Harsha

The most powerful king of early medieval India (r.606- 47). King of Thaneswar, a minor kingdom in the Punjab, he controlled most of – northern India by 630 but his attempt to conquer the Deccan was defeated by the Chalukya king Pulakeshin II in 633. In 641 Harsha established the first diplomatic relations between India and China. A convert to Buddhism, he founded institutions for the poor and sick. His empire was ruled mainly through vassal kings, and broke up after his death.