Best viewed with
Internet Explorer (IE) 4
and higher.
Site optimized for IE 5.0.

Successors of Pulakesi II:
The credit of retrieving the fallen fortunes of the Chalukyas' dynasty goes to Vikramaaditya I (C. 655-681 A. D.). He successfully brought an end to the Pallava occupation of Badami, which had lasted for a painfully long period of thirteen years. His Hyderabad Grant informs us that he fought against three generations of the Pallava Kings - Narasimha Varma I, Mahendra Varma II and Parameshwar Varma I. The Chalukya ruler is said to have made deep incursions into the Pallava territory, camping at Malliyur near Kanchi in 670 A. D. and Uragapura (Uraiyur) in 674 A. D. The Pallava records, however, speak of the defeat of the Chalukyas. In his campaigns against the Pallavas Vikramaaditya was ably assisted by the Ganga ruler Bhuvikrama.

Vikramaaditya I was succeeded by his Vinayaditya (C 681 - 696 A. D.). He is credited with victories over Kavera, Parasika and Simhala Kings. He is said to have sent an expedition to North India, under crown prince Vijayaditya Though the Chalukyas won a victory Vijayaditya appears to have been taken captive by the enemy, Vinayaditya died of sorrow over his son's' captivity. The Epigraphs state that Vijayaditya escaped from the prison, returned to the south to ascend the Chalukya throne.

Vijayaditya (C. 696-733 A. D.) had a long rule. He fought against the Pallavas and extracted tributes from Parameshwar Varma V. The Pandyas who laid siege on Mangalore were repulsed by the Alupa Chief, Chitravahana, who was the brother-in-law of the Chalukya ruler. These incidents apart, Vijayaditya's long reign was peaceful. His son and successor was Vikramaaditya II (C. 733-745 A. D.)

During his reign an Arab attempt to penetrate into the Deccan was thwarted by Avanijanashraya Pulakesi, the Chalukya governor of Lata. Vikramaaditya fought against the Pallavas whose capital Kanchi he captured. The old scores were now settled, and the wheel had come full circle. His Victory was commemorated in an inscription on one of the pillars of the Kailasanatha temple at Kanchi.

To his eternal credit one must say that he did not plunder or destroy the city of his enemy, which makes his conquest all the more edifying. From this height of glory the crash came with starting suddenness. Dantidurga, the powerful Rashtrakuta chief, defied Vikramaditya's son Kirtivarma II (C -745 - 757 A. D.). The worse followed soon after. Dantidurga's son Krishna I finally defeated and overthrew him, thus bringing down the curtain on the illustrious ruling family.

Administration:
The Chalukyas inherited he administrative tradition of the Kadambas. The imperial status of the ruler must have received an upgrading during this period, as the Chalukyan emperors called themselves Maharajadhirajas and assumed other impressive titles like Parameshwar and Paramabhattaraka.

Though the King was supposed to be the fountain of all authority, his power was, in effect, regulated by religious injunctions, moral checks and also by the fact that the Chalukya administration was based on "the sound principles of imperial system of the federal nature, prevalent during the period since the age of the Gupta monarchs". For, the various territorial divisions in the empire, administered by the governors and feudatories, enjoyed a considerable degree of autonomy. The King was assisted by miniseries, and the Aihole inscription speaks of mantrashakti, or good counsel, as a part of the royal authority. The Queen and the Yuvaraja could also play a vital role in the administration.

For administrative convenience the Kingdom was divided into territorial divisions such as Vishayas, Rashtras, Bhoga Kampanas and gramas. The King appointed his Kinsmen as provincial governors. Women too sometimes held such high position. The Gavunda was the executive head of the village, and he was the head of the village assembly.

According to Dr. A. V. Venkataratnam, there is no evidence of the division of the village council into sub-committees, nor do we come across the system of election. The administration of the towns and cities was in charge of Puttanaswamis or Pattanasettis.

The corporate life of the period was immensely enriched by several flourishing guilds. The famous merchant guild called the Five Hundred Swamis of Ayyavole is said to have originated in the Chalukya period. The Administration of justice was basically a local responsibility, though the King was the highest court of appeal.

The rulers seemed to take great care in organizing the army, which at times gained a reputation for invincibility. They also developed the navy, which won some proud laurels during the reigns of Mangalesa and Pulakeshi II.

to be continued...

Arthikaje
Mangalore.