POST-GUPTA PERIOD

(A.D 550-750)
Introduction:
• After the decline of the Gupta Empire in the mid-6th century,
many independent kingdoms were born throughout India.
Once again disunity prevailed in the political sphere of India.
• The following were the important kingdoms that evolved in
the Post-Gupta period:
Kingdom Capital Importance
Pushyabhuti Sthaneswar (Haryana) Harshavardhana-Greatest king
Maukhari Kanauj (UP) ---------------
Maitraka Vallabhi (Gujarat) ---------------
Kamarupa Prakjotishapura (Assam) ---------------
Gauda Karnasuvarna (Bengal) King Sasanka of this dynasty
who was a Shaivite destroyed the
sacred Bodhi tree at Gaya
Later Guptas (unrelated to Pataliputra (Bihar) ---------------
the Guptas
Chalukyas of Badami (Bagalkot dt,Kar) Ruled the Deccan
Badami/Vatapi
Pallavas Kanchipuram (TN) Ruled South India
 Pushyabhutis/Vardhana Dynasty
1. Maharaja Pushyabhuti:
• Founder
• Title: ‘Maharaja’-indicates that he was a vassal of the Guptas.
2. Prabhakaravardhana:
• First independent king of the dynasty
• Title:Maharajadhiraja.
• Had 2 sons and a daughter
 Prabhakaravardhana

Rajyavardhana Harshavardhana Rajyasri

(eldest) (2nd son) (daughter)

