1. Introduction

The Post-Gupta Period refers broadly to the period following the decline of the Gupta Empire, when political power became divided among several regional kingdoms.

This period witnessed the rise of important political powers such as the Maukharis, Maitrakas, Gaudas, Later Guptas, Chalukyas and Pushyabhutis.

Among these powers, the Vardhana Dynasty under Harshavardhana emerged as one of the most important political powers of northern India during the 7th century CE.

2. Decline of the Gupta Empire

After the decline of the Gupta Empire, northern India was divided among several regional and local powers.

Major causes of Gupta decline

• Huna invasions.
• Weakness of later Gupta rulers.
• Succession disputes.
• Rise of regional powers.
• Increasing autonomy of feudatories.
• Administrative and economic pressures.

The decline of centralized Gupta authority created a political environment in which several regional dynasties competed for power.

3. Political Condition after the Guptas

There was no single empire controlling most of northern India immediately after the Guptas.

4. Maukharis

The Maukharis became an important power in northern India after the decline of Gupta authority.

Their political center was Kannauj.

The Maukharis came into conflict with other regional powers, including the Later Guptas and Gauda.

Important ruler

Isanavarman was one of the prominent Maukhari rulers.

5. Maitrakas of Valabhi

The Maitrakas established their power in western India with their capital at Valabhi.

The dynasty was founded by Bhattarka, who had earlier been associated with the Gupta military establishment according to traditional historical reconstruction.

Valabhi later became an important center of education, religion and trade.

6. Kingdom of Gauda

Gauda emerged as an important political power in Bengal during the early 7th century.

Its most important ruler was Shashanka.

Shashanka was an important contemporary and political rival of Harshavardhana.

7. Pushyabhuti / Vardhana Dynasty

The Pushyabhuti dynasty, also known as the Vardhana dynasty, became one of the most powerful political families in northern India during the 7th century CE.

Its early political center was Thanesar in present-day Haryana.

The dynasty reached its greatest political prominence under Harshavardhana.

8. Early Pushyabhuti Rulers

The early history of the Pushyabhutis is known mainly through later literary and inscriptional evidence.

The dynasty's importance increased under Prabhakaravardhana.

9. Prabhakaravardhana

Prabhakaravardhana was an important ruler of Thanesar and father of Harshavardhana.

He strengthened the political position of the dynasty and adopted the title Paramabhattaraka Maharajadhiraja according to literary traditions.

His important children

• Rajyavardhana
• Harshavardhana
• Rajyashri

10. Rajyavardhana

After the death of Prabhakaravardhana, his elder son Rajyavardhana succeeded him at Thanesar.

He became involved in a political conflict following the death of his brother-in-law Grahavarman, the Maukhari ruler of Kannauj.

Rajyavardhana marched against Devagupta of Malwa and later became involved in conflict with Shashanka of Gauda.

Rajyavardhana was killed during this political crisis.

11. Rajyashri

Rajyashri, sister of Harshavardhana, was married to Grahavarman, the Maukhari ruler of Kannauj.

After the death of Grahavarman, Rajyashri faced serious political difficulties.

Harsha subsequently became involved in the affairs of Kannauj and eventually established his political authority there.

12. Harshavardhana

Harshavardhana, also known as Harsha, became the most prominent ruler of the Vardhana dynasty.

He ascended the throne around 606 CE.

Initially associated with Thanesar, Harsha later made Kannauj an important political center.

13. Thanesar and Kannauj

Thanesar was the early political base of the Pushyabhuti dynasty.

After Harsha's rise, Kannauj became the principal center of his expanding kingdom.

14. Extent of Harsha's Empire

Harsha established control over a large part of northern India, but his empire was not a uniformly administered empire covering the entire subcontinent.

His authority was particularly strong in northern and northwestern India.

In the east and northeast, his influence varied according to political circumstances.

15. Harsha and the Chalukyas

Harsha attempted to extend his influence towards the Deccan but encountered the powerful Chalukya ruler Pulakeshin II.

The two powers came into conflict around the Narmada River.

Pulakeshin II successfully resisted Harsha's southward expansion.

16. Harsha and Shashanka

Shashanka, ruler of Gauda in Bengal, was an important political rival of Harsha.

The political conflict between Harsha and Shashanka was connected with the struggles over Kannauj and eastern India.

