Pulakesin II (609-642 AD) was one of the greatest rulers of Chalukya dynasty, transforming the Chalukyan kingdom into an empire encompassing the majority of the Deccan plateau and extending its northern boundary all the way to the Narmada River. He was a Vaishnavite Hindu who was tolerant to other faiths such as Buddhism and Jainism. His most notable military achievement was his victory over the powerful northern emperor Harshavardhana.

Pulakesin II fame reached as far as Persia, with whom he exchanged embassies. Hiuen Tsang, a Chinese traveller, paid a visit to his court. In this article, we will discuss Pulakesin II (609 - 642 AD) which will be helpful for UPSC exam preparation.

Pulakesin II - Background

• Pulakesin-II was the most powerful ruler of the Badami Chalukyas.
• He was the first king to issue gold coins in South India.
• Ereya is his birth name, and he was born to Kirtivarman-I.
• He was too young when his father died, that's why his paternal uncle Mangalesha was elevated to the throne (regent king).
• We know about Pulakesin II from a prashasti called Aihole, which was written in Prakrit by his court poet Ravikirti.
• He adopted the administrative structure of the Guptas in the north.
• He is famous for defeating King Harsha on the banks of the Narmada.
• He took the titles of Parmeshwara, Prithivivallabha, and Satyashraya and established himself as the supreme power in modern Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat.
• He also took on the title Daskshinapatheshwara, similar to Harsha's Uttarpatheshwara.
• He defeated Pallava king Mahendravarman I, but was defeated and killed by Mahendravarman's son and successor, Narasimhavarman I.

Ascension to the Throne

• Pulakesin II was the son of Kirtivarman I, who had appointed his brother Mangalesha as regent before his death because Pulakesin II was too young at that time.
• Later his uncle Mangalesha refused to relinquish the throne.
• Pulakesin II formed an alliance with one of their feudatories, the Banas, and declared war on his uncle with their support.
• Pulakesin II ascended the throne after defeating Mangalesha in the Bana territory at Elpattu-Simbhige.
• Soon after, he had to deal with two obstinate chiefs, Appayika and Govinda.
• Pulakesin II defeated both of them, causing the former to flee and the latter to submit.
• In the midst of the civil war, the Gangas of Talkad, the Kadambas of Banavasi, the Alupas of Aluvakheda, and the Mauryas of Konkana, whose sovereign status had previously been reduced by Kirthivarman I, withdrew their allegiance.
• Pulakesin II was forced to march against these kingdoms and bring them into the imperial fold.

Battles of Pulakesin II

Battle with Harshavardhana

• Pulakesin II martial prowess, as well as the fear that the ruler of Kanauj, Harshavardhana, would force them to accept his suzerainty, compelled the rulers of Malava and Gurjara to submit to Pulakesin II.
• Harshavardhana saw this as an intrusion into his own domain, which sparked a war between him and Pulakesin II.
• According to the Chinese traveller Huien Tsang, Pulakesin II stymied Harsha's southward advance.
• According to the Aihole Record, Harsha, surrounded by an infinite number of his feudatories, lost his harsha (joyfulness) when he saw a large number of elephants in his army die.

Battle with Pallavas

• Pulakesin II invaded the Pallava kingdom in around 617–18, defeating King Mahendravarman I and proceeding as far south as the Cauvery River on the northern border of the Chola country.
• The Pallavas had long wished to avenge the humiliation they had suffered at the hands of Pulakesin II, and they strengthened their forces over the next few years in preparation for a counter-attack.
• In 630, Mahendravarman I was succeeded by his son Narasimhavarman I, who led the Pallava kingdom to prominence.
• Pulakesin II was prompted to lead a second expedition into Pallava country.
• Pulakesin II defeated the Banas, who were feudatories of the Pallavas, before marching into Pallava territory.
• Narasimhavarman I encountered the Chalukyas and defeated them in three separate battles in Pariyala, Suramana, and Manimangala, all close to the Pallava capital Kanchi, forcing them to flee.
• The Pallavas then launched an offensive, pursuing fleeing Chalukya forces deep into their territory.
• The Battle of Vatapi was a decisive battle fought in 642, near the Chalukya capital of Vatapi (present-day Badami). Pulakesin II was defeated and killed in this battle.

Religion of Pulakesin II

• Pulakesin was a Vaishnavite, as evidenced by the Lohner copper-plate inscription, which referred to him as a Parama-bhagavata ("devotee of Vishnu").
• He was tolerant of other faiths, and during his reign, the Shaivite shrines now known as the Upper Shivalaya, Lower Shivalaya, and Malegitti Shivalaya were built.
• The Chinese Buddhist pilgrim Xuanzang mentioned that over 100 Buddhist monasteries were present in his kingdom, which housed over 5,000 monks from both the Mahayana and Hinayana schools.
• Ravikirti, who composed the Aihole inscription engraved on the temple wall, also built the Meguti Jain temple at Aihole during his reign.

Conclusion

Pulakesin II was the first ruler to establish a southern empire that encompassed all of south India. Karnataka was united under one rule, extending from Godavari in the north to Kaveri in the south. He brought peace to his strife-torn dynasty as well as the country, which had been in turmoil due to unrest and uncertainties. In addition to demonstrating his inherent strength as a King, he pardoned all those who had opposed his succession. Simultaneously, he strengthened the state of law and order throughout his Kingdom.