• Rajyasri was given in marriage to King Grahavarman of the

Maukhari kingdom(capital Kanauj)
3. Rajyavardhana:
• Rajyavardhana succeeded Prabhakaravardhana.
• During his reign,Sasanka of Gauda (Bengal) and Devagupta of
Malwa (Bihar) formed an alliance,invaded the Maukhari
kingdom,killed Grahavarman,imprisoned Rajyasri and
occupied Kanauj.
• Rajyavardhana who went to save his brother-in-law and sister
killed Devagupta but was deceitfully killed by Sasanka.
4. Harshavardhana (A.D. 606- 647)
• Harsha succeeded his brother at Sthaneswar.
• Greatest of the dynasty.
• Titles:Rajaputra & Siladitya.
• Harsha drove out the army of Sasanka of Gauda and occupied
Kanauj.
• He shifted his capital from Sthaneswar to Kanauj in the very
first year of his reign.
• He conquered Bengal, Bihar, Assam, Orissa, Gujarat and
created a formidable kingdom in North India.
• The Chinese traveller Hiuen Tsang visited the court of
Harsha.He spent 14 years in India between A.D 630 AND 644
.He gave enormous information about contemporary India in
his book ‘Si-Yu-Ki’.
• Under the influence of Hiuen Tsang,Harsha renounced
Shaivism and embraced Mahayana Buddhism.
Harshavardhana
Empire of Harsha
Xuanzang(Hsuan-tsang)
• Harsha’s court poet Banabhatta also gives information about
Harsha.
• Banabhatta wrote 3 kavyas (poems)- Harsha Charita, Parvati
Parinaya and Kadambari.
• Harshavardhana himself was a poet and a patron of
distinguished poets. He wrote three plays in Sanskrit, namely
Ratnavali,Nagananda and Privadarsika.
• Harshavardhana took up many welfare programs for his
people.He built hospitals and dharmashalas for the poor.
• He organised a charitable programme named 'Mahamoksha
Parishad' at Prayag quinquennially-At this parishad, he used to
donate his entire wealth to the poor and would return to his
capital Kanauj with just a pair of clothes on his body.
• In A.D. 643, he organised a religious conference at Kanauj
named 'Kanauj Maha Sabha‘ which was presided by Hiuen
Tsang.
• Harsha desired to expand his empire to the South. This
resulted in a war with Pulakesin-II, the Badami Chalukyan
ruler of the Deccan.
Battle of Narmada
• Pulakesin II in his Aihole inscription mentions that he defeated
the Sakalottarapadeeshwara Harshavardhana in the Battle of
Narmada.According to a treaty between them, river Narmada
was marked as the boundary line between their kingdoms.
• Harsha died in 647 AD.
❑ There is no information available regarding the Pushyabhuti dynasty
after Harshavardhana.
• According to Chinese chronicles, an officer named Arunaswa
captured the throne from the successors of Harshavardhana.
• A Chinese general named WangYuvan-Tse was sent by the emperor
of China who defeated Arunaswa and reinstated the successors of
Harsha on the throne.
• Another Chinese traveller Itsing who visited India between A.D.
675-685 did not provide any information regarding the successors of
Harsha.
• According to literary evidences, in the early 8th century,
Kanauj was ruled by Yasovarman.He wrote a drama called
'Ramabhyudaya' in Sanskrit.
• Yasovarman patronised:
i. Bhavabhuti:He wrote Sanskrit poems such as Malathi
Madhava,Mahavira Charitra and Uttara Rama Charita.
ii. Vakpati:wrote a prakrit poem called Gaudavaho which
describes the conquest of the Gaudadesa (Bengal) by
Yasovarman.
Chalukyas of Badami (A.D 543-755)
• The Chalukyas of Badami or Vatapi ruled over the Deccan for
about 200 years with their capital at Badami in the Bagalkot
district of Karnataka.
• Vatapi was the ancient name of Badami.
• The Chalukyas of Badami and the Pallavas of Kanchi
constantly fought with each other to establish over lordship
over the Krishna-Tungabhadra doab (Raichur Doab)
Pallava-Chalukya Conflict
Krishna-Tungabhadra doab
Badami/Vatapi
 Political History
1. Pulakesin I
2. Kirtivarman I
3. Mangalesa (regency)
4. Pulakesin II
5. Vikramaditya I
6. Vijayaditya
7. Vikramaditya II
8. Kirtivarman II
1. Pulakesin I
• Founder:He established a small kingdom with Badami as
capital
• Titles:Satyashraya and Ranavikrama.
• He performed an Asvamedha sacrifice.
2. Kirtivarman I (S/o Pulakesin I)
• Expanded the kingdom by wars against the Kadambas of
Banavasi and the Nalas of Bastar.
• His son Pulakesin II was a minor at the time of his death.
3.Mangalesa (Brother of Kirtivarman I)
• Since Pulakesin II was a minor, he acted as regent.
• Plundered Gujarat,Khandesh & Malwa.
4. Pulakesin II (A.D 609-642)
• Greatest
• Waged Civil war against his uncle Mangalesa and killed him
• Internal rebellions: Killed Appayika,pardoned Govinda
• The Aihole inscription of Ravikirti (court poet of Pulakesin II)
records his military achievements.
• He successfully campaigned against the Kadambas of
Banavasi,Alupas of South Canara,Western Gangas of Mysore
etc.
• He conquered Elephanta Island from the Mauryas of North
Konkan.
➢ The Elephanta Island was added to the list of World Heritage
Sites by the UNESCO because of the famous Trimurti Cave
Temple (Shiva temple) located here.
Aihole Stone Inscription
Maheshamurti cave,Elephanta
• The kings of the Vishnukundins and Ranadurjayas (2 dynasties
ruling over coastal Andhra)were defeated by Pulakesi-II.
• He appointed his brother Kubja Vishnuvardhana as the
governor of coastal Andhra Pradesh with Vengi as capital.
• Later,Kubja Vishnuvardhana declared himself independent in
A.D. 624, and established Chalukyas of Vengi dynasty which
ruled coastal Andhra for about 450 years.
Conquest of Vengi
• Pulakesin-II defeated Harshavardhana in the Battle of
Narmada and expanded his kingdom upto the river Narmada.
• He assumed the title- ‘Dakshinaparameshwara’
• Causes for the war:
a) Conquest of Vallabhi by Harsha-Immediate cause
b) Question of overlordship over the Latas,Malwas and
Gurjaras.
➢ Hiuen Tsang gives elaborate description of Harsha’s
preparation for this war. But does not mention its result.
Battle of Narmada
Pulakesin II-The Lord of South India
Pulakesin II’s Empire
• Pulakesin II was mainly responsible for beginning the dynastic
wars with the Pallavas.He invaded the Pallavan kingdom
twice-
i. 1st expedition:Pulakesin-II killed the Pallavan king
Mahendravarman I in the Battle of Pullalur (630 A.D)and
occupied many territories.
ii. 2nd expedition:Pallavan king Narasimhavarman I defeated
Pulakesin II in the Battle of Manimangala (642 A.D) and
killed him in the Battle of Badami-Narasimhavarman I took
 the titles Vatapikonda & Mamalla.
▪ Badami came under the control of Pallavas temporarily.
