The history of the Chalukya dynasty of Vatapi for about thirteen years after the defeat and death of Pulakeshin II around AD 642-43 is covered with ambiguity and uncertainty. In this interval, only one inscription has been found from Vatapi, which is of the 13th year (642-43 AD) of the Pallava king Narasimhavarman I. In fact, after Pulakeshin II, there was a political disorder in the Chalukya kingdom and some other southern provinces including Vatapi were taken over by the Pallavas. Taking advantage of this anarchy of the Chalukya state, the regions of Bellary, Nellore, Cuddapah and Anantapur were separated from the Chalukya kingdom. The Chalukya feudatory of Lat became independent of Vijayaraja. This is confirmed by the Kaira Danpatra issued by him in 643 AD, in which the Kalachuri era has been used and there is no mention of the Chalukya emperor. Pulakeshin had appointed Vijayraj as the feudatories of the lot. Similarly, the Sendrak prince Prithvivallabha Nikumbhallasakti also declared his independence, while Sendrak had been a vassal of the Chalukyas from the time of Kirttivarma.
One of the reasons for the dark period of Chalukya history was probably the mutual struggle for power between the sons of Pulakeshin II. In the inscriptions and some literary sources, information about six sons of Pulakeshin II is found - Adityavarman , Vikramaditya I, Chandraditya, Jayasinghavarman, Nemari and Ranragavarman .
It is known from the inscriptions that after the death of Pulakeshin II, an atmosphere of political instability and unrest prevailed in the Chalukya state. A visiting account from Aihole indicates that Pulakeshin II had nominated Vikramaditya I as his successor before his death. But some inscriptions mention two other sons of Pulakeshin, Adityavarman and Chandraditya, as kings. In the writings of Adityavarman obtained from Karlur, his independent titles - Maharajadhiraj, Parameshwara etc. But in the end, Vikramaditya I, with the help of his maternal grandfather, Ganga King Durviniti, not only defeated the Pallava ruler Narasimhavarman and freed his capital Badami from Pallava suzerainty, but also ended the struggle for royalty by occupying the throne of Badami.
Vikramaditya Pratham , 655-681 AD (Vikramaditya I, 655-681 AD)
Vikramaditya I was the son of Pulakeshin II, who was nominated by his father to be his successor before his death (Tatpadpadyopashrayaprasado Patashreemahimabhagi , But after the defeat and death of Pulakeshin II, chaos and disorder prevailed in the Chalukya kingdom. Vikramaditya I was successful in capturing the throne of Badami in 655 AD with the help of his maternal grandfather, Gangnaresh Durvinit.
Vikramaditya I seems to have defeated the first Pallava king Narasimhavarman and drove him out of Vatapi. After this he defeated his rebellious brothers and feudatories and brought them under his control. This early success of Vikramaditya is indicated in the Kurnool inscription in the third year of his reign, according to which he recovered the Rajalakshmi of his own father, which had been hidden by the three kings. These three kings probably refer to his two brothers, Adityavarman and Chandraditya, and the Pallava king Narasimhavarman, due to whom the situation in the Chalukya kingdom was endangered. It is also said that he re-consecrated the temples and Brahmins already received donations, which were annulled during the time of the three kings, and conquered the kings of each district and regained his Vanshlakshmi and 'God ' took the title.
Although there is no systematic account of Vikramaditya's conquests, the Kurnool inscription shows that Vikramaditya visited Nellore, Bellary, Anantapur and Cuddapah (Kudrhapah) in the early years of his reign. Re-established his dominion over the districts. The Malepadu inscription also indicates that the Telugu Chodas, who were working under the Pallavas, again came under the Chalukya.
Furthermore, Vikramaditya I put an end to the independence of the Chola, Pandya and Kerala region rulers and forced them to remain under his control. After establishing unity in his entire kingdom, he declared himself emperor. He was assisted in this work by his associate feudatories, his two sons- Vinayaditya and Vijayaditya and younger brother Jayasinghavarman. Therefore he made Jayasinghvarman the Viceroy of Lat Pradesh (South Gujarat).
