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King Harshavardhana: Ancient History NCERT Notes For UPSC

Last Updated on Apr 01, 2025

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King Harshavardhana, who is also known as Harsha, was a member of the Vardhana dynasty. There was a political disunity in North India with the fall of the Gupta dynasty. After the Huns invasion, Pushyabhutis, who were the feudatories of the Guptas, assumed independence. King Harshavardhana came to power in the early 7th century A.D. He ruled over North India from 606 – 647 A.D. This NCERT notes on King Harshavardhana is very useful for interested candidates preparing for the forthcoming UPSC prelims.

King Harshavardhana (UPSC Ancient History) NCERT Notes: Download PDF here

King Harshavardhana – Sources
The literary and archaeological sources that trace King Harshavardhana and his times are as follows:

Bana’s Harshacharita – Banabhatta was the court poet of King Harshavardhana. He wrote the biography of Harshavardhana in his book Harshacharita.

Hiuen Tsang’s Si-yu-ki – Hiuen Tsang was a Chinese traveller who visited India in Seventury A.D. In his travel account Si-yu-ki, he had mentioned Harshavardhana’s reign.

Dramas such as Ratnavali, Nagananda and Priyadarshika were written by King Harshavardhana. They provide useful information regarding his reign.

The Madhuben plate inscription and Sonpat plate inscriptions are helpful to know about the chronology of King Harshvardhana.

Signature of Harsha is present in the Banskhera inscription.

Check out NCERT notes on Ashoka Life and Dhamma here.

King Harshavardhana – Early Life

King Harshavardhana belonged to the Vardhana dynasty and Pushyabhuti was the founder of that dynasty.

Prabhakaravardhana was the first ruler of this dynasty and he was succeeded by his eldest son Rajyavardhana.

Rajyavardhana was killed by Sasanka while avenging him for killing his brother-in-law.

Harshavardhana was his younger brother and he succeeded to the throne at Thaneshwar.

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King Harshavardhana – Reign

Empire:

King Harshavardhana set up his empire in North India and he ruled from 606 – 647 A.D.
With Pataliputra losing its prominence, he made Kanauj (situated in Farrukhabad district of Uttar Pradesh) as his seat of power.
He ruled over entire North India except for Kashmir.
Rajasthan, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Orissa were under his direct control.

Military Conquests:

King Harshavardhana’s first expedition was against the ruler Sasanka. He defeated him and captured Kannauj.
Then he marched against the Chalukya ruler Pulakesin II, to extend his empire south of river Narmada. From Aihole inscription it is evident that Pulakesin II won against Harshavardhana.
His final expedition was against the kingdom of Kalinga and it was won.

Read NCERT notes on Persian and Greek Invasions of India here

King Harshavardhana – Administration

The administration of King Harshavardhana was more feudal and decentralised.

He frequently made inspections throughout his empire.

The law and order was not maintained well during his reign.

The land tax collected from the people was one sixth of their produce

The important feature of his administration was the maintenance of public records.

He made land grants to priests and officers. This practise seems to have begun for Harsha’s time.

King Harshavardhana divided his revenue into four parts

To meet the expenditure of the king

For scholars

For the endowment of public servants and officials

For religious purposes.

Huge army was maintained by him. His army consisted of four divisions – Cavalry, chariot, elephant and horse.

Harsh punishments continued to exist. However, under the influence of Buddhism, it was mitigated to some extent.

You might also like: NCERT notes on Mauryan Administration

Harshavardhana Dynasty
After the collapse of the Gupta Empire, the Pushyabhuti dynasty, often referred to as the Vardhana dynasty, rose to prominence. His older son Rajyavardhana succeeded him.
At the age of 16, Harshavardhana succeeded his brother as the only ruler of Thaneshwar (modern-day Haryana).

Founder of the Vardhan dynasty

Prabhakar Vardhana, ruler of Thanesar who belonged to the Pushyabhuti family was the founder of the Vardhana dynasty. The capital was at Thanesar.

Fall of the Harshavardhana dynasty

In the winter of 618–619 CE, Pulakeshin II defeated Harsha on the banks of the Narmada. Pulakeshin and Harsha signed a pact, according to which the Narmada River would serve as the border between the Harshavardhana and Chalukya Empires.

King Harshavardhana – Society

Position of women

The position of women under King Harshavardhana’s reign was not acceptable.
The choice of choosing her husband (Swayamvara ) declined.
Dowry became a very common practise.
The practise of sati too existed.
Remarriages of widows were not permitted.

Varna System

Four fold division of society existed during the reign of King Harshavardhana
1. Brahmanas – the privileged section of the society
2. Kshatriyas – the ruling class
3. Vysyas – the traders
4. Sudras – the agriculturists

Learn more about Varna System here!

King Harshavardhana and Buddhism

In his early life, King Harshavardhana was a shaivite and later became an ardent Hinayana Buddhist.

The Chinese traveller Hieun Tsang converted him into a follower of Mahayana Buddhism.

Thousands of Stupas were erected by him during his reign.

He prohibited slaughtering of animals for food and severe punishments were imposed for those who break the law.

He convened an assembly at Kannauj to honour Hieun Tsang and spread the doctrines of Mahayana.

Later he also conveyed a great assembly at Prayag, which was known as Allahabad assembly.

You might also like: NCERT notes on Buddhist Council and Important Texts

Conclusion
King Harshavardhana is called the last great Hindu ruler in India though he was not an ardent follower of Hinduism. He died in the year 647 A.D. After his death, the Vardhana dynasty came to end as he had no heir and eventually the empire dissolved.
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PYQs related to King Harshavardhana – NCERT Notes

King Harshavardhana NCERT Notes FAQs

Who was the most renowned poet of the King Harshavardhana?

The poet Banabatta was the most renowned poet of King Harshvardhana. He was his Asthana kavi (Court poet). He wrote the biography of the king in his book Harshacharita. He also authored one of the world’s earliest novels, Kadambari.

What were the two main sources of Harshavardhana reign?

The two main sources of the King Harshavardhana reign are Harshacharita by Banabatta and the travel account Si-yu-ki of Hieun Tsang, a chinese traveller who visited Harsha’s empire.

What was the capital of Harshavardhana kingdom?

The capital city of Harshavardhana kingdom was Kannauj which is situated in the Farrukhabad district of Uttar Pradesh.

Which dramas were written by Harshavardhana?

The King Harshavardhana wrote three dramas. They are the Nagananda, the Ratnavalli and the Priyadarshika.

Which traveller visited India during Harsha’s reign?

A Chinese traveller, Hieun Tsang visited India during Harshavardhana’s reign. He came to India inorder to study Buddhist University of Nalanda. He spent many years in Harsha’s court and wrote an account, Si-yu-ki.

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