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Friday, October 25, 2019

pulakeshin 2

We get information about Pulakeshin II from the commendation written by his contemporary poet Ravikirti in the Aihole inscription. It is in Sanskrit language. Pulakeshin II was the mighty and famous ruler of this dynasty whose reign is 609-642 AD. Pulakeshin conquered Chacha Manglesh in the Civil War and obtained the title. He honored himself with the title of Shri Prithivallabh Satyashraya. He remained engaged in wars throughout his life and established his dominion over the whole of South India. He suppressed rebellious feudal forces to strengthen his internal position. Later he campaigned against the neighboring kings. Pulakeshin defeated the Rashtrakuta king Govind in a battle on the banks of the Bhima river. With great patience under adverse circumstances, Pulakeshin II defeated his rivals and rebels. Later, he captured his authority over Banavasi, the capital of Kadambas. He was also confronted with the Ganges of Mysore and the Alupas of Kerala. Pulakeshin also took control of the Konkan capital Puri. He also defeated the Gurjars of Lot, Malwa and Bhrigukchha. After defeating the Pallava king Mahendravarman, he expanded his empire to his capital Kanchi. Fearing his victories, the Cheras, Cholas and Pandyas also accepted his subjection. Contemporary sources are known to have established their supremacy over all the territories from the Narmada to the banks of the Kaveri and thus established political unity over a large area of ​​the south. After consolidating his position in Daksh, he traveled north. Pulakeshin II's most important military struggle was against Harshavardhana, the almighty ruler of North India.

In this context, information is obtained from the Aihole inscription. The war proved to be decisive and Harshavardhana had to abandon the ambition of South Victory forever. This war increased the glory of Pulakeshin II, he held the titles of God and Dakshinapatheeshwar. Pulakeshin formerly expanded his empire. He won the rulers of Dakshin Kosala, Kalig, conquered the Vengi and won the Pallavas. The Cholas, Pandyas and the kings of Kerala also entered into a treaty with him. These victories of Pulakeshin are mentioned in the Aihole inscription. It can be counted among the great rulers of India who extended the small Chalukya Rhee from Vindhyakshetra to the banks of the river Kaveri in the south and assumed the title of Dakshinapatheshwar. He blocked Harsha's non-violence and his imperialist ambitions.

Pulakeshin was not only a great conqueror but also a skilled ruler. He established diplomatic relations with the rulers of India and abroad. The Muslim text Tawri mentions that a king named Pramesh, who was Pulakeshin II, sent his angel with many gifts to the court of Emperor Bhukhari II of the then Parsi, around 615–26 AD. In this context, a mural of Ajanta is notable in which a Rajput is shown welcoming by an Indian king. This gives a sense of the tradition of diplomatic relations of Indian rulers. It is possible that this picture was made during the period of Pulakeshin II. He sent his ambassadors to many rulers. Chinese traveler Xuanzang himself appeared in Pulakeshin's court. The Chinese traveler also says that Pulakeshin had good relations with foreign kings. Iranian ruler Khusro II was his ultimate friend. The Iranian ambassador had special honors in Pulakeshin's court. Huensang's description gives a sense of the many abilities of Pulakeshin. The Chinese traveler had visited his kingdom on foot and he has given many information about the king. Pulakeshin's final years of statehood were critical. The Pallava ruler Narasimhavarman I attacked Vatapi in 642 AD. Pulakeshin was defeated and possibly died in this battle. The Pallavas looted and ravaged his capital.

The last ruler of the Chalukya dynasty -

 Pulakeshin II, was succeeded by his son Satyasraya, who is also called Vikramaditya I. His reign re-established the power and pride of the Chalukyas with his valor and courage until 655-681 AD and plundered their capital. He also took authority over some territories. He also fought against the Cholas, the Pandyas and the Kerala and won. Most of his time was spent fighting the Pallavas. He fought continuously with the Pallava ruler Narasimhavarman I, Mahendravarman II, Paramesvaravarman. His successor was Vinayaditya. His reign is 681–696 AD. In the records, he has been called the conqueror, who conquered the Keralas, Malavas, Cholas, Haihas, Pandis etc. In the records, he is described as a tax collector from the kings of Persia, the valley of Cauvery and Sinhala island. He also defeated Saklottarapathnath, the ruler of the north. He held against Satyashray and Shri Prithivallabh.