Pallava-Chalukya conflict (Pallava-Chalukya Conflict)
The flames of vengeance were burning in Vikramaditya's mind due to the honor of the Chalukyas by the Pallava king Narasimhavarman and the murder of his father Pulakeshin II. As a result, after consolidating his position in the capital, Vikramaditya I attacked the Pallava kingdom. Nausari copper plates of Chalukya ruler of Gujarat Dharashray Jayasinghavarman in 671 AD It is said that Vikramaditya conquered the Pallava dynasty. Confirmation of campaign against Vikramaditya Gadwal , Suvanur and Honnur inscriptions (970-71 AD) Happens from. The Gadval copper plate inscription mentions the success of Vikramaditya against the Pallavas in four verses-
Mudit Narasimha Yashsa Vihitmahendrapratap Vilayen.
Nayan Vijiteshwaren Prabhun Srivallabhjitham.
Kritapallavamarddha Dakshinadigyutimaanta Kanchikah.
Yo bhrishambhirabhyannapi sutraman srivallabhattvabhitha.
Vahathi svamarthavantam ranakshikah srimadurubalaskandhah.
Yo Rajamalla word prescribed Mahamalla Kulnashah.
Rarely difficult differentiation.
Agrahiyen Jayateshwar Potraj Kanchivapinadiraah Viditen Kanchi..
According to the first verse, Sri Vallabh honored the armies of Narasimha, destroyed the bravery of Mahendra and subdued God. In the second verse it is described that he took possession of Kanchi. It is mentioned in the third verse that Ranrasik assumed the title of Rajamalla because he ended the lineage of Mahamalla i.e. Narasimhavarman. In this way, Vikramaditya had to fight with three main rulers of the Pallavas - Narasimhavarman I, Mahendravarman II and Parameshwaravarman I respectively.
Inscriptions from Vikramaditya Pratham's Alam (Andhra Pradesh) It is learned that he got the Pallava king to worship at Kanchi and forced him to surrender. He also forced the kings of Kerala, Pandya and Chola, who had come from Kanchi to the far south, to accept his sovereignty.
Vikramaditya I avenged the defeat of Pulakeshin II by conquering Kanchi. In this success, his brother Jai Singhvarman had given special support, as a result of which he appointed him as the ruler of Lat region. Jaisinghvarman defeated Valabhi King Shiladitya III and merged him into the kingdom of Laat. He laid the foundation of a separate dynasty of Chalukyas in Gujarat, which was called 'Chalukya branch of Gujarat Known as '.
Vikramaditya established the mighty Chalukya Empire by establishing friendship with the kings of the Ganga and Pandya kingdoms of Mysore region. He wrote 'Shriprithvivallabh', 'Satyashraya', 'Bhattaraka', 'Maharajadhiraja', 'Parameshwar', 'Undisputed', 'Rajamalla' and 'Ranarasik' Took titles etc. Him 'Parammaheshwar ’ It has also been said that his devotion to Shiva is proved. He made donations to teachers, brahmins and temples, and renewed those donations to deities and brahmins that had been postponed during the period of anarchy before he became king.
The extent of his empire extended his kingdom to Gujarat, Lat, Malwa and Narmada river in the north. Most of the coastal areas in the west were under him and in the south he had conquered the capital of the Pallavas up to Kanchi. It is said that 'Chitrakanth' A horse named him played an important role in his conquests. He ruled for about 27 years and his rule came to an end around 682 AD.
Vikramaditya I, probably in the last phase of his reign, fought the Pallava king Parameshwaravarman son of Mahendravarman Battle of Peruvalanallur I had to be defeated. According to Pallava inscriptions, Parameshwaravarman was victorious in this battle. In contrast, the Chalukya inscriptions report the victory of Vikramaditya I. The first Chalukya king Vikramaditya I seems to have probably succeeded in the initial wars between the two dynasties. But in the course of the ongoing conflicts between the two kingdoms, he was eventually defeated by Parameshwaravarman. This historical event is corroborated by Vinayaditya's conquests because Vinayaditya, the successor of Vikramaditya, had repaid the defeat of the Chalukyas by fighting against the Pallavas.
