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Antique Collection India, a country with rich history and traditions, which is evident not only in its buildings and books, but also in its architecture, culture, lifestyle, food and what not! But did you know that you can own a piece of its rich history?Yes! It is possible! Thanks to Peepul Tree’s Antique Collection that would not only be making you discover the treasures of India’s rich heritage, but also would make you experience the splendour of India’s rich antiquity. Handcrafted by the finest Indian artisans, our Antique Collection is the reminiscent of the rich past which has been kept alive by them. Right from the Dhokra Metal Handmade Owl to Indian National Flag, our Antique Collection bears witness to the historical phases India has underwent. Our Antique Collection makes you unearth the past in the pursuit of embracing beauty. So what are you waiting for? Explore Peepul Tree’s Antique Collection today! Historical Collections Now Discover the Treasures of India’s with the Historical Collections of Peepul Tree. Our Historical Collections enable you to unveil the majesty of Indian Antiques. Handcrafted, eco-friendly and sustainable, our Historical Collections make the patron step into the Timeless World of Indian Antiques. Varying not only in their source materials and the products, our Historical Collections offer you a wide range of historical phases, that India underwent. Visit Peepul Tree to get the finest of its Historical Collections. Antique Pieces Those were the rare days, when owning Antique Pieces were mostly far from reality. But did you know that you can now actually own Antique Pieces in just one Click? At Peepul Tree, you can now own Antique Pieces ranging from different regions of India, source materials, that belong to different historical eras too! Be it the Periplus Of The Erythraean Sea Map from the Ancient Era to the Preamble of the Indian Constituion of the Modern Era, Peepul Tree offers you the finest of the exquisite Antique Pieces that would make you own a piece of India’s rich history! Antique Collection Online Now give a new dimension to your shopping of Antique pieces. Visit Peepul Tree and explore its Antique Collection Online. With our Antique Collection Online, you can journey through centuries, through which you not only embrace elegance of Indian Antiques, but also elevate your home decor too. The products offered by Peepul Tree’s Antique Collection Online enable you to discover the soul of India, making you embark on an antique adventure, also preserving History, and celebrating Culture. So what are you waiting for? Explore the best of Antique Collection Online only at Peepul Tree! F.A.Q.’s1. What are the care instructions taken for Peepul Tree’s Antique collection?For metallic objects under Peepul Tree’s Antique collection , for maintaining the sheen, clean regularly with a soft dry cloth. Keep away from moisture and abrasive cleaning agents. These handcrafted products that may have sharp edges. For silver objects, rub with coconut oil if heavily tarnished. 2. Why Should I purchase Antique products from Peepul Tree?At Peepul Tree, one discovers the allure of owning antique products - a captivating journey through time and history awaits you. When considering the purchase of these cherished relics on our website, one is immediately drawn to the following compelling reasons:Timeless Beauty: Pur antique products boast an unparalleled beauty that transcends the ever-changing trends of modern times. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, these pieces exude a sense of elegance, sophistication, and charm, making them stand out as unique additions to any space.Rich Heritage: Each antique product carries a fascinating story, a window into the past that connects us to the generations that came before us. Owning such items allows us to become custodians of history, preserving and cherishing the cultural heritage that shaped our world.Unmatched Craftsmanship: In an age when mass production reigns supreme, antique products represent a tribute to the skilled craftsmanship of yesteryears. These items were meticulously handcrafted by skilled artisans who poured their hearts and souls into creating enduring masterpieces.Investment Value: Beyond their aesthetic appeal, Peepul Tree’s antique products are true valuable investments. As time passes, rare and sought-after pieces often appreciate in value, making them not only a source of joy but also a smart financial decision.Eco-Friendly Choice: Choosing antique products is an eco-conscious decision. By purchasing items that have stood the test of time, we reduce the demand for new manufacturing, thus minimizing the environmental impact of consumerism.Unique Character: Unlike mass-produced contemporary items, antique products possess a distinct character and soul. The slight imperfections and patina they acquire over time add to their allure, making each piece truly one-of-a-kind.Emotional Connection: Owning an antique product can evoke nostalgic feelings and create a sense of wonder. These items often carry sentimental value, having been passed down through generations or acquired during significant moments in history. Conversation Starters: Antique products are excellent conversation starters. Their history and provenance can spark engaging discussions, encouraging the sharing of stories and knowledge among friends and family.Curating a Personal Collection: Collecting antique products can become a fulfilling and passionate hobby. As you acquire pieces from Peepul Tree that resonate with you, you begin to curate a personal collection that reflects your taste, values, and interests.Support for Heritage Preservation: By purchasing antiques from Peepul Tree, you contribute to the preservation and conservation of historical artifacts. Supporting antique dealers, collectors, and museums helps ensure that these treasures remain accessible for future generations to appreciate.In conclusion, purchasing antique products from Peepul Tree is not merely a transaction; it is an enriching experience that connects us to our past, enriches our present, and leaves a lasting legacy for the future. Embrace the allure of antiquity and embark on a captivating journey through time with these treasured pieces.

