History of Kanauj to the Moslem Conquest c11.14

c11.14

Regarding the conquests of Harṣa, we do not seem to stand on certain ground for want of definite details. We admittedly have some vague generalities in the accounts of the admiring Yuan Chwang, e.g., "Proceeding eastward, he invaded the states which had refused allegiance; and waged incessant warfare until in six years he fought the "Five Indias" (according to the other reading: "had brought the Five Indias under allegiance").³ Again, we are told : "He was soon able to avenge the injuries received by his brother, and to make himself *Master of India*. His renown was spread abroad everywhere, and all his subjects reverenced his virtues."⁴ And lastly, speaking of Mahārāṣṭra Yuan Chwang says: "At the present time Śīlāditya Mahārāja has conquered the nations from east to west, and carried his arms to remote districts".⁵ But nowhere does the worthy pilgrim specifically mention how, when and what kingdoms were conquered by Harṣa.