The administration of Harsha Vardhana is related with the striking personality of Harsha. Harsha's interest in supervision of administration is one plus point. Harshavardhana followed the traditional monarchical system of administration in India during the earlier imperial periods. His policy having been nearer to the Gupta Age, the various features of the imperial Gupta administration influenced Harshavardhana’s administration to a very large extent. He conducted his own style of administration and Harshavardhana too went by his own individuality in governing the empire. We can get the information from HIUEN TSANG's account. Hiuen-tsang writes that "If there was any irregularity in the manners of the people in the cities, he went amidst them." Inscriptions reveal that Harsha had stayed in two places during his travels. Harsha traveled in great state and his camps looked very impressive because he was surrounded by a number of guests. Hieum-Tsang writes: "The king's day was divided into three periods of which one was given to the affairs of government, and two were devoted to religious work. He was indefatigable, and the day was too short for him." The way in which Harsha worked was recorded by Bana also.Harshavardhana was a true representative of ancient monarchy in its finest aspects. In theory, the king was absolute and all powerful. But in practice, he enjoyed limited power, being subject to the rules of the Dharma, the laws and customs of the land, and to the wise advice of the ministers and courtiers. He had also to respect the wishes of the subjects. The King was no doubt the supreme lawmaker, the chief executive, and the fountain of justice. He was also the central figure of the entire administrative machinery working like its pivot. In spite of all such powers, Harshavardhana’s monarchy was far from being autocratic. It maintained moderation and rested on popular support. One need not forget that Harshavardhana came to the thrones of Thaneswara and Kanauj in response to the collective decisions of the Councils of Ministers and of the notables of the two kingdoms.Besides the Chief Minister, other ministers also shouldered important responsibilities. It is known from Bana that a minister named Avanti was the Minister for Foreign Relations and War under Harshavardhana. The king interfeared in every matter of an imperial government, the ministers discharged their part of duty in helping the king.
The empire was divided into various provinces. The emperor appointed provincial governors known as Lokapalas who were posted at chosen centers in different quarters. The provinces were known as Bhuktia, districats as Vishayas, sub-divisions of districts as Patakas and Villages as gramas.
Next authority of the sovereign was the chief minister and the mantriparishad. According to Bhandi, a cousin of Rajayavardhana, Harsha's accession to throne was approved by the parishad. This account is corroborated by the Chinese pilgrim. Avanti was the supreme minister of war and peace, according to Bana. For maintaining law and order, a great number of military and executive officers were employed. At times, some of the high officers were combined in one and the same persons. A few other names also are known: Simhanada was Harsha's senapati. Harsha treated him with great respect as he was a scholarly man. Also, we hear of a handful of officials who themselves were chiefs indicating that in all probability Harsha's sovereignty was of a confederate nature. According to Hiuen-Tsang, both ministers and officials received land grants instead of salaries. One-fourth of eth crown land was set apart for the endowment of great public servants and another one-fourth for the expenses of government and State worship.
The army was organized into four traditional divisions. Probably 70,000 elephants and 105,000 horses. However, some of the regions were not free from brigands as is known from the experience of Hiuen-Tsang who was way laid. Harshavardhana maintained an efficient civil service. The importance of some of the higher officers of the state is known from their designations. The chief officers used to directly receive instructions from the King. Besides these, there were the Commander-in-Chief, the Chief of the Cavalry Forces, and the Chief Commandant of the Elephant Force.In Harshavardhana’s Empire, the king’s share was one-sixth of the agricultural produce. Revenue was also earned from trade and commerce.
Lawlessness was not the order of the day but there were plots against kings including one against Harsha. The offender was punished by imprisonment for life.Trial by or deal was common. Justice was harsh, but as the Chinese pilgrim maintains, the government was very generous and did not make any large demands either on the liberties or pockets of the people.
In general, the country was not entirely free from brigands who made traveling very risky. Hiuen-Tsand himself twice had narrow escapes from the clutches of bandits, Villagers haunted by the fear plunder often questioned the right of the King to rule according to Bana. However, as Hiuen-Tsand states that since the government was honestly administered, the people lived on good terms and the criminal class was very small.
Regarding administration of provinces and villages very meager information is available. The territory of the empire was called rajya or desa, which was divided into bhuktis, visayas and gramas. The governor of the provinces was, at times, a member of the royal family. The governor appointed his subordinate officials. Probably, the officials mentioned in the Gupta period continued to work in the time of Harsha. Besides the officials of states non-official element was also associated with the local administration. The Madhuban plate of Harsha (grant of an agrahara to some persons) states that the grant was made in the presence of all his chief officers and the resident people who were summoned as witnesses to this transaction. Such orders of the king were, at times, signed by Harsha himself. The Banskhera plate was signed by Harsha and described as one given under his own hand and seal. Often the king's orders were delivered through messangers to local officers, who in turn, grew up necessary charters and handed over the grant to the grantees.
Finally, regarding fiscal administration we get some information from inscriptions. In all probability, land was surveyed measured and divided into holdings with well-defined boundaries. The holdings were of different sizes. At times these were served by common land which in certain cases, had irrigation wells. The names of owners of land were entered in the village records. It appears that record of village census was also kept. It is certain that land revenue was only a modest percentage of total yield. Taxation was light-revenue from crown lands amounted to only one -sixth of the crop, according to traditional standard. The other sources of revenue were trade, and duties at ferries and barrier stations.
The enlightened character of Harsha's administration is shown by the creation of a department of records and archieves. Both good and bad were faithfully recorded in officials annals and state papers while instance of public calamities of good furtuns are set forth indetails. Taxation was light. The land tax was one-sixth of the crop. According to tradition, standard revenue was also derived from trade. Ligth, duties were levied on ferries and barriar stations.
In this manner, we have a very least knowledge of Harsha's administration. The administration was not well integrated as Harsha domain itself was so shaky. However, the fat that the king devoted himself to the welfare of the people by traveling in the country and the generosity with which he gave grants, shows that he was one of the illustrious rulers of India the manner of Asoka and Shivaji.
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