Harsha – Division of the Empire

Division of the Empire

• The empire was divided into several provinces.
• The actual number of such provinces is not known.
• Each province was divided into Bhuktis.
• And each Bhukti was divided into several Vishayas.
• They were like the districts.
• Each vishaya was further divided into Pathakas.
• Each such area was divided into several villages for the sake of administrative convenience.
• Harsha Charita refers to a number of officials who took care of the local administration.
• Only their titles are known.
• What they did isn’t available in Harsha Charita.
• We learn that bhogapathi, ayuktha, pratpalaka-purusha and the like looked after the local administration.

Cities and Towns

• Hieun Tsang describes the structure, aesthetics and safety measures of the cities, towns and villages of India.
• In his view, India was the land of innumerable villages, numerous towns and big cities like China.
• He pointed out that Pataliputra lost its prominence and its place was taken by Kanauj.
• The elegance of Kanauj with its lofty structures, beautiful gardens and the museum of rare collections is described.
• The refined appearance of its residents, their costly dressings and love for learning and art are also pointed out in his account.
• Most of the towns, according to Hieun Tsang, had outer walls and inner gates.
• Though the walls were wide and high, the streets and lanes were narrow.
• Residential houses had balconies made of wood and coated with lime mortar.
• Floors were smeared with cow dung for the purpose of purity and hygiene.
• Big mansions, public buildings and Buddhist monasteries and viharas were magnificent multi-storeyed structures.
• They were built of kiln-fired bricks, red sandstone and marble.
• Harsha constructed a large number of viharas, monasteries and stupas on the bank of the Ganges.
• Harsha built charitable institutions for the stay of the travellers, and to care for the sick and the poor.
• Free hospitals and rest houses (dharmasalas) in all the towns were constructed where the travellers or the outsiders could stay.
• Hospitals were built to provide medical treatment free of charge.