Select Medium / माध्यम चुनें:

CBSE • Class 6 • Social Science • Ch 9

Estimated Time: 45 Mins

Study Progress: In Progress

New Empires and Kingdoms (History)

In CBSE Class 6 History, "New Empires and Kingdoms" explores the Classical Age of India: the Gupta Empire, Samudragupta and his Allahabad Prashasti (composed by court poet Harishena), Chandragupta II (Vikramaditya) and his Navaratnas (Kalidasa, Aryabhata), King Harshavardhana of Kannauj (Harshacharita by Banabhatta, Chinese pilgrim Xuanzang), and southern kingdoms: the Pallavas of Kanchipuram and Chalukyas of Badami (Pulakeshin II and Ravikirti's Aihole inscription).

Take Chapter CBT Test View All Chapters

Overview Core Concepts Key Terms & Timeline Solved Examples Common Traps Summary Self Check Take MCQ Test

⚔️ Have You Ever Wondered?

How did a poetic praise carved on an Ashokan pillar in Allahabad tell historians about a warrior king who conquered over 20 kingdoms across India without losing a single battle?

Prashastis were royal panegyrics that celebrated the heroic deeds of great kings! Explore the golden Gupta age, King Harsha, and the mighty southern dynasties of Pallavas and Chalukyas.

Why This Chapter Matters

Before You Begin (Prerequisites)

Concept of empire and dynasty
Court poets writing biographies

What You Will Learn (Core Objectives)

Define a Prashasti and analyze Samudragupta's Allahabad pillar inscription by Harishena.
Describe the Golden Age under Chandragupta II Vikramaditya (Kalidasa and Aryabhata).
Examine the reign of King Harshavardhana and travel accounts of Xuanzang.
Compare the southern kingdoms: Pallavas of Kanchipuram and Chalukyas of Vatapi (Pulakeshin II).
Describe local village assemblies in the South: Ur, Sabha (Brahmin assemblies), and Nagaram.

Chapter Roadmap & Progression

1 1. Samudragupta & The Allahabad Pra...

2 2. Harshavardhana & Xuanzang

3 3. Southern Dynasties: Pallavas, Ch...

Complete Concept Guide (100% Curriculum Coverage)

1. Samudragupta & The Allahabad Prashasti

A Prashasti (Sanskrit for "in praise of") is a formal inscription composed by court poets eulogizing the ruler's lineage, valor, and conquests.

The famous Allahabad Prashasti, carved on an Ashokan pillar, was composed in ornate Sanskrit poetry by Samudragupta's court poet Harishena. It describes Samudragupta as a peerless warrior whose body was adorned with scars from battle-axes, arrows, and javelins, detailing four categories of conquered rulers:

Aryavarta (North India): 9 rulers uprooted; their kingdoms incorporated directly into the Gupta empire.
Dakshinapatha (12 South Indian kings): Defeated, surrendered, and were magnanimously restored to rule as tribute-paying vassals.
Neighboring Border States (Assam, Bengal, Nepal): Brought tribute, obeyed royal commands.
Distant Outlying Rulers (Kushanas, Shakas, Sri Lanka): Submitted and offered daughters in marriage.

2. Harshavardhana & Xuanzang

About 1,400 years ago, King Harshavardhana ruled from Kannauj after the decline of the Guptas:

His court poet Banabhatta wrote his biography in Sanskrit: the Harshacharita.
Chinese Buddhist pilgrim Xuanzang (Hiuen Tsang) spent years at Harsha's court and studied at the world-renowned Nalanda University.
Harsha conquered Bengal and Magadha, but when he marched south across River Narmada to invade the Deccan, he was decisively defeated by the Chalukya emperor Pulakeshin II!

3. Southern Dynasties: Pallavas, Chalukyas & Assemblies

The Pallavas: Capital at Kanchipuram, extending across the fertile Kaveri delta. Renowned for rock-cut shore temples.
The Chalukyas: Centred around the Raichur Doab between rivers Krishna and Tungabhadra; capital at Vatapi (Badami). Famous ruler was Pulakeshin II, whose conquests were recorded by his court poet Ravikirti in the Aihole Inscription.

Local Village Administration in the South

Sabha: An assembly of Brahmin landowners divided into committees managing irrigation, roads, and temples.
Ur: A village assembly in areas where landowners were non-Brahmins.
Nagaram: An association or council of urban merchants.

Key Historical Terms, Chronology & Administrative Principles

Prashasti Definition

$$\text{Prashasti} \equiv \text{Sanskrit inscription composed in eulogy/praise of royal patrons}$$

e.g. Harishena for Samudragupta, Ravikirti for Pulakeshin II.

Conceptual Solved Examples & Case Studies

Example 1

Who stopped King Harshavardhana when he attempted to expand his empire into the Deccan?

Step-by-Step Solution:

Harshavardhana was stopped at the River Narmada by the Chalukyan king Pulakeshin II, as recorded in the famous Aihole inscription by poet Ravikirti.

Common Misconceptions & Examiner Traps

Common Misconception

Assuming that Samudragupta annexed all South Indian kingdoms.

Scientific Reality & Correction

In Dakshinapatha (South India), Samudragupta defeated the 12 kings, accepted their formal surrender, and allowed them to rule their lands as tributary vassals.

Visual Learning & Conceptual Map

Major Dynasties of the Classical Era

Guptas, Vardhanas, Pallavas, Chalukyas

Guptas

Samudragupta (Allahabad Prashasti), Chandragupta II Vikramaditya.

Harshavardhana

Kannauj capital. Harshacharita by Banabhatta. Visited by Xuanzang.

Chalukyas

Pulakeshin II of Badami. Stopped Harsha at Narmada (Aihole edict).

Chapter Summary & 10 Key Takeaways

Takeaway 1

Prashastis recorded royal military conquests (Samudragupta at Allahabad).

Takeaway 2

Chandragupta II patronized Kalidasa and Aryabhata.

Takeaway 3

Harshavardhana ruled Kannauj and patronized Xuanzang.

Takeaway 4

Southern kingdoms included Pallavas of Kanchipuram and Chalukyas of Badami (Pulakeshin II).

Takeaway 5

Local administration featured Sabha, Ur, and Nagaram assemblies.

Check Your Understanding (Diagnostic Practice Questions)

Diagnostic questions testing core conceptual clarity. Answers are hidden initially — solve each problem first, then click to reveal the step-by-step verified solution.

What was a Sabha in southern village administration?

Reveal Answer & Explanation

Answer: A Sabha was an assembly of Brahmin landowners that functioned through specialized sub-committees to manage irrigation networks, roads, and local village temples.
Assembly of Brahmin landowners.

Finished Studying This Chapter?

READY TO PRACTICE?

Timed CBT Practice Tests (Exam Simulator)

Put your concepts to the test with official curriculum-aligned Foundation and Advanced practice tests. Get instant accuracy scores, time metrics, and step-by-step verified explanations.

Foundation Test

15 MCQs • Core Concepts

Advanced Test

15 MCQs • HOTS & Traps