About the Post-Gupta Period
The Post-Gupta period (c. 550–750 AD) saw the break-up of the Gupta Empire into many regional kingdoms. In the north the most important ruler was Harshavardhana of the Pushyabhuti dynasty; in the Deccan and the south the Chalukyas of Badami and the Pallavas of Kanchi struggled for supremacy; and later the Rashtrakutas became the dominant power of the Deccan. This period is important for the growth of regional kingdoms, temple architecture, and the beginning of the tripartite struggle for Kannauj.
Harshavardhana (606–647 AD) belonged to the Pushyabhuti dynasty of Thaneswar. After the death of his brother Rajyavardhana, he became king in 606 AD and later moved his capital to Kannauj. He united most of northern India and was the last great ruler of ancient northern India. He was checked by the Chalukya king Pulakeshin II at the Battle of the Narmada (c. 618 AD). The Chinese pilgrim Hiuen Tsang (Xuanzang) visited India during his reign (c. 629–645 AD) and wrote the account Si-Yu-Ki. Harsha was a great patron of learning and himself wrote Nagananda, Ratnavali and Priyadarshika. His court poet Banabhatta wrote the Harshacharita and Kadambari. Harsha held the Kanauj Assembly (643 AD) and the Prayag (Allahabad) Assembly, which he held every five years. After his death in 647 AD, his empire quickly collapsed, and Kannauj became the centre of the tripartite struggle among the Gurjara-Pratiharas, the Palas of Bengal and the Rashtrakutas of the Deccan.
The Pallavas (c. 275–897 AD) ruled from Kanchipuram (Kanchi) in the south. Mahendravarman I was a great patron of art and literature and composed the play Mattavilasa Prahasana; he began the rock-cut architecture of Mahabalipuram. His son Narasimhavarman I (called Mamalla and Vatapikonda) defeated and killed Pulakeshin II in c. 642 AD and captured Badami. Narasimhavarman II (Rajasimha) built the Shore Temple at Mahabalipuram and the Kailasanatha temple at Kanchi. The Pallavas developed the Dravidian style of temple architecture; the Five Rathas and Arjuna’s Penance at Mahabalipuram are famous. Kanchi was a great centre of learning (the Ghatika).
The Chalukyas of Badami (Vatapi) (c. 543–755 AD) were founded by Pulakeshin I. Their greatest ruler was Pulakeshin II (c. 610–642 AD), who defeated Harshavardhana at the Narmada and took the title Parameshwara. The Aihole inscription of his court poet Ravikirti, written in Sanskrit, records his victories and mentions Harsha’s defeat. The Chalukyas built the famous temples at Aihole, Badami and Pattadakal, and their style (the Vesara style, a blend of Nagara and Dravida) influenced later architecture. The Badami Chalukyas were overthrown by the Rashtrakutas under Dantidurga in 753 AD. The Eastern Chalukyas of Vengi were a related branch.
The Rashtrakutas (753–973 AD) were founded by Dantidurga and ruled from Manyakheta (Malkhed). Krishna I built the magnificent rock-cut Kailasanatha temple at Ellora. Amoghavarsha I wrote the Kavirajamarga in Kannada and moved the capital. The Rashtrakutas took part in the tripartite struggle for Kannauj and patronised Jainism as well as Brahmanical religion. Their rule saw the great Ellora cave complex (Hindu, Buddhist and Jain) flourish. The dynasty was overthrown in 973 AD by the Western Chalukyas.
Other important post-Gupta powers were the Vakatakas of the Deccan (patrons of the Ajanta caves), the Maitrakas of Vallabhi in Gujarat, Shashanka of Gauda in Bengal and Bhaskaravarman of Kamarupa (Assam), who was an ally of Harsha.
Timeline of the Post-Gupta Period
- c. 543 AD: Pulakeshin I founds the Chalukya dynasty of Badami.
- 606 AD: Harshavardhana becomes king of Thaneswar.
- c. 618 AD: Battle of the Narmada; Pulakeshin II checks Harsha.
- c. 629–645 AD: Hiuen Tsang visits India.
- c. 642 AD: Narasimhavarman I defeats Pulakeshin II.
- 643 AD: Harsha holds the Kanauj Assembly.
- 647 AD: Death of Harshavardhana.
- 753 AD: Dantidurga founds Rashtrakuta power; end of the Badami Chalukyas.
- c. 973 AD: Fall of the Rashtrakutas.
Main Facts about the Post-Gupta Period (Quick Revision Bullets)
- Harshavardhana’s dynasty: the Pushyabhuti dynasty of Thaneswar.
- Harshavardhana’s capital: Kannauj.
- Reign of Harshavardhana: 606–647 AD.
- Chalukya king who checked Harsha: Pulakeshin II.
- Battle between them: the Battle of the Narmada.
- Chinese pilgrim of Harsha’s age: Hiuen Tsang (Xuanzang).
- Hiuen Tsang’s account: Si-Yu-Ki.
- Harsha’s court poet: Banabhatta, author of the Harshacharita.
- Plays written by Harsha: Nagananda, Ratnavali and Priyadarshika.
- Pallava capital: Kanchipuram.
- Pallava who built the Shore Temple: Narasimhavarman II (Rajasimha).
