[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [General history and culture](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.general) › [The Early History of India, from 600 B.C. to the Muhammadan Conquest, including the Invasion of Alexander the Great](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.general.smith-1924) › c30.63 # The Early History of India, from 600 B.C. to the Muhammadan Conquest, including the Invasion of Alexander the Great c30.63 The Early History of India, from 600 B.C. to the Muhammadan Conquest, including the Invasion of Alexander the Great c30.63 - **Language:** English ### [c30.63](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.general.smith-1924.c30.63) Harsha himself sometimes offended against the principle of perfect religious toleration and equality. Like Akbar, and many other Indian sovereigns, he was fond of listening to the expositions of rival doctors, and heard with pleasure the arguments adduced by the learned Chinese traveller in favour of the Mahāyāna form of Buddhism, with the doctrines of which he does not seem to have been familiar. An interesting illustration of the comparative freedom of ancient Hindu society from the trammels of the system of female seclusion favoured by the Muhammadans, is afforded by the fact that his widowed sister sat by the king's side to hear the lecture by the Master of the Law, and frankly expressed the delight which she received from the discourse. One Chinese authority even asserts that Harsha administered the government in conjunction with her, as already noted.¹ - [Previous: c30.62](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.general.smith-1924.c30.62) - [Next: c30.64](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.general.smith-1924.c30.64) - [Up: c30](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.general.smith-1924.c30) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.general.smith-1924.c30.63](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.general.smith-1924.c30.63) · Pramāṇa