The Pushyabhuti dynasty of Thaneshwar was the most important and powerful of the dynasties of North India after the fall of the Gupta Empire. This dynasty is known in history as Vardhan dynasty. The Gupta Empire collapsed in 550 CE.
Following are the means of history to know the Vardhan dynasty
Literature, archaeology and foreign accounts of all three types of sources are helpful in knowing the history of Vardhan dynasty.
Archaeological Sources-
- Article of Bansakhena
It was found in 1894 AD from a place called Bansakhena , located in Shahjahanpur district of Uttar Pradesh, In which the date of Harsh Samvat i.e. 628 AD is inscribed. This article shows that Harsha donated a village named Markatsagar of the Angadiya subject of Ahichatra Bhukti to two Bharadwaja Gotriya Brahmins named Balachandra and Bhattaswamy. From this, the names of many states and officials of the Harshaya rule are known. The article also shows the victory of the ruler of Malwa, Devagupt by Rajyavardhana and finally his assassination by Gaun king Shashank.
- Article of Madhuban
This article is located in Mau district of Uttar Pradesh. From here, article of Harsh Samvat 25 i.e. 631 AD is found. In this, there is a description of Harsha donating the village of Shravasti Bhukti to Somkunda.
Seals
Two seals of Harsha are obtained from Nalanda and Sonpat (Sonipat naak place near Delhi). The first seal is of clay and the second seal is of copper. Articles are carved on them. In which the vanshavali from the time of Maharaj Rajyavardhan I to Harshavardhana is found. In the Sonpat seal itself, we get the full name of Harsha, Harshavardhana. Some coins of Harsha have been obtained from the village of Bhitaura (Faizabad, Uttar Pradesh). These are of silver and have Shri Shaladatta (Shri Shiladitya) inscribed on them.
KG Vajpayee has received the gold coin of Harsha from Farrukhabad. On the face of this coin, Parambhattarak Maharajadhiraj Shri Harshadev is inscribed, and the shape of Uma Maheshwar is carved on its back.
Literary source
Harsahcharit–
Harshacharit was composed by Banabhatta. The history of Vardhan dynasty is known by this texts. A first attempt was made to write a prose on a historical subject. It is a fable, in which the author presents a biography of his contemporary ruler and his ancestors.
In the definition of poetry, the narrative is written as different from the story, That the first (fable) depends on tradition, while the second (fable) has only a little truth.
There are 8 chapters or sections in Harshacharit . These are called Uchchhavaas.
Following is the description of 8 Uchchhavaas of Harshacharita–
- Baan has written his autobiography in the first three.
- The former has no historical significance. In the second, 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 Harsha.
- Describing Srikanth district and Sthanishwar in the third Uchchhavaas , he talks about the mutual relationship between Shaivya Acharya named Pushyabhuti and Bhairavacharya.
- The fourth Uchchhavaas mentions Prabhakarvardhan, Where events such as Rajyavardhana, Harshavardhana, birth of Rajyashree, childhood and marriage of Rajyashree with King Grahvarma of Kannauj are described.
- The fifth Uchchhavaas describes the nuisance of the Huns at the border, sending Rajyavardhan to suppress them, Prabhakarvardhan’s illness and death.
- The 6th Uchchhavaas describes the bereaved Rajyavardhana’s desire to retire, news of the killing of Grahvarma, followed by Rajyavardhana’s campaign against Malavaraja with an arsenal of arms, the defeat of Malavaraj, the murder of Rajyavardhana by wicked Shashank. Apart from all these incidents, there is also a description of Harsha’s promise to take revenge from all the enemies and to make the earth gaun less.
- The 7th Uchchhavaas details the acceptance of the friendship proposal sent by Hansweg, the ambassador of Harsha’s Sanyabhiyan, King Bhaskaravarman of Kamarup.
- The 8th and final Uchchhavaas describes the search and receipt of Rajyashree, meeting with Divakramitr and returning Rajyashree to the military camp.
This texts presents a living and contemporary picture of the reign of Harsh. The politics and culture of Harsh period India also gets light with joy.
Kadambari-
The texts named Kadambari was composed by Banabhatta. It is the best novel in Sanskrit literature. we get information about the happy social and religious life from its study.
AryamanjuShrimoolklap-
It is a famous Mahayaan Buddhist scripture. It was first published by Ganapati Shastri in 1925 AD. It has a thousand verses, Within whom BC 7th Century From 8th Century the history of ancient India up to AD is described.
This texts throws light on some incidents in the history of Harsh period. Only the word H is used in this for Harsh. But many non-historical materials are also filled in this texts.
Harsh texts
Harsha himself has written three drama texts – which are as follows –
- Priyadarshika
- Ratnavali
- Nagananda
Information about the time of Harsh is also obtained from these texts.
Foreign Description-
- Hiuensang and its description-
Hiuensang was a famous Chinese traveler, Who came to visit India in the time of Harsha. He lived in India for 16 years. Hiuensang has written his travelogue, named Si-yu-ki. This book reveals the history of the then politics and culture.
- Hiuensang ‘s biography
Hiuensang ‘s biography was composed by Hensang friend Hwi-li. A scholar named Beel has translated it into English. It also provides important information related to the history of harsh period.
- Description of Etsing
It was a Chinese traveler, whose travel details are useful for studying the history of harsh period. The translation of its travelogue into English has been presented by Japanese Buddhist scholar Takkusu under the name A Record of the Buddhist Religion.
Reference : https://www.indiaolddays.com
