Harsha, the 7th century ruler of North India, shifted his capital to strengthen control over the Ganga valley region. From which city to which city did he move his capital?

Introduction / Context:
This question tests knowledge of early medieval Indian political history, specifically the reign of Harsha, also known as Harshavardhana. Understanding why and where rulers shifted their capitals helps students connect geography with changing political strategies, trade routes and administrative control in North India.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• We are dealing with Harsha, the 7th century ruler who built a powerful empire in North India.
• The question asks from which city to which city he shifted his capital.
• Given options mention cities such as Thanesar, Kanauj, Delhi, Devagiri, Kamboja and Valabhi.
• We assume standard school history references about Harsha's capital shift.

Concept / Approach:
Harsha started his political career from Thanesar, in present-day Haryana, which was the early seat of the Pushyabhuti (Vardhana) dynasty. Later, as his power expanded over much of the Ganga valley, he shifted his capital to Kanauj (Kanyakubja), located in present-day Uttar Pradesh. Kanauj had a more central position in the fertile Ganga plains and was an important urban and cultural centre. Many later early medieval power struggles in North India focused on control of Kanauj, underlining its strategic importance.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that Harsha belonged to the Vardhana dynasty which originally ruled from Thanesar.Step 2: As Harsha extended his authority over large parts of North India, he sought a more central and prestigious capital.Step 3: Kanauj had a long-standing reputation as a prosperous and culturally significant city in the middle Ganga valley.Step 4: Historical accounts state that Harsha moved his capital from Thanesar to Kanauj to benefit from its geographic centrality and political prestige.Step 5: Check the options and identify the pair that correctly reflects this shift: from Thanesar to Kanauj.

Verification / Alternative check:
Standard textbooks on early medieval India describe how, after consolidating power, Harsha adopted Kanauj as his new capital and ruled a large empire from there. Later rulers such as the Gurjara-Pratiharas and Palas also fought for Kanauj, confirming its prominence. This consistent reference in history books confirms that Harsha's capital shift was from Thanesar to Kanauj, not to Devagiri or Delhi.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
From Delhi to Devagiri: This shift is associated with much later Delhi Sultanate history, not with Harsha.From Kamboja to Kanauj: Kamboja is an ancient region, but Harsha was not based there as his primary capital.From Valabhi to Delhi: Valabhi was a centre of another dynasty in western India and has no link with Harsha's capital shift.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes confuse different capital shifts across periods, such as the move of the Delhi Sultanate capital to Devagiri or later changes under the Mughals. Another mistake is to focus only on the famous name Kanauj and forget from where the move took place. To avoid this, remember the clear pair for Harsha: Thanesar as the original base and Kanauj as the later capital.

Final Answer:
Harsha shifted his capital from Thanesar to Kanauj.