In the biography "Harshacharita," composed by Banabhatta in the seventh century CE, there is a fascinating depiction of life in a settlement located on the outskirts of a forest in the Vindhyas. The outskirts of this settlement mainly comprised dense forest, with limited clearings for agricultural activities. As a result, small farmers were allocated parcels of rice land, threshing ground, and arable land.

A significant characteristic of this settlement was its reliance on "spade culture." Due to the challenges posed by the sparsely scattered fields covered with grass and the stiff black soil that resembled black iron, ploughing became difficult. Consequently, the inhabitants mostly used spades for their agricultural endeavours. The vibrant scene was bustling with people engaged in various activities. Individuals could be seen carrying bundles of bark, countless sacks of plucked flowers, loads of flax and hemp bundles, quantities of honey, peacocks' tail feathers, wreaths of wax, logs, and grass. The village wives were also active participants, hurrying towards neighbouring villages with baskets full of various gathered forest fruits, their minds focused on trade and commerce.

The excerpt from "Harshacharita" offers an extraordinary and rare glimpse into the daily life and economic activities of this settlement on the outskirts of the forest. It paints a vivid picture of the people's resourcefulness and their close connection to the natural world surrounding them.

What does "Harshacharita" provide a rare representation of?

Life in a settlement on the outskirts of a forest

In the biography "Harshacharita," composed by Banabhatta in the seventh century CE, there is a fascinating depiction of life in a settlement located on the outskirts of a forest in the Vindhyas. The outskirts of this settlement mainly comprised dense forest, with limited clearings for agricultural activities. As a result, small farmers were allocated parcels of rice land, threshing ground, and arable land.