Vinayaditya , 680-696 AD (Vinayaditya, 680-696 AD.)
After Vikramaditya I, Vinayaditya sat on the throne of Vatapi in 680 AD and ruled Vatapi till about 696 AD. Jejuri and Togchendu Records According to it, the reign of Vinayaditya started between 678-679 AD. But the reason behind these two-three year difference is not known. Inscriptions suggest that Vinayaditya was appointed as the crown prince during his father's reign (Sakalbhuvanasamrajya Lakshmisvayavarabhisheka Samayantar Samupajata Mahotsah , Based on the Hyderabad inscription, Neelkanth Shastri estimates that he was appointed the crown prince in 678-79 AD.
Vinayaditya is mentioned in the writings of the later Chalukya kings as 'Trayrajyapallavapati ' As done. Possibly by Trayrajyapallakpati, he refers to the Chola, Pandya and Kerala kingdoms which were under Pallavanaresh Parameshwaravarman I and which were eventually conquered by Vinayaditya. Later Chalukya inscriptions (Jejuri copperplate He has been called the conqueror of the kingdoms of Pallava, Kalabhra, Musaka, Haihaya, Vila, Malava, Chola, Pandya and Kamar (Kavera). He wrote 'Yuddhamalla', 'Bhattaraka', 'Maharajadhiraja', 'Rajasraya' Similar titles were also held.
The reign of Vinayaditya was peaceful and his kingdom was full of prosperity and splendor. His son Yuvraj Vijayaditya had participated in his North Indian military campaigns and from there the figures of Ganga-Yamuna, Palidhwaja and Padmaragmani etc. were presented to his father. This is confirmed by Vijayaditya's Raigad inscription ( 730 AD) originates from. Apart from this, the details of land donations given by him and the construction of various Jain and Hindu idols and temples etc. confirms his might and the dignity of kingship. Vinayaditya's Queen Vinayavati , who was the mother of Vijayaditya, lived even after the death of her husband and in 696 AD she had installed the statues of Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwara at Vatapi.
Vijayaditya , 696-733 AD. (Vijayaditya, 696-733 AD.)
After the rule of Vinayaditya, in July, 696 AD, his worthy son Yuvraj Vijayaditya ascended the throne. Among the Chalukya kings, Vijayaditya ruled for the longest period. It is known from the Kurnool inscription that in 691 AD, Vinayaditya had appointed him as the crown prince. Vijayaditya had learned the state functions well during the reign of his grandfather (Vikramaditya).
Yevoor Records According to him, Vijayaditya was also brave and courageous like his father Vinayaditya. Raigarh Records ( 730 AD) It is known that as a crown prince, he participated in the north Indian military campaigns of his father Vinayaditya and from there the figures of Ganga-Yamuna, Palidhwaja and Padmaragmani, etc., were presented to his father. Among his feudal rulers, Ganga, Sendrak, Alup, Ban, Telugu of Rainadu, Chola etc. have been counted.
Vijayaditya gave his son Vikramaditya II around AD 710 'Yuvraj' was appointed. It is known from the rocky stone inscription of the 35th year of his reign that his son Yuvraj Vikramaditya II attacked Kanchi, the capital of the traditional enemy Pallavas, and after defeating the then Pallavanresh Parameshwaravarman II, returned after collecting taxes and valuable gems from him. Like his father, Vijayaditya also wrote 'Shriprithvivallabh', 'Maharajadhiraja', 'Parameshwar', 'Satyashraya', 'Bhattaraka' and 'Samast Bhuvanashraya' Adi was worn against.
