Chalukya
Chalukya
Pulakesin-I (543-66 A.D.)-- Founder of the Chalukya Dynasty, established a small kingdom with Badami-I (Vatapi) as its capital.
Kirtivarman-I (560-597 A.D.)-- The son and successor of Pulakesin-I, expanded the kingdom by the war against the Kadambas of Banavasi and the Nalas of Bastar.
Mangalesa (597-609 A.D.)-- On the death of Kirtivarman, his brother became the regent, since his son, Pulakesin-II was a minor. Mangalesa plundered the territories of Gujarat, Khandesh, and Malwa.
Pulakesin-II (609-42 A.D.)-- Considered the greatest of the Chalukya rulers of Badami not only because of the problems he had to face while coming to the throne but also because of his subsequent military as well as diplomatic achievements.
- He had to wage a civil war against his uncle, Mangalesa, who refused to hand over the power.
- Though, Pulakesin succeeded in defeating and killing his uncle, this civil war shook the young kingdom and rebellions began to appear on all sides. But he was quite successful in the suppression of these rebellions. He defeated the rebel feudatory, Appayika and pardoned his confederate, Govinda, when the latter offered his submission.
- Establishment of his suzerainty over the neighbors such as Kadambas of Banavasi, the Alupas of south Kanara, the Gangas of Mysore, and the Mauryas of north Konkan. Apart from the above rulers, the Latas, Malwas, and Gurjaras also offered their submission to him because of their fear of Harshavardhana of Kanauj.
- His clash with Harsha, in which he was able to check Harsha's design to conquer the Deccan.
- Conquests in the eastern Deccan-southern Kosala, Kalinga, Pistapura, and the Banas of Rayalaseema offered their submission after their defeat at the hands of Pulakesin.
- Conflict with the Pallavas of Kanchi- his first expedition against the Pallavas kingdom, which was then ruled by Mahendravarman-I was a complete success, and he annexed the northern part of the Pallava kingdom. But his second expedition against the Pallavas, however, ended in complete disaster for himself as well as his own kingdom. The then Pallava ruler, Narshimhavarman-I who succeeded Mahendravarman, not only drove back Chalukya kingdom, but also killed Pulakesin-II, and captured Badami.
- Diplomatic achievement- he sent an embassy to the Persian king, Khusrau-II, in A.D. 625 and also received one from him. The reception was given to the Persian mission is, in fact, depicted in one of the famous Ajanta cave paintings.
Visit of Hiuen- Tsang -: The description given by this Chinese pilgrim of the kingdom of Pulakesin is quite useful in knowing the social and economic conditions under the Chalukya rulers of Badami.
Vikramaditya-I (644-681 A.D) -: After an occupation of about 12 years he not only drove out the Pallavas forces but also consolidated the kingdom and plundered the Pallava, Kanchi, thus avenging his father's defeat and death at the hands of Pallavas.
Vinayaditya (681-693 A.D) -: His reign was generally peaceful and prosperous.
Vijyaditya (693-733 A.D) -: It was the longest and also the most prosperous and peaceful reign. It was marked by a great increase in temple building.
Vikramaditya II (733-744 A.D.) -: His reign is significant for the successful invasion of the Pallava kingdom three times and the repelling of the Arab invasion of South Gujarat.
Kirtivarman II (744-755 A.D) -: This last Chalukya ruler of Badami was defeated by Dantidurga, the founder of the Rastrakuta Dynasty, and thus come to an end to the Chalukya dynasty of Badami.
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