After the Guptas, the only empire that became powerful in the north was set up by Harshavardhana. We know this from coins, inscriptions and his biography 'Harshacharita written by Banabhatta, his court poet. Hieun Tsang, a Chinese pilgrim has also left interesting accounts of Harsha's reign. Harshavardhana was the younger son of the ruler of Thaneshwar. His elder brother ascended the throne, but he was killed. At the tender age of sixteen, Harsha ascended the throne and took on all the responsibilities in 606 CE. After his brother-in-law who was the ruler of Kanauj died, he became the king of both Thaneshwar and Kanauj. Hepursued an expansionist policy and conquered large parts of northern India.