Harshavardhana Tells His Story of Uniting Northern India and Allowed Many Religions to Discuss their

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My name is Harshavardhana, though most people just called me Harsha. I was born around the year 590 AD, into a royal family in northern India. At first, I didn’t know I’d become one of the most powerful rulers of my time. But fate has a strange way of working. When I was still a young man, tragedy struck—my elder brother, the king, was murdered, and my sister was attacked. That changed everything. I vowed to protect my family and my people. Within a few years, I became king of Thanesar, and then I began uniting the surrounding regions to build a strong, peaceful empire.

By the time I was in my twenties, I had become the ruler of a massive kingdom stretching across northern India—from the Punjab in the west to Bengal in the east. I moved my capital to Kannauj, and that city became a shining symbol of culture, art, and learning. I didn’t just want to be remembered as a warrior—I wanted to be known as a wise and just ruler, someone who protected his people and encouraged knowledge. I made sure scholars, poets, doctors, and artists were welcomed and supported. One of my closest friends was the famous Chinese Buddhist monk Xuanzang, who traveled all the way from China and wrote about my empire.

I followed the Hindu faith but respected and supported Buddhism and Jainism too. I hosted massive religious gatherings where people of different beliefs could share ideas peacefully. I even banned animal slaughter during festivals to promote compassion. And believe it or not, I was also a writer! I wrote plays and poems in Sanskrit. Two of my works still survive today—Ratnavali and Nagananda. So yes, I was a king, but I was also a playwright!

I ruled for over four decades, and during that time, I worked to bring unity, peace, and prosperity to a region that had once been torn apart by war. After my death around 647 AD, no one quite managed to keep the empire together—but while it lasted, we built roads, hospitals, temples, and schools that served thousands.

If there’s anything I’d like you to remember, it’s this: a great leader is not just someone who conquers land—but someone who uplifts lives. I used the power I had not only to defend but to heal, to learn, and to help others grow. And I hope you find your own way to lead with courage and kindness too.

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