Indian Epigraphy c6.s4.3

c6.s4.3

As already indicated above, from the early medieval period, inscriptions of the imperial families generally incorporated a historical account of the particular dynasties from their foundation down to the date of the records. The Aihole inscription of 634 A.D. gives a fairly clear and trustworthy, if not satisfactorily elaborate, account of the rise and early history of the Cālukyas of Bādāmi covering a period of about one century. The story begins with Jayasiṃha-vallabha, founder of the Cālukya dynasty, and his son Raṇarāga. Raṇarāga’s son Pulakeśin I, who made Vātāpipurī his capital, established the greatness of the family by performing an Aśvamedha sacrifice. His son and successor Kirtivarman I subdued neighbouring powers like the Nalas, Mauryas and Kadambas. He was succeeded by his younger brother Maṅgaleśa who extended his power in the north by conquering Revatidvīpa and defeating the Kalacuri king Buddharāja. His attempt to appoint his own son as his successor led to a civil war between the king and his nephew Pulakeśin II, son of Kīrtivarman I. The whole kingdom fell into a chaotic condition; but ultimately Pulakeśin II succeeded in killing his uncle and gaining the throne. Soon after his accession, Pulakeśin II had to face the invading forces of Appāyika and Govinda who had reached as far as the northern bank of the Bhīmarathī. He succeeded in winning over Govinda and driving out Appāyika. Next, in the south, he subdued the Kadambas of Vanavāsī on the Varadā and their neighbours like the Gaṅgas and Āḷupas and, in the north, the Lāṭas, Mālavas and Gurjaras. Then he defeated Harṣa in the region of the Revā (Narmadā) and became the undisputed lord of the three Mahārāṣṭras. Later, in the course of a digvijaya in the east, he subdued [South] Kosala and Kaliṅga, conquered Piṣṭapura and Lake Kuṇāla and defeated the Pallava king of Kāñcī. He next crossed the Kāverī, made friends with the Coḷas, Pāṇḍyas and Keralas, and defeated the Pallavas once again before his return to Vātāpi.