The Dynastic History of Northern India (Early Mediaeval Period) v1.c10.8

v1.c10.8

The death of Harṣa, soon after 646 A.D., has been regarded by historians as an epoch in the history of India. According to V. A. Smith, India after this date lapsed back into its normal condition, " a medley of petty states with ever varying boundaries and engaged in unceasing internecine war," till it fell a prey to Islamic invaders. During the period that followed everything declined, and polity, literature, and religion sank into mediocrity. Accordingly that excellent historian considered the year 647 A.D. as the beginning of the mediaeval period of Indian history. In this conclusion, he has of late been followed by a number of writers both European and Indian. But even a superficial examination of the facts shows the utter hollowness of the proposition. The year 647 A.D. marked no epoch in the history of the Deccan and the far south, which continued to flourish as before under separate dynasties. In the Deccan the Cālukyas (c. 550-753 A.D.) were followed about the middle of the 8th century by the Rāṣṭrakūṭas (c. 753-973 A.D.) and the latter in the middle of the 10th century by the Cāḷukyas of Kalyāṇa (c. 973-1190 A.D.). In the south the Pallavas (c. 550-880 A.D.)