Understanding Harshavardhana's Ascension

The question asks about the brother whose death led to King Harshavardhana ascending the thrones of Thaneshwar and Kannauj. To answer this, we need to look into the history of the Pushyabhuti dynasty, also known as the Vardhana dynasty.

The Pushyabhuti Dynasty and Succession

The Pushyabhuti dynasty ruled parts of northern India from the capital Thaneshwar (modern Kurukshetra, Haryana). A prominent ruler of this dynasty was Prabhakaravardhana, who had three children:

• Rajyavardhana (the eldest son)
• Harshavardhana (the second son)
• Rajyashri (the daughter)

Rajyashri was married to Grahavarman, the Maukhari ruler of Kannauj. This marriage created an alliance between the Pushyabhutis and the Maukharis.

Events Leading to Harshavardhana's Rule

Following the death of Prabhakaravardhana, his eldest son, Rajyavardhana, ascended the throne of Thaneshwar. However, soon after, a series of unfortunate events unfolded:

• Grahavarman, Rajyashri's husband and the ruler of Kannauj, was attacked and killed by Devagupta of Malwa, who was an ally of Shashanka of Gauda (Bengal).
• Rajyashri was imprisoned by Devagupta.
• Upon hearing this news, Rajyavardhana marched towards Kannauj to avenge his brother-in-law's death and rescue his sister.
• Rajyavardhana successfully defeated Devagupta.
• However, Rajyavardhana was then treacherously killed by Shashanka of Gauda.

With the death of Rajyavardhana, the throne of Thaneshwar became vacant. At the young age of 16, Harshavardhana was persuaded to ascend the throne of Thaneshwar. Subsequently, after rescuing his sister Rajyashri, and with the approval of the nobles and assembly of Kannauj, Harshavardhana also took control of Kannauj, uniting the two kingdoms under his rule.

Therefore, Harshavardhana ascended the throne after the death of his brother, Rajyavardhana.

Analysing the Options

• Suryavardhana: There is no historical record of Harshavardhana having a brother named Suryavardhana.
• Indravardhana: This name is not associated with Harshavardhana's siblings or immediate family in historical accounts of the Pushyabhuti dynasty.
• Chandravardhana: Similarly, Chandravardhana is not mentioned as a brother of Harshavardhana.
• Rajyavardhana: Historical sources, such as Banabhatta's Harshacharita and the accounts of Xuanzang, confirm that Rajyavardhana was Harshavardhana's elder brother and predecessor on the throne of Thaneshwar, whose death led to Harshavardhana's ascension.

Based on historical evidence, the correct answer is Rajyavardhana.

Revision Table: Harshavardhana Succession Facts

Additional Information: Harshavardhana's Reign

Harshavardhana ruled from 606 CE to 647 CE. His reign is considered significant in Indian history. Key aspects include:

• Sources: Information about his reign comes primarily from Banabhatta's biography "Harshacharita" (The Deeds of Harsha) and the travelogue of the Chinese Buddhist pilgrim Xuanzang (also known as Hiuen Tsang), who visited India during Harsha's time.
• Administration: He maintained a well-organised administration. Xuanzang praised the law and order during his rule.
• Religious Policy: While initially inclined towards Shaivism, Harsha later became a great patron of Mahayana Buddhism. He convened the famous Kannauj assembly and the Prayag (Allahabad) conference.
• Cultural Patronage: Harsha himself was a renowned scholar and playwright, credited with writing three Sanskrit plays: Priyadarshika, Ratnavali, and Nagananda.
• Extent of Empire: His empire extended over a large part of northern India, although his attempt to expand south was halted by Pulakeshin II of the Chalukya dynasty.

Understanding the circumstances of Harshavardhana's rise to power, specifically the death of his brother Rajyavardhana, is crucial for comprehending the political landscape of 7th-century northern India.