With the sudden downfall of the Gupta dynasty back in the 6th century AD the western and Northern regions of India witnessed a colossal amount of change. This part of India then also passed to the hands of a number of vassals of which Prabhakar Vardhan happens to be the most important one. Prabhakar Vardhan was the first king of the Vardhan dynasty with his capital at Thanesar. Vardhan dynasty was marked for its remarkable achievement in religion, education, mathematics, art, and Sanskrit literature and drama. Religion underwent a massive transformation and included Hindu deities and rituals. In the field of education too there was a marked development and they were highly specialized. Vardhan dynasty via trade influenced not only Indian culture but also the cultures of the neighboring countries.

Background of the Vardhan dynasty
The rise of the Vardhan dynasty was with Prabhakar Vardhan, the ruler of Sthanvisvara, who belonged to the Pushabhukti family, who extended his control over neighbouring states. Prabhakar Vardhan`s death in 606 CE, saw his eldest son, Rajya Vardhan becoming the king. The Vardhan dynasty achieved its glory in the later years when Harsha the brother of Rajyavardhan came to power. He was an able military leader under whom grew the vast and effective army which was required to extend control over the vast territories. Evidence of the development of art and culture cannot also be denied.. that is why this jointly with the Gupta period is referred to as the Golden age.

Harsha vardhan
Harshavardhana, the descendant of the Vardhan dynasty was born around 580 AD, belonged to Pushibhukti family. He was the son of Prabhakarvardhan, the founder of the Vardhan dynasty. The period of his rule was considered glorious and politically extravagant. The extent of his kingdom spanned the Punjab, Bengal, Orissa and the entire Indo-Gangetic plain north of the Narmada River. At a very young age he took charge of the kingdom after his elder brother Rajya Vardhana got murdered by Sasanka, King of Gauda.

Though young, Harsha proved himself a great conqueror and an able administrator. Harsha was responsible for the union of Thanesar (Kurukshetra) and Kannauj, eventually transferring his capital from Thanesar to Kannauj. He brought eastern Punjab, Bengal, Bihar, Orissa under his reign also conquering Gujarat. Although his conquests came to a halt in the deccan as he was stopped by Pulakesi II, the Chalukya King.

Harsha`s religious inclinations changed into Shaivism and Buddhism from sun worshipping in the later years. He is known to be a liberal king allowing diverse religious faiths to persist in his empire. He was also very well versed in Sanskrit writing three plays namely Ratnavali, Priyadarsika and Nagananda. Harsha encouraged all artistic endeavours.. His rule ended in 647 AD, which also marked the disintegration of the Vardhan Empire.

Economy art and administration
In the words of the Chinese Pilgrim Xuanzang, Harsha built numerous stupas in the name of Buddha. Harsha was intellectually inclined and a patron of art. Evidence of seals show that the emperor endowed the Univrrsity of Nalanda with gransts and donations in order to build up a high security wall around it for its safety against invaders. The emperor was himself a singer, and there are references of music in his plays made by him. Music flourished in categories of sacrificial areas, stages, temple precincts, platforms and princely courts. In 641, Harsha sent a mission to China which established the first diplomatic relations between China and India. In response to this, the Chinese sent an embassy who travelled to India. Hence its is understandable that he eanted to set up a friendly relation in order to maintain the political order and effective administrative system.

Therefore the Vardhan dynasty flourished until Harshavardhan got defeated in the south of India. This era saw the emergence of Buddhism to a full swing, along with the developments of art, literature and architecture. Harsha was very much instrumental in bringing this transformation, which also shaped up his life.