Question

how was the administration during the vardhana rule

Answer 1

Harsha’s Empire was divided into several provinces. The number of such provinces is not known. Each province was divided into Bhuktis. And each Bhukti was divided into several Vishayas. They were like the districts. Each vishaya was further divided into Pathakas. Each such area was divided into several villages.

Harsha maintained an efficient civil service. The importance of some of the higher officers of the state is known from their designations. The chief officers who directly received instructions and orders from the king were Mahasamanta, Maharaja, Pramatara or Spiritual Adviser, Rajasthaniya, Kumaramatya, Uparika, and Vishayapati, etc. Besides these, there were the Commander-in-Chief, the chief of the Cavalry Forces, and the Chief Commandant of the Elephant Force.

Answer 2

Administration of Vardhana rule:

• Harshavadhana reign was nearer to the Gupta Age hence various features of the imperial Gupta administration influenced him and Harshavardhana followed traditional monarchical system of administration. Sovereign is the centre of the state.
• The king personally used to supervise the administration, provinces instead of relying on the services of bureaucrats. He used to make royal tours to both urban and rural areas during which he used establish contact with public and punished the evils. He himself was the royal inspector.
• Though king used to occupy the supreme position the law maker, chief executive and justice but in practice enjoyed limited powers and often related to perform rituals of God. He often make tours throughout the land to know the welfare of the people that also helps in smooth running of the administration.