Chalukyas & Rashtrakutas | History for UPSC 2024 (Pre & Mains) PDF Download

 Page 1


South Indian Kingdoms
CHALUKYAS AND RASHTRAKUTAS
Page 2


South Indian Kingdoms
CHALUKYAS AND RASHTRAKUTAS
Chronology and Geography
543 C.E. to 755 C.E. 275 C.E. to 897 C.E.
Page 3


South Indian Kingdoms
CHALUKYAS AND RASHTRAKUTAS
Chronology and Geography
543 C.E. to 755 C.E. 275 C.E. to 897 C.E.
Chalukyas (543 – 755 C.E.)
Chalukyan dynasty ruled over south and central India from 6
th
to the 12
th
century.
They ruled as three related yet individual dynasties.
The earliest dynasty known as Chalukyas of Badami ruled from Vatapi as their capital. The Badami Chalukyas ruled 
over an extensive area in the Deccan for about two centuries.
Pulakesin I was the founder of the Chalukya dynasty. He established a small kingdom with Vatapi or Badami as its 
capital.
Pulakesin II (608-642 C.E.) He was the most important ruler of this dynasty
? He put a check to the ambition of Harsha to conquer the south.
? He suffered a humiliating defeat at the hands of Narasimhavarman I near Kanchi. Subsequently, the Chalukya capital Vatapi
was captured and destroyed by the Pallavas. 
? The most important event in the reign of Pulakesin II was the visit of Hiuen Tsang to his kingdom.
? The Aihole inscription issued by him gives the details of his reign.
Vikramaditya I, his son and successor, once again consolidated the Chalukya kingdom and plundered the Pallava
capital, Kanchi. He took the title "Rajamalla" (literally "Sovereign of the Mallas" or Pallavas)
Vikramaditya II’s wife got the Virupaksha Temple made at Pattadakal
Kirtivarman II was the last of the rulers of the Badami Chalukyas. He was defeated by Dantidurga, the founder of 
the Rashtrakuta dynasty, in 753 CE.
Page 4


South Indian Kingdoms
CHALUKYAS AND RASHTRAKUTAS
Chronology and Geography
543 C.E. to 755 C.E. 275 C.E. to 897 C.E.
Chalukyas (543 – 755 C.E.)
Chalukyan dynasty ruled over south and central India from 6
th
to the 12
th
century.
They ruled as three related yet individual dynasties.
The earliest dynasty known as Chalukyas of Badami ruled from Vatapi as their capital. The Badami Chalukyas ruled 
over an extensive area in the Deccan for about two centuries.
Pulakesin I was the founder of the Chalukya dynasty. He established a small kingdom with Vatapi or Badami as its 
capital.
Pulakesin II (608-642 C.E.) He was the most important ruler of this dynasty
? He put a check to the ambition of Harsha to conquer the south.
? He suffered a humiliating defeat at the hands of Narasimhavarman I near Kanchi. Subsequently, the Chalukya capital Vatapi
was captured and destroyed by the Pallavas. 
? The most important event in the reign of Pulakesin II was the visit of Hiuen Tsang to his kingdom.
? The Aihole inscription issued by him gives the details of his reign.
Vikramaditya I, his son and successor, once again consolidated the Chalukya kingdom and plundered the Pallava
capital, Kanchi. He took the title "Rajamalla" (literally "Sovereign of the Mallas" or Pallavas)
Vikramaditya II’s wife got the Virupaksha Temple made at Pattadakal
Kirtivarman II was the last of the rulers of the Badami Chalukyas. He was defeated by Dantidurga, the founder of 
the Rashtrakuta dynasty, in 753 CE.
Eastern Chalukyas
After the death of Pulakeshin II, the Eastern Chalukyas became an independent kingdom in the 
eastern Deccan. They ruled from Vengi until about the 11
th
century.
Page 5


South Indian Kingdoms
CHALUKYAS AND RASHTRAKUTAS
Chronology and Geography
543 C.E. to 755 C.E. 275 C.E. to 897 C.E.
Chalukyas (543 – 755 C.E.)
Chalukyan dynasty ruled over south and central India from 6
th
to the 12
th
century.
They ruled as three related yet individual dynasties.
The earliest dynasty known as Chalukyas of Badami ruled from Vatapi as their capital. The Badami Chalukyas ruled 
over an extensive area in the Deccan for about two centuries.
Pulakesin I was the founder of the Chalukya dynasty. He established a small kingdom with Vatapi or Badami as its 
capital.
Pulakesin II (608-642 C.E.) He was the most important ruler of this dynasty
? He put a check to the ambition of Harsha to conquer the south.
? He suffered a humiliating defeat at the hands of Narasimhavarman I near Kanchi. Subsequently, the Chalukya capital Vatapi
was captured and destroyed by the Pallavas. 
? The most important event in the reign of Pulakesin II was the visit of Hiuen Tsang to his kingdom.
? The Aihole inscription issued by him gives the details of his reign.
Vikramaditya I, his son and successor, once again consolidated the Chalukya kingdom and plundered the Pallava
capital, Kanchi. He took the title "Rajamalla" (literally "Sovereign of the Mallas" or Pallavas)
Vikramaditya II’s wife got the Virupaksha Temple made at Pattadakal
Kirtivarman II was the last of the rulers of the Badami Chalukyas. He was defeated by Dantidurga, the founder of 
the Rashtrakuta dynasty, in 753 CE.
Eastern Chalukyas
After the death of Pulakeshin II, the Eastern Chalukyas became an independent kingdom in the 
eastern Deccan. They ruled from Vengi until about the 11
th
century.
Western Chalukyas
In the western Deccan, the rise of the Rashtrakutas in the middle of the 8th century eclipsed the 
Chalukyas of Badami before being revived by their descendants, the Western Chalukyas, in the 
late 10
th
century. These Western Chalukyas ruled from Kalyani (modern Basavakalyan) until the 
end of the 12
th
century.