Inscription number 62. Badami Rock Inscription of Vallabhesvara (Pulakesin 1) Saka Year 465 (543 A.D. – 548 A D.).The Badami rock inscription of Pulakesin I is dated in the Saka year 465. Vikrama Samvat 601. Early Chalukyas ruled many parts of Southern and Central India. Earliest dynasty, known as the “Badami Chalukyas”, ruled from Vatapi, from the middle of the 6th century. Badami’ which is known in ancient times as ‘Vatapi’ is a town located in the Bijapur district of Karnataka and is famous for its rock-cut temples constructed by the Chalukyas. These are mainly Jain temples.
Badami Chalukyas declared their independence from Kadambas consequent to decline of kadamba kingdom of Banavasi. They rapidly gained strength especially during the reign of Pulakesin 2. After the death of Pulakeshin 2, the eastern chalukyas became an independent kingdom in the eastern Deccan. They ruled from vengi until about the 11th century. In the western Deccan, the rise of rashtrakutas, led to decline of the in Chalukyas empire which was subsequently revived by their descendants, the western chalukyas, in the late 10th century. The Western Chalukyas ruled from Kalyani (Basava Kalyan) until the end of the 12th century.Provenance: On a rock at the back of the Batterappa temple in the northern fort at Badami, Bijapur district, Karnataka. Script: Late Brahmi of the Southern Class of the 6th century A.D. Language: Sanskrit Metres vv.1-2:- अनुष्टुब (श्लोक) References:- R. S. Panchamukhi, Ep.Ind, XXVII, pp.4-9, D.C. Sircar, select Inss. I, pp. 482. Footnote 1. 1. From the facsimile in Ep.Ind, XXVII. This is the earliest authentic reference to the use of saka era, al thou the Digambara Jain author, Simhasuri, Lokavibhaga claims to have completed his work, in saka 380. संवत्सरे तु द्वाविंशे का ञ् चीशे सिंह वम्र्णे ! अशीत्यग्रे श्काब्दानां सिद्ध मेतत्छत – अये !! English Translation of the inscription. Peace In the saka year, four hundred and sixty five, the chalikya king vallabhesvara, performer of the Aavamedha and other sacrifices according to the srauta rites, and one born of Hiranyagarbha (mahadana) made vatapi on the best of hills, into this fortress unconquerable from the top as well as from the bottom for the prosperity of the earth.Footnote 1. 1. Better known as Chalukya or chalukya. For the Hiranyagarbha mahadana, See Sircar, Successors of the satavahanas. pp. 50 ff. 2. Pulakesin 1, made vatapi (modern Badami) his capital. But his son Kirtivarman 1, seems to have had a major share in the construction of the city and the fort since the chiplun plates refer to him as the founder of vatapi. 3. From the date and the distinguishing epithet, asvamedha-yajva, as well as the alias Vallabhesvara, it is easy to recognise him as Pulikesin 1, father of Kirtivarman 1. In the Aihole inscription of Pulikesin 1, (Ep.Ind,, VI, pp.4) Pulikesin 1, is described as (11.7-8) श्रितेंन्दुकान्तिरपि श्रीवल्लभो प्ययासीद वातापि पुरी वधू वरतां “भूश्च येन हय – मेध – याजिना प्र पितावभृष मज्जना बभौं” He was the first chalukya king to perform horse sacrifice, which indicates his independent status but he could not lay claim to paramount status. The Apastamba-srauta-sutra (x) permits both a paramount king as well as one not of paramount status to perform horse-sacrifices. राजा सार्वभौंमो श्वमेधेन यजेताप्यसार्व भौम: !
