The State in Ancient India: A Study in the Structure and Practical Working of Political Institutions in North India in Ancient Times c17.105

c17.105

On the education of the princes a great deal of care was bestowed by the sovereign. The young princes Râjyavardhana and Harṣavardhana were placed in charge of their maternal uncle Bhaṇḍi who occupied an important position in the state. Sons of a great feudatory ruler were appointed their companions. They were given an excellent military training. Harṣa is reputed to have been a poet and dramatist but even if the plays attributed to him be adjudged the handiwork of a court poet, there is no reason to doubt the tradition of the emperor's literary accomplishments. Bâṇa, in fact, positively asserts that Harṣa was a great poet. Princes were often given high command or provincial governorships. Thus Râjyavardhana was sent by his father Prabhâkaravardhana against the Huns while Harṣa followed with a cavalry force.³