- Pallava title “Vatapikonda”: Narasimhavarman I.
- Founder of the Chalukyas of Badami: Pulakeshin I.
- Greatest Chalukya ruler: Pulakeshin II.
- Aihole inscription written by: Ravikirti.
- Founder of Rashtrakuta power: Dantidurga.
- Kailasanatha temple at Ellora built by: Krishna I.
- Kannada work of Amoghavarsha I: Kavirajamarga.
- Tripartite struggle over: Kannauj (Pratiharas, Palas, Rashtrakutas).
Important Persons and Terms
- Harshavardhana: last great ruler of ancient northern India; ruled from Kannauj.
- Pulakeshin II: greatest Chalukya ruler; checked Harsha at the Narmada.
- Hiuen Tsang (Xuanzang): Chinese pilgrim who visited during Harsha’s reign; wrote Si-Yu-Ki.
- Banabhatta: Harsha’s court poet; author of the Harshacharita and Kadambari.
- Mahendravarman I: Pallava ruler; began the rock-cut art of Mahabalipuram.
- Narasimhavarman I: Pallava ruler called Vatapikonda; defeated Pulakeshin II.
- Ravikirti: court poet of Pulakeshin II; wrote the Aihole inscription in Sanskrit.
- Dantidurga: founder of Rashtrakuta power.
- Krishna I: Rashtrakuta ruler who built the Kailasanatha temple at Ellora.
- Amoghavarsha I: Rashtrakuta ruler; author of the Kavirajamarga.
- Tripartite struggle: the contest for Kannauj among the Gurjara-Pratiharas, Palas and Rashtrakutas.
Why the Post-Gupta Period Matters for Exams
This period gives many direct questions. Common ones include: Who was the ruler of Kannauj and the last great king of ancient north India? (Harshavardhana.) Which Chalukya king checked him, and at which battle? (Pulakeshin II, at the Battle of the Narmada.) Which Chinese pilgrim visited during his reign? (Hiuen Tsang.) Who wrote the Harshacharita? (Banabhatta.) Which Pallava ruler defeated Pulakeshin II and took the title Vatapikonda? (Narasimhavarman I.) Which Pallava built the Shore Temple? (Narasimhavarman II / Rajasimha.) Who wrote the Aihole inscription? (Ravikirti.) Who founded Rashtrakuta power? (Dantidurga.) Who built the Kailasanatha temple at Ellora? (Krishna I.) What was the tripartite struggle? (the contest for Kannauj.)
How to Prepare the Post-Gupta Period
- Learn Harsha fully. Dynasty, capital, dates, his defeat at the Narmada, Hiuen Tsang, Banabhatta and the two assemblies.
- Separate the dynasties by region. North: Harsha. South: Pallavas of Kanchi and Chalukyas of Badami. Deccan: Rashtrakutas.
- Connect rulers to monuments. Mahabalipuram (Pallavas), Aihole-Badami-Pattadakal (Chalukyas), Ellora Kailasanatha (Rashtrakutas).
- Learn the inscriptions. Aihole inscription of Ravikirti is the key source.
- Remember the tripartite struggle. The three powers were the Gurjara-Pratiharas, the Palas and the Rashtrakutas.
Common Exam Traps
- Harshavardhana ruled the north from Kannauj; he was not a Gupta ruler.
- Pulakeshin II was a Chalukya, not a Pallava.
- Narasimhavarman I (Pallava) defeated Pulakeshin II; do not reverse them.
- Hiuen Tsang visited in Harsha’s time, while Fa-Hien visited in the Gupta age.
- Harsha was checked at the Narmada; he did not conquer the Deccan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Harshavardhana and when did he rule?
Harshavardhana of the Pushyabhuti dynasty ruled from 606 to 647 AD. He became king of Thaneswar and later made Kannauj his capital. He was the last great ruler of ancient northern India and was checked by the Chalukya king Pulakeshin II at the Battle of the Narmada.
Which Chinese pilgrim visited during Harsha’s reign and what did he write?
Hiuen Tsang (Xuanzang) visited India during Harshavardhana’s reign (c. 629–645 AD) and wrote the account called Si-Yu-Ki. He also attended the Kanauj Assembly held by Harsha.
Who defeated Pulakeshin II and what title did he take?
The Pallava ruler Narasimhavarman I defeated and killed Pulakeshin II in c. 642 AD and captured Badami. For this he took the title Vatapikonda (“conqueror of Vatapi”).
What is the Aihole inscription and who wrote it?
The Aihole inscription was composed by Ravikirti, the court poet of the Chalukya king Pulakeshin II. Written in Sanskrit, it records the victories of Pulakeshin II, including his defeat of Harshavardhana at the Narmada.
Who founded Rashtrakuta power and who built the Kailasanatha temple at Ellora?
Dantidurga founded Rashtrakuta power in 753 AD. The magnificent rock-cut Kailasanatha temple at Ellora was built by the Rashtrakuta ruler Krishna I.
What was the tripartite struggle?
The tripartite struggle was the contest for the city of Kannauj among three great powers: the Gurjara-Pratiharas of the north, the Palas of Bengal and the Rashtrakutas of the Deccan. It began after the death of Harshavardhana in 647 AD.