विजयादित्य धर्मसहिष्णु, महान् निर्माता, स्थापत्य एवं ललित कलाओं का संरक्षक एवं दानी शासक था। उसने पट्टदकल के एक विशाल विजयेश्वर शिवमंदिर का निर्माण करवाया था (स्थापितो महाशैल प्रासदो श्रीविजयेश्वर परमभट्टारक , अलमपुर अभिलेख से पता चलता है कि विजयादित्य की आज्ञा से ईशानाचार्य ने अलमपुर में एक शिवमंदिर का निर्माण कराया था। उसकी माता विनयवती ने वातापि में ब्रह्मा , विष्णु एवं शिव की मूर्तियाँ स्थापित कराई थी और उनकी बहन कुमकुमदेवी ने लक्ष्मेश्वर में एक भव्य जैनमंदिर का निर्माण कराया था। पट्टदकल से प्राप्त उलचला प्रस्तर अभिलेख में लोकपालेश्वर मंदिर (अनंतगुण की प्रतिमा) को दान देने का उल्लेख है जिसमें पिता और पुत्र दोनों का वर्णन है। इसी प्रकार नेरूर के ताम्रपत्र में भी पिता और पुत्र के सम्मिलित होने का उल्लेख है।
विक्रमादित्य द्वितीय , 733-745 ई. (Vikramaditya II, 733-745 AD.)
विजयादित्य के पश्चात् लगभग 733-34 ई. में उसका साहसी पुत्र युवराज विक्रमादित्य द्वितीय चालुक्य सिंहासन पर बैठा। विजयादित्य के 710 ई. के सतारा लेख में विक्रमादित्य द्वितीय को ‘युवराज’ कहा गया है अर्थात् इस तिथि के पूर्व ही युवराज बना दिया गया था। विक्रमादित्य द्वितीय ने न केवल पिता से प्राप्त साम्राज्य को सुरक्षित रखा, बल्कि उसमें अभिवृद्धि भी की। वह पल्लवों के साथ अपनी वंशगत शत्रुता को कभी नहीं भुला सका था।
पल्लवों के विरुद्ध अभियान (Campaign Against Pallavas)
चालुक्य महारानी लोकमहादेवी के पट्टदकल अभिलेख में विक्रमादित्य द्वितीय द्वारा काँची को तीन बार रौंदने is mentioned. पहली बार विक्रमादित्य ने युवराजकाल में चालुक्य सेना का नेतृत्व करते हुए पल्लव सेना को पराजित किया था। नरवण (रत्नागिरि) से प्राप्त एक अभिलेख से पता चलता है कि राज्यारोहण के उपरांत विक्रमादित्य ने तुंडाक प्रदेश से होते हुये पल्लव राज्य पर आक्रमण किया और नंदिपोतवर्मन् (नंदिवर्मन्) को पराजित किया (प्रकृत्यामित्रस्य पल्लवस्य समूलोन्मूलनायं कृतमतिरतिरथातुंडाक विषयप्राप्याभिमखागतन्नंदिपोतवर्मा , विक्रमादित्य का पल्लवों पर यह दूसरा आक्रमण था। इस दूसरे आक्रमण की पुष्टि नरवण (रत्नगिर), केंदूर, वक्कलेरि तथा विक्रमादित्य की रानी लोकमहादेवी के पट्टदकल अभिलेखों से भी होती है।
केंदूर अभिलेख से पता चलता है कि उसने काँची के वैभव को कोई क्षति नहीं पहुँचाई, बल्कि वहाँ के राजसिंहश्वेर मंदिर को बहूमूल्य रत्नादि भेंट किया (काँचीमविनश्य प्रविश्य दानांदित द्विजदीनानाथजनः नरसिंहपोतवर्मणानिर्मित शिलामय राजसिंहश्वेरदि देवकुलसुवर्णराशि प्रत्यर्पणीपार्जितपुणः , उसने पल्लवनरेश नरसिंहवर्मन् प्रथम की वातापि-विजय को याद करते हुये राजसिंहेश्वर (कैलाशनाथ) मंदिर की दीवार पर एक अभिलेख उत्कीर्ण करवाया और नरसिंहवर्मन् के ‘वातापिकोंड ’ के प्रतिकार में स्वयं ‘कांचिनकोंड’ (कांची विजय करने वाला) की उपाधि धारण की।
