Kubja Vishnuvardhana
founder of the Eastern Chalukya dynasty
595 CE to 641 CE
Kubja Vishnuvardhana (624–641) is the brother of Chalukya ruler Pulakesi II.
Vishnuvardhana rules the Vengi territories in the eastern Andhra Pradesh as the viceroy under Pulakesi II from around 615.
Eventually Vishnuvardhana declares his independence and starts the Eastern Chalukya dynasty (c. 624).
The Eastern Chalukyas rule the Vengi kingdom for nearly five centuries and has a very close relationship with the imperial Cholas.
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Pulakesi had seized the Visnukindin east coast kingdom of Vengi (Pedavegi and Denduluru, near Eluru) around 615 and installed as viceroy his brother Kubja Vishnuvardhana, who declares his independent rule in 624, establishing an eastern Chalukya dynasty on the Bay of Bengal.
Pulakesi’s brother Vishnuvardhana rules over a kingdom extending from Nellore to Visakhapatnam.
He assumes the title of Vishamasiddhi (conqueror of difficulties).
Vishnuvardhana participated in the wars between his brother and the Pallava Narasimhavarma I and probably lost his life in battle in 641.
On the death of Pulakesi II, the Vengi Viceroyalty develops into an independent kingdom under Vishnuvardhana’s son Jayasimha.
Narasimhavarman, still seething at the Chalukyas’ seizure in 624 of the Visnukindin east coast kingdom of Vengi, which the Pallavas had themselves coveted, raids the Deccan area from 641 to 647, capturing large areas of Chalukya territory, conquering the temple-fort of Vatapi (Badami) in 642 and killing Pulakesi.
There is a period of confusion following the crushing defeat of the Chalukyas and the burning of Badami.
The five sons of Pulakesi fight among themselves and try to divide the kingdom into independent kingdoms.
Pulakesi's third son Vikramaditya I becomes the Chalukya king around 642 and eventually restores order after defeating his brothers.