Though the administrative and military centres were well-fortified and prosperous, Harsha’s reign was not a good time for long distance trade. As a result, cities based on the production of different crafts either disappeared or declined and artisans moved to the villages.
Harsha’s age was marked by rigid social life. There were a number of castes and sub-castes during this period and the divisions increased day by day. The untouchables lived outside the cities and villages.
Due to the popularity of child marriage and prohibition of widow remarriage, the status of women underwent a sharp decline and social evils like sati became more popular. However, Harsha was a great believer of Buddhist philosophy. Influenced by Buddhist thoughts, he stopped the killing of animals in his kingdom. Nalanda, the famous Buddhist University also prospered around the same time.
Picture Credit : Google