Battle of Pullalur

The Battle of Pullalur was a battle fought between the Chalukya king Pulakesin II and the Pallava king Mahendravarman I in the town of Pullalur or Pollilur in about 618–19.

This article is about the 7th century battle. For the 1780 battle between Hyder Ali and British East India Company, see Battle of Pollilur (1780). For the 1781 battle, see Battle of Pollilur (1781).

Battle of Pullalur
Part of Chalukya-Pallava Wars
Date 618–619 Location Pullalur or Pollilur Result Chalukya victory Confinement of the Pallava power to the vicinity of Kanchipuram
Belligerents
Chalukya Empire	Pallava kingdom
Commanders and leaders
Pulakesin II	Mahendravarman I, Paranjothi
Strength
unknown	unknown

Causes

The rapid expansion of the Chalukya Empire had resulted in the Chalukya annexation of the Vishnukundin kingdom. The Vishnukundins were allies of the Pallavas of Kanchi who were emerging as a major power in the 6th century AD. This embittered the Pallavas against them and a large number of battles were fought.[1]

Events

In about 617–18, Pulakesin II invaded and annexed Vengi.[2] After his success against Vengi, he proceeded southwards and confining the Pallavas to the area around Kanchi. The Pallava king Mahendravarman I met Pulakesin at the town of Pullalur or Pollilur, about nine miles north of Kanchi.[1][2] In the ensuing battle, Mahendravarman is believed to have suffered defeat.[2]

The Aihole inscription of Pulakesin II gives a detailed description of the battle

With his sixfold forces, the hereditary troops and the rest, who raised spotless chowries, hundreds of flags, umbrellas and darkness, who churned the enemy elated with the sentiments of heroism and energy, he caused the splendour of the lord of the Pallavas, who had opposed the rise of his power to be obscured by the dust of his army and to vanish behind the walls of Kanchipura[3]

The Kasakudi plates state

Then the earth was ruled by a king called Mahendravarman who annihilated his chief enemies at Pullalura[3]

While Mahendravarman's enemies are not mentioned by name, some historians interpret this edit as a description of Pallava victory over the Chalukyas.[3] However, others feel that a Pallava victory might have been improbable as there are evidences of the Chalukya army's incursions as far south as the Chera, Chola and Pandya countries.[2]

Aftermath

Following the victory, Pulakesin attacked Kanchi but unable to penetrate the defences of the Pallava capital, he proceeded southwards and ravaged the northern and central parts of Tamil Nadu intruding as far as the Kaveri River. Then, after accepting the submission of Chera, Chola and Pandya kings, Pulakesin II returned to Vatapi.

Notes

1. Dikshit, p 93
2. Dikshit, p 94
3. Heras, p 31

Bibliography

• Dikshit, D. P. (1980). Political History of the Chalukyas of Badami. Abhinav Publications.
• Heras, H. (1933). Studies in Pallava History. Madras: B. G. Paul and Co.