The details of the records may be exaggerated. At that time there was no emperor in North India whom Saklottarapathnath could call. He must have defeated a ruler of the post Gupta period.

Vijayaditya (696–735 AD) -
 He conquered the Pallava King Parameswaram II. He gave special encouragement to works related to construction.

Vikramaditya II -
 Vikramaditya II ruled from 734 AD to 744 AD. During this period, the struggles of the Chalukyas and Pallavas continued. Two of his Haihaviya princesses built two huge Shiva temples.


Kirtivarman II -

 Kirtivarman ascended the throne around 745 AD. He was an inept and luxuriant ruler. The disintegration of the empire began during his time. The Chalukya power was weakened due to the constant struggle with the Pallavas and other state powers.

Cultural gift of Chalukyas - There has been significant contribution in the field of literature and art of Chalukyas. The Chalukyas were aware of public education. Mitakshara, a commentary on Yajnavalkya Smriti related to ancient Indian law, was also written by Vigyaneshwar during this period. Prabhachandra's Nyayakumudi Chandrodaya was also composed during this period. Veeracharya composed the mathematician-set related to mathematics. Jinsen wrote Amoghavriti. Notable texts of Kannada language Kaviraj Marg, Shantipuran, Chamundaraipuran, Ajitpuran, Gadayudh etc. were written. The principal policy of ancient Indian politics was the creation of Vakyamrit by Somdev Suri. He explained Jainism and philosophy in Yashtastikampu. Among the prominent scholars of this period, the contribution of Udayadev is particularly noteworthy, who was a great grammarian. He made significant contribution in the field of Jainism and philosophy. Vikramankadevacharit, a major text showing the attitude of ancient Indians towards the history and methods of writing history, was also composed by Wilhan.

The all-round development of art took place during the reign of the Chalukyas. Many Hindu and Buddhist Guha temples were built. The main centers of Chalukya temple architecture were Aihole, Ter, Pattanakala, Badami etc. Uttarashwar and Kaleshwar temples were constructed in Aihole and Ter in which bricks have been used. The Malagiti Shaiva temple of Badami is a classic example of architecture, built in 625 AD. The Shaivite temples of Pattadal are also notable. The size of the temples is huge, their pradakshina path and pavilion have a lot of similarity with the Kailash temple in Kanchi. Statues are marked on the columns. The temple reefs are marked by various deities, scenes from Ramayana, serpent etc. The influence of Pallava-Dravida-Vastu style on the construction of temples can be seen.

Temples were cut by cutting mountains in Badami, Ellora, Elephanta, Aurangabad, Ajanta etc. These Guha temples are related to Hindu-Buddhist and Jainism. The temples of Ellora belong to the three sects. The famous Hindu temples Dashavatar, Rameshwar etc. were built during the Chalukyas of Badami itself. There are more number of Buddhist temples in Aurangabad. Some of the idols of this temple are kneeling, which looks like women and men. Probably these human sculptures are of cavity makers.

Many major Ajanta caves were made by the Chalukyas. Caves Nos. 1 and 2 are particularly notable, depicting the Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara. Pictures of Jataka tales are also inscribed on the cavities of Ajanta. These murals are very lively and interesting. The tradition of Guha temple construction which started in Gupta period reached its culmination in the Chalukya period. The temples of Ellora are cut into two or three or three floors, while the cave temples of Ajanta are a planar. In this period, along with the development of architecture and crafts, other arts must also have progressed. The Chalukya rulers themselves had a keen interest in the field of art and music, paintings, sculpture etc. Many people of this dynasty were interested in music. The name of Senapati Ravidev is notable in this context. It is also believed that a dance based on the tradition of Acharya Bharata was produced.


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