Mahakuta Pillar
Encyclopedia
Mahakuta Pillar in the town of Mahakuta in present day Bagalkot district
of India
's Karnataka
state is the source of an important Badami
Chalukya inscription called Mahakuta pillar inscription ascribed to king Mangalesa
, second son of Pulakesi I. It is made of fine grained sandstone. Dated 595 CE, the inscription is written in Sanskrit
language and old Kannada script and details important information about the Chalukya lineage, their military expeditions, their conquests and early monuments. The pillar was found lying near the Mahakutesvara temple and was transferred to the Bijapur Archaeological museum in 1920. The alternate date suggested for the inscription is 602
According to the Mahakuta pillar inscription, Pulakesi I had two sons, Kirtivarman I
and Mangalesa
and the Mukutesvara temple (called Mahakutesvara temple today) was built by Pulakesi I and that this was the first major monument built during their rule. The inscription confirms that Pulakesi I was also called Ranavikrama and that he was the first king of the dynasty to take a title of Satyasraya. The inscription describes Mangalesa
s proposed plans of a major invasion up to the Gangetic region and in possible exaggeration, claims his elder brother Kirtivarman I
the conqueror of fourteen nations including Vanga, Kalinga, Anga, Vattura, Magadha and Madraka all located north of Badami and the nations of Kerala, Gangas
, Mushaka, Pandya, Dramila, Choliya (Chola), Aluka (Alupas
) and Vaijayanti (Banavasi
).
Bagalkot district
Bāgalkot district is an administrative district in the Indian state of Karnataka. The district headquarters is located in the town of Bagalkot. The district is located in northern Karnataka and borders Belgaum, Gadag, Koppal, Raichur and Bijapur...
of India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
's Karnataka
Karnataka
Karnataka , the land of the Kannadigas, is a state in South West India. It was created on 1 November 1956, with the passing of the States Reorganisation Act and this day is annually celebrated as Karnataka Rajyotsava...
state is the source of an important Badami
Badami
Badami , formerly known as Vatapi, is a town and headquarters of a taluk by the same name, in the Bagalkot district of Karnataka, India. It was the regal capital of the Badami Chalukyas from 540 to 757 AD. It is famous for rock cut and other structural temples...
Chalukya inscription called Mahakuta pillar inscription ascribed to king Mangalesa
Mangalesa
Mangalesa succeeded Kirtivarman I to the Chalukya throne. He ruled as regent as the heir to the throne Pulakesi II was considered too young to rule.-Capable warrior:An energetic and ambitious ruler, Mangalesa won several laurels in war...
, second son of Pulakesi I. It is made of fine grained sandstone. Dated 595 CE, the inscription is written in Sanskrit
Sanskrit
Sanskrit , is a historical Indo-Aryan language and the primary liturgical language of Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism.Buddhism: besides Pali, see Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit Today, it is listed as one of the 22 scheduled languages of India and is an official language of the state of Uttarakhand...
language and old Kannada script and details important information about the Chalukya lineage, their military expeditions, their conquests and early monuments. The pillar was found lying near the Mahakutesvara temple and was transferred to the Bijapur Archaeological museum in 1920. The alternate date suggested for the inscription is 602
According to the Mahakuta pillar inscription, Pulakesi I had two sons, Kirtivarman I
Kirtivarman I
Kirtivarman I succeeded Pulakesi I as the ruler of the Chalukya Dynasty.-Consolidating the kingdom:Kirtivarman I consolidated the newly founded Chalukya Kingdom...
and Mangalesa
Mangalesa
Mangalesa succeeded Kirtivarman I to the Chalukya throne. He ruled as regent as the heir to the throne Pulakesi II was considered too young to rule.-Capable warrior:An energetic and ambitious ruler, Mangalesa won several laurels in war...
and the Mukutesvara temple (called Mahakutesvara temple today) was built by Pulakesi I and that this was the first major monument built during their rule. The inscription confirms that Pulakesi I was also called Ranavikrama and that he was the first king of the dynasty to take a title of Satyasraya. The inscription describes Mangalesa
Mangalesa
Mangalesa succeeded Kirtivarman I to the Chalukya throne. He ruled as regent as the heir to the throne Pulakesi II was considered too young to rule.-Capable warrior:An energetic and ambitious ruler, Mangalesa won several laurels in war...
s proposed plans of a major invasion up to the Gangetic region and in possible exaggeration, claims his elder brother Kirtivarman I
Kirtivarman I
Kirtivarman I succeeded Pulakesi I as the ruler of the Chalukya Dynasty.-Consolidating the kingdom:Kirtivarman I consolidated the newly founded Chalukya Kingdom...
the conqueror of fourteen nations including Vanga, Kalinga, Anga, Vattura, Magadha and Madraka all located north of Badami and the nations of Kerala, Gangas
Gangas
The Western Ganga Dynasty was an important ruling dynasty of ancient Karnataka in India. They are known as Western Gangas to distinguish them from the Eastern Gangas who in later centuries ruled over modern Orissa...
, Mushaka, Pandya, Dramila, Choliya (Chola), Aluka (Alupas
Alupas
The Alupas kings were a minor dynasty who ruled parts of coastal Karnataka. Later with the dominance of Kadambas in Banavasi, they became feudatory to them. With the changing political scenario, soon they became the feudatories to Chalukyas, Hoysalas and Vijayanagara Rayas...
) and Vaijayanti (Banavasi
Banavasi
Banavasi is an ancient temple town in Uttara Kannada District bordering Shivamogga district in the South Indian state of Karnataka .-History:Banavasi is one of the oldest towns in the Karnataka state...
).