Q90
History of IndiaGupta & Post-Gupta Period
Name the Chalukya king who defeated Harshavardana.
- a.Pulakeshin I
- b.Pulakeshin II
- c.Mangalesh
- d.Kirtivarmana
Answer: (B) Pulakeshin II
Pulakeshin II (c. 610–642) of the Chalukyas of Badami (Vatapi) stopped Harshavardhana on the banks of the Narmada, which then became the boundary between the two empires. The victory is recorded in the Aihole inscription (634 CE) composed by his court poet Ravikirti, and he took the title Dakshinapatheshvara. Hiuen Tsang visited his kingdom. He was finally defeated and killed by the Pallava king Narasimhavarman I, who took the title Vatapikonda. Pulakeshin I founded the dynasty, Kirtivarman I was his son, and Mangalesha was the uncle whom Pulakeshin II overthrew to gain the throne.