Harsha was a great patron of learning, education and religion. He spent half of his state revenue on preservation of religion, education, and literature. He convened a grand council in 643 CE at Kannauj. Buddhis, Brahmins, Jains and about 1000 Buddhist scholars from Nalanda university participated in this convention.

One – fourth of Harsha’s revenue was spent on intellectual persuits i.e., propagation of education and rewarding scholars. He gave his patronage to the author of ‘Mayurashatak? and ‘Suryashatak’, Maurya, the author of ‘Kadambari’ and ‘Harshcharita’-Banabhatta and also Bharathari, Matang, Devakar, etc. Harsha himself wrote, “Nagananda’,

‘Priyadarshika’, and ‘Ratnavali’ treatises. He gave away wealth and villages for spread of education. Nalanda university was the major centre of education. Harsha was the chief patron of Nalanda University. Vallabhi, many Gurukuls, Ashrams, and Viharas were other important centres of education. In this way Harsha attempted to raise the level of education and knowledge of his subjects.

Harsha patronised many scholars in the cause of knowledge and funded the spread of education. Therefore he is called a great preserver of religion and knowledge. All the scholars praised Harsha as a great warrior, empire – maker, able administrator, benevolent and knowledge loving ruler. In his time, the Vedas were recited orally and the Brahmi script was prevalent.