The Dynasties of the Kanarese Districts of the Bombay Presidency from the Earliest Historical Times to the Musalman Conquest c8.s3.252

c8.s3.252

Pulakesi, the son of Kirtivarman, succeeded. His full title was Satyashraya Sri Prithvi-Vallabha Maharaja. From a copper-plate⁴ grant executed in the third year of his reign and in 535 S'aka, he appears to have come to the throne in 533 S'aka or A.D. 611. After Mangalîsa's death, the enemies whom his valour had kept in subjection rose on all sides. A prince of the name of Appâyika and another named Govinda who very probably belonged to the Râshtrakûta race, since that name occurs frequently in the genealogy of that family, attacked the new Châlukya king. The former, who had horses from the northern seas in his army, fled away in fear when opposed by the powerful forces of Pulakesî, and the latter surrendered to him and becoming his ally was received into favour and rewarded.¹ He then turned his arms against the Kadambas, attacked Banavâsî, their capital, and reduced it. The prince of the Ganga family which ruled over the Chera² country situated about the modern province of Maisur, and the head of the Alupa³ race which probably held the province of Malabâr, became his allies. He then sent his forces against the Mauryas of the Konkan, who were vanquished without any difficulty. With a fleet of hundreds of ships he attacked Purî,⁴ which was the mistress of the western sea, and reduced it. The kings of Lâta, Mâlava, and Gûrjara were conquered and became his dependents. About this time, there was a powerful monarch in Northern India whose name was Harshavardhana. He was king of Kanoj, but in the course of time made himself the paramount sovereign of the north. He then endeavoured to extend his power to the south of the Narmadâ, but was opposed by Pulakesî, who killed many of his elephauts and defeated his army. Thenceforward, Pulakesî received or assumed the title of Paramesvara or lord paramount. This achievement was by the later kings of the dynasty considered the most important, and that alone is mentioned in their copper-plate grants in the description of Pulakesî II. Pulakesî appears to have kept a strong force on the banks of the Narmadâ to guard the frontiers. Thus, by his policy as well as valour, he became the supreme lord of the three countries called Mahârâshtrakas containing ninety-nine thousand villages. The kings of Kosala and Kalinga⁵ trembled at his approach and surrendered to him. After some time he marched with a large army against the king of Kâñchîpura or Conjeveram and laid siege to the town. He then crossed the Kâverî and invaded the country of the Cholas, the Pândyas, and the Keralas. But these appear to have become his allies. After having in this manner established his supremacy throughout the south, he entered his capital and reigned in peace. The date of the inscription from which the greater Hwan Thsang’s account.