Glory of the Badami Chalukyas: Pulakeshin II’s Rise and Battles

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Badami / Vatapi Chalukya Kingdom (CE 543–755)

For about 200 years, the Chalukyas of Badami ruled the Deccan region with Badami (ancient name Vatapi) as their capital. (Since several dynasties with the name Chalukya ruled different parts of India at different times, their capitals must be mentioned along with their dynastic names for proper identification.)

Pulakeshin I

  • He was the founder of the Badami Chalukya dynasty.

  • He took the titles Satyashraya and Ranavikrama.

  • He performed the Ashvamedha sacrifice.

Pulakeshin II (CE 609–642)

  • The most famous ruler of the Badami Chalukya dynasty.

  • Since his father Kirtivarman I died when Pulakeshin was a minor, his uncle Mangalesha ruled as regent.

  • When Pulakeshin II came of age, Mangalesha refused to hand over power, which led to a civil war. Eventually, Pulakeshin defeated his uncle and secured the throne.

According to the Aihole inscription composed by his court poet Ravikirti, Pulakeshin II achieved the following military victories:

  1. Defeated the Western Gangas ruling Mysore.

  2. Defeated the Mauryas of Konkan and captured Elephanta Island. The famous Trimurti cave temple here has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

  3. Defeated the Vishnukundins and Ranadurjayas ruling coastal Andhra. He appointed his brother Kubja Vishnuvardhana as governor of the conquered region. In CE 624, Kubja Vishnuvardhana declared independence and founded the Eastern (Vengi) Chalukya dynasty, which ruled Coastal Andhra for 450 years.

  • He defeated Harshavardhana, who ruled North India, and extended his kingdom up to the Narmada River in the north.

  • He invaded the Pallava kingdom (capital Kanchi) twice:

    1. In CE 630, at the Battle of Pullalur, he killed the Pallava king Mahendravarman I and occupied several territories.

    2. In CE 642, at the Battle of Manimangala, he was killed by the Pallava king Narasimhavarman I, who then took the title Vatapikonda (Conqueror of Vatapi). For a time, the Pallavas occupied Badami.

Vikramaditya I

  • Son of Pulakeshin II.

  • After 12 years of continuous struggle, he regained his kingdom from the Pallavas.

  • He invaded Kanchi, killed Mahendravarman II, and destroyed the city.

Vikramaditya II

  • One of the last prominent rulers of the Badami Chalukyas.

  • He invaded the Pallava capital Kanchi three times and devastated it.

The continuous wars between the Badami Chalukyas and the Pallavas weakened both kingdoms. Finally, Dantidurga, who served as a Chalukya governor, defeated the last king Kirtivarman II and founded the Rashtrakuta dynasty.

Architecture of the Badami Chalukyas

Under the patronage of the Badami Chalukyas, temple architecture in the Deccan reached great heights.

  • At Badami, they built four rock-cut cave temples:

    • Two dedicated to Vaishnavism,

    • One to Shaivism, and

    • One to Jainism.

    These caves feature sculptures of Vishnu’s Dashavatara, Shiva’s various forms, and Jain Tirthankaras. Famous carvings include Vamana, Narasimha, Varaha, Anantashayana Vishnu, Nataraja with 18 arms, Ardhanarishvara, Mahishasura Mardini, Ganesha, and Kartikeya. The Jain cave has nude sculptures of Tirthankaras and a fine image of Gomateshwara.

  • Aihole became the center of Hindu temple architecture, with more than 100 temples built. It earned the title Town of Temples. Famous temples include Hucchimalli Gudi, Melagitti Shivalaya, Meguti Jain Temple, Lad Khan Temple, Surya Narayana Temple, Gaudara Temple, and the Durga Temple.

  • Another major architectural site was Pattadakal, where 10 Hindu temples were built in Dravidian, Nagara, and Vesara styles. The most famous is the Virupaksha Temple (Lokeshwara Temple), built by Vikramaditya II in honor of his wife Lokamahadevi. It resembles the Kailasanatha Temple of Kanchi.

    Temples here also depict carvings from the Ramayana, Mahabharata, and Puranas. Other major temples include Papanatha, Trilokeswara, Mallikarjuna, Kashivishweswara, and Galaganatha temples. Pattadakal is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

  • The famous Nava Brahmeshwara Temples at Alampur (Jogulamba-Gadwal district, Telangana) were also built during their reign, on the banks of the Tungabhadra River, in the shikhara style. The most important ones are:

    1. Bala Brahmeshwara Temple

    2. Veera Brahmeshwara Temple

    3. Garuda Brahmeshwara Temple

    4. Swarga Brahmeshwara Temple

    5. Arka Brahmeshwara Temple

    6. Taraka Brahmeshwara Temple

  • Nearby, at Koodali Sangam, the Sangameshwara Temple was built. Later, due to submergence under the Srisailam Project, this temple was carefully relocated to Alampur by archaeologists.

  • In Kurnool district (Andhra Pradesh), around Nandyal town, nine temples known as the Nava Nandis were constructed. The most important among them are:

    1. Mahanandiswara Temple (Mahanandi)

    2. Padmanandiswara Temple

    3. Suryanandiswara Temple

    4. Shivanandiswara Temple

    5. Garuda Nandiswara Temple

The Badami Chalukyas, under the leadership of Pulakeshin II, carved a glorious chapter in Indian history. His victories over powerful rulers like Harshavardhana and the Pallavas made him one of the most formidable kings of the Deccan. Beyond warfare, the Chalukyas left behind an extraordinary cultural and architectural legacy through the temples of Badami, Aihole, Pattadakal, and Alampur, many of which are recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites today.

Though their power eventually declined with the rise of the Rashtrakutas, the Chalukyas laid the foundation for temple architecture and political unity in South India. Pulakeshin II’s reign stands as a symbol of valor, statecraft, and cultural patronage, securing his place as one of the greatest kings in Indian history.

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