Synopsis The Harshacharita is a monumental historical romantic fiction in ‘akhyayika’ form written by Banabatta in eight chapters. The story in the Harshacharita is not a full biography but covers the reign of Harsha upto the recovery of his lost elder sister Rajyashri, and the royal and military activities of some years. Though some persons, happenings, events and places described here are verified by history, it must be remembered that Bana is not writing this fictional biography as a historian but as a poet or an epic bard, decorating his tale with fancy, fantasy, the marvel of romance and adventure, and with all the literary devices of a determined poet. The Harshacharita occupies an important place in Sanskrit literature because it furnishes historical and sociological details during his time.