Cities and Towns of Garhwal, Kumaon and Haridwar in Harshavardhana Period (sixth and seventh century)

History of Garhwal, Kumaon, Haridwar (Uttarakhand) - Part 79  

          (Classical Age History of Garhwal, Kumaon, Haridwar (Uttarakhand))

                                                       By: Bhishma Kukreti

                      The travelogue of Hiuen –Tsang and Kadambari and Harshacharit by Banbhatta provide some light on the cities or towns of Garhwal, Kumaon and Haridwar regions of Uttarakhand in Harshavardhana period.

                                  Srughana (part of Today’s Saharanpur District)

                   Srughana was the prosperous capital of Kuninda rulers.  As per travelogue of Hiuen –Tsang, Srughana was situated at south and western part of Uttarakhand. Hiuen –Tsang describes that the area of this city was more than three miles and there were Buddhist Stupa and temples. The city was losing its prosperity and importance. Cunningham suggests that Srughana was today’s Sughanv of Ambala.

                                   Mayur Nagar or today’s Haridwar in Harshavardhana Period

       

                         According to Hiuen –Tsang, Mo-yu-lo or Mayurnagar was situated in eastern part of Ganga. Its periphery was around three and half miles. The population of city was dense.  The canals or drainage canals were having clean water.  There was famous and miraculous temple at the bank of Ganges. There was a Kund/water reservoir made by heavy stones. The canals used to bring water for this Kund.

                      The said temple or place was called Gangadwar. There were many houses for pilgrims. The kings of other parts used to donate for food, medical facilities and shelters for pilgrimages.

              There are disputes among historians for Mayurnagar and today’s Mayapur as the same place. It is clear that Haridwar got pilgrim importance in this Age. Some historians state that Mahakumbha was already celebration common in Haridwar in Harshavardhana period.  

                                     Brahmapura city in Harshavardhana Period

            There are multiple views for Brahmapura city described by great Chinese traveler Hiuen –Tsang.

Rahul, Atikinson, Oakley state that Brahmapura city was Barahat of Uttarkashi. According to Waters and Gupte, Brahmapura city of Harsha period is Lakhnapur. Furar sate that laldhang (Bawar) was Brahmapura city. Mukandilal and martin believed that present Shrinagar was Brahmapura city.  Dabral informs that there is an old village Brahmapura in Bijnor district and there are ruins in the village. Dabral suggests that Brahmapur was wrongly described in place of Govishan.

                                  

                          Govishan Nagar in Harshavardhana Period

                          The travelogue of Hiuen –Tsang describes Govishannagar as the capital of Govishan Janapada. Govishannagar was extended in two and half miles area. It was a natural fort. There were forest and ponds around Govishannagar. There were Stupas and idols of Buddha. Buddhist religion was popular religion. This city is Bawar of today’s Udham Singh Nagar specially Kashipur of Kumaon.  However, there is possibility that Berinag would be the place.

                                Mordhwaj in Harshavardhana Period

  Chinese traveler did not mention the city but ruins of Mordhwaj (south of Bawar Garhwal and village of Bijnor district), determine that the city existed in seventh century. The population was dense and Buddhism was more common than Hindu or Sanatan cults. There were Stupas in the city. Brick making building were common in the region.

                                  Dev Prayag in Harshavardhana Period

                         

                                 The Chinese traveler Hiuen –Tsang   did not mention about Dev Prayag. However, the inscriptions found in Dev Prayag stand that Dev Prayag was very important pilgrim place. Maharajadhiraj Kalyanvarman built Bhanumandir just after the death of Harshavardhana.          

Copyright@ Bhishma Kukreti 21/06/2013

(The History of Garhwal, Kumaon, Haridwar write up is aimed for general readers)

History of Garhwal – Kumaon-Haridwar (Uttarakhand) to be continued… Part -80

      

Historical Aspects of Kumaon, Garhwal, Haridwar (Uttarakhand) in Harshavardhana Era to be continued…

References:

1-Jayswal, K.P., Andhkaryugin Bharat

2-Shiv Prasad Dabra, ‘Charan’, 1968, Uttarakhand ka Itihas, Bhag –1 and 3

3-Rahul Sankrityayan , Garhwal

4-Dinesh Saklani, 1998, Ancient Communities of the Himalayas

7-Arun Kumar Mishra, 1992, The Trading Communities in Ancient India:

8- Indian Archeology Review, 1968-69

12-Thapliyal, K.K, 1984, Inscriptions of Maukharis, Late Guptas, Pushyabhutis and Yashovarman of Kanauj

13-Uma Prasad Thapliyal, 2005, Uttaranchal: Historical and Cultural Prospective (Page 29, about Authority of Maukharis on Uttarakhand and Haridwar) 

14-.Tripathi, R.S., History of Kanauj

15-Encyclopedia of Ancient Indian Geography Kashi-Z, Volume-2; Edited by Subodh Kapoor, 2002, page 459-460

16-Prem Hari Har Lal, 1993, Doon Valley down the Ages, page 33

17-Kamboj, B.P., 2003, Early Wall Painting of Garhwal, page 20

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Notes on History aspects - Cities and towns of Garhwal, Kumaon and Haridwar in Harshavardhana Period; Oriental History aspects - Cities and towns of Garhwal, Kumaon and Haridwar in Harshavardhana Period; South Asian History aspects - Cities and towns of Garhwal, Kumaon and Haridwar in Harshavardhana Period; Asian History aspects - Cities and towns of Garhwal, Kumaon and Haridwar in Harshavardhana Period; Indian History aspects - Cities and towns of Garhwal, Kumaon and Haridwar in Harshavardhana Period; North Indian History aspects - Cities and towns of Garhwal, Kumaon and Haridwar in Harshavardhana Period; Himalayan History aspects - Cities and towns of Garhwal, Kumaon and Haridwar in Harshavardhana Period; Central Himalayan History aspects - Cities and towns of Garhwal, Kumaon and Haridwar in Harshavardhana Period