History of Kanauj to the Moslem Conquest c11.215

c11.215

The pilgrim's account of this clash between the two great rivals is remarkably confirmed by the testimony of the Cālukya inscriptions also. The Aihole Meguti inscription of A. D. 634, containing a description of Pulakeśi's exploits, refers to the event as follows: "Envious because his troops of mighty elephants were slain in war, Harṣa, whose lotuses, which were his feet, were covered with the rays of the jewels of the chiefs that were nourished by his immeasurable power . . . . . was caused by him to have his joy melted away by fear."⁴ Further references to the same event occur in the Nirpan,¹ Karnul,² and Togarcedu grants,³ which testify that the Cālukya monarch acquired the title of "Parameśvara" or "supreme lord" by defeating Harṣavardhana "the warlike lord of all the region of the north" (Sakalottarāpathanātha).⁴ This reverse was perhaps due not only to the proud spirit and warlike character of the Mahrattas, but also to Pulakeśi's superior and carefully equipped troops—cavalry and elephants. It may be interesting to note in passing that his was the first great military achievement of the South against a northern power; and henceforth history will present examples of southern potentates, like the Rāṣṭrakūṭa Indra III, carrying their arms northwards and bringing destruction on Kanauj.