Court Poet of Chalukyan Ruler Pulakeshin II

The question asks about the identity of the court poet who served the famous Chalukyan ruler Pulakeshin II. Pulakeshin II, who reigned from 610 to 642 CE, was one of the most powerful rulers of the Badami Chalukya dynasty. His court was known to have patronized scholars and poets.

Among the options provided, we need to identify the specific poet who was associated with Pulakeshin II.

• Kalidasa was a renowned classical Sanskrit writer, widely regarded as the greatest poet and dramatist in the Sanskrit language. He is generally associated with the Gupta period, often linked to the court of Chandragupta II or Kumaragupta I, which is much earlier than Pulakeshin II's reign.
• Banabhatta was a 7th-century Sanskrit prose writer and poet of India. He was the Asthana Kavi (court poet) of King Harshavardhana, who was a contemporary and rival of Pulakeshin II. Banabhatta authored works like the Harshacharitra and Kadambari.
• Shyam kirti is not a widely recognized court poet of this period in Indian history.
• Ravikirti was a Sanskrit poet and courtier. Historical evidence strongly associates Ravikirti with the Chalukya king Pulakeshin II. His most famous work is the Aihole inscription, which is a prashasti (eulogy) praising Pulakeshin II's achievements, including his victory over Harshavardhana.

Based on historical records, particularly the Aihole inscription, Ravikirti was the court poet of the Chalukyan ruler Pulakeshin II.

Therefore, the correct answer is Ravikirti.