Harsha was the ruler of a northern Indian empire that stretched from Magadha to Kashmir, Gujarat and Sindh. He became king in AD 606 when he was just sixteen, after defeating his enemies. Harsha was a gifted warrior and administrator, a sensitive poet and playwright. He became one of India’s most celebrated heroes. He is known through the works of the writer Bana, and of the Chinese pilgrim Hieun Tsang. Hieun Tsang visited the capital of Harsha’s kingdom, and describes it as a beautiful, well defended city of gardens and tanks. Its citizens appeared happy and prosperous.
However, Hieun Tsang also found that the older cities of Shravasti and Pataliputra were neglected. In AD 641, Harsha sent an envoy to the Chinese emperor, and established the first diplomatic relations between India and China.
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