Harsha constructed a large number of viharas, monasteries and stupas on the bank of the Ganges. Harsha built charitable institutions for the stay of the travellers, and to care for the sick Hiuen Tsang, hailed as the prince of pilgrims, visited India during the reign of Harsha. Born in China in CE he became a Buddhist monk at the age of twenty. During his travels, he visited various sacred places of northern and southern India.
Hieun Tsang spent about fi ve years in the University of Nalanda and studied there. Harsha admired him for his deep devotion to Buddha and his profound knowledge of Buddhism. Hieun Tsang carried with him pieces of the relics of Buddha , a large number of Buddha image in gold, silver, sandalwood and above all volumes of valuable manuscripts. Hieun Tsang XI History - Lesson - - Harsha and Rise of Regional Kingdoms Dietary Habits Hieun Tsang also noted that Indians were mostly vegetarians.
The use of onion and garlic in the food preparation was rare. The use of sugar, milk, ghee and rice in the preparation of food or their consumption was common. On certain occasions, fish and mutton were eaten. Beef and meat of certain animals were forbidden.
Education Education was imparted in the monasteries. Learning was religious in character. Much religious literature were produced. The Vedas were taught orally and not written down.
Sanskrit was the language of the learned people. An individual took to learning between and years of age. Many individuals devoted their whole life to learning. The wandering bhikshus and sadhus were well known for their wisdom and culture.
The people also paid respect to such people of moral and intellectual eminence. Harsha as a Patron of Art and Literature Harsha patronised literary and cultural activities. It is said the state spent a quarter of its revenue for such activities. Bana, the author of Harshacharita and Kadambari , was a court poet of Harsha.
The emperor himself was a renowned litterateur, which is evident from the plays he wrote such as