I. Their initial capital, Sthanveshvara, was located in present-day Haryana.
II. King Harsha later relocated the dynasty's capital to Kanyakubja, a city in modern Uttar Pradesh.
III. The final capital of the dynasty was also known by its ancient name Thanesar.
Which of the above statements is/are true?
Vardhana Dynasty Capitals: A Detailed Analysis
This question requires us to evaluate the historical accuracy of three statements concerning the Vardhana Dynasty, focusing on its capitals and key rulers like King Harsha.
Statement I Analysis
Statement I: Their initial capital, Sthanvleshvara, was located in present-day Haryana.
- The Vardhana Dynasty, also known as the Pushyabhuti dynasty, had its origins in the region of Sthanvleshvara.
- Sthanvleshvara, often referred to as Thanesar, is located in the present-day state of Haryana, India. It served as the early seat of power for the dynasty.
- Historical records and archaeological evidence confirm Sthanvleshvara as the initial capital.
Therefore, Statement I is considered true.
Statement II Analysis
Statement II: King Harsha later relocated the dynasty's capital to Kanyakubja, a city in modern Uttar Pradesh.
- After ascending the throne, King Harsha, the most prominent ruler of the Vardhana Dynasty, indeed shifted the capital.
- He moved the capital from Sthanvleshvara to Kanyakubja, which is known today as Kannauj.
- Kannauj is situated in the modern state of Uttar Pradesh, India. This relocation marked a significant phase in the dynasty's history, consolidating power in a more central location.
Therefore, Statement II is considered true.
Statement III Analysis
Statement III: The final capital of the dynasty was also known by its ancient name Thanesar.
- As established in the analysis of Statement II, King Harsha moved the capital to Kanyakubja (Kannauj).
- Kanyakubja remained the capital throughout the major part of Harsha's reign and is considered the later capital of the dynasty.
- Thanesar (Sthanvleshvara) was the *initial* capital, not the final one. While significant, it was superseded by Kanyakubja.
Therefore, Statement III is considered false, as the final capital was Kanyakubja, not Thanesar.
Conclusion
Based on the analysis:
- Statement I is true.
- Statement II is true.
- Statement III is false.
Thus, the statements that are true are I and II.
Important Questions from Haryana History
- Which temple in Thanesar served as a prominent religious site during the reign of King Harshavardhana?
- The town of Kaithal in Haryana is historically linked with which famous female warrior?
- Who among the following was the first Indian-origin woman to travel to space and was born in Karnal, Haryana ?
- Which ancient river, often mentioned in Vedic texts, is believed to have flowed through present-day Haryana and its revival is a current project?
- What was the original name of the fort built by George Thomas which was later named Jahazgarh ?
