A New Study of Harsa-Pulakesin War
By Nisar Ahmad
Summary
The article revisits the seventh‑century confrontation between Harṣa and Pulakeśin II. Earlier scholarship construed the Aihole inscription and Xuanzang’s narrative as evidence that the Chalukya king decisively defeated Harṣa. The author re‑examines these sources and notes that the inscription mentions successes against northern kings without naming Harṣa, while Xuanzang simply records Harṣa’s attempt to invade the south. Other inscriptions are ambiguous. The study argues that the conflict was likely a limited skirmish along the Narmada frontier and ended without a clear victor. The author stresses the need to interpret panegyric epithets cautiously and to view the war in the context of broader north–south power dynamics in early medieval India.
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Conclusion
By critically analysing epigraphic and narrative sources, the author contends that the Harṣa–Pulakeśin conflict was an inconclusive border war rather than a decisive defeat. Recognising its limited scope enhances understanding of interregional relations and cautions against over‑interpreting royal eulogies.