Post-Gupta period(Part 1/2)

#1. What was the Vardhan Dynasty?

1) Downfall of the Gupta Empire rise of several independent kingdoms rise of Harshvardhan of
Pushyabhuta dynasty.
2) Harshvardhan defeated Shashanka and avenged his Brother in law and real Brother assassinations.
3) Administration: kannauj/ Kanyakubja as capital+ rise of Samanta system+ cordial relations with the
Chinese.
4) Religion: devotee of Lord Shiva (Param Maheshwara) + wrote Nagananda, Ratnavali and
Priyadarshika + converted into Buddhism+ started a religious ritual of 21 days in Kannauj +
convened Mahamoksha Parishad at Prayag.
5) Important personalities in court: Banbhatta wrote Harshacharitra and Kadambari+ Hiuen-Tsang
wrote ‘Shi-Yu-Ki’.
6) Decline of Empire: defeated by Chalukya king Pulkesin II (Aihole inscription)+ did not have any
living heirs+ demise of King Harshavardhana in 647 AD.

#2. Who were Chalukyas and what was their contribution?

1) About Chalukyas: ruled parts of Southern and Central India (6th - 12th century) + Founded by
Pulakesin I + Capital was Vatapi or Badami+ titled as Haritha Putras + Emblem as Varaha.
2) Art and culture: Hindus but patronized Buddhism and Jainism+ promoted Kannada and Telugu
literature+ Vesara style of architecture.
3) About Pulkesin II reign: Aihole inscription written by Ravikirti in Sanskrit using Kannada script+
defeated Harshvardhan+ defeated Pallava ruler Mahendravarman I + got defeated and killed by
Pallava ruler Narsinghvarman I+ Xuanzang visited his kingdom.

#3. Who were Rastrakutas and what was their contribution?

1) About Rastrakutas: reign around (750-900 AD)+ officers under Chalukyas of Badami+ founded
by Dantidurga+ development of Ellora and Kanheri caves+ kailashnath temple+ mother tongue was
Kannada
2) Famous rulers: [1] Dantidurga: founder+ defeated Chalukya King Kirtivarman+ titles Rajadhiraja
and Parameshvara+ Manyakheda as capital. [2] Amoghavarsha I or Sarva (814–878 AD): ruled
for 64 years+ composed the Kavirajamarga(Kannad) and Prasnottara Ratna Malika (Sanskrit)+
converted into Jainism by Jinasena+ called ‘Ashoka of the south’ + constructed Jain Narayana temple
of Pattadakal, (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) a basadi at Konnur and the Neminatha Basadi at
Manyakheta.

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