The experiments for building up a centralized empire by the Indian rulers virtually came to an end with the fall of the Guptas. In fact, no centralized power could emerge in India during the interim period between the fall of the Guptas and the rise of Harshavardhana.
During the period both the northern and southern parts of India were parceled out into a number of small independent or semi- independent kingdoms. This fragmentation of the political power is known as feudalism. The feudal powers that had emerged in North
India after the fall of the Guptas was: the Maukharis of Kanauj, the Pushyabhutis of Thaneswar and the Maitrakas of Valbhi. Among the regional powers in the Deccan and South India mention may be made of the Cholas, the Pallavas and the Chalukyas.
The characteristic feature of the political history of contemporary India was the mutual struggle among these regional powers of supremacy.