The hostility between Harsha and Sasanka did not end with Sasanka's withdrawal from Kanauj. It had continued for a lengthy period of time. Since there are no specific evidences about the result of the war of Harsha against Sasanka, it is pretty difficult for historians to determine whether Harsha ever came in real conflict with Sasanka. According to the "Arya Manjusri Mula Kalpa", Harsha had marched against the capital of Sasanka, defeated him and forbade him to move out of the country. But according to Dr. R.C Majumdar, the records available from epigraphic evidences and the medieval Buddha chronicle are vague and obscure. It does not provide clear information about the battle. Later evidences proved that Sasanka had reigned over Gauda without any reduction of power, definitely upto 619 A.D. Thus it is concluded by later historians that Harsha's campaign against Sasanka was futile. When the tide of Harsha's invasion rolled back, Sasanka seemed to have recovered his position and reigned in undiminished glory till his death. According to some scholars, the closing years of Sasanka's reign was full of trouble and chaos. Harsha and Bhaskarvarmana conjointly had defeated him and had reduced him to a subordinate chief. This is endorsed by the "Midnapore inscription" of 629 A.D., where Sasanka did not use the title "Maharajadhiraja". As a result of this victory, Harsha had included Kanvasuvarna and part of Bengal within his Empire, which was originally within the territory of Sasanka. Dr. R.G. Basak has also suggested that Sasanka's defeat was indicated by his debased gold coins and his lost of overlordship of Ganjam district. But Dr. R.C. Majumdar has refuted the theory that Sasanka's powers were curtailed by Harshavardhana. He rather holds that Sasanka had ruled in undiminished glory till his death. During his lifetime Harsha could not project any successful campaign against him and it was probably after his death that Harsha had captured Magadha. Dr. Majumdar has based his theories on the evidences provided by the "Ganjam inscription". The inscription delineates that Sasanka had enjoyed full sway of his Empire, consisting of Bengal, South Bihar and Orissa. The accounts of Hiuen Tsang who had visited Magadha in 637 A.D., also corroborates the theory that Sasanka had ruled in undiminished glory till his death. After the death of Sasanka, Harsha conquered the kingdom of his adversaries, consisting of the regions of Magadha, West Bengal, Orissa and Kangada. Harsha had conquered Orissa and Kangada and the remaining part of Sasanka's dominion by 643 A.D. However there is still controversy among scholars that whether Harshavardhana had actually captured east Bengal or not. The other groups of historians have pointed out that though Harsha had conquered Bengal, he did not rule over the entire part. Harsha's ally Bhaskarvarmana had received a portion of Bengal, comprising the northeastern part, lying between east of Bhagirathi and north of Padma. |