Mangalesha was a monarch of the Chalukya dynasty of Vatapi in Karnataka, India, from 597 to 609 CE. He ascended to the throne after his brother Kirttivarman I and reigned a kingdom that stretched from southern Gujarat in the north to the Bellary-Kurnool region in the south. Parts of modern-day Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh were included. After conquering the Kalachuri monarch, he strengthened the Chalukya dominance in present-day Gujarat and Maharashtra. After capturing Revati-dvipa from the rebel Chalukya governor, he established his power in Maharashtra's Konkan coastline area and Goa. In this article, we will discuss Mangalesha (597 AD – 609 AD) which will be helpful for UPSC exam preparation.

Mangalesha (597 – 609 AD) - Background

• Mangalesha succeeded his elder brother Kirtivarman I, who was most likely his half-brother and left at least three minor sons.
• Mangalesha "took upon himself the responsibility of governance" because Kirtivarman's son Pulakeshin II was a minor, according to later Chalukya inscriptions at Kalyani.
• However, these inscriptions incorrectly imply that when Pulakeshin II grew up, Mangalesha returned the kingdom to him, honouring the Chalukya clan for their exemplary behaviour.
• The Aihole inscription contradicts this assertion, and it appears to be a late attempt to gloss over Pulakeshin II's overthrow of Mangalesha.
• Mangalesha may have begun his reign as a regent before deciding to grab the throne.
• He administered the kingdom during the reign of Kirtivarman, who was preoccupied with military adventures.
• Kirtivarman and Mangalesha may have alternated administering the kingdom and commanding military battles.

Reign of Mangalesha (597 – 609 AD)

• Mangalesha embarked on a series of military actions aimed at consolidating Chalukya rule.
• According to the inscription on the Mahakuta Pillar, he aspired to expand the Chalukya kingdom northwards and planned to build a triumph pillar on the banks of the Bhagirathi River (Ganges).
• He was unable to achieve this goal in the ensuing years, but he did oversee the Chalukya kingdom's significant expansion.
• His valour is extolled even in the Aihole inscription.
• Titles Ururanaparakrama, Ranavikrama and Paramabhagavata and Shri-prithvi-vallabha were given to him.
• Mangalesha's empire spanned present-day southern Gujarat and Maharashtra's Nashik region in the north.
• He kept the area inherited from his predecessor in the south, controlling northern Karnataka all the way to Bellary (Karnataka) and Kurnool (Andhra Pradesh).
• He fought battles with the Kalachuri ruler, Revati island ruler etc.

Battle with Kalachuris

• According to the Chalukya inscriptions, Mangalesha defeated the Kalachuris, the northern neighbours of the Chalukyas.
• Mangalesha conquered the Kalachuri ruler Buddharaja, according to the Mahakuta Pillar inscription.
• However, since Buddharaja ruled until at least 609 CE, the victory was most likely just a successful raid or conquest.

Conquest over Revati Island

• Mangalesha captured the island of Revati, which is now known as Redi, Maharashtra. According to the Aihole inscription, Mangalesha's navy seized the island and killed the ruler.
• Svamiraja, a prince of Chalukya lineage who had won 18 battles, was most likely the ruler of Revatidvipa.
• After the Chalukya invasion of the province, Mangalesha's predecessor Kirtivarman may have appointed him as the governor of Konkan.
• Svamiraja may have rebelled against Mangalesha, and in the succeeding Chalukya succession battle, he most likely allied with Pulakeshin.
• Mangalesha may have defeated and murdered him as a result of this.

Succession war with Pulakeshin II

• Mangalesha's nephew Pulakeshin II, a son of his elder brother and predecessor Kirtivarman I, overthrew him.
• This is supported by the fact that Mangalesha was envious of Pulakeshin II, according to the Aihole inscription, and intended to banish Pulakeshin.
• As a result, Mangalesha rejected Pulakeshin's claim to the throne, sent him into exile, and potentially appointed his own son as the heir.
• Pulakeshin II plotted an attack against Mangalesha during his exile, which was eventually successful and murdered the Mangalesha.

Religion of Mangalesha

• Mangalesha is believed to have been a Vaishnavite, as evidenced by his identification as a Parama-bhagavata ("Devotee of Vishnu") in the Nerur inscription.
• He built the Maha-Vishnu-Griha cave temple devoted to Vishnu, according to the 578 AD Badami inscription, which was inscribed under the reign of Kirtivarman I.
• The temple is described as "well-proportioned and of superb workmanship" in the inscription.
• The inscription also mentions his gift of land to the temple's garland-makers.
• Mangalesha appears to have supported a variety of Hindu sects, including Shaivism.
• Inscribed on the Mahakuta Pillar is his gift of ten villages to the shrine of Maukteshvara-natha, a manifestation of Shiva.

Conclusion

Mangalesha took over the throne from his brother Kirtivarman-I and ruled a kingdom that stretched from Gujarat to the Deccan region in the south. He was a Vaishnavite who built a Vishnu temple but he was tolerant of different sects also. The Goa inscription, written by the Chalukya vassal between 610 and 611 CE, was most likely written during Mangalesha's reign and can be used to date his rule. He was killed by his nephew Pulakesin II in the war of succession.