Pulakesi II

Pulakesi II ( _kn. ಇಮ್ಮಡಿ ಪುಲಿಕೇಶಿ) (610 - 642 CE) is the most famous ruler of the Chalukya dynasty. In his reign the Chalukyas of Badami saw their kingdom extend over most of the Deccan.

Early life and accession

Ereya, who assumed the name Pulakesi on his coronation, was born to the Chalukya king Kirtivarman I. When Kirtivarman died in 597, Ereya was still a young boy and Kirtivarman's brother Mangalesa governed the young kingdom as regent until Ereya came of age. Mangalesa was a capable ruler and continued expanding the kingdom. However, when Ereya came of age, desire for power perhaps made Mangalesa deny prince Ereya his rightful place on the Chalukya throne, and he sought to perpetuate his own line by making his son heir apparent.

Ereya took shelter in the Bana territory (Kolar), organised an army with the help of his associates and declared war on his uncle. According to the Peddavadagur inscription Mangalesa was defeated and killed in the ensuing battle at Elapattu Simbige. Ereya ascended the Chalukya throne as Pulakesi II and assumed the title "Chalukya Parameshwara".

Consolidation

Pulakesi had to face several obstacles soon after his coronation. The civil war had given fresh hope to feudatories and adventurers; some of them were emboldened to throw off their allegiance to the Chalukyas. The Aihole inscription of 634 found in an Aihole Jainlaya says, "the whole world was enveloped in the darkness that was enemies". Pulakesi had to face the challenge of Appayika and Govinda, perhaps loyal adherents of the defeated Mangalesa. It is even possible that at least one of them, if not both, was Mangalesa's son. Pulakesi confronted their army on the banks of the river Bhima. Appayika ran away from the battlefield, while Govinda surrendered.

Expansion

After consolidating his position, Pulakesi II organized and enlarged his fighting forces. He then embarked upon a series of conquests to expand his dominions. The accounts of Pulakesi's campaigns are provided in the Aihole inscription dated 634. It was composed by his court poet Ravikirti. The inscription is one of the finest pieces of poetry. Written in Sanskrit language and "Hale" Kannada script, it is the most important source of information regarding the rule of Pulakesi II.

Conquests in the West

He subjugated the Kadambas of Banavasi, the Gangas of Talakad and the Alupas of South Kanara. He defeated the Mauryas of the Konkan, and the port of Puri (modern Elephanta Island) was captured after a naval battle. It was followed by victory over the Latas, the Gurjaras and the Malawas, resulting in the annexation of the Gujarat area. These victories have been confirmed by historians Dr. R.C. Majumdar and Dr. Sircar.

The Ganga ruler Durvinita gave one of his daughters in marriage to Pulakesi, and she became the mother of Vikramaditya I.

Eastern Deccan

Pulakesi then overran Kosala, ruled by the Panduvamsis. It was followed by victory over the Eastern Gangas of Kalinga and the capture of the fort of Pishtapura (Pithapuram). He subjugated the Vishnukundins and captured the Kunala area in the Vengi region. He appointed his brother Kubja Vishnuvardhana (also called Bittarasa) as viceroy of his Eastern territories (631). Vishnuvardhana eventually founded the dynasty of Eastern Chalukyas.

outhern Expedition

Moving further south, Pulakesi II routed the Pallava king Mahendravarman I in the battle of Pullalur, only 25 KM north of the Pallava capital. There a pitched battle was fought, and although Mahendravarman saved his capital, he lost the northern provinces to Pulakesi. The Chalukya king was aided by Durvinita of the Gangas dynasty from the West and the Pandyan king Jayantavarman from the South. The Chalukya army laid siege to the Pallava capital at Kanchipuram, but could not capture the kingdom, so had to return home.

The Chalukya victory over Mahendravarman I was, according to Prof. Nilakanta Sastri, "the first move initiating what developed into one of the persistent lines of conflict in South Indian history".