• Pulakesin II had sent an envoy to the Persian king,Khusrau II
in 625 A.D and received one from him.
• The reception given to the Persian envoy by Pulakesin II is
depicted in a painting at Ajanta Cave No.1
• Hiuen Tsang also visited his court-talks of socio-economic
conditions of the kingdom.
Pulakesin II receiving the Persian Ambassador-
Painting in Ajanta Cave No.1
5. Vikramaditya-I (S/o Pulakesin II)
• He drove out the occupying Pallavan forces after12 years and
thus revived the Chalukyan rule.
• He invaded the Pallavan kingdom,plundered Kanchi and killed
its ruler, Mahendravarman II.
• In A.D 674 he defeated the Pallava king Parameshwaravarman
in the Battle of Peruvallanalluru.
• He conquered the Lata region(Guj) and appointed his brother
 Jayasimhavarman as its governor-Jayasimha’s successors ruled
Gujarat for a long time.
6. Vijayaditya
• Ruled for 40 years-longest, most prosperous & peaceful
reign.
• His rule was marked by great activity in temple building.
7. Vikramaditya II
• 2nd greatest Chalukyan ruler
• Thrice plundered Kanchi,the Pallavan capital
• Repelled the Arab invasion of South Gujarat
8. Kirtivarman I
• Last ruler
• One of his governors,Dantidurga killed him and founded the
Rashtrakuta dynasty in A.D 755 with Ellora (Aurangabad
dt,Maha) as his capital.
❑ The Chalukyas of Badami developed the ‘Vesara style’ of
temple building architecture.
❑ Their monuments are mainly found at Aihole,Badami &
Pattadakal.
Aihole
Pattadakal
The Pallavas of Kanchi (AD 600-900)
Introduction
• Early Pallavas (AD 400-600):Sivaskandavarman was their
greatest ruler
• Imperial or Greater Pallavas ruled from A.D 600-900.
• The Pallavas were a local tribe who established authority in
the Tondainadu or Land of Creepers.
• Pallavas ruled over South India for more than three centuries
with their capital at Kanchi.
• The Krishna-Tungabhadra doab was the bone of contention
between the Pallavas and the Chalukyas of Badami.
Pallava Kingdom
 Political History
1. Simhavishnu
2. Mahendravarman I
3. Narasimhavarman I
4. Mahendravarman II
5. Narasimhavarman II
6. Nandivarman II
7. Aparajita Pallava
1. Simhavishnu:
• Founder
• Title:Avanisimha.
• He was a follower of Vaishnavism
2. Mahendravarman I
• Titles: Gunabhadra, Mattavilasa, Vichitrachitta, Chittakarapuli
and Shatrumalla.
• He wrote a humorous drama called Mattavilasaprahasana in
Sanskrit language.
• Mahendravarman I was a Jain initially, later converted to
Shaivism under the influence of saint Tirunavukkarasu.
• Mahendravarman I was killed in the Battle of Pullalur by
Pulakesin II in A.D. 630.
3. Narasimhavarman I
• Greatest of the Pallavas.
• He defeated Pulakesin II in the Battle of Manimangala in A.D.
642 and killed him in the Battle of Badami and took the titles
Mahendravarman I
Narasimhavarman I
 ‘Vatapikonda’and ‘Mahamalla’ or Mahabali and founded the
city of Mamallapuram (or Mahabalipuram,near Chennai) and
made it his capital.
• He also constructed the 7 Rathas (or 7 Pagodas) there.
• Hiuen Tsang visited Kanchi during his reign.
• According to the Mahavamsa,he sent 2 naval expeditions to
Sri Lanka and helped a Ceylonese prince,Manavarman to
capture power.
Mahabalipuram
Seven Pagodas-Mahabalipuram
4.Mahendravarma-II:
• He was killed by Vikramaditya I of the Badami Chalukyas.
5.Narasimhavarman II
• Titles:Rajasimha,Agamapriya,Shankarabhakta
• He sent a diplomatic mission to China to improve bilateral
trade.
• Dravida style of temple building started in his period.
• He established Vedic schools called ‘Ghatikas’, which were
associated with Hindu temples in South India.
• He patronised Dandin who wrote-
a. Dasakumaracharita &
b. Avantisundarikathasara
• He constructed 2 temples-
i. Shore temple at Mamallapuram and
ii. Kailasanatha (or Rajasimhesvara) temple at Kanchipuram.
6. Nandivarman II
• He was a follower of Vaishnavism.
➢ NB:Among the Pallavas, only Simhavishnu and Nandivarman
II followed Vaishnavism, all the rest were Shaivites.
• Nandivarman II performed an Ashvamedha sacrifice.
• He defeated the W.Ganga king Sri Purusha and took away a
diamond named Ugrodaya.
• He got his daughter married to Chalukya Vikramaditya II
(Only instance of restraint between the 2 dynasties)
• He built the Vaikuntaperumal temple at Kanchi.
• He patronised Bharavi who wrote Kiratarjuniyam.
7. Aparajita Pallava:
• He was the last king of the Pallava dynasty.
• Aditya Chola, a vassal at Tanjore killed him and founded the
Chola kingdom.
➢ However, the Pallavas existed as feudatories till the end of the
13th century A.D.
Vaikunta Perumal Temple-Kanchipuram
Bharavi’s Kirātārjunīya
Importance of Pallava rule:
• Pallavas patronised Sanskrit literature which was their official
language.
• The sacred Tamil literature also flourished during this period.
i. Perundevanar wrote Mahabharata in Tamil.
ii. Nayanars (group of 63 Tamil Shaiva poet-saints), composed
Tevaram or Tirumurai (popularly known as Dravida Veda)
which is even now recited in the Shaiva temples of Tamil
Nadu.
• Alwars (group of 12 Tamil Vaishnava poet-saints),composed
Prabandha,a holy book of the Tamil Vaishnavites and is
chanted in Vaishnava temples of Tamil Nadu.
• The Pallavas developed the 'Dravida‘ style of temple
architecture which was improved upon by other South Indian
dynasties
• The early Pallava kings built cave temples and the later rulers
built structural temples in Dravida style.
• The best example of Pallavan sculpure is 'Arjuna's Penance' or
‘The Descent of Ganga’ considered to be the largest bas-relief
in the world.
• Mahabalipuram was recognised as a World Heritage Site by
the UNESCO.
• Pallavas were instrumental in spreading Indian culture to
South East Asia-Till the 8th century A.D,Pallava influence was
predominant in Cambodia.The Pallava type of Shikara is to be
found in the temples of Java,Cambodia and Annam.
Arjuna’s Penance/Descent of Ganga:
Mahabalipuram
 Questions
1. Hiuen Tsang,a Buddhist pilgrim from China, visited the
kingdoms of which of the following rulers?
1.Harshavardhana 2.Narasimhavarman I
3.Mahendravarman I 4. Pulakesin II
5.Vikramaditya I
a) 1 and 4 c) 1,3 and 4
b) 1,2 and 4* d) 1 only
2.Which of the following pairs is correctly matched?
Title Pallavan king
a) Vatapikonda Mahendravarman I
b) Rajasimha* Narasimhavarman II
c) Mahabali Nandivarman II
d) Chittakarapuli Narasimhavarman I
3.Who of the following kings is eulogized in the Aihole
inscription as ‘Sakalottara-padeeshwara’.

