Name: Harshavardhana: The Enlightened Warrior
Uploaded: 2019-07-19
Duration: 6 min 17 s
Description: Harshavardhana was an emperor with a tragic past who grew into a great leader, championing art and culture while also expanding the Vardhan Empire.

Question

Who was Hiuen Tsang? What light did he throw on Harsha's reign?

Accepted Answer

The most celebrated traveller of Chinese descent, Hiuen Tsang. During his 15 years in India, he also visited Harsha's Court. Accounts of the same were written in Si-yu-ki or the Records of the Western World. This contained notable information about Harsha's reign:

Hiuen Tsang provides a detailed explanation of administration during the reign of Harsha; reasonable taxes were imposed during Harsha's reign. However, the penal code under Harsha was rigid; sometimes, the death sentence was given to the offenders.

Harsha also throws light on the social life of people during Harsha's reign. He highlights that people wore un-tailored garments. Common people walked barefoot and ate simple food. The houses were made of both mud and bricks, and the practice of Sati was prevalent during this period.

He also provides a vivid account of Buddhist assemblies that were held during Harsha's reign. He held several assemblies to spread the doctrines of the Mahayana sect. These assemblies were held once every five years at Prayag.

Hiuen Tsang also mentions Nalanda University in his accounts. He himself studied at the university for a period of five years. He also mentions that education was free of cost at the university. Some subjects taught were astronomy, grammar, and literature.

Who was Hiuen Tsang? What light did he throw on Harsha's reign?

Important Questions on Harshavardhana and His Times (Political Development - New Empires and Kingdoms)

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