The Lost Kings of India – Part I: Pulakeshin II – The Deccan Defender Who Stood Tall Against the North
-Arushi Kastwar
Whenever we talk of India’s great mythological rulers, the limelight tends to rest on names such as Ashoka, Akbar, or Chandragupta Maurya. But amidst the Deccan heartland, at an era when power was scattered and empires rose and fell in a flash, there emerged a king who refused to follow suit and forge his own path—Pulakeshin II, the lion-hearted Chalukya ruler.
From the red sandstone cliffs of Badami to the wide expanse of the Narmada River, his story is carved into stone inscriptions, temple walls, and the crumbling echoes of Sanskrit verses. He was the king who stopped the progress of Harshavardhana, unified an empire in peninsular India, and left a cultural heritage that testifies to this day. But his is a story we don’t hear often.
Let’s travel back to the 7th century CE and discover the remarkable life and legacy of Pulakeshin II, one of India’s greatest—yet overlooked—kings.
A Kingdom on the Rise: The Early Chalukyas
The Chalukya dynasty, which ruled much of south and central India between the 6th and 8th centuries CE, had its capital at Vatapi (modern-day Badami). Pulakeshin II’s grandfather, Pulakeshin I, had founded the dynasty, and his father, Kirtivarman I, expanded its reach. But by the time Pulakeshin II came of age, the throne was contested.
When his father passed away, the throne was usurped by Pulakeshin’s uncle, Mangalesha, and this led to a battle for succession. But Pulakeshin—youthful, brilliant, and war-hardened—overpowered Mangalesha in a Shakespearean struggle within and occupied the throne in 610 CE. His takeover ushered in a new epoch in Deccan history.
An Empire Forged Through Battle
Pulakeshin II was not a king satisfied with just defending his kingdom—he was an expansionist with vision. Once on the throne, he initiated a series of well-conceived military campaigns that significantly expanded the extent of the Chalukya empire.
Westward and Southward, he overpowered the Alupas, Kadambas, and Mauryas of Konkan.
To the east, he battled the Telugu-speaking area of Vengi. There, rather than conquest, he did something truly statesmanlike: he appointed his brother, Kubja Vishnuvardhana, to rule there. This sowed the seed of the Eastern Chalukyas, which would go on to shape the course of Indian history for many centuries.
In the Tamil lands, he engaged and defeated Pallava king Mahendravarman I, even advancing up to the Pallava capital, Kanchipuram. It was a bold move—moving deep into the enemy’s lands and coming out on top.
Each campaign brought new lands, vassals, and treasure to his court, and his expanding empire spanned from the Arabian Sea to the Bay of Bengal.
The Showdown at the Narmada: Pulakeshin vs Harsha
Perhaps the most legendary moment of Pulakeshin II’s reign was his clash with Harshavardhana, the emperor of north India.
Harsha had unified a massive stretch of northern India—from Bengal to Punjab—and now turned his eyes southward. But he encountered a defiant wall: Pulakeshin II.
The two titans clashed along the banks of the Narmada River, the symbolic demarcation of north and south. Few facts are known of the battle itself, but Pulakeshin defeated Harsha and stopped him in his tracks at the gates of the Deccan. This was more than a battlefield victory—it was a geopolitical coup d’etat that secured southern India’s independence for centuries to come.
The victory is immortalized in the Aihole inscription, a masterfully crafted Sanskrit text composed by the court poet Ravikirti. It describes Pulakeshin as the “repeller of Harsha’s pride” and celebrates his conquests with poetic flair.
A King in Global Conversations: Diplomacy and Foreign Recognition
Pulakeshin II’s fame wasn’t limited to Indian shores.
The Chinese Buddhist pilgrim Xuanzang, who visited India during this era, noted the prosperity and administrative efficiency of Pulakeshin’s kingdom.
Even more stunningly, the Sassanid king of Persia, Khosrow II, dispatched an envoy to the court of Pulakeshin—a rare and noble gesture of diplomacy. It testifies that the reputation of Pulakeshin extended as far as West Asia, a witness to his international profile.
The Chalukya court under Pulakeshin was not merely an institution of authority—it was also an institution of art, learning, and diplomacy.
Cultural Contributions and Temple Building
The reign of Pulakeshin II saw a burst of temple construction, sculpture, and architectural innovation that would characterise an entire style: Early Chalukyan architecture.
He supported the construction of temples in Badami, Aihole, Pattadakal, and the surrounding area. The temples, made of red sandstone and decorated with detailed carvings, are regarded as among the earliest forms of Hindu temple architecture to be found in southern India. They blend Nagara (north Indian) and Dravidian (south Indian) styles, which indicate the syncretic culture of the Deccan.
Religion bloomed under Pulakeshin’s reign. Though a votary of Vishnu, his court patronized Shaivism, Jainism, and Buddhism as well. Religious diversity was not only accepted but also nurtured.
Governance and Administration
Outside the temple walls and battlefield, Pulakeshin was also a clever administrator.
He organized his empire into provinces, each ruled by trusted subordinates or kinsmen.
Trade routes were established across the Deccan, linking his kingdom to sea ports, which increased trade with Arabia and Southeast Asia.
Local administration was promoted through assemblies and councils, which made room for regional voices to flourish under a wider imperial structure.
These policies guaranteed stability, prosperity, and allegiance throughout a culturally diverse kingdom.
The Fall of Vatapi and the End of an Era
Though his early success, the later years of Pulakeshin’s rule were turbulent. The Pallavas, stung by their previous defeat, rallied behind a dynamic new leader—Narasimhavarman I, son of Mahendravarman.
With a forceful counterattack, Narasimhavarman defeated Chalukya troops and eventually captured Vatapi itself circa 642 CE. It is generally accepted that Pulakeshin II perished in this battle, perhaps fighting for his capital in its last stand.
Despite a brief occupation of Vatapi by the Pallavas, the Chalukyas were far from finished. Pulakeshin’s successor, Vikramaditya I, son of Pulakeshin, later reconquered the city and set the dynasty’s fortunes again.
The Legacy of Pulakeshin II
Why is Pulakeshin II one of the greatest—if not the least celebrated—leaders of early medieval India?
He united a great Deccan empire and formed one of south India’s most stable dynasties.
He monitored the growth of a dominant northern empire, maintaining the independence of the south.
He was a temple, city, and institution builder, fostering a distinct architectural and cultural identity.
He envisioned beyond India, interacting with Persia and embracing global engagements.
He inspired generations of Chalukyas and South Indian kings, providing the foundation for the Rashtrakutas and Cholas.
Even centuries after his rule, his name would be called as a symbol of courage, power, and Deccan pride.
Conclusion: Pulakeshin II and the Echoes of Forgotten Glory
In a world fixated on the empires of the north, Pulakeshin II reminds us that India’s soul is not whole without the tales of its southern kings. He resisted aggression with firmness, brought prosperity to his people, and bestowed on the Deccan its golden age.
As we kick off this series about the Lost Kings of India, Pulakeshin II is not only a chapter but a cornerstone—a king whose sword protected the south, and whose intellect shaped an empire.
Watch out for the next installment of the series: Danti Durga, the founder of Rashtrakutas, who rose from Pulakeshin’s ashes to construct a new empire on the foundations of the previous one.