a) Pulakesin II b) Pulakesin I
c) Harshavardhana* d) Prabhakaravardhana
4.Who among the following Pallavan kings embraced
Vaishnavism?
1) Mahendravarman I 2) Narasimhavarman II
3) Nandivarman II 4) Simhavishnu

a)1,3,4 c) 2,3,4
b) 3,4* d) 1,4
5. Which of the following Badami kings repulsed the attack of the
Arabs of Sindh on South Gujarat?
a) Pulakesin II
b) Vikramaditya I
c) Vikramaditya II*
d) Vijayaditya
6.Arrange the following Chinese visitors to India in the correct
chronological sequence.
1) Wang-Yuan-Tse 2) Hiuen Tsang
3) Fahien 4) Itsing

a) 3-1-2-4 c) 3-2-4-1
b) 3-2-1-4* d) 3-1-4-2
7.Which one of the following inscriptions refers to the invasion
of the Huns during the reign of Skandagupta?
a) Mathura c) Junagarh
b) Bhitari* d) Sanchi
8.The Chinese traveller Yuan Chwang (Hiuen Tsang) who visited
India recorded the general conditions and culture of India at
that time. In this context, which of the following statements
is/are correct? (2013)
i. The roads and river-routes were completely immune from
robbery.
ii. As regards punishment for offences,ordeals by fire,water and
poison were the instruments for determining the innocence or
guilt of a person.
iii. The tradesmen had to pay duties at ferries and barrier stations.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
a) i only
b) ii and iii only*
c) i and iii only
d) i,ii and iii
9. Emperor Harsha’s southward march was stopped on the
Narmada river by (2003)
a) Pulakesin I
b) Pulakesin II*
c) Vikramaditya I
d) Vikramaditya II
END