|
Hiuen Tsang Prince of pilgrim or present sakyamuni describes
about the reign of Harsh in detail. He had a special regard
for Harsha. He tells us that Harsh was unparralleled in the
discharge of his administration duties.He spent most of the
years in making tours of inspection throughout his dominions.
In this way , he set a good example to his ministers and also
the kings who were his vassals.
From
the available information, it can be said that the ancestors
of Harsha ruled over the kingdom of Sharisrara - modern Thanesar
in Haryana. And the kingdom was founded by Pushpabhati. No details
about his successors are available. However the chronology again
becomes clear with Prabhakar Vardhan who truly can be regarded
as the 1st ruler in the dynasty of Pushpabhati's. The accession
of Harsha being younger son of Prabhakar Vardhan is an interesting
account . After ascending the throne Harsha fought many wars
and ruled over a large empire . According to Hiuen Tsang "
he reduced the neighbouring states to subjection, invaded those
who had refused allegiance and ultimately brought the Five Indies
of Saurashtra, Kaniya Kubja , Gauda , Nithial and Orissa under
allegiance". Thus Harsha combines in him the military genius
of Chandragupta Maurya, benevolence of Ashoka , statesmanship
of Samudragupta and the enlightened character of Chandragupta
Vikramaditya.
Northern
Bharat after Harsha however saw a period of chaos and confusion.
This period is marked by the origin of the Rajputs. There were
still many dynasties that proved their existence capable after
the death of Harsha. They have been dealt with separately. Those
dynasties were the Rashtrakutas , the Chalukyas ,the Pallavas
, the Cholas and the Dandyas.
From
seventh century onwards the socio- religious conditions in Bharat
witnessed changes. A large number of new castes were created.
Hinduism in the form of Shaivism and Vaisnavism prominently
dominated the field. Buddhism however was confined only to the
territories of the Pala kings in Bengal and Bihar . Buddhism
and Jainism were being followed by isolated groups in northern
Bharat . It will be interesting to know , although the Palas
were staunch Buddhists they had employed Brahmans at their religious
ceremonies. By now even Buddhism and Jainism had developed theistic
tendencies . Idol worshipping had started.
Buddha's and Jains by then were accepted as incarnations of
Vishnu . However the emergence of Tantric cult profoundly changed
all the religions . Shaivism attained utmost importance and
got royal patronage.
As
far as religious architecture is concerned, the Hindu Kings
competed with one another in the magnificence and number of
temples. Thousands of artisans were different from ordinary
pursuits to the work of embellishment of temple service in stone,
bronze, and precious metals.
That
is why it will be appropriate to state that from Harsha Vardhan
till the end of Cholas. Bharat witnessed a heterogeneous character
. Religious , castes all started adapting each other and shading
away what was not required.
All the three prominent religions , Brahmanism , Buddhism and
Jainism underwent changes . While Vedic religion lost its popularity,Bhagavatism
took the place. As far as Buddhism is concerned , Mahayan developed
as a different sect.
The
most important feature of this period was the thriving trade
between Bharat and western world . Settlement of
foreigners in Bharat gave impetus to trade . It was during
that, the Roman Empire emerged as a paramount
power in the western world
, eventually provided grand for flourishing trade with
Bharat.
As
far as administration is concerned , there was no substantial
change in the system from that of the Mauryans .
©
2001 vandemataram.com All rights reserved
|