The exact details of their relationship and military encounters are reconstructed from sources that were written from different perspectives.

17. Administration under Harsha

Harsha's administration combined centralized royal authority with considerable importance given to local officials and subordinate rulers.

Major features

• The king was the supreme authority.
• Ministers and officials assisted the king.
• Provincial and district-level administration existed.
• Local authorities played an important role.
• Feudatory rulers could retain considerable autonomy.

18. Revenue System

Agriculture was the major source of state revenue.

Land revenue was collected from agricultural production.

Other sources of income included taxes, duties, fines and various economic contributions.

19. Taxation under Harsha

Literary and foreign accounts provide information about taxation and economic conditions during Harsha's reign.

According to Xuanzang's account, the revenue was divided among several purposes including administration, religious activities and support for scholars.

20. Harsha's Military Organization

Harsha maintained a substantial military force.

The army included:

• Infantry
• Cavalry
• War elephants

The use of elephants was an important feature of early medieval Indian warfare.

21. Harsha's Diplomatic Relations

Harsha maintained diplomatic contacts with other contemporary powers.

His period also witnessed diplomatic relations between India and China.

The visits of Chinese Buddhist pilgrims and diplomatic missions are important evidence of these connections.

22. Xuanzang (Hiuen Tsang)

Xuanzang, also known as Hiuen Tsang, was a Chinese Buddhist monk and traveler who visited India during Harsha's reign.

He spent several years in India studying Buddhist philosophy and visiting important religious and educational centers.

His importance as a source

• Information about Harsha's kingdom.
• Information about Kannauj.
• Description of Nalanda.
• Information about Buddhist institutions.
• Observations on Indian society and administration.
• Information about cities, roads and religious centers.

23. Xuanzang and Nalanda

Xuanzang spent considerable time at Nalanda, where he studied Buddhist philosophy.

He studied under the famous scholar Shilabhadra.

His account provides valuable information about the organization and academic activities of Nalanda.

24. Banabhatta

Banabhatta was a famous Sanskrit writer and court poet associated with Harsha.

His two important works are:

• Harshacharita
• Kadambari

25. Harshacharita

Harshacharita is a biographical work written by Banabhatta about Harshavardhana.

It is an important source for the political history of Harsha's period.

26. Kadambari

Kadambari is one of the famous works of Banabhatta and is considered an important example of classical Sanskrit prose literature.

27. Harsha's Religious Policy

Harsha's religious life appears to have evolved during his reign.

He had connections with Shaivism and other Brahmanical traditions as well as Buddhism.

In his later years, he became a major patron of Mahayana Buddhism according to Xuanzang's account.

28. Kannauj Religious Assembly

Harsha organized a major religious assembly at Kannauj, traditionally associated with the promotion of Mahayana Buddhism.

Xuanzang participated in this assembly and played an important role according to accounts of the event.

29. Prayaga Assembly

Harsha regularly organized a major religious and charitable assembly at Prayaga.

According to Xuanzang, Harsha distributed wealth and resources to religious groups, scholars and the needy.

The assembly is often associated with a five-year cycle in historical accounts.

30. Harsha as a Patron of Literature

Harsha was not only a patron of literature but is also traditionally credited with composing Sanskrit dramas.

Works attributed to Harsha

• Ratnavali
• Priyadarshika
• Nagananda

31. Education during Harsha's Period

Education was closely connected with religious institutions, monasteries and centers of learning.

Nalanda was one of the most important educational institutions of the period.

Students from different parts of Asia came to study Buddhist philosophy, logic, grammar and other subjects.

32. Nalanda during Harsha's Period

Nalanda had developed into a major monastic and educational institution by the time of Xuanzang's visit.

It had numerous monasteries, teachers and students.

The institution received patronage from rulers and wealthy donors.

33. Economy during the Post-Gupta Period

Agriculture remained the foundation of the economy.

Trade, crafts, markets and long-distance commercial connections continued, although economic conditions varied from region to region.

Main economic activities

• Agriculture
• Animal husbandry
• Craft production
• Textile production
• Metalworking
• Internal trade
• Long-distance trade

34. Society

Society during the post-Gupta period was characterized by social hierarchy, occupational groups and increasing importance of land-based local elites.

