The earliest Chalukyas: Chalukyas of Badami
Badami Caves / Wikimedia Commons Photo: Sanyam Bahga The Chalukyas dynasty of Badami was an ancient Indian power which rose in prominence in an area comprising modern day Karnataka and much of Andhra Pradesh in the middle of the 6th century AD. The dynasty was founded in 543 by Pulkesin I who had chosen Vatapi (modern Badami in the Bagalkot district of Karnataka) as his capital. He is known to have performed Ashvamedha yajna (horse sacrifice) to mark his accession to power. Pulkesin I was succeeded by his son Kirtivarman I who extended the territories of the kingdom at the cost of his adversaries including Kadambas of Banavasi and Nalas of Bastar. Goa, then known as Revatidwipa, was annexed to the empire. Since Pulkesin II, son of Kirtivarman, was too young to ascend the throne at the time of latter’s death in 597-98, Mangalesa, brother of Kirtivarman, became the regent of the empire. However, when Pulkesin II came of age, Mangalesa refused to surrender the