A.8.2 Post Gupta Period

Pushyabhutis Dynasty

• Founded by: Pushyabhuti (c. 500–550 CE)
• Capital: Thanesar (modern day Thanesar, Haryana), later shifted to Kanauj
• Key Ruler: Emperor Harshavardhana (c. 606–647 CE)
• Important Achievements:
  • Reunited much of North India after the Gupta decline
  • Bengal Campaign: Defeated Shashanka of Gauda (Bengal) who had killed Harsha’s brother-in-law; successfully brought Bengal and Odisha under his control
  • Conflict with Pulakeshin II: His southward expansion was halted by Chalukya king Pulakeshin II at the Narmada River (c. 618-620 CE), establishing the southern boundary of his empire
  • Promoted Hinduism and Buddhism; became a patron of Buddhism and held major assemblies at Kanauj and Prayag
  • Patronized Nalanda University (though already established) and supported education
  • Known for Harshacharita (biography by Banabhatta) and account by Chinese pilgrim Xuanzang (Hiuen Tsang)
• Relations:
  • Maintained diplomatic relations with Chinese Tang dynasty
  • Had conflicts with the Maukhari rulers of Kanauj, later unified through marriage alliance
  • Established tributary relations with various North Indian kingdoms
• Decline:
  • Declined rapidly after Harsha’s death in 647 CE due to lack of a strong successor
  • Empire fragmented into smaller kingdoms
  • Eventually replaced by the rise of Rajput dynasties and other regional powers

Maukharies of Kannauj

• Founded by: Maukhari dynasty (c. 500–600 CE)
• Capital: Kannauj (modern day Uttar Pradesh)
• Key Ruler: Dhruvagupta (c. 535–550 CE)
• Important Achievements:
  • Controlled the fertile Gangetic plains
  • Played a significant role in the post-Gupta political landscape
  • Had a strong military and administrative system
• Relations:
  • Fought against the Pushyabhutis for control over North India
  • Collaborated with the Haryanka dynasty of Magadha
• Decline:
  • Declined due to invasions by Hunnic tribes and Gupta revival
  • Eventually replaced by the Shakas and Yadavas

Chalukyas

• Founded by: Pulakeshin I (c. 543–566 CE)
• Capital: Vatapi (modern day Badami, Karnataka)
• Three Branches:
  • Vatapi (Badami) Chalukyas (543–753 CE) – ruled from Badami, dominated the Deccan
  • Eastern Chalukyas (624–1075 CE) – ruled from Vengi (Andhra Pradesh), established by Pulakeshin II’s brother
  • Western Chalukyas (973–1189 CE) – later revival, ruled from Kalyani
• Key Rulers:
  • Pulakeshin II (c. 609–642 CE) – most powerful ruler
  • Kirtivarman I (c. 567–598 CE)
  • Vikramaditya I (c. 655–680 CE)
• Pulakeshin II’s Military Campaigns:
  • Southern Conflicts: Defeated the Pallavas under Mahendravarman I, conquered Vengi, and established dominance over most of the Deccan including parts of Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh
  • Victory over Harsha: Successfully defeated Emperor Harshavardhana on the banks of the Narmada River (c. 618–620 CE), preventing northern expansion into the Deccan and establishing the Narmada as the boundary between north and south India
  • Extended his empire from the Arabian Sea to the Bay of Bengal
• Important Achievements:
  • Dominated the Deccan region for over two centuries
  • Built the Badami Cave Temples (Hindu and Jain rock-cut temples)
  • Developed distinctive Chalukyan architecture style
  • Promoted art, literature, and Sanskrit and Kannada languages
• Relations:
  • Had prolonged rivalry with the Pallavas over territorial control in southern India
  • Fought against the Kalachuris and other regional powers
  • Maintained diplomatic relations with Persian Sassanid Empire
• Decline:
  • Vatapi Chalukyas declined after defeat by Pallavas (642 CE) and internal conflicts
  • Eventually overthrown by the Rashtrakutas in 753 CE
  • Eastern and Western branches continued for several more centuries

Pallavas

• Founded by: Simhavishnu (c. 575–600 CE)
• Capital: Kanchi (modern day Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu)
• Key Rulers:
  • Mahendravarman I (c. 600–630 CE)
  • Narasimhavarman I (c. 630–668 CE) – known as Mamalla
  • Narasimhavarman II (c. 695–728 CE) – known as Rajasimha
• Important Achievements:
  • Prominent dynasty in South Indian history
  • Built famous rock-cut temples at Mahabalipuram including Shore Temple and Pancha Rathas
  • Developed the Dravidian style of temple architecture
  • Promoted Sanskrit and Tamil literature, and patronized both Hinduism and Buddhism
• Conflicts with Chalukyas:
  • Mahendravarman I: Suffered defeat against Chalukya king Pulakeshin II, losing northern territories
  • Narasimhavarman I (Mamalla): Avenged his father’s defeat by decisively defeating and killing Pulakeshin II; captured and destroyed the Chalukya capital Vatapi (Badami) in 642 CE, earning the title Vatapikonda (conqueror of Vatapi)
  • Long-standing rivalry with Chalukyas over control of the Vengi region and dominance in the Deccan
  • Multiple wars fought across several generations for territorial supremacy in South India
• Relations:
  • Had prolonged rivalry with the Chalukyas and later the Rashtrakutas
  • Maintained maritime trade relations with Southeast Asian kingdoms
• Decline:
  • Declined due to continuous conflicts with Chalukyas, Pandyas, and internal weaknesses
  • Eventually replaced by the Cholas in the 9th century

Comparison Table: Pushyabhutis, Maukharies, Chalukyas, Pallavas

Key Facts for Competitive Exams

• Harshavardhana was a great emperor of the Pushyabhutis and was known for his patronage of arts and literature.
• Kanchi was the capital of the Pallavas and is known for its historical and religious significance.
• Badami Caves are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and were built by the Chalukyas.
• The Maukharies were a significant power in the post-Gupta period, controlling the Gangetic plains.
• The Chalukyas and Pallavas had a long rivalry over the Kaveri River basin.
• The Pushyabhutis were known for their military strength and cultural patronage.
• The Maukharies were eventually replaced by the Shakas and Yadavas.
• The Chalukyas were eventually replaced by the Rashtrakutas.
• The Pallavas were eventually replaced by the Cholas.

Important Dates

• Pushyabhutis: c. 500–550 CE (Pushyabhuti), c. 606–647 CE (Harshavardhana)
• Maukharies: c. 500–606 CE
• Chalukyas: c. 543–566 CE (Pulakeshin I), c. 609–642 CE (Pulakeshin II)
• Pallavas: c. 575–600 CE (Simhavishnu), c. 600–630 CE (Mahendravarman I), c. 630–668 CE (Narasimhavarman I), c. 695–728 CE (Narasimhavarman II)