The Dynastic History of Northern India (Early Mediaeval Period) v1.c13.187

v1.c13.187

The horror excited by these practices in a Hindu State can only be imagined. Yet it was this prince who in the beginning of his reign had ‘profusely provided Brahmans with skins of black antelopes, cows with calves and other presents’ while his ministers and wives had vied with each other in building temples and other pious practices.² His character appears to have gradually degenerated under the evil influence of his courtiers, who still represented all the immoral influences of Kalaśa's time. Indeed Kalhaṇa remarks that soon Harṣa ‘showed in all respects such weaknesses of moral sense as befitted a son of king Kalaśa.’ The king’s seraglio, became ‘the embodiment of all that was immoral.’ His father's wives who had brought him up in their arms, ‘he took in his arms,’ and he violated even his own sisters. “Confused in his senses, the king placed 360 women of doubtful character in his harem. He took there continually whatever women (he could get); only women of *Ḍomba* and *Caṇḍāla* class he excluded.'¹