Harsa's Accession and the Harsa Era

D.C. Sircar’s ‘Harsa’s Accession and the Harsa Era’ evaluates the chronology of Harshavardhana’s rise to power and the era named after him. Using the Chinese pilgrim Hiuen Tsang’s account as a primary source, the article recounts that upon ascending the throne Harsha marshalled a vast army of cavalry, infantry and war elephants and waged campaigns across the “Five Indias” — Eastern, Western, Northern, Central and Southern regions — to avenge his brother and unify the realm. After six years of warfare, he enjoyed a peaceful reign for thirty years. Sircar cross-examines this narrative with epigraphic evidence from the Banskhera, Madhuban and Nalanda plates, which record regnal years and mention the Harsa era. Alberuni’s medieval chronicle, which dates Harsha’s era 96 years before the Saka era, is also considered. The article analyses conflicting dates for Harsha’s accession — 606, 607 or 608 A.D. — and highlights that different regions counted regnal years differently. Sircar notes that some inscriptions use both Harsha’s regnal years and the Harsa era, suggesting the era began at his coronation. He rejects interpretations that commence the era in 648 A.D. (the year of Harsha’s death) and argues that the era’s months align with the lunar calendar rather than the solar Saka era. The article further explores the reasons for instituting the Harsa era: it may have served to commemorate his coronation or his victory over adversaries and to legitimise his authority among vassals. Sircar compares the Harsa era with other regional eras like the Gupta and Kalachuri eras, stressing the complexities of synchronising various Indian chronological systems. By carefully examining textual and epigraphic sources, the article concludes that Harsha ascended the throne in 606 A.D. and that the Harsa era also began that year.

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