- after demise of Guptas, many small principalities emerged in north and central india
- most imp Pushyabhuti of Thaneswar, Haryana
- following policy of matrimonial alliance, he married his daughter to Maukhari Ruler of Kannauj Grahavarman
- after death of Prabhakar Vardhan, his eldest son Rajya Vardhan became next ruler
- Shashank Gauda of Bihar-Bengal was formidable enemy of Vardhan
- Shashank w/ intelligent planning killed Grahavarman, captured Rajyashri and later also killed Rajyavardhan
- led to appt. of Harshawardhan as ruler
- Harshawardhan was successful in his sister Rajyashri from Shashank’s Captivity
- after long drawn preparation, Harshwardhan finally defeated Shashank Gauda
- Harshawardhan was ambitious ruler and wanted to expand his kingdom south of river Narmada
- led to fight with Chalukya ruler Pulkeshin II
- Harshavardhan defeated
- friendship treaty 🤝
- mentioned in Aihole Inscription of Karnataka
- written by court poet of Chalukya’s Ravi Kirti in Sanskrit
- both sides promised that Narmada will be boundary; won’t venture into other’s territory
- during Harshavardhan tenure, chinese buddhist traveller, Hiuen Tsang visited Kannauj
- wrote his experience in his book Si Yuki
- variety of strict punishments for even pettiest crimes
- yet, Kannauj not free from robbers
- under influence of Hieun Tsang, Harshavardhan accepted Mahayana Buddism
- but continued worship of Lord Shiva 🔱
- Harshavardhan convened 2 religious conferences
- one at Kannauj
- one at Prayag
see also: Dynasties after Pushyabhuti