• Harsha was a worshipper of Siva at least up to 631 CE. But he embraced Buddhism under the influence of his sister Rajyasri and the Buddhist monk Hieun Tsang. He subscribed to the Mahayana school of thought. Yet he held discourses among learned men of various creeds. Slaughter of animals and consumption of meat was restricted. Harsha summoned two Buddhist assemblies (643 CE), one at Kanauj and another at Prayag.

Harsha as a Patron of Art and Literature

• Harsha patronized literary and artistic endeavors. It is estimated that the state spent a fourth of its revenue on such activities. Bana, the author of Harshacharita and Kadambari, was Harsha’s court poet. The emperor himself was a renowned litterateur, as evidenced by the plays he wrote, including Priyadarsika, Rathnavali, and Nagananda. Harsha generously donated to the advancement of education. Temples and monasteries served as educational institutions.

• Hiuen Tsang, known as the “Prince of Pilgrims,” visited India during Harsha’s rule. He became a Buddhist monk at the age of twenty after being born in China in 612 CE. During his travels, he visited a number of sacred sites in northern and southern India. Hieun Tsang studied at the University of Nalanda for around five years. Harsha admired him for his enormous knowledge of Buddhism and strong devotion to Buddha. Hieun Tsang traveled with 150 pieces of Buddha’s relics, a significant number of Buddha images in gold, silver, and sandalwood, and 657 volumes of precious manuscripts.
• Renowned academics taught in monasteries in Kanauj, Gaya, Jalandhar, Manipur, and other locations. During this time, Nalanda University rose to prominence. Hiuen Tsang visited the Nalanda University and remained as a student for some time.