HARSHAVARDHANA
(606 – 647 A.D.)
The decline
of the Gupta Empire was followed by a period of political disorder and disunity
in North India. It was only in the beginning of the seventh century A.D. that
Harshvardhana succeeded in establishing a larger kingdom in north India. The
chief sources for tracing the history of Harsha and his times are the
Harshacharita written by Bana and the Travel accounts of Hiuen Tsang. Bana was
the court poet of Harsha. Hiuen Tsang was the Chinese traveler who visited
India in the seventh century A.D. Besides these two sources, the dramas written
by Harsha, namely Ratnavali, Nagananda and Priyardarsika also provide useful
information. The Madhuben plate inscription and the Sonpat inscription are also
helpful to know the chronology of Harsha. The Banskhera inscription contains
the signature of Harsha.
Narasimhavarman
I
(630-668 A.D
Narasimhavarman
I was also known as Mamalla, which means ‘great wrestler’. He wanted to take
avenge the defeat of his father at the hands of Chalukyan ruler Pulakesin II.
His victory over Pulakesin II in the Battle of Manimangalam near Kanchi is
mentioned in Kuram copper plates. The Pallava army under General Paranjothi
pursued the retreating Chalukya army, entered Chalukya territory, captured and
destroyed the capital city of Vatapi. Narasimhavarman I assumed the title
‘Vatapikonda’. He regained the lost territory. Another notable achievement of
Narasimhavarman I was his naval expedition to Sri Lanka. He restored the throne
to his friend and Sri Lankan prince Manavarma.
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