संभवतः अपने शासनकाल के अंतिम चरण में विक्रमादित्य द्वितीय ने तीसरी बार काँची की विजय करने के लिए ‘युवराज’ कीर्तिवर्मन् के नेतृत्व में सेना भेजी थी, जिसमें कीर्तिवर्मन् ने पल्लवों को पदाक्रांत कर वहाँ से बहुसंख्यक हाथी एवं रत्न अपहृत कर वातापि लौट आया।
कीर्तिवर्मन् के वक्कलेरि, केंदूर तथा नरवण अभिलेखों से पता चलता है कि विक्रमादित्य ने पराजित सुदूर दक्षिण के चोल, पांड्य, केरल तथा कलभ्र आदि राज्यों को पराजित किया था और इन प्रदेशों पर विजय प्राप्त करके उसने दक्षिणी समुद्रतट पर अपना एक विजयस्तंभ स्थापित करवाया था (दक्ष्णार्णवे शरदमल शशधर विशद यशोराशिमय जयस्तम्भमतिष्ठिपत् , उसकी प्रभुता पश्चिमी, गंग, बाण तथा आलुप के नरेश भी स्वीकार करते थे। विक्रमादित्य द्वितीय ने ‘वल्लभदुर्नय’, ‘कांचिनकोंडु’, ‘महाराजाधिराज’, ‘श्रीपृथ्वीवल्लभ’, ‘परमेश्वर ’ आदि अनेक उपाधियाँ धारण की थी।
अरबों का आक्रमण (Arab Invasion)
विक्रमादित्य के शासनकाल में दक्कन क्षेत्र पर हुए अरबों का आक्रमण भी महत्वपूर्ण है, जिसका उल्लेख लाट प्राप्त प्रांत के शासक पुलकेशिराज के कलचुरि संवत् 490 (738 ई.) के नौसारी अभिलेख में मिलता है। इसमें अरबों को ताज्जिक कहा गया है और उन पर विजय प्राप्त करने का श्रेय जयसिंहवर्मन् के पुत्र पुलकेशिराज को दिया गया है।
विक्रमादित्य द्वितीय का विवाह हैहयवंशी लोकमहादेवी एवं उनकी सहोदरी त्रैलोक्यमहादेवी नामक राजकुमारियों के साथ हुआ था। उसकी ज्येष्ठ रानी लोकमहादेवी ने पट्टदकल में एक विशाल शिवमंदिर का निर्माण कराया था जो आज विरुपाक्ष महादेव मंदिर के नाम से प्रसिद्ध है। इस मंदिर के प्रधान शिल्पी आचार्य गुंड को त्रिभुवनाचारि, अनिवारिताचारि तथा तेंकणदिशा सूत्रधारि आदि उपाधियों से विभूषित किया गया था। उसकी कनिष्ठ राजमहिषी त्रैलोक्यमहादेवी ने लोकेश्वर शिवमंदिर का निर्माण कराया था। इनके अलावा, विक्रमादित्य ने अनेक शैव एवं जैन मंदिरों का निर्माण भी करवाया था। उसके रचनात्मक व्यक्तित्व का विशद् विवरण लक्ष्मेश्वर एवं ऐहोल अभिलेखों में मिलता है।
कीर्तिवर्मन् द्वितीय , 745-753 ई. (Kirtivarman II, 745-753 AD.)
विक्रमादित्य द्वितीय की मृत्यु के बाद उसका त्रैलोक्यदेवी से उत्पत्र पुत्र कीर्तिवर्मन् द्वितीय बादामी के चालुक्य साम्राज्य की गद्दी पर बैठा। धारवाड़ से प्राप्त एक भूमि-अनुदान लेख से पता चलता है कि विक्रमादित्य द्वितीय ने उसको अपना ‘युवराज’ नियुक्त किया था। केंदूर अभिलेख के अनुसार उसने अपने युवराज काल में ही पल्लव नरेश नंदिवर्मन् को पराजित कर बहुमूल्य रत्न, हाथी एवं सुवर्ण प्राप्त किया था (प्रभूतगजसुवर्णमाणिक्यकोटिरादाय पित्रे समर्पितवान् कीर्तिवर्मा ).
