The state of Prabhakaravardhana, the father of Harshavardhana was Thaneshwar. His sister, Rajyashree married Dhruvaverman, the king of Kanauj. The Gaud king Shashank, and the king of Malwa kidnapped Rajyashree. Rajyavardhan, the elder brother of Harshavardhana, became a martyr in the battle to save his sister Rajyashree. On one hand Harshavardhana had to save his sister and on the other hand, after the death of his father and brother, he had to handle the state. In such a critical situation, Harshavardhana came to the throne.