Pushyabhutis **Bana’s Harshacharita was the first formal biography of a king. It inaugurated a new literary genre in India. **Harsha as King of Kanauj: The magnates of Kanauj (the capital of Maukhari kingdom), on the advice of their minister Poni, invited Harsha to ascend the throne. A reluctant Harsha accepted the throne on the advice […]

The Rashtrakutas Rise of Rashtrakuta Dynasty Krishna I and His Successors Religion Hiranyagarbha literally means golden womb. A person coming out of this golden womb, after elaborate rituals performed by priests, is declared as reborn possessing a celestial body. The Satavahana king Gautamiputra Sathakarni performed this ritual to claim kshatriya status. Literature Architecture

II The Palas Establishment of Pala Rule in Bengal The Palas ruled eastern India from Pataliputra between the ninth and the early twelfth centuries. Sanskrit, Prakrit and Pali were the languages in use in their kingdom. Palas followed Mahayana Buddhism. Pala Rulers Religion Art and Architecture Literature

Religious Policy Buddhist Assembly at Prayag Caste System Status of Women Lifestyle Dietary Habits Education Harsha as a Patron of Art and Literature Nalanda University Hiuen Tsang

Division of the Empire Cities and Towns

Administration Council of Ministers Key Officials 1. Avanti – Minister for Foreign Relations and War 2. Simhananda – Commander-in-Chief  3. Kuntala – Chief Cavalry Officer 4. Skandagupta – Chief Commandant of Elephant Force 5. Dirghadhvajas – Royal Messengers 6. Banu – Keeper of Records 7. Mahaprathihara – Chief of the Palace Guard 8. Sarvagata –

Harsha’s Military Conquests Pulikesin II, the Chalukya King Extent of Harsha’s Empire Harsha’s Relations with China

Introduction Sources I. Literary sources II. Epigraphical sources

Trade Between Tamizhagam and Rome Foreign merchants (yavanas) Trade and the Economy: The Larger Picture Conclusion

The Tamil Kingdoms Contours of International Trade