Vikramaditya VI was one of the well known Western Chalukyan rulers of Karnataka. He ascended the throne by overthrowing his brother Somesvara II with the help of some of the Chalukya feudatories. Vikramaditya VI, also known as Parmadideva, assumed the title Tribhuvanamalla. Vikramaditya`s reign marks the starting of the Chalukya-Vikrama era. An inscription discloses that Jayasimha governed Banavasi, Santalige, and Kadur as his brother`s subordinate. Later on Vikramaditya received the news that Jayasimha had turned hostile and advanced with his army to the bank of Krishna River, where he was joined by many feudatories. Vikramaditya suffered defeat at the initial stage but eventually succeeded in taking Jayasimha as a prisoner, and released him shortly.
Conquests of Vikramaditya VI
Vikramaditya VI marched against the Cholas and captured Kanchi before 1085 AD. He along with his general Govindarasa, defeated the Velananti Gonka I, and annexed Andhra by capturing it from Vir Choda, son of Kulottunga Chola I. However, Kulottunga regained his kingdom later. In the closing years of Kulottunga`s reign, when his son Vikrama Chola, left for the Chola capital, Vikramaditya VI seized it back and annexed to his Empire.
On the other hand, in Malwa Paramara Jagaddeva renounced the throne in favour of his brother Nara Varman, and became an ally of Vikramaditya VI. The Sinda chief Acha II of Erambarage challenged the Hoysala ruler at the command of Vikramaditya. The inscriptions of Ballala I and Vishnuvardhana prove that Hoysalas accepted the supremacy of Vikramaditya as well.
Reign of Vikramaditya VI
Vikramaditya VI ruled from 1076 AD to 1126 AD. He reigned over a vast empire stretching from Kaveri River in Southern India to the Narmada River in Central India. He is also renowned for his patronage of art and learning. Kannada and Sanskrit poets adorned his court. In Kannada, his brother Kirtivarma wrote Govaidya on veterinary science and Brahmashiva wrote Samayaparikshe.
Many Kannada inscriptions are attributed to Vikramaditya VI than any other king before the twelfth century. His rule was a glorious era in the literary history of Kannada.
