various adversaries. Prabhakaravardhana successfully expanded his domain and became the first ruler in the dynasty to adopt the title Maharajadhiraja, meaning "Lord of Great Kings." While he took advantage of the decline of Maukhari power following the death of King Ishanavarman, he maintained cordial relations with them, exemplified by his daughter Rajyashri's marriage to Maukhari King Grahavarman.

Prabhakaravardhana waged battles against the Hunas in present-day northern Punjab, as well as the kings of Sindh, Gandhara (modern-day Pakistan), Lata (southern Gujarat), and Malwa. The details regarding the outcome of these conflicts remain uncertain. Nevertheless, during his reign, Prabhakaravardhana established the Pushyabhuti Dynasty as a significant force to be reckoned with. Sadly, he succumbed to an illness, and his elder son Rajyavardhana ascended the throne in 605 CE.

Rajyavardhana

Prior to his reign, Rajyavardhana, as a prince, embarked on a campaign against the Hunas but had to return to the capital due to his father's illness. As king, he faced an unforeseen conflict. The Later Guptas, longstanding rivals of the Maukharis, formed an alliance with Gauda and jointly attacked Kanyakubja. In 606 CE, they killed Grahavarman. Subsequently, Devagupta, the king of the Later Guptas, seized control of Kanyakubja and imprisoned Rajyashri.

In response, Rajyavardhana led his army in a determined effort to defeat Devagupta and rescue his sister. On his journey, he encountered and decisively defeated the Malwa army, possibly dispatching Devagupta "with ridiculous ease" (Banabhatta, 209). However, according to the Harshacharita, Shashanka, the King of Gauda, treacherously lured Rajyavardhana into his confidence, only to assassinate him when he was unarmed and vulnerable, ultimately ending his life in his own quarters (Banabhatta, 209).

Harshavardhana

Upon learning of his brother's murder, Prince Harsha was consumed by a thirst for vengeance against Shashanka, who had seized control of Kanyakubja. Determined to avenge his family, Harsha mobilized his army and formed a treaty with King Bhaskaravarman of Kamarupa (present-day Assam state). However, the unfinished Harshacharita leaves us in the dark about the details of this war, as the court poet fails to provide any account of Harsha's confrontation with the Gauda king, who was his primary target (Tripathi, 296).

It appears that at this juncture, Shashanka, apprehensive of the combined might of Harsha and Bhaskaravarman, as well as his own vulnerable position after the defeat of the allied Malwa army, retreated from the conflict. Harsha successfully rescued his sister and took control of Kanyakubja. It is believed that Avantivarman, Grahavarman's younger brother, assumed the throne, possibly as a regent. Following Avantivarman's demise, Harsha assumed full sovereignty over the Maukhari realm. Initially, he governed the realm in the name of his sister Rajyashri, who was the queen of Grahavarman. Later, Harsha openly claimed the crown and unified the two kingdoms. Consequently, the capital shifted from Sthanishvara to Kanyakubja, and the two realms merged into one.

Historians posit that Harsha had effectively been the de facto ruler of the Pushyabhuti Dynasty since 606 CE. However, it was only after subduing formidable adversaries like Shashanka that he could contemplate his formal coronation.

Military Campaigns & Expansion

During Harsha's reign, military campaigns played a prominent role as he sought to expand his empire. Engaging in battles of his own choosing, Harsha confronted various adversaries and embarked on ambitious conquests. His military expeditions encompassed Valabhi (present-day northern Gujarat and part of Malwa), Sindh, as well as the eastern kingdoms in Magadha (present-day Bihar) and Odisha. However, his most formidable opponent emerged in the form of King Pulakeshin II (r. 609-642 CE), ruler of the Vatapi kingdom in southern India (present-day Badami, Karnataka state).

In a significant encounter fought around 618/19 CE or 634 CE, the Chalukyas dealt a decisive blow to Harsha, forcing him to retreat and putting an end to his expansion southwards. Despite this defeat, Harsha's ambitions persisted, and he continued military expeditions until the later years of his eventful reign (Tripathi, 298).

