India Culture, Business, Sports and Food. Get all the buzz in India now

Chalukya Dynasty After the death of Harshavardhana, it was the Chalukya dynasty that ruled larger parts of southern and some parts of central India. They ruled from 6^th century to the 12 century. They were three individual dynasties but associated with each other because of their links to the same family. Their rule is considered as the golden age in the history of south Indian state Karnataka. Despite of various beliefs it is believed that Chalukya were the the descendants of Kadambas of Banavasi. They took over the control of former Kadambas’ territory. The first Chalukya ruler was Paulakesi I who established himself as the lord of Vatapi or Badami in the middle of the sixth century, now situated in the Bijapur district of Bombay. He declared Badami as the capital of his kingdom and constructed a strong fort on the top of steep mountains surrounded by rivers. Jayasimha Vallabha (500–520) and Ranaranga (520–540) were his elders. We can assume that his predecessors were chiefs of small areas.

Expansion After  Paulakesi I’s death his son Kirtivarman I succeeded him around 566 as the next Chalukya ruler. He expanded his rule by subduing some adjoining area of his state. He married a Kadamas princess and thus established his relations with the rulers of Shimoga district. He ruled for 31 years and died in 597 AC. He was succeeded by his brother Mangalesa because his son was too young to rule the state. He was an ambitious and energetic warrior. He attacked some of the adjoining territories but could not expand his kingdom to much extent. He suppressed some rebellions and included Kokan into his territory. Instead of surrendering the throne to Paulakesi II he himself wanted to rule the state. It forced Paulakesi II to rebel against his own uncle to whom he defeated and killed with the help of his friends around 610 AC in the battlefield of Elapattu-Simbige .

Golden Age Paulakesi II is considered to be the greatest Chalukya ruler who ruled the state from 608 to 642. He was contemporary of Harshavardhana. After defeating his uncle Mangalesa he had to face stiff resistance to consolidate his position. War between Paulakesi II and his uncle Mangalesa had encouraged many feudal lords who had declared themselves independent. Appayika and Govinda were the strongest among them to whom Paulakesi II defeated on the banks of river Bhima. During his rule the power of the Chalukya dynasty reached its peak. He expand his empire towards west by winning the Banavasi, Talakad, South Kanara, Kokan, port of Puri, Gujarat and Malwa. He married the daughter of Ganga king Durvinita who gave birth to Vikramaditya I. He won the state of Kosala, Kalinga, Vengi region and some coastal areas to expand his territory towards eastwards. He appointed his brother Kubja Vishnuvardhana as the ruler of eastern areas who later on became the founder of the dynasty of Eastern Chalukyas. Towards south he attacked the territory of Pallva King Mahendravarman. Though he could not completely defeat him but won some of his territories. His most famous victory was against the King of Kanauj, Harshavardhana. A battle was fought between them on the banks of river Narmada. Harsha suffered heavy losses in the battle and later on both the kings entered into a treaty. According to the treaty, river Narmada was declared as a border between the states of both of the kings. But in his last days, he had to face defeats in the hands of Pallava king Narasimhavarman I. It is believed that during these battles Paulakesi II had been killed around 642.

Navy Action Indian Navy had taken lead against Somali sea pirates who have emerged as one of the biggest threat to the sea business route in the Gulf of Aden in recent weeks. According to Indian Navy they fought a small battle with the Somali sea pirates and destroyed their vessel on Wednesday. The speed boats that were accompanying the ‘mothership’ sped away when it was blown up later on. Indian government has deployed INS Tabar, an Indian navel warship to provide security to the Indian vassals that navigate through the pirate-prone sea area. Indian government had taken this step after some Indian shipping firms had said that they were loosing almost $450,000 a month and delays in deliveries.

Battle According the Indian Navy claims they had spotted the pirate vessel at 285 nautical miles (528km) south-west of Salalah in Oman on Tuesday evening. When it was asked to stop for investigation it did not stop. Some people, armed with guns and rocket propelled grenade launchers were spotted on board of the suspected vessel. Instead of following Navy’s orders they opened fire on INS Tabar. According to the Navy statement the pirates had threatened to “blow up the naval warship if it closed on her”. Pirates then opened fire on the navel ship that was retaliated by the Navy with resulted in blasts on the navel vessel following which it sank. The explosions on board of the pirate ship indicate that there were some explosives stored in that vessel. Some of the pirated had succeeded in escaping in two speed boats to which Indian sailors gave chase. One of the speedboats was later on found abandoned. INS Tabar is patrolling the pirate infested area since October 23 to escort Indian ships to travel safely through the Gulf of Aden. A few days ago Indian marines had saved an Indian merchant vessel from being abducted by the Somali pirates. Till now Somali pirates have attacked and abducted almost 90 vessels some of which released only after paying hefty ransom amounts. Somali pirates have last seized some sea vessels that includes a Greek bulk career, a Hong Kong flagged ship, a Thai fishing boat and a Saudi Supertanker carrying $100 million oil.

Appreciation World community has appreciated Indian Navy’s action against the Somali pirates. International Maritime Bureau, that is headquartered in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia has termed it a ‘rare victory in the sea war against Somali pirates. Its chief Noel Choong said that he was heartened by INS Tabar’s success. Many other warships are patrolling the area to provide security to the sea vessels but despite their presence pirate attacks have increased. To counter the problem some forceful action needs to be taken and Indian Navy has taken the action that everybody was waiting for.