Sociology-Culture- Economics of Garhwal, Kumaon, Haridwar (Uttarakhand) in Harshavardhana Period

            History of Garhwal, Kumaon, Haridwar (Uttarakhand) - Part 809  

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

                                                       By: Bhishma Kukreti

              Climate in Garhwal, Kumaon, Haridwar (Uttarakhand) in Harshavardhana Period

                   The Chinese traveler Hiuen –Tsang or Zuanzang/Xuanzang describes   the climate of Srughana equal to Thaneshwar/Sthaneshwar (Haryana) the capital of Harshavardhana. The climate of Govishan (Kashipur, Bawar of present Kumaon) was same as Matipur. Hiuen –Tsang or Zuanzang/Xuanzang states that the climate of Brahmpur was colder.

        Crops, and Fertile Land of Garhwal, Kumaon, Haridwar (Uttarakhand) in Harshavardhana Period

                        Hiuen –Tsang or Zuanzang/Xuanzang provides details of crops, land fertility and minerals of the region too.

                   The soil of Srughana (Saharanpur region) was as same as Thaneshwar. The land of Brahmapura was fertile and people grew two crops. Govishan land was also fertile as Matipur. The crops were rice, wheat, barleys, sugarcane, grams, pulses, vegetables and fruits.    

       Minerals and commerce in Garhwal, Kumaon, Haridwar (Uttarakhand) in Harshavardhana Period

                 

                 Harshacharit details about many historical aspects of Uttarakhand in Harsha period. There were copper and rocky crystals mines in Brahmapura. There were production centers of copper and rocky crystal items in Brahmapura and Mayurnagar (Haridwar district). The ornaments were manufactured in Mayrunagar (present Haridwar). There was trade between Kumaon-Garhwal and Tibet for gold dust, chamar , wool and woolen materials, musk, , mineral salt, herbs, shilajit and other minerals. , There was high demand for the Bhardwaj horses of Garhwal and Tangan horses from Bhotiya region of Garhwal-Kumaon for Harshavardhana army.  There was separate horse riding armed force for Bhardwaj and Tangan horses in Harshavardhana army.

               The Himalayan snow was exported to plains of Harshavardhana territory.

                     

Inhabitants of Garhwal, Kumaon, Haridwar (Uttarakhand) in Harshavardhana Period

                  There was dense population in cities of Uttarakhand in Harsha period.

 The people of Srughana were honest. Srughana people respected the scholars and intellectuals.

                   Brahmapura people were rough in nature, were not interested in scholarly works but were inclined to commerce.

             Govishan people were honest, religious and respectful to education.  Mostly people were Hindu and there were Buddhist too.

  Gurukul organizations in Garhwal, Kumaon, Haridwar (Uttarakhand) in Harshavardhana Period

                    Gurukul system was stronger in Garhwal, Kumaon, Haridwar (Uttarakhand) in Harshavardhana Period.

   Buddhists also had Gurukul or Math system in Garhwal, Kumaon, Haridwar (Uttarakhand) in Harshavardhana Period.

           Social Norms in Garhwal, Kumaon, Haridwar (Uttarakhand) in Harshavardhana Period

        Caste Systems- The four casts system was prevailing in Garhwal, Kumaon, Haridwar (Uttarakhand) in Harshavardhana Period. Brahmins were dominating the society.

 Marriages: Usually marriages took place in older age or mature age. Having many wives was common. The upper cast would marry with lower caste.

Sati- Sati system was there.

Astrology- People had faith in astrology, tantric-Mantrik or future tellers and folk healers.

                 Education in Garhwal, Kumaon, Haridwar (Uttarakhand) in Harshavardhana Period

                    The seventh century inscription of Garhwal and Kumaon proves that there was an arrangement of Sanskrit learning in the region.

 Languages of Garhwal, Kumaon, Haridwar (Uttarakhand) in Harshavardhana Period

  The local languages were spoken by people. Sanskrit was the language of elite and court.

 Religions of Garhwal, Kumaon, Haridwar (Uttarakhand) in Harshavardhana Period

           Shaivism was more popular than other sects in Garhwal, Kumaon, Haridwar (Uttarakhand) in Harshavardhana Period.

                There were people believing on Sun God in Garhwal, Kumaon, Haridwar (Uttarakhand) in Harshavardhana Period. The Sun temples were built in seventh century in Garhwal and Kumaon.

         Ganga and other rivers of central Himalaya were Poise Rivers and pilgrims were common in Uttarakhand.  

                   To end life in Haridwar, Bhrigupanth near Kedarnath was also a fact of this time.

             There was Buddhism but was on declining side in Garhwal, Kumaon, Haridwar (Uttarakhand) in Harshavardhana Period.

              The Shaivism was at that stage that became the basis of Nathpanth.

      There were very few Jain followers in plains of Uttarakhand.

Copyright@ Bhishma Kukreti 22/06/2013

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

History of Garhwal – Kumaon-Haridwar (Uttarakhand) to be continued… Part -81

      

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