EFFECTS OF HARSHA'S DEATH
◆ ARBITRARY RULE OF ARUNĀSVA
Emperor Harshavardhana established a splendid empire in Kannauj and set an example of ideal power
After about 40 years of rule, he died in the year 647 CE in the capital Kannauj due to some unknown reason
#Thread
◆ ARBITRARY RULE OF ARUNĀSVA
Emperor Harshavardhana established a splendid empire in Kannauj and set an example of ideal power
After about 40 years of rule, he died in the year 647 CE in the capital Kannauj due to some unknown reason
#Thread
Emperor Harsha had no successor, so his empire was scattered like a pack of cards.
After that the forces of political decentralization and division became active once again in North India.
After that the forces of political decentralization and division became active once again in North India.
Many entities clashed with each other to take control of Kanauj. For the next 75 years i.e. till the arrival of Yashovarman, stable rule could not flourish on Kannauj.
This 75 year period was the dark age of Kannauj.
This 75 year period was the dark age of Kannauj.
◾The question here is that, why did the land of India have to see such dark ages?
Let us understand with an example
Let us understand with an example
Through the 13th Cen. Chinese writer Ma-Twan-Lin we get to know the tragic events after the death of Harsha
We know that Harsha had friendly relations with the Emperor of China 'Taizong'
Therefore China sent the 3rd delegation to India with Ambassador 'Wang-Heuen-Tse'
We know that Harsha had friendly relations with the Emperor of China 'Taizong'
Therefore China sent the 3rd delegation to India with Ambassador 'Wang-Heuen-Tse'
When this delegation reached India, they found that the emperor Harsha had died and there was a scene of anarchy in the Empire and the throne was occupied by a minister named 'O-La-Na-Shun' (Arunasva or Arjuna) अरुणाश्व/अर्जुन
Arjuna made his capital in Cha-Po-Ho-Lo (Champaran) from where he started his arbitrary rule
Arjuna displayed a tyrannical instinct, he tried to stop the Chinese Delegation, he sent his army to stop them
Chinese delegates didn't understand what was going on
Arjuna displayed a tyrannical instinct, he tried to stop the Chinese Delegation, he sent his army to stop them
Chinese delegates didn't understand what was going on
Wang-heuen-tse was carrying a small army with him
They tried to face this sudden attack of Arjuna, but this small cavelry could not resist Arjuna's forces.
All the guards were massacred & Arjuna took Wang-heuen-tse captive
They tried to face this sudden attack of Arjuna, but this small cavelry could not resist Arjuna's forces.
All the guards were massacred & Arjuna took Wang-heuen-tse captive
Such an insult to a chinese Ambassador was no ordinary thing at that time
Wang-heuen-tse didn't expect such a disaster
Wang-heuen-tse didn't expect such a disaster
But somehow Wang-heuen-tse escaped from Arjuna's captivity & headed for Tibet
King of Tibet Srong-btsen-Gampo was the son-in-law of Emperor of China , he considered the insult of chinese ambassador as his insult
King of Tibet Srong-btsen-Gampo was the son-in-law of Emperor of China , he considered the insult of chinese ambassador as his insult
The King of Tibet handed over an army of 1000 armed men to Wang-heuen-tse. The King of Nepal was also angry with Arjuna, he also sent 7000 cavalry
In addition , King Srikumara of Kamrupa (Assam) , who was ally of Harsha also sent military aid to Wang-heuen-tse
In addition , King Srikumara of Kamrupa (Assam) , who was ally of Harsha also sent military aid to Wang-heuen-tse
Now, Wang-heuen-tse took this huge army and entered battlefield to take revenge
Here Arjuna was intoxicated with power, he was blinded by the joy of becoming the King
He was unaware of the huge army moving towards him
Here Arjuna was intoxicated with power, he was blinded by the joy of becoming the King
He was unaware of the huge army moving towards him
Before Arjuna could understand anything that this huge army reached his Capital Champaran , a fierce war broke out
Arjuna's army could not stand before the combined forces of Tibet, Nepal and Assam
Arjuna's army could not stand before the combined forces of Tibet, Nepal and Assam
Arjuna fled the battlefield, but soon chinese General 'Jiang Shiren' captured him
Thousands of people lost their lives in this war, Bagmati river was filled with dead bodies
12000 men & women were taken captive. Their animals & other material have been confiscated
Thousands of people lost their lives in this war, Bagmati river was filled with dead bodies
12000 men & women were taken captive. Their animals & other material have been confiscated
Wang-heuen-tse took Arjuna to china to present him as a defeated enemy to the emperor , where he was punished according to the Chinese monarchy
Arjuna's crown was crushed before it could be adorned on his head
Arjuna's crown was crushed before it could be adorned on his head
This episode shows how big empires disintegrate.
Arjuna could have carried forward Harsha's legacy if he wanted, but he lacked patience
This Arjuna could not put the string on the bow before hitting the eye of fish
Arjuna could have carried forward Harsha's legacy if he wanted, but he lacked patience
This Arjuna could not put the string on the bow before hitting the eye of fish
Other Effects of Harsha's death
1] In Kamrupa Bhaskar varmana took control of karna-suvarna and other areas
2] In Magadha, Harsha's feudator Adityasena declared himself independent ruler
3] The rise of Karkotas in Kashmir
4] Rise of new entities in the north-west region
1] In Kamrupa Bhaskar varmana took control of karna-suvarna and other areas
2] In Magadha, Harsha's feudator Adityasena declared himself independent ruler
3] The rise of Karkotas in Kashmir
4] Rise of new entities in the north-west region
In the end, Emperor Harsha-vardhana and his grand Pushyabhuti empire lost in the the depths of the past
Autograph of Emperor Harsha-vardhana
Autograph of Emperor Harsha-vardhana
Ref.:
History of Kannauj to the Moslem Conquest by Rama Shankar Tripathi
The Mission of Wang-Heuen-Tse
by M. Sylvain Levi
History of Kannauj to the Moslem Conquest by Rama Shankar Tripathi
The Mission of Wang-Heuen-Tse
by M. Sylvain Levi
More about Harsha
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