On the Day of lunar eclipse 1,402 years ago, in 619AD, Pulakeshin II, ruler of the Chalukya dynasty, asked for a copperplate inscription that would eulogise his victory over Emperor Harshvardhana, ruler of the Vardhana dynasty.
Context
On the Day of lunar eclipse 1,402 years ago, in 619AD, Pulakeshin II, ruler of the Chalukya dynasty, asked for a copperplate inscription that would eulogise his victory over Emperor Harshvardhana, ruler of the Vardhana dynasty.
About the Inscriptions
- Researchers from the Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute (BORI), which houses South Asia’s largest collection of manuscripts and rare texts, claim to have fixed the date of Emperor Harshavardhan’s defeat to the Chalukya King Pulakeshin II by decoding a copper plate, owned by Mumbai-based Raghuveer Pai.
- It was believed that the battle occurred sometime between 612 AD and 634 AD. But now, thanks to this new copper plate, it can be ascertained definitively to have taken place in619 AD.
- The plate is also useful in fixing the details of the coronation of Pulakeshi II in 610-611 AD.
- The plate further records the grant of 50 ‘nivarthanas’ (a unit of land) by Pulakeshin from the village Brahmana-Vataviya (in modern-day Paithan Taluka of Aurangabad) to a Vedic scholar, Nagasharma.
About the war
- Pulakeshin, who ruled from the Chalukyan capital of Badami, challenged Harsha’s conquests.
- The former had established himself as ‘lord paramount’ of the south, as Harsha had of the north.
- Unwilling to tolerate the existence of a powerful rival in the south, Harsha had marched from Kanauj with a huge force, but got defeated.
- Such was Pulakeshin’s efficiency in guarding the passes of the Narmada that Harsha was compelled to accept the river as the demarcation and retire from the battlefield after losing most of his elephant force.
The Chalukyas of Badami
- The Chalukyas were a great power in southern India between 6th and 8th century A.D. Pulakesin I, the first great ruler of this dynasty ascended the throne in 540 A.D. and having made many splendid victories, established a mighty empire.
- His sons Kirtivarman and Mangalesa further extended the kingdom by waging many successful wars against the neighbours including the Mauryans of the Konkans.
- Pulakesin II, the son of Kirtivarman, was one of the greatest rulers of the Chalukya dynasty. He ruled for almost 34 years.
- In this long reign, he consolidated his authority in Maharashtra and conquered large parts of the Deccan.
- His greatest achievement was his victory in the defensive war against Harshavardhana.
- However, he was defeated and killed by the Pallav king Narasimhavarman in 642 A.D.
Harshavardhana
- With the commencement of the 7th century, Harshavardhana (606-647 A.D.) ascended the throne of Thaneshwar and Kannauj on the death of his brother, Rajyavardhana.
- By 612 A.D., Harshavardhana consolidated his kingdom in northern India.
- Harshavardhana is well known for his religious toleration, able administration and diplomatic relations.
- He maintained diplomatic relations with China and sent envoys, who exchanged ideas of the Chinese rulers and developed their knowledge about each other.
- The Chinese traveller, Hiuen Tsang, who visited India during his reign, has given a vivid description of the social, economic and religious conditions, under the rule of Harsha spoke highly of the king.
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