History of Kanauj to the Moslem Conquest c11.s3.10

c11.s3.10

The theory of Harṣa’s invasion of the south does not, however, seem to rest on solid foundations. Firstly, the identification of Śilāditya with Harṣa is far from certain. Dr. R. C. Majumdar identifies him with Yuvarāja Śryāśraya Śilāditya, who lived in the second half of the 7th century A. D., and Mahendra with Mahendravarman II, on the ground that there was “constant hostility between the Cālukyas and the Pallavas” about this period.² Secondly, it does not seem probable that Harṣa could play the rôle of a second Samudragupta, or that his victorious arms could penetrate so far south, when at the very frontiers of the Deccan he had to bear the humiliation of an ignominious defeat at the hands of Pulakeśi II, who also claims to have won a victory against the Pallava king. Thirdly, the passage of Mayūra has hardly any air of reality and appears as “praise in the conventional exaggerated style of a poet, given to punning, and without any reference to historical accuracy.”