Battle with Harsha

When Pulakesi II pushed forth up to the Narmada, he came face to face with Harshavardhana of Kanauj who already had the title "Uttarapatheshvara" (Lord of the North). In a decisive battle fought on the banks of the river Narmada, Harsha lost a major part of his elephant force and had to retreat. The Aihole inscription describes how the mighty Harsha lost his harsha (joy) when he suffered the ignominy of defeat. Pulakesi entered into a treaty with Harsha, with the Narmada River designated as the border between the Chalukya Empire and that of Harshavardhana.

The Chinese traveller Hieun-tsang describes the event thus: :"Siladityaraja (i.e., Harsha), filled with confidence, himself marched at the head of his troops to contend with this prince (i.e., Pulakesi); but he was unable to prevail upon or subjugate him".

It was indeed a great victory for the Chalukya monarch, who assumed the proud titles of "Parameswara" (Paramount Overlord), "Satyashraya", "Prithvivallabha". With this conquest, Pulakesi's control extended completely over Southern India, including Maharashtra and parts of Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat. He received the title "Dakshinapatheshvara" (Lord of the South) at around the same time. These victories happened between 630 and 634. Since the Lohner plates of Pulakesi II (630) do not speak of his northern victory.Pulakesi II married a princess of the Alupas of South Canara.

Reversals

The last days of Pulakesi II witnessed several reversals to his earlier successes. Pulakesi's ambition prompted him to undertake another expedition against the Pallavas in the hope of achieving more decisive results. However, war had depleted the treasury sufficiently enough to prevent Pulakesi to mount an effective campaign.

The Pallavas had overcome their defeat and Narasimhavarman I had succeeded Mahendravarman I. Pulakesi began his campaign by an attack on the Banas, vassals of the Pallavas. After overrunning them, Pulakesi invaded the Pallava kingdom proper and once more threatened the Pallava Capital. However the Pallava forces under Narasimhavarman defeated the Chalukyas in several battles including one at Manimangalam, east of Kanchipuram. In these battles the Pallava army was assisted by the Sinhalese king Manavarma. Pulakesi's expedition ended in failure. The Pallavas, encouraged by their success, invaded deep into Chalukya territory. The Pallava ruler captured and sacked Vatapi (Badami). Narasimhavarman assumed the title of "Vatapikonda" (the conqueror of Vatapi). Vatapi remained in Pallava control for twelve years.

Pulakesi's death and legacy

It is possible that Pulakesi II lost his life in one of these encounters against the Pallavas. The thirteen years that followed saw the eclipse of Chalukya power, while Badami remained in the hands of the Pallavas.

Pulakesi exchanged ambassadors with the Shah of Persia Khosrau II. His reception of the Persian ambassador is depicted in one of the paintings in the Ajanta caves. The Chinese traveller Hsuan Tsang, who visited India in the 7th century, wrote admiringly of Pulakesi and his Empire.

Pulakesi was the first ruler in South India to issue gold coinage. Broad and circular in shape, the punch-marked coins had various punches at the edge, and a central punch depicting a Varaha or Boar. The Boar was the royal emblem of the Chalukyas. Contemporary literature cites the gold coins of south India as Varahas.

Pulakesi had five sons, Chandraditya, Adityavarma, Vikramaditya, Jayasimha and Ambera. They fought among themselves after his demise, trying to divide the kingdom into territories for each of themselves. Pulakesi's third son Vikramaditya I became the Chalukya king 642 and attempted to re-unite the kingdom after defeating his brothers.

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References

* Nilakanta Sastri, K.A. (1955). A History of South India, OUP, New Delhi (Reprinted 2002).
* Dr. Suryanath U. Kamat (2001). Concise History of Karnataka, MCC, Bangalore (Reprinted 2002).
* [http://www.whatisindia.com/inscriptions South Indian Inscriptions]
* [http://www.ourkarnataka.com/history.htm History of Karnataka, Mr.Arthikaje]

ee also

* History of South India
* Karnataka
* Badami