The Pushyabhuti kingdom encompassed a significant portion of present-day Uttar Pradesh and parts of Bihar. With the inclusion of the Maukhari realm, its dominions expanded further. Prabhakaravardhana's kingdom was described as being bounded by the Yamuna (or the Ganga) and the Beas in the east and west, and the Himalayas and Rajputana in the north and south (Majumdar, 98). Harsha further expanded these boundaries, exerting direct control over Rajasthan, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Odisha. His sphere of influence extended beyond these regions, but it is important to note that he did not exercise control over the entirety of northern India. Harsha's defeat at the hands of Pulakeshin curtailed his ambitions in the south, permanently putting an end to the Pushyabhuti Dynasty's aspirations in that direction.

With no direct heir, Harsha's demise marked the end of the Pushyabhuti line. Power was seized by one of his ministers, who, after unsuccessful conflicts with the Chinese, was eventually captured by them. Consequently, "the last vestiges of Harsha's power also disappeared" (Tripathi, 314). While Kanyakubja continued to exist as a separate kingdom and experienced a resurgence under King Yashovarman (r. 725-753 CE), most of Harsha's vassals and allies, including Bhaskaravarman, divided and assimilated the conquered territories into their own realms.

Religion & Government

Religion played a significant role during Harsha's reign, with Hinduism and Buddhism being the predominant faiths. Although Harsha himself was not a staunch Hindu, he openly supported and patronized Mahayana Buddhism. He extended a warm welcome to the Chinese Buddhist monk-scholar Hiuen Tsang, granting him special privileges. Harsha organized a grand assembly at Kanyakubja, where Hiuen Tsang and others spoke about the greatness of Mahayana. One notable practice of Harsha was the distribution of alms every six years, an event that lasted for days until the entire treasury was depleted, even including the emperor's own clothing. It is said that after giving away his clothes, Harsha would turn to Rajyashri, his sister, and ask her to provide him with garments to wear.

During Harsha's reign, the administrative structure of the Pushyabhuti dynasty shifted from an imperial Gupta pattern to a more feudal and decentralized system. Harsha's inscriptions mention various types of taxes and officials. Officials were rewarded with land grants, which explains the relatively fewer number of coins issued by Harsha compared to other rulers. The vast resources of the Maukhari kingdom, which came under Harsha's control, provided him with the means to undertake conquests in different parts of India. The acquisition of Kanyakubja also led to greater imperial control over areas connected by the Ganges River, a crucial trade route linking Bengal to central India, resulting in increased prosperity in terms of commerce and economy (Tripathi, 301).

In matters of administration, nobles and generals held influence, and the king was obliged to listen to their opinions. The Harshacharita mentions notable figures like the generals Bhandin or Bhandi and Simhanada, who openly expressed their views on state matters and advised the princes on the next course of action, which was often followed.

Harsha was known for his patronage of the arts and learning. He made substantial endowments to Nalanda University and supported intellectuals and scholars. During his reign, poets such as Bana flourished and composed numerous literary works. Harsha himself is believed to have authored three plays: Priyadarshika, Ratnavali, and Nagananda. However, some historians question his authorship and suggest that these plays were ghostwritten by a poet named Dhavaka.

Army

During this period, Harsha's army consisted of elephants, cavalry, and infantry. The support of feudal lords contributed to the vast numbers of soldiers, with Harsha commanding an army said to include 100,000 horses and 9,000 elephants. The Harshacharita vividly describes the weapons used by the Pushyabhuti rulers and their deep affinity for swords, warfare, and showcasing their battle prowess. Harsha's father, Prabhakaravardhana, established the Pushyabhutis as a formidable military power. Bana describes their armies as capable of traversing challenging terrains, conquering hills, forests, and mountains through long marches.

