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The sixth-century AD. is an important landmark in the history of the Deccan. It is noted for the emergence of a new power that held sway over extensive areas in that region from the middle of the sixth to about the middle of the eighth centuries AD. At a time when there were a number of kingdoms fighting for supremacy, the Chalukyas emerged triumphant after defeating the early Rashtrakūtas,' and then forced the other small powers to rally around them, thus justifying in letter and spirit the concept of Mātsyanyāya. The rulers of this dynasty strove their best to bring about political unity in that part of the country. They never compromised with their set ideal of Ekarāta and continuously struggled for the attainment of their mission of supremacy. They were opposed, challenged, and sometimes also beaten back, bat even then they were able to establish an empire in the Deccan and thus justified the coveted title of Dakshināpathapati, which they assumed. They also measured strength with the rulers of the North, and even Harshavardhana, called Uttarāpathanátha, failed to have an upper hand over Pulakesin 11.' The Chālukyas of Badami were eventually successful in uniting major portions of South India between the two Seas. Their metropolis was Vāțāpi, a city of Pauranic antiquity, now known as Badami, in the Bijapur district of Karṇātaka.
This was the beginning of a glorious reign in which the Chalukyas defeated everyone in the Deccan and the rest of Southern India. Pulakeshin defeated the Kadambas, the Gangas, the Alupas, the Vishnukundins, the Latas, the Gurjaras, the Malawas, and most notably, the Pallavas who were the perennial foes of the empire. Pulakeshin’s victories earned him great fame and the Chinese traveler Hieun Tsang who visited his court was greatly impressed by the regal city of Badami.
Hiuen Tsang has described Pulakeshin as a
man of farsighted resource and astuteness who extends kindness to all.
But Pulakeshin’s most famous moment came when he met Harshavardhana of Kannauj or Kanyakubja as it was known back then in the battlefield on the banks of the Narmada. Harsha had been invincible till then and had never lost a battle. Pulakeshin’s Northern expansion attracted Harsha’s attention. Despite the numerical disadvantage, the Chalukyas emerged victoriously. Harsha was defeated and a treaty was signed between the two.
Pulakeshin assumed the title of Parameshwara, Satyashraya, Prithvivallabha, Dakshinapatheshwara after this famous victory. Harsha went back to his capital after this incident. The treaty signed between the two meant that the Narmada became the boundary between Harsha’s empire and the Chalukya empire.
This is what happens when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object
can aptly describe the encounter between Harsha & Pulakeshin. An aging Pulakeshin again invaded the Pallavas in the hope of replenishing the depleting Chalukya treasury. This time, however, the Pallavas who were led by Narasimhavarman were able to reverse their earlier defeats and emerge victoriously. Encouraged by this victory, Narasimhavarman went all the way to Badami and met Pulakeshin in the Chalukyan capital city.
