Indian History is rife with conflict between kings for power, territory and regional supremacy. We have seen instances where kings have made it a point to desecrate the legacies of the vanquished to assert their superiority and send a powerful message to their foes. The conflict between the Chalukyas and Pallavas was no different. Narasimhavarman I “Mamalla” Pallava burnt the capital city of the Chalukyas, Badami (Vatapi) to avenge the assault on Kanchipuram by Pulakeshin II “Satyashreya” Chalukya. Vikramaditya I Chalukya, the son of the deceased Pulakeshin desecrated the structures like the Pancha Rathas of Mamallapuram several years later which were patronised and constructed by Narasimhavarman using war treasure seized from Badami.

When the Pallavas were on the decline under King Nandivarman II Pallava, the Chalukyas were at their zenith under the mighty Vikramaditya II Chalukya. Despite several generations passing between the time of Narasimhavarman I and Vikramaditya II, the Chalukya emperor never forgave the Pallavas for the crushing defeat and death of Pulakeshin during the Battle of Vatapi. For much of Nandivarman’s reign, Vikramaditya hounded him and even drove him out of Kanchipuram. In fact, Vikramaditya had attacked and defeated Nandivarman’s predecessor, Parameshwaravarman II in 730 C.E. His vassals, the Western Gangas had ended the main line of the Pallavas with the death of Parameshwaravarman in 731 C.E.. The Gangas even seized the royal ornament, Urgrodhaya from Parameshwaravarman. Parameshwara had no heirs and Nandivarman was himself an import from a branch line of the Pallavas to prevent the end of the dynasty. But Vikramaditya still was not done.

In 734 C.E., when Vikramaditya launched another massive campaign against Kanchipuram, Nandivarman put up a valiant but futile resistance. The young successor was forced to flee and Vikramaditya marched unopposed into Kanchipuram. While the Chalukyas had routed the Pallavas in battle before, Kanchipuram had never been so vulnerable and open to the Deccan conquerors.

Kanchipuram had greatly evolved and developed under the different reigns of the Pallava kings. It was the crown jewel of the dynasty and its loss was a major blow to Pallava prestige in the region. However, Kanchipuram had been shaped in the image of the Pallavas and their legacy was firmly imprinted on its surface. We do not know Vikramaditya's designs when he captured the city, but we do know that no harm came upon the city when it was under his possession.

Chalukyan emperors never tried to assimilate Kanchipuram and Mamallapuram into their empire as they were content levying tribute from the Pallavas due to the distance of the cities from their own capital and the firm influence of the Pallavas in the region. However, that did not stop them from undertaking iconoclastic action against Pallava built structures when the cities were at their mercy as seen from the actions of Vikramaditya I.

But, when Vikramaditya II came across the magnificent Kailasanathar Temple constructed by King Narasimhavarman II “Rajasimha” Pallava, Vikramaditya was thoroughly awed and wonderstruck. He and his queen, Lokamahadevi made generous donations to the temple and even had a Kannada inscription engraved in the Mukha Mandapa of the temple complex, describing the gifts.

Vikramaditya treated the citizens of Kanchipuram well. Further, the substantial war booty seized from the fleeing Pallava king was returned to the people of Kanchipuram. He further gave gifts to Brahmins, needy and poor citizens of the city. This honourable conduct of Vikramaditya II Chalukya immortalised him in the history of Kanchipuram. What could have been a black chapter in the history of the region turned into a golden chapter in Indian History.

When he left the city, he was an inspired man. At Pattadakal, the architectural playground of the Chalukyas like Mamallapuram for the Pallavas, Vikramaditya erected the awe-inspiring Virupaksha Temple. His queen, Lokamahadevi also had a substantial role to play in the construction of this massive temple dedicated to Lord Siva.

Vikramaditya’s son, Kirtivarman II Chalukya led the final invasion of Kanchipuram by the Chalukyas. The Chalukyas would collapse from their zenith under Kirtivarman’s rule and the Pallavas, despite their diminishing power would survive for another three generations. Such was the game of medieval geopolitics, but that is a story for another time!

Vignesh Ganesh is a lawyer and writer. He is interested in ancient history and Itihasa and this interest culminated in his first book, "The Pallavas of Kanchipuram: Volume 1", which he co-authored with Mr. K. Ram, a fellow enthusiast of Indian history and culture.