A History of South India from Prehistoric Times to the Fall of Vijayanagar c13.13

c13.13

Pulakeśin's ambition prompted him to undertake another expedition against the Pallavas in the hope of achieving more decisive results. Mahendravarman had quitted the stage and his son Narasimhavarman I Mahāmalla (630-68) had begun his rule. Pulakeśin began his campaign by an attack on the Bānas who were ruling in Rayalaseema as feudatories of the Pallavas. After overrunning their kingdom he invaded the Pallava territory proper and once more threatened the capital. But Narasimhavarman defeated the Chālukyas in several battles including one at Manimangala about 20 miles to the east of Kānchipuram. In these battles Narasimha was ably assisted by a Ceylonese prince, Mānavarma, whom he afterwards helped to gain the throne of Ceylon. Pulakeśin's expedition was thus a failure and was soon followed by terrible retribution. Narasimhavarman, encouraged by his successes, invaded the Chālukya country in force and, rapidly advancing to the capital, Bādāmi, made himself master of the city and its fortress. Pulakeśin II must have fallen fighting, and following upon his death his kingdom was threatened with disruption. Narasimha's occupation of the Chālukya capital is attested to by his title Vātāpikonda and by an inscription engraved on a rock behind the temple of Mallikārjunadeva in Bādāmi during the thirteenth year of his reign.