The World of Harsha
Era of Transition
Harsha and his time
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Dynastic Origins of Harsha
Vardhana (607-647)
Harsha as an Emperor and
conqueror
Ideals of Emperor
Touring Emperor
Nagananda,
Ratnavali, and Priyadarsika
Sources about Harsha’s
empire:
Harsha Charita
Hsuan Tsang/Xuan Zhuang
A Limited Monarch
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Chakravartin
Samantachakara
Maharajadhiraj
Mahasamantas
Land Grants to
Brahmins
Rival Kings in Bengal,
Chalukyan of Badami or
Pulakeshin II
Transformation in Administrative
structure
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Hierarchy of
Administration: Desha,
Rastra bhukti (Province)
Districts Pradesh or Vishaya
Provincial Governor or
Distirct incharge
Kumarmatya
Village Assembly- astrakula
adhikaranas
Mahattar as eleders of the
community
Grama adhyakhshas
Urban Administration
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Head of Urban Affairs
nagarashresthin
Representative of Guilds
Sharthavaha
Chief artisan PrathamaKulika
Chief Scribe Pratham
Kayastha
Community and State
intermeshed in
administrative structure
Agrarian Economy and Significance
of Land Grant
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Land grant to collectivity of
Brahmin (Brahmadeya)
Grant to Temples and
Monasteries
Revenue Rights as an
alternative to cash salaries
Granting of judicial and
administrative rights
Water wheels and stepwells
Conversion of land into
peasant settlement
Relationship between Community
and State
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Linkage between community and state
Social customs and boundaries of state
authority
Brahmanical authority and its limits
Monarchy limited by customs
Feudatories limited by monarchs and peasant
mobility
Communitarian State