Harsha's Empire

Harshavardhana, also known as Harsha, was an Indian king and emperor of Kannauj from April 606 until his death in 647. He was the king of Thanesar who defeated the Alchon Huns. Under Harsha, the Kingdom of Kannauj expanded into a vast realm covering much of northern and northwestern India, with the Narmada River as its southern boundary. He made Kanyakubja (present-day Kannauj) his imperial capital. Harsha's court was a center of cosmopolitanism, attracting scholars, artists, and religious visitors. The Chinese traveler Xuanzang visited his court and praised his justice and generosity. His biography, Harshacharita, was written by the Sanskrit poet Banabhatta.