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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.