कीर्तिवर्मन् द्वितीय ने ‘सार्वभौम’, ‘लक्ष्मी’, ‘पृथ्वी का प्रिय’, ‘राजाओं का राजा’ एवं ‘महाराज ’ आदि अनेक उपाधियाँ धारण की थीं।
राष्ट्रकूटों का उत्थान (Rise of Rashtrakutas)
चालुक्यों के शासनकाल के अंतिम चरण में उनके राष्ट्रकूट सामंत इंद्रराज और दंतिदुर्ग ने क्रमशः अपनी शक्ति बहुत बढ़ा ली थी। संजन दानपत्र से पता चलता है कि राष्ट्रकूट इंद्रराज ने चालुक्य राजकुमारी भावनागा के साथ कैरा में बलात् राक्षस विवाह कर लिया था और लाट तथा वातापि के चालुक्य शासक उसकी शक्ति से डरकर इस सामाजिक अपमान का प्रतिरोध नहीं कर सके तथा शांत बैठ गये थे-
राजस्ततो ग्रहात् यश्चालुक्यनृपात्मजाम्।
राक्षसेन विवाहेन रणे खेटकमण्डपे।।
इंद्रराज का पुत्र एवं उसका उत्तराधिकारी दंतिदुर्ग उससे भी अधिक शक्तिशाली था। उसने मही, नर्मदा तथा महानदी के निकटवर्ती क्षेत्रों में राष्ट्रकूट-शक्ति का विस्तार किया। फिर भी, वह चालुक्य नरेश विक्रमादित्य द्वितीय के समय तक चालुक्यों से सीधा युद्ध करने से बचता रहा।
चालुक्यों की मूल शाखा का पतन (Fall of the Chalukyas of Badami)
कीर्तिवर्मन् द्वितीय बादामी के चालुक्य शासकों की शृंखला का अंतिम शासक था। उसके राज्यारोहण के कुछ ही समय बाद राष्ट्रकूट दंतिदुर्ग ने चालुक्य शासन के विरुद्ध युद्ध छेड़ दिया। दंतिदुर्ग ने कीर्तिवर्मन पर आक्रमण करने से पूर्व पूरी तरह से सैनिक और कूटनीतिक तैयारियाँ की थीं। फलतः युद्ध में कीर्तिवर्मन् पराजित हुआ और गुजरात, उत्तरी महाराष्ट्र तथा आसपास के प्रदेशों पर दंतिदुर्ग का स्वतंत्र शासन स्थापित हो गया। दंतिदुर्ग के इस विजय की सूचना 753-54 ई. के समनगढ़ (कोल्हापुर) अभिलेख से मिलती है। दंतिदुर्ग ने इस विजय के उपलक्ष में ‘परमेश्वर’ तथा ‘राजाधिराज’ की उपाधियाँ धारण की (यो वल्लभ सपदि दंडकलेन (बलेन) जित्वा राजाधिराजपरमेश्वरतामुपैति ) और मान्यखेट के राष्ट्रकूट राजवंश की स्थापना की।
इस प्रकार दंतिदुर्ग की विजय के फलस्वरुप चालुक्यों की मूल शाखा का पतन प्रारंभ हो गया। संभवतः दंतिदुर्ग की मृत्यु के बाद 756 ई. में कीर्तिवर्मन् ने पुनः चालुक्य-शक्ति को संगठित करने का प्रयास किया, जिसका संकेत कीर्तिवर्मन् के शासनकाल के ग्यारहवें वर्ष के वक्कलेरि अभिलेख में मिलता है। अभिलेख के अनुसार उसने धारवाड़ के हंगल क्षेत्र की कुछ भूमि ब्राह्मणों को दान में दिया था। किंतु गोविंद तृतीय के वणीगाँव अभिलेख से पता चलता है कि दंतिदुर्ग के उत्तराधिकारी राष्ट्रकूट नरेश कृष्ण प्रथम ने चालुक्य नरेश कीर्तिवर्मन् पराजित करके वातापि के चालुक्य-राज्य को अपहृत कर लिया। अपनी सत्ता-स्थापना के साथ ही कृष्ण प्रथम ने चालुक्यों के राजकीय चिन्ह वराह के स्थान पर हिरण को अपना राजकीय चिन्ह घोषित किया।