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THE CHALUKYAS OF BADAMI 535 747 A.D.

Overview

Pulakesin I (535-566) founder of the

dynasty.

Kirtivarma, son of Pulakesin I, (567-598).

Pulakesin II (610-642) expanded the

Chalukyan kingdom in the North upto the

Narmada.

Aihole inscription written by Ravikirti, a

Jain poet is the most important source of

information on him.

Advent

Family was originally from Ayodhya.

Chronology

Pulakesin I

(son of Ranaraga)

(535-566).

Kirtivarman I

(son of Pulakesin

I) (567-598).

Mangalesa

(II son of Pulakesin) (598-610).

Pulakesin II

(son of Kirtivarman

I) (610-

642).

Vikramaditya I

(son of Pulakesin II)

(655-

681).

Vinayaditya

(son of Vikramaditya II)

(681 -

696)

Vijayaditya

(son of Vinayaditya)

(696-733)

Vikramaditya II

(son of Vijayaditya)

(734-

745)

Kirtivarma II (746-757)

Wars

610 A.D Civil war; Pulakesin II killed

Mangalesa.

Friends

: Cholas, Keralites, Pandyas.

Foes

: Pallavas.

Pulakesin I

(535-566)

He laid the founda-

tion for the fort of Vatapi (modem Badami) in

Bijapur District. He is not credited with any

specific conquest.

Kirtivarma

(567-598): He is known as

"the

first maker of Vatapi".

He is also described as

"Night of destruction"

to the Nalas, Kadambas

and Maury as. The influence of the Chalukyas

extended over a wide region in the southern

part of state of Maharashtra and adjoining area

of Mysore and Madras states. He annexed part

of the Maurya territories in the Konkan.

Mangalesa

(598-610 A.D.): Kirtivarma was

succeeded by his brother Mangalesa. His

greatest achievement was his victory over the

Kalachuris. The struggle between Kalachuris

and the Chalukyas seems to have continued

for many years. After sometime Mangalesa

came into complete possession of central and

northern Maratha country.

There was a civil war between Mangalesa

and his nephew Pulakesin II (son of Kirti-

varma I). He lost his life and Pulakasin II

became king.

Pulakesin II (610-642

A.D.) : He was the

greatest ruler of the Chalukyan Dynasty and

one of the greatest rulers of ancient India.

Pulakesin won a brilliant victory over

Harshavardhana, when the latter invaded

Kathiawad-as a result of both extending their

power over the Gujarat region of India. Pu-

lakesin subjugated his neighbours - the Ka-

dambas, the Gangas of South Mysore, and the

Mauryas of the Konkan. He defeated the Pal-

lava King, Mahendra Varma I who retreated

behind his capital, Kanchi. But ultimately the

Pallavas took revenge and attacked Pu-

lakesin's capital, Badami, and captured it. Pu-

lakesin was killed in the battle.

His reputation and influence spread beyond

the limits of India. The King of Persia, Khusru

II, received an ambassador from Pulakesin II

in A D 625-26. Hiuen Tsang, the Chinese

traveller, paid a visit to the court of Pulakesin

II and was impressed by his benevolent rule

and the loyalty of his subjects.

Many cave temples and temples came up at

Badami, Pattadakal and Aihole.

Vikramaditya I (655-681

A.D.)

The Chalukya throne remained vacant from

642-655.

Badami and some of the southern

districts remained under the control of the Pal-

lavas, who could not be driven out because of

dissension among the sons of Pulakesin II. Fi-

nally one of them succeeded in recovering

Badami from the Pallavas and ascended the

throne of his father as Vikramaditya I.

Vinayaditya (681-696

A.D): He carried on

campaigns against Pallavas, Kalabhras, Ker-

alas, Haihays, Vilas, Malawas, Cholas, Pan-

dyas. Alupas, Gangas etc.

Vijayaditya (696-733)

: He underwent train-

ing in military and administrative matters. He

conquered Kanchi and received tribute from

Parameshvara Varma, the Pallava King.

Vikramaditya II (734-745

A.D) : He de-

stroyed the power of the Chola, Kerala, Pan-

dya, Kalabhra and other kings. He was a great

builder and patron of learning.

Kirtivarman II (746-757

A.D): He was the

last ruler of the glorious Chalukya race. After

years the Chalukya power was completely

eclipsed by Dantidurga, the Rashtrakuta king.

Kiritivarma II tried to restore the fallen

fortune of his family, but he was defeated by

Krishna I, the Rashtrakuta King.

The Rashtrakuta power remained for more

than two centuries, and was destroyed by the

later western Chalukyas of Kalyana.

Malegitti

Shivalaya

Temple,

Badami

One of the early

Chalukyan

temples, it is in

southern style

with a simple

shrine