<h1>Antique Collection</h1>
India, a country with rich history and traditions, which is evident not only in its buildings and books, but also in its architecture, culture, lifestyle, food and what not! But did you know that you can own a piece of its rich history? Yes! It is possible! Thanks to Peepul Tree’s Antique Collection that would not only be making you discover the treasures of India’s rich heritage, but also would make you experience the splendour of India’s rich antiquity. Handcrafted by the finest Indian artisans, our Antique Collection is the reminiscent of the rich past which has been kept alive by them. Right from the Dhokra Metal Handmade Owl to Indian National Flag, our Antique Collection bears witness to the historical phases India has underwent. Our Antique Collection makes you unearth the past in the pursuit of embracing beauty. So what are you waiting for? Explore Peepul Tree’s Antique Collection today! 
<h2>Historical Collections</h2>
Now Discover the Treasures of India’s with the Historical Collections of Peepul Tree. Our Historical Collections enable you to unveil the majesty of Indian Antiques. Handcrafted, eco-friendly and sustainable, our Historical Collections make the patron step into the Timeless World of Indian Antiques. Varying not only in their source materials and the products, our Historical Collections offer you a wide range of historical phases, that India underwent. Visit Peepul Tree to get the finest of its Historical Collections. 
<h2>Antique Pieces</h2>
Those were the rare days, when owning Antique Pieces were mostly far from reality. But did you know that you can now actually own Antique Pieces in just one Click? At Peepul Tree, you can now own Antique Pieces ranging from different regions of India, source materials, that belong to different historical eras too! Be it the Periplus Of The Erythraean Sea Map from the Ancient Era to the Preamble of the Indian Constituion of the Modern Era, Peepul Tree offers you the finest of the exquisite Antique Pieces that would make you own a piece of India’s rich history! 
<h2>Antique Collection Online</h2>
Now give a new dimension to your shopping of Antique pieces. Visit Peepul Tree and explore its Antique Collection Online. With our Antique Collection Online, you can journey through centuries, through which you not only embrace elegance of Indian Antiques, but also elevate your home decor too. The products offered by Peepul Tree’s Antique Collection Online enable you to discover the soul of India, making you embark on an antique adventure, also preserving History, and celebrating Culture. So what are you waiting for? Explore the best of Antique Collection Online only at Peepul Tree! F.A.Q.’s 1. What are the care instructions taken for Peepul Tree’s Antique collection? For metallic objects under Peepul Tree’s Antique collection , for maintaining the sheen, clean regularly with a soft dry cloth. Keep away from moisture and abrasive cleaning agents. These handcrafted products that may have sharp edges. For silver objects, rub with coconut oil if heavily tarnished. 2. Why Should I purchase Antique products from Peepul Tree? At Peepul Tree, one discovers the allure of owning antique products - a captivating journey through time and history awaits you. When considering the purchase of these cherished relics on our website, one is immediately drawn to the following compelling reasons: Timeless Beauty: Pur antique products boast an unparalleled beauty that transcends the ever-changing trends of modern times. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, these pieces exude a sense of elegance, sophistication, and charm, making them stand out as unique additions to any space. Rich Heritage: Each antique product carries a fascinating story, a window into the past that connects us to the generations that came before us. Owning such items allows us to become custodians of history, preserving and cherishing the cultural heritage that shaped our world. Unmatched Craftsmanship: In an age when mass production reigns supreme, antique products represent a tribute to the skilled craftsmanship of yesteryears. These items were meticulously handcrafted by skilled artisans who poured their hearts and souls into creating enduring masterpieces. Investment Value: Beyond their aesthetic appeal, Peepul Tree’s antique products are true valuable investments. As time passes, rare and sought-after pieces often appreciate in value, making them not only a source of joy but also a smart financial decision. Eco-Friendly Choice: Choosing antique products is an eco-conscious decision. By purchasing items that have stood the test of time, we reduce the demand for new manufacturing, thus minimizing the environmental impact of consumerism. Unique Character: Unlike mass-produced contemporary items, antique products possess a distinct character and soul. The slight imperfections and patina they acquire over time add to their allure, making each piece truly one-of-a-kind. Emotional Connection: Owning an antique product can evoke nostalgic feelings and create a sense of wonder. These items often carry sentimental value, having been passed down through generations or acquired during significant moments in history. Conversation Starters: Antique products are excellent conversation starters. Their history and provenance can spark engaging discussions, encouraging the sharing of stories and knowledge among friends and family. Curating a Personal Collection: Collecting antique products can become a fulfilling and passionate hobby. As you acquire pieces from Peepul Tree that resonate with you, you begin to curate a personal collection that reflects your taste, values, and interests. Support for Heritage Preservation: By purchasing antiques from Peepul Tree, you contribute to the preservation and conservation of historical artifacts. Supporting antique dealers, collectors, and museums helps ensure that these treasures remain accessible for future generations to appreciate. In conclusion, purchasing antique products from Peepul Tree is not merely a transaction; it is an enriching experience that connects us to our past, enriches our present, and leaves a lasting legacy for the future. Embrace the allure of antiquity and embark on a captivating journey through time with these treasured pieces.