Brahmanical institutions continued to receive patronage, while Buddhist and Jain communities also remained active in different regions.

35. Land Grants

Land grants became an increasingly important feature of early medieval political and economic organization.

Kings granted land to Brahmanas and religious institutions.

Such grants could include fiscal privileges and sometimes administrative rights.

Land grants contributed to the growth of local elites and changes in agrarian relationships.

36. Art and Architecture

The post-Gupta period witnessed the continued development of temple architecture and religious sculpture.

Regional artistic traditions became increasingly distinctive.

Major developments

• Structural temples.
• Rock-cut architecture.
• Development of regional temple styles.
• Buddhist monastic architecture.
• Development of stone sculpture.

37. Important Regions under Harsha

38. Harsha and China

Harsha maintained diplomatic relations with the Chinese imperial court.

The visits of Chinese diplomatic missions are important evidence of the international connections of 7th-century northern India.

Xuanzang's journey also reflects the strong intellectual and religious links between India and China.

39. Chinese Travelers – Comparison

40. Religious Tolerance

Harsha supported different religious communities.

His patronage of Buddhism became particularly prominent in the later part of his reign, while Brahmanical religious traditions also continued under his rule.

His religious assemblies demonstrate the interaction between political authority and religious institutions.

41. Important Administrative Terms

42. Sources of Harsha's History

43. Harshacharita and Xuanzang – Source Comparison

44. Cultural Contributions

• Patronage of Sanskrit literature.
• Support for scholars and educational institutions.
• Patronage of Buddhist institutions.
• Support for religious assemblies.
• Development of Kannauj as a major cultural center.

45. Kannauj as a Cultural and Political Center

Under Harsha, Kannauj became one of the most important political centers of northern India.

Its geographical position made it an important center connecting different parts of northern India.

Kannauj later became one of the major centers of political competition among northern Indian dynasties.

46. Death of Harshavardhana

Harshavardhana died around 647 CE.

He left no powerful successor capable of maintaining the political unity created under his rule.

After his death, his kingdom fragmented and regional powers again became dominant.

47. Decline of Harsha's Empire

Harsha's political system depended significantly on his personal authority and relationships with subordinate rulers.

After his death, the lack of a strong successor led to political fragmentation.

Major reasons

• No strong successor.
• Dependence on subordinate rulers.
• Regional political powers.
• Weakening of central authority.

48. Bihar and the Post-Gupta Period

Bihar remained an important region during the post-Gupta period because of its historical association with Magadha, Pataliputra and Nalanda.

Nalanda emerged as one of the most important centers of Buddhist education in northern India.

Xuanzang's account provides valuable information about Nalanda and other parts of eastern India.

49. Important Chronology

50. Important Personalities

51. Harshavardhana – Quick Facts

52. Important Terms for BPSC

• Vardhana Dynasty – Dynasty of Harshavardhana.
• Pushyabhuti – Name associated with Harsha's dynasty.
• Thanesar – Early political center of the dynasty.
• Kannauj – Major political center under Harsha.
• Gauda – Historical kingdom in Bengal.
• Shashanka – Ruler of Gauda.
• Harshacharita – Biography of Harsha by Banabhatta.
• Kadambari – Sanskrit prose work of Banabhatta.
• Xuanzang – Chinese Buddhist traveler.
• Nalanda – Major Buddhist learning center.
• Prayaga Assembly – Religious and charitable assembly of Harsha.
• Kannauj Assembly – Major religious gathering associated with Harsha.

53. Harsha and Gupta Empire – Comparison

54. BPSC Practice Questions – MCQs

55. BPSC Examination Focus

56. One-Line Revision

57. Quick Facts for Revision

58. Conclusion

The Post-Gupta period was characterized by political fragmentation and the emergence of powerful regional kingdoms. Among these, the Vardhana dynasty under Harshavardhana emerged as a major political force in northern India during the 7th century CE.

Harsha expanded his authority over large parts of northern India and established Kannauj as an important political center. However, his expansion towards the Deccan was checked by Pulakeshin II near the Narmada region.

The accounts of Xuanzang and Banabhatta's Harshacharita are among the most important sources for understanding Harsha's reign.

Harsha's patronage of Buddhism, literature and education, along with the importance of Nalanda, makes this period particularly significant for the history of Bihar and northern India.