History of Kanauj to the Moslem Conquest c10.s3.67

c10.s3.67

But tempting though the offer was, Harṣa hesitated to accept it, for it not only implied taking upon himself an additional burden and responsibility, but also permanent residence in Kanauj to the neglect of the affairs of his paternal kingdom. Besides, it may be possible that he was not quite sure of the support that he would receive from the people of Kanauj, if he acceded to the requests of their statesmen. Harṣa, therefore, decided to refer the matter to the Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara, who had “evidenced many spiritual wonders,” in order probably to see if the omens were favourable to him.¹ The Bodhisattva promised him secret power, so that none of his neighbours should be able to triumph over him; but he further gave the warning “Ascend not the Lion-throne, and call not yourself Mahārāja.”² After getting these instructions Harṣa assumed the royal office with the title “Śilāditya,” and calling himself a mere king’s son or “Kumāra.”³ Now, this unostentatious title of Kumāra definitely suggests that although, according to Bāṇa, Harṣa was already king of Thanesvar, in Kanauj he was merely charged with the duty of keeping the machinery of the government running, and his political status there was originally no better than that of a guardian or, as Mr. N. Ray says, “Regent.”⁴ Indeed this fact is even corroborated by a Chinese work, entitled *Fang-chib*, which testifies that Harṣa “administered the kingdom in conjunction with his widowed sister.”⁵ But it would appear that with the lapse of time, when Harṣa had thoroughly made his position secure, and laid opposition, if any, to rest, he formally transferred his capital from Thanesvar to Kanauj, and declared himself sovereign ruler of the latter kingdom also by assuming the Imperial titles, which appear in his inscriptions. Thus beginning with a modest guardianship or regency, Harṣa’s imposition of his authority over Kanauj was a sort of quiet usurpation in which the people acquiesced owing to the chaotic conditions rampant in the kingdom after Grahavarman’s assassination. This dexterous stepping into the shoes of the Maukharis placed the entire resources of Kanauj at the disposal of Harṣa. Moreover, being already king of Thanesvar by succession, the amalgamation of the two powerful northern kingdoms resulted, which helped Harṣa greatly in extending the sphere of his influence and jurisdiction over the numerous warring states that continually disturbed the political equilibrium of the north.