Shiladitya


Shiladitya is the title of an Indian king mentioned in the writings of the Chinese traveler Xuanzang.
Xuanzang mentions him as a Buddhist king of Kie-Jo-Kio-She-Kwo. Upon assuming the throne, Shiladitya gathered an army of 50,000 foot soldiers, 5000 elephants and 2000 cavalry. He subdued the five regions of India, and built "several thousand" stupas on the banks of the Ganges, each about 100 feet high.
Xuanzang also states that every five years, Shiladitya held an assembly called "Moksha". He gave away his treasury in charity, which was then replenished by his vassals. He describes such a ritual held in the empire's Po-lo-ye-kia kingdom as follows:

Identification

Shiladitya is identified with Harsha by many scholars. According to this theory, Kie-Jo-Kio-She-Kwo is Kanyakubja, while Po-lo-ye-kia is Prayag.
Xuanzang also mentions another king named Shiladitya, of "Mo-la-po" kingdom. This king is variously identified with a king of Malwa or Shiladitya I of Vallabhi.