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Most tourists who visit Aihole, a temple town in Karnataka, climb the 100-odd steps to the Meguti Jain temple to catch the spectacular sunset from the hilltop. It never disappoints. But there’s another reason this ancient shrine is important.

Plum in the middle of the wall connecting the 

 (sanctum sanctorum) is a 19-line inscription that speaks of the conquests of Pulakeshin II, one of the most prominent Kings in Southern India in the 7th CE. He presided over the dynasty of the Chalukyas of Badami.

The Aihole Inscription, or the Aihole Prashasti (eulogy), is also said to be the earliest-known epigraphical reference to the word ‘Maharashtra’.

The Meguti temple belongs to the early phase of the Chalukyas of Badami, a dynasty that ruled from Vatapi (Badami) and developed Aihole into a major centre of architecture along with other surrounding towns. The Chalukyas of Badami were great temple builders and the Meguti shrine is just one among hundreds of temples they built in Aihole, Badami, Pattadakal and Mahakuta. The region is known as a cradle of Hindu and Jain temple architecture and exemplifies both the Nagara style of North India and the Dravida style of the South.

Aihole is in Bagalkot district in Karnataka, on the banks of the Malaprabha River. It is said that Lord Parshuram, the sixth avatar of Lord Vishnu, after avenging his father’s death, washed his bloodstained axe in the Malaprabha River, giving the land its red colour.

The area was ruled at different times by some of the mightiest empires in South India. It came under the Satavahanas from the 2nd BCE to 3rd CE, followed by the Kadambas in the 4th CE, and then the Chalukyas of Badami, who ruled here from the 6th to the 8th CE.

After the decline of the Chalukyas, the region came under the Rashtrakutas, from the 9th to the 10th CE. The Western Chalukyas, or Chalukyas of Kalyani, ruled the territory from the 11th to 12th CE.

