Empire of Harsha

Empire of Harsha was an empire in Gangetic plain and Nepal (South Asia) that lasted from 606 to 647 CE, about 41 years. Its people spoke Indo-Aryan languages (Vedic, Sanskrit, Prakrit, Hindi, Bengali, Marathi, Sinhala).

Harshavardhana of the Pushyabhuti family united much of north India from Kannauj, though Pulakeshin II stopped him at the Narmada. The Chinese monk Xuanzang described his court, and the empire died with him in 647.

See Empire of Harsha on the interactive timeline

Facts

Dates: 606 to 647 CE
Duration: 41 years
Type: Empire
Region: Gangetic plain and Nepal, South Asia
Language family: Indo-Aryan
Capital: Kannauj

Came from

Maukhari dynasty c. 550 to 606 CE

Events in South Asia during its time

628 Brahmagupta's rules for zero

Neighbours in South Asia

Anuradhapura Kingdom 377 BCE to 1017 CE
Pallava dynasty c. 275 to 897 CE
Chalukyas of Badami 543 to 753 CE
Kamarupa c. 350 to 1140 CE
Western Ganga dynasty c. 350 to 1000 CE
Eastern Chalukyas c. 624 to 1070 CE
Licchavi dynasty of Nepal c. 400 to 750 CE
Pandya dynasty (first empire) c. 590 to 920 CE
Maitraka dynasty c. 475 to 776 CE
Karkota dynasty c. 625 to 855 CE

Elsewhere in the world at the same time

Byzantine Empire 395 to 1453 CE, Europe
Byzantine Empire 395 to 1453 CE, Middle East
Ghana Empire (Wagadu) c. 300 to 1200 CE, North and West Africa
Kingdom of Aksum c. 100 to 940 CE, North and West Africa
Moche (Mochica) c. 100 to 800 CE, South America
Tiwanaku c. 400 to 1000 CE, South America
Sasanian Empire 224 to 651 CE, Middle East
Tang dynasty 618 to 907 CE, East Asia
Rashidun Caliphate 632 to 661 CE, Middle East

Questions

When did Empire of Harsha exist?

606 to 647 CE, about 41 years.

Where was Empire of Harsha?

Gangetic plain and Nepal, in South Asia. Its capital was Kannauj.

What language did Empire of Harsha speak?

Indo-Aryan. This family includes Vedic, Sanskrit, Prakrit, Hindi, Bengali, Marathi, Sinhala.

What came before Empire of Harsha?

Maukhari dynasty.