← Explore on the interactive map

Harsha's Empire

Type Object Region South Asia Time 606–647

Harsha's Empire was a North Indian polity founded and ruled by King Harshavardhana (r. c. 606–647), with its capital at Kannauj.

Timeline

  1. 606–612Kannauj · Uttar PradeshAfter succeeding his brother, Harshavardhana gradually conquered the states of North India, establishing political authority centered on Kannauj and laying the foundation of the empire's territory.
  2. c. 630–640Kannauj court · Uttar PradeshThe empire reached its peak; Harshavardhana sponsored Buddhist assemblies and literary creation, received foreign envoys and eminent monks, and Xuanzang resided at court, recording its splendor and policy of religious tolerance.
  3. 647–650North India · North IndiaAfter Harshavardhana's death there was no strong heir, and the empire quickly split into local regimes; North India again fell into fragmentation, and Kannauj's hegemony ended.

Sources