ays, the Mauryan rulers apparently took special care to guard its frontiers.
The Mauryans were supplanted by Sungas and Kanvas and there did not seem to have been major political change in the district. Whether the Kushans conquered this portion cannot be determined.
Between 320 and 1097 A.D.
Under the Guptas (from 320 A.D.) the entire North Bihar was consolidated as a Tirbhukti (province) with its capital at Vaishali. Therefore, the forward province came to be known as Bhukti and the district came to be known as Vishaya. In North Bihar, there were two Bhuktis, viz. Tirabhukti (practically the whole of North Bihar) and Pundravardhanbhukti (included a portion of Saharsa, Purnia and a portion of North Bengal). The extent of Saharsa during the period under review was up to the confines of Pundravardhanbhukti which included some of its present area.
After the decline of the Guptas the political gap came to be utilised by all contemporary chiefs. Taking advantage of the situation the Varmans of Kamrup (Assam) extended their authority up to the confines of the Kosi. The rule of purnavarman over North Bihar included the present district of Saharsa. The rise of Harsha in 7th century A.D. was an event of great importance. He brought under his sway the whole of Northern India. But the death of Harsha in 647 A.D. once again let loose the forces of disintegration.
The Palas of Bihar and Bengal (8th century) A.D. gave a stable administration to the district. As South Bihar was pressed by the Kalchuris, the palas apparently shifted to North Bihar and Saharsa might have been their head quarters during the time of Vigraphapala-III. Quite a few villages in Saharsa district are associated with the names of pala rulers and it was through this district that the Palas could establish contact with Nepal. From the geographical point of view Saharsa was the most strategically suited from
