A great religious assembly was held at Kannauj (643 CE) to publicise the doctrines of Mahayana Buddhism, with Xuanzang presiding, during the reign of:

The great assembly at Kannauj, held in 643 CE to publicise the doctrines of Mahayana Buddhism, was organised by King Harshavardhana, with the Chinese pilgrim Xuanzang presiding over the debates.

About the Kannauj assembly:

• It was attended by about 20 kings (samantas), and thousands of Buddhist monks, Brahmanas and Jain scholars.
• A golden statue of the Buddha, as tall as the king, was installed in a tower, and a smaller one was carried in a procession daily.
• Harsha walked in the procession, dressed as the god Indra, while his ally, King Bhaskaravarman, was dressed as Brahma.
• Xuanzang presided over the debates and explained the teachings of Mahayana Buddhism.
• According to Xuanzang's account, no one could defeat him in debate for 18 days.
• The assembly lasted for about 23 days.
• Some opponents tried to set fire to the tower and to kill Harsha, but failed.

Harsha's religious policy:

• In his early life, Harsha was a follower of Shiva; later he became an admirer of Mahayana Buddhism under the influence of Xuanzang and his sister Rajyashri.
• He also honoured the Sun god and Shiva, and treated all religions with respect.
• He banned the killing of animals for food, according to Xuanzang.
• He built stupas and monasteries, and gave grants to Nalanda.
• He held a great assembly every five years at another place, at which he gave away all his wealth.

Kannauj in history:

After Harsha, Kannauj became the most important city of northern India, and was the cause of the "tripartite struggle" between three powerful dynasties in the 8th-10th centuries.

Why not the other options?

• ✗Pulakeshin II was the Chalukya king who defeated Harsha.
• ✗Shashanka was the king of Gauda.
• ✗Dharmapala was a later Pala king.