A book giving information about the history of Harsh’s kingdom is composed by Harshacharit Banabhatta. Banabhatta was a Brahmin and a court poet of Harsh. The history of Harsh’s kingdom is told in Harshacharit. Along with giving information about Harsh, this book also tells about the history of Vardhan dynasty.
This book was the first attempt to write prose on historical subject. It is a fable, in which the author presents a biography of his contemporary ruler and his ancestors.
There are 8 chapters or sections in Harshacharit. These are called Uchchhavas .
Following is the description of the 8 Uchchhavas of Harshacharit.
- Baan has written his autobiography in the first three chapters of Harshacharit.
- The first chapter has no historical significance. It contains information related to the life and family of himself (Banabhatta). In the second chapter, he mentions the Bhrigu dynasty and his childhood, living in a village called Vatsyayan Gotriya Pritikoot. In this, he gives the details of coming in contact with Harsh.
- Describing Srikanth district and Sthanishwar in the third Uchchhavas , he talks about the mutual relationship between Shaivya Acharya named Pushyabhuti and Bhairavacharya.
- The fourth Uchchhavas mentions Prabhakarvardhan, Where events such as Rajyavardhan, Harshavardhan, birth of Rajyashree, childhood and marriage of Rajyashree with King Grahvarma of Kannauj are described.
- The fifth Uchchhavas describes the disturbance of Hunas on the border, sending Rajyavardhan to suppress them, Prabhakarvardhan’s illness and death.
- The 6th Uchchhavas describes the bereaved Rajyavardhan’s desire to retire, news of the killing of Grahvarma, followed by Rajyavardhan’s campaign against Malavaraja with an arsenal of arms, the defeat of Malavaraj, the murder of Rajyavardhan by wicked Shashank. Apart from all these incidents, there is also a description of Harsh’s vow to take revenge from all the enemies and to make the earth gaun less.
- The 7th Uchchhavas details the acceptance of the friendship proposal sent by Hansweg, the ambassador of Harsh’s Sanyabhiyan, King Bhaskaravarman of Kamarup.
- The 8th and final Uchchhavas describes the search and receipt of Rajyashree, meeting with Divakramitr and returning Rajyashree to the military camp.
This book presents a living and contemporary picture of the reign of Harsh. The politics and culture of Harsh period India also gets light from Harshcharit. The study of Harshacharit reveals the religious, economic and political life of the people of Harsh. It is right that somewhere, the baan has exaggerated in praise of its master. But it cannot be denied that this book provides useful information.
Cowell and Thomas have translated Harshacharit into English. It has written that the court, camps, shant villages and even more shant viharas and ashrams, of Brahmins or Buddhists, are all painted in the same color, and his (Baan’s) work is described by every detail of the Chinese traveler. Confirms and completes on stage. This book is full of all types of Sanskrit knowledge.
Reference : https://www.indiaolddays.com
