Introduction
- North India splintered into several warrior kingdoms after the downfall of the Gupta Empire.
- Excepting in the areas that were subdued by the Huns (modern Punjab, Rajasthan and Malwa), regional identity became pronounced with the emergence of many small states.
- Maithrakas had organised a powerful state in Sourashtra (Gujarat), with Valabhi as their capital.
- Agra and Awadh were organised into an independent and sovereign state by the Maukharis.
- The Vakatakas had recovered their position of ascendency in the western Deccan.
- Despite political rivalry and conflict among these states, Thaneswar, lying north of Delhi between Sutlej and Yamuna, was formed into an independent state by Pushyabhutis.
- It rose to prominence under Harsha.
- Harsha ruled the kingdom as large as that of the Guptas from 606 to 647 CE.
Sources
I. Literary sources
- Bana’s Harshacharita
- Hieun Tsang’s Si-Yu-ki
II. Epigraphical sources
- Madhuban copper plate inscription
- Sonpat inscription on copper seal
- Banskhera copper plate inscription
- Nalanda inscription on clay seals
- Aihole inscription