Ancient History / Post-Guptan Era
Badami Chalukyas Art and Architecture
Badami Chalukyas are also called Chalukyas of Vatapi. Pulakesi I is the founder of Chalukya dynasty of Badami. Badami Chalukya architecture
is known for developing Vesara style of temple architecture.
Pulakeshin II was the third king of this dynasty and he was contemporary to Harshavardhana of Pushyabhuti dynasty.
He is the greatest king of this dynasty. There were more than 20 Chalukya dynasties ruling over India but were not connected to one
another. So, we call different Chalukyas with their capital name.
Pulakeshin II or Pulakesi II
- The Aihole inscription in Karnataka was written by Ravikirti, an officer of Pulakeshin II. It is written on the walls of a Jain temple.
In Aihole inscription, it is written that Sakalottara Padeeshwara (Harshavardhana) was defeated. It also mentioned about the shifting of the capital of
Chalukyas to Badami from Aihole by Pulakesi II.
- Pulakesi II conquered entire coastal Andhra Pradesh which included Vishnukundina and Rana Durjaya dynasties. He created a new province with Vengi as its
capital. His own brother Kubja Vishnuvardhana was made the Governor there.
After some time, Kubja Vishnuvardhana cut off from Badami Chalukyas
and declared an independent kingdom, named Vengi Chalukyas (or Eastern Chalukyas). The independent kingdom was ruled for 4 and half centuries by the
Vengi Chalukyas.
- Pulakeshin II invaded Pallava kingdom twice. He invaded for the first time in 617-18 AD
in Pullalur war. At this time, Pallava king Mahendravarman I was defeated. Many northern parts of Pallava kingdom were annexed to Badami Chalukya empire.
In 642 AD, for the second time he invaded the Pallava kingdom at Manimangala, the present day Manimangalam. In the battle of Manimangalam,
Narasimhavarman I, the most powerful king of Pallavas defeated Pulakeshin II.
Pulakesin II escaped from the battle and ran away to Vatapi.
Narasimhavarman I chased up to Vatapi and captured and killed Pulakesin II. It is with the victory of Manimangalam war, Narasimhavarman I, who assumed the
title Vatapikonda.
- After that Vikramaditya I, son of Pulakeshin II, came to power. During his reign, Kanchi was destroyed thrice.
When the last ruler of Chalukya dynasty of Badami, Kirtivarman II ascended the throne, around 755 AD one of the governors named Dantidurga killed
Kirtivarman II and founded a new dynasty called Rashtrakuta dynasty.
Badami Chalukya Architecture
Badami Chalukya Architecture has various styles. They built temples in Dravidian style, Nagara style of architecture and developed a new style called
Vesara style of architecture (Deccan style).