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 throne and tried to secure the throne for his own son. So there ensued a battle between Mangalesa and Pulkesin II who killed the former and proclaimed himself king in 609-10. 

Pulkesin II is the greatest king of the Chalukya dynasty of Badami. Aihole Prasasti (Inscription) composed by his court poet Ravikirti, gives a detailed account of his victories. He was a contemporary of North Indian emperor Harsha (Vardhana dynasty) whom he had defeated on the banks of the Narmada river - the only check in the northern ruler’s otherwise victorious career. He subjugated the Latas (Gujarat), Malavas and Gurjaras.  

Pulkesin II considerably extended the bounds of his realm. Leaving his younger brother Kubja Vishnuvardhana in charge of the capital he embarked on an extensive campaign of conquest of Southern Kosala, Kalinga in the eastern Deccan. (Vishnuvardhana was the founder of a separate dynasty known as Eastern Chalukya, also known as the Chalukyas of Vengi.) 

He subjugated Kadamabas by overthrowing their capital Banavasi and compelled Alupas of Southern Karnataka and the Gangas of Mysore to acknowledge his suzerainty. Mauryas of northern Konkan were also compelled to submission when he successfully attacked their capital Puri (on the island of Elephanta). 

During his reign the Battle of Pullalur was fought with the Pallava king Mahendravarman I who was defeated. The battle took place at Pullalur (now in the Kanchipuram district in Tamil Nadu) in about 618–19. This was the beginning of the long-drawn-out struggle between the Pallavas and their sworn enemies the Chalukyas. In 640 AD the battle of Maanimangala was fought between Pallava ruler Narasimhavarman I and Pulakesin II who suffered defeat. The Battle of Vatapi took place in 642 AD between Narasimhavarman I and Pulakesin II near Vatapi.  After the battle which resulted in the defeat and death of Pulakeshin II, Narasimhavarman I took the title of Vatapikonda (Conqueror of Vatapi).

These were the days of crisis for Chalukyan kingdom. The feudatories began to declare independence and the matter was made worse by the dissensions among the sons of the Pulkeshin II. However there was a revival of the fortunes under Pulkeshin II’s son Vikramaditya I who set himself the task of repelling the Pallava invasion.  Vikramaditya I was succeeded by his son Vinayaditya who ruled from 681 to 696. Vinayaditya was in turn succeeded by his son Vijayaditya who was the longest serving Chalukya ruler of Badami. He ruled from 696 to 733. His long reign was generally marked by prosperity and general peace. Vijayaditya was followed by his son Vikramaditya II who is credited with overrunning the Pallava capital Kanchi three times. Vikramaditya II was succeeded by his son Kirtivarman II in 744-5. Kirtivarman II was overthrown in 752 or 753 by a chief named Dantidurga who proclaimed himself a sovereign power and founded the Rashtrakuta Empire.