Name Pulakeshin I | ||
Biography of Pulakeshin II, Life & career of one of the Greatest King of Chalukya Dynasty, Part 1
Pulakeshin I (IAST: Pulakeśin), also spelt Pulakesi I and Pulikeshi I, was a monarch from the Chalukya dynasty in the western Deccan region of India. His descendants ruled over an empire that comprised the entire state of Karnataka and most of Andhra Pradesh. Pulakeshin overthrew the Kadambas to establish the Chalukya kingdom. He had the titles Satyashraya, Vallabha and Dharmamaharaja.
Contents
- Biography of Pulakeshin II Life career of one of the Greatest King of Chalukya Dynasty Part 1
- Predecessors
- Establishment of Chalukya kingdom
- Extent of kingdom
- Titles
- References
Predecessors
The Chalukya records mention two early chiefs of the family, Jayasimha Vallabha (500–520) and his son, Ranaranga (520–540). They must have been petty chiefs under the Kadambas, but we know little about their activities and achievements.
Establishment of Chalukya kingdom
Pulakeshin I was Ranaranga's son. He earned the distinction of being the first independent King and the real founder of the Chalukya dynasty. He successfully defied the waning power of the Kadambas and proclaimed the Chalukyan independence. He chose Badami (Vatapi) as his capital and constructed a strong hill fortress there. The new fortress stood on the indefensible location surrounded by rivers and steep mountains.
Pulakeshin performed sacrifices like Asvamedha, Hiranyagarbha, Agnistoma, Vajapeya, Bahusuvarna and Paundarika. These details are provided by his Badami Cliff inscription dated Saka 565 (543 CE).55
Extent of kingdom
At the time of Pulakeshin I the Chalukyan kingdom did not extend much beyond the immediate vicinities of Badami. However his conquests pushed the borders of the empire outward from that core. He annexed the kingdom of Vakataka and expanded to the west coast of Karnataka giving him access to the valuable Arabian Sea trade routes.
Titles
Pulakeshin assumed titles like Vallabha, Dharma Maharaja, Satyashraya, Ranavikrama and so on. Inscriptions compare him with such mythical heroes as Yayati and Dilipa. His wife was Durlabhadevi of Bappura family.
Pulakeshin was succeeded by his son Kirtivarman I (566–597).