| Pulakeshi II | |
|---|---|
| Karnataka Kulatilaka Satyashraya Shri-prithvi-vallabha Bhattaraka Maharajadhiraja Parameshvara Karnatakeshwara[1] | |
| Chalukya Emperor | |
| Reign | c. 610 – c. 642 CE |
| Predecessor | Mangalesha |
| Successor | Adityavarman |
| Issue | Adityavarman Chandraditya Ranaragha-varman Vikramaditya I Dharashraya Jayasimhavarman |
| Dynasty | Chalukyas of Vatapi |
| Father | Kirttivarman I |
| Religion | Vaishnavism[2] |
| Chalukya dynasties |
|---|
Pulakeshi II (IAST: Pulakeśhi r. c. 610–642 CE) popularly known as Immaḍi Pulakeśi, was the greatest Chalukyan Emperor who reigned from Vatapi (present-day Badami in Karnataka, India). During his reign, the Chalukya empire expanded to cover most of the Deccan region in peninsular India.
A son of the Chalukya monarch Kirttivarman I, Pulakeshin overthrew his uncle Mangalesha to gain control of the throne. He suppressed a rebellion by Appayika and Govinda, and decisively defeated the Kadambas of Banavasi in the south. The Alupas and the Gangas of Talakadu recognized his suzerainty. He consolidated the Chalukya control over the western coast by subjugating the Mauryas of Konkana. His Aihole inscription also credits him with subjugating the Latas, the Malavas, and the Gurjaras in the north.
The most notable military achievement of Pulakeshin was his victory over the powerful northern emperor Harshavardhana, whose failure to conquer the Chalukyan territories to the south is attested by the Chinese pilgrim Xuanzang. In the east, Pulakeshin subjugated the rulers of Dakshina Kosala and Kalinga. After defeating the Vishnukundina monarch, he appointed his brother Vishnu-vardhana as the governor of eastern Deccan; this brother later established the independent Eastern Chalukya dynasty of Vengi. Pulakeshin also achieved some successes against the Pallavas in the south, but was ultimately defeated during an invasion by the Pallava monarch Narasimhavarman I.
Pulakeshi was a Jaina, but was tolerant of other faiths, including Shaivite Hinduism, Buddhism, and Vaishnavite Hinduism. He patronized several Jaina scholars, including Ravikirtti, who composed his Aihole inscription.[3]
The Western Chalukyas of Vatapi, Pulkesin II and Vikramaditya I, were also great patrons of Vaishnavism.
Pulkesin II patronized the Jaina temple at Aihole, an event immortalized by the poet Ravikirti in an inscription from that place.
Jainism had a considerable vogue and was much respected. Ravikirtti, who built a stone temple to Jina at Ahiole, claims to have enlisted the particular favour of Pulakesin II for his enterprise and thus made the temple the abode of all excellence ( bhavanam mahimnam).
The Jain religion seems to have enjoyed considerable patronage at the hands of the Early Chalukyas. Thus Pulakesin II patronised a certain Jain poet Ravikirti.