History of Kanauj to the Moslem Conquest c10.s3.58

c10.s3.58

Harṣa then “went back in a few marches to his camp stationed along the bank of the Ganges,” and at this point the *Harṣacarita* comes abruptly to an end. But in the meantime it appears that on the approach of Harṣa’s army Śaśāṅka thought discretion was the better part of valour, and instead of facing an open conflict he withdrew from Kanauj, as after the conclusion of a treaty between Harṣa and Bhāskaravarman he was exposed to serious danger both from the front and the rear.¹ Bhaṇḍi had already cut off the support of the Malwa army after the defeat and death of its leader, and in the face of the new odds arrayed against Śaśāṅka strategy certainly demanded that he should beat a masterly retreat.