Indian History and World History (Part-8)

The chinese traveller Hiuen Tsang came to India during the reign of Harshavardhana.

Vardhana Dynasty –

• The Vardhana Dynasty was an important North Indian dynasty that ruled in the 6th and 7th centuries CE.

• It was founded by Prabhakaravardhana in Thanesar (modern Haryana).

• The most famous ruler of this dynasty was Harshavardhana (606–647 CE), son of Prabhakaravardhana.

Key Points:

• Harshavardhana expanded the kingdom across North India, from Punjab to Bengal.

• After the fall of the Guptas, the Vardhana Empire temporarily restored political unity in northern India.

• Harsha was a patron of learning and religion, especially Buddhism.

• He held the famous Kannauj Assembly attended by the Chinese traveler Xuanzang (Hiuen Tsang).

• Harsha’s court poet Banabhatta wrote his biography "Harshacharita".

• The dynasty declined after Harsha’s death, as he left no heirs.

Later on, Kamrup became a part of the Pala Empire.

Harshavardhana – 

• Harshavardhana was a powerful ruler of North India who ruled from 606 to 647 CE.

• He belonged to the Vardhana Dynasty and became king after his elder brother Rajyavardhana was killed.

• His empire stretched from Punjab to Bengal, with Kannauj as his capital

  Key Highlights:

  • Tried to expand southwards but was defeated by Pulakeshin II of the Chalukya Dynasty.

  • A great patron of learning, art, and religion, especially Buddhism and Hinduism.

  • Held a grand religious assembly at Kannauj, attended by Chinese traveler Xuanzang (Hiuen Tsang).

  • Wrote plays and poems, including "Nagananda," "Ratnavali," and "Priyadarshika".

  • His court poet Banabhatta wrote "Harshacharita," a biography of Harsha.

  • After his death, there was no strong successor, and his empire declined.

Harsha moved his capital from Thanesar to Kannauj to strengthen his control over the Gangetic plain and to centrally administer his vast empire.

The Chinese traveller Hiuen Tsang came to India during the reign of Harshavardhana.

Hiuen Tsang (Xuanzang) – 

• Hiuen Tsang was a Chinese Buddhist monk, scholar, and traveler.

• He visited India between 629–645 CE during the reign of Harshavardhana.

• His main aim was to collect authentic Buddhist scriptures and visit sacred Buddhist sites.

• His travel account, “Si-Yu-Ki” (also called Records of the Western World), provides detailed information on Indian society, religion, culture, economy, and education of that time.

The Chinese traveller Hiuen Tsang came to India during the reign of Harshavardhana.

Hiuen Tsang (Xuanzang) – 

• Hiuen Tsang was a Chinese Buddhist monk, scholar, and traveler.

• He visited India between 629–645 CE during the reign of Harshavardhana.

• His main aim was to collect authentic Buddhist scriptures and visit sacred Buddhist sites.

• His travel account, “Si-Yu-Ki” (also called Records of the Western World), provides detailed information on Indian society, religion, culture, economy, and education of that time.

The Chinese traveller Hiuen Tsang came to India during the reign of Harshavardhana.

Hiuen Tsang (Xuanzang) – 

• Hiuen Tsang was a Chinese Buddhist monk, scholar, and traveler.

• He visited India between 629–645 CE during the reign of Harshavardhana.

• His main aim was to collect authentic Buddhist scriptures and visit sacred Buddhist sites.

• His travel account, “Si-Yu-Ki” (also called Records of the Western World), provides detailed information on Indian society, religion, culture, economy, and education of that time.

The Chinese traveller Hiuen Tsang came to India during the reign of Harshavardhana.

Hiuen Tsang (Xuanzang) – 

• Hiuen Tsang was a Chinese Buddhist monk, scholar, and traveler.

• He visited India between 629–645 CE during the reign of Harshavardhana.

• His main aim was to collect authentic Buddhist scriptures and visit sacred Buddhist sites.

• His travel account, “Si-Yu-Ki” (also called Records of the Western World), provides detailed information on Indian society, religion, culture, economy, and education of that time.

Thaneshwar was the capital of the Vardhan dynasty before Harsha, but Harshavardhana made Kannauj his capital. He fought with the Chalukya king Pulakeshim II on the banks of the river Narmada.