Cavalry and elephants held significant importance in Harsha's military strategy. Rajyavardhana, Harsha's brother, led a small but elite force of cavalry under Bhandin and achieved a decisive victory against the Malwa army. Bana dedicates several pages to describing the horses and elephants owned by Harsha, highlighting his favorite war elephant named Darpashata, considered Harsha's trusted companion in battle and sport. However, these forces proved less effective against the Chalukyas and their formidable elephant corps.

Detailed accounts of military camps are also provided. Provisions such as food, fodder, weapons, clothing, and camping materials were transported by bullock carts, elephants, mules, and camels, accompanying the army. Often, these logistical processes could be chaotic. While the soldiers were technically instructed to leave cultivators, merchants, and villagers untouched, in practice, they would sometimes plunder their provisions or merchandise. In such cases, the aggrieved parties could lodge complaints with the king, who was responsible for taking appropriate action.

Kings and princes themselves possessed considerable martial skills and actively participated in warfare. Prabhakaravardhana is praised as a valiant warrior whose hands were calloused from wielding the bow on the battlefield. Bana recounts an instance when Harsha's brother Rajyavardhana was sent with a large force to attack the Hunas in the north, accompanied by trusted advisers and loyal feudatories. Harsha himself followed their march with the horse.

Given the prevailing influence of the imperial Gupta style, it can be inferred that the military system had not undergone significant changes during this period. Soldiers typically wore their hair loose or tied back with fillets, skull caps, or simple turbans. They donned tunics, crossed belts on bare chests, or short, tight-fitting blouses. Elite commanders and officials often wore metal armor. Shields were rectangular or curved, frequently made of rhinoceros hide with checked designs. Various weapons such as curved swords, bows and arrows, javelins, lances, axes, pikes, clubs, and maces were employed.

Legacy

Prabhakaravardhana's efforts elevated the Pushyabhuti dynasty to a prominent political power, and Harsha utilized this foundation to establish an empire in northern India—the first significant empire after the decline of the Guptas. He succeeded in achieving a degree of political unity across a large part of the country, making him the most influential imperial ruler in the post-Gupta period. By designating Kanyakubja as the capital and further developing it as a political and administrative center, Harsha solidified a geographical shift that diverged from the traditional dominance of Magadha in northeastern India. Since the 6th century BCE, Magadha had been the heartland of Indian empires, particularly during the Maurya (4th century BCE - 2nd century BCE) and Gupta (4th century CE - 6th century CE) periods.

Under the subsequent rule of Yashovarman, Kanyakubja continued to hold

FAQ

Q-Who was the founder of the Pushyabhuti dynasty?

Narvardhana was the founder and initial ruler of the Pushyabhuti dynasty. Following his demise, Prabhakaravardhana's eldest son Rajyavardhana, who was the fourth ruler of the family, ascended the throne. After Rajyavardhana's death, his younger brother Harshavardhana became the king.

Q-When was the Pushyabhuti dynasty established?

The Pushyabhuti dynasty was established in the 6th century AD, specifically in the sixth century CE, after the decline of the Gupta dynasty. Its establishment took place in a location called Thaneshwar, situated in the Ambala district of Haryana. The founder of this dynasty, considered to be 'Pushyabhuti,' was a devoted worshiper of Shiva.

Q-When did the Pushyabhuti dynasty rule?

The Pushyabhuti dynasty ruled from 606 to 647 CE.

Q-What was the capital of the Pushyabhuti dynasty?

The capital of the Pushyabhuti dynasty was Thaneshwar, a present-day city in Haryana.

Q-Who was the last king of the Pushyabhuti dynasty?

Harshavardhana, also known as Siladitya, was the last ruler of the Pushyabhuti dynasty. He reigned from around 590 to 647 CE.

Q-What was another name for Harshavardhana?

Harshavardhana was also known by the name Siladitya.

Q-What was the religion of Harshavardhana?

Harshavardhana, who ruled a vast empire in northern India from 606 to 647 CE, was a Buddhist convert in a predominantly Hindu era.