Question

How do we know that Harsha was a patron of arts and learning?

Answer 1

Harshavardhan was a great patron of art and learning and this is visible from the fact that he himself wrote three books, i.e. Ratnavali, Nagnanda and Priyadarshika. In his court, there were some great patrons of art like Banabhatta, Dandin and Subandhu present. He encouraged various forms of art and architecture. He was a Shaivite but in his later life, he was influenced by Buddhist ideas so he started propagating ideas through large assemblies. One such assembly was held at Kanauj where several Buddhist scholars had gathered. He gave full support in the development of Nalanda university, which became an important centre of learning.