The Chalukyas of Badami rose to prominence following the decline of the Kadamba dynasty, which ruled the Konkan and Northern Karnataka from the 4th to 6th CE. Apart from their extensive military conquests, the Chalukyas were great patrons of art and have produced some true masterpieces of ancient Indian architecture. They built the Meguti temple on a hilltop, 800 meters from the famous Durga temple. It is one of the early temples of the Chalukyas at Aihole, constructed in Dravida style.

The temple is relatively plain in design, with an image of a Jina in the sanctum. But the highlight of this temple is an inscription, known as the ‘Aihole Inscription of Pulakeshin II’ or the ‘Aihole Prashasti’ (eulogy).

The temple was built by Ravikirti, the Jain court poet of Pulakeshin II, in 634 CE. The inscription too is attributed to him. Ravikirti must have been an influential figure in Pulakeshin II’s court. Interestingly, he was also acquainted with the works of the greats of Indian literature, such as Kalidas and Bharavi, and even went on to compare his work to theirs.

The Aihole Prashasti he composed is a poetic rendition in the Sanskrit language but written in the old Kannada script. Written in praise of the Chalukya kings, it mentions the early rulers of the Chalukyas of Badami, Jayasimha Vallabhi and Ranaraga.

Not much is known about these early kings. It is Ranaraga’s successor Pulakeshin I, who is credited with being the kingdom’s first sovereign ruler. He founded the dynasty in around 543 CE and went on to rule a large part of central and peninsular India.

Kirtivarman, the son of Pulakeshin I, succeeded him in 567 CE. He defeated the kingdoms of the Nalas in Chhattisgarh, the Mauryas of the Konkan and Kadambas of Banavasi in present-day Karnataka. His younger brother Mangalesha, who ascended the throne in 598 CE, defeated the Kalachuris, who ruled Western India in the 6th-7th CE.

The Chalukyas of Badami reached their zenith under Pulakesin II (r. c. 610-642 CE), the son of Kirtivarman. He was the greatest ruler of the early Chalukyas. During his reign, the early Chalukya Empire covered most of the Deccan region. However, his accession to the throne was not easy. A civil war broke out between Pulakeshin II and his uncle Mangalesha, which Pulakeshin eventually won. The war cost the Empire many territories but Pulakeshin II re-conquered and recovered them.

Ravikirti, in his poem, goes to great lengths to glorify the military conquests of his patron, Pulakeshin II. He says in the inscription that after ascending the throne, Pulakeshin II faced a rebellion from two rulers, Appayika and Govinda. While there isn’t any record of who they were, the inscription reveals that Pulakeshin II befriended Govinda, made him an ally and defeated Appayika.

Vanavasi (Banavasi), the capital of the Kadamba dynasty, was conquered by Pulakeshin II. The rulers of the Ganga dynasty of South Mysore and Alupa in Karnataka accepted his suzerainty. He also invaded the kingdom of the Mauryas of the Konkan and defeated them. In the west, he captured the regions of Lata and Malwa in present-day Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh.

Pulakeshin II’s most famous conquest was his triumph over Harshavardhana (r. 606-647 CE), King of the Vardhana (Pushyabhuti) dynasty. One of the most powerful kings of ancient India, Harshavardhana’s Empire covered almost all of north and north-west India, Kamarupa in the east and the land up to the Narmada River in Central India, the southern limits of his empire.

With a view to conquering the areas beyond Narmada, Harshavardhana marched towards the Dakshinapatha or the ‘Great Southern Highway’. His campaign was not successful. The Aihole Inscription mentions Harshavardhana’s defeat at the hands of Pulakeshin II, a moment of great pride in the Chalukya kingdom. It is said that Pulakeshin II assumed the title ‘Parameshvara’ (Supreme Lord) after defeating Harshavardhana.

That’s not all. One of Pulakeshin II’s many conquests was gaining control over the area of the ‘three Maharashtrakas’, which comprised 99,000 villages. The precise area of these Maharashtrakas is a topic of debate among scholars, but some believe it comprised present-day Maharashtra and Karnataka.

Significantly, this is said to be the earliest known epigraphical reference to the word ‘Maharashtra’. Hiuen Tsang, the Chinese scholar who visited India in the 7th CE, mentions Pulakeshin II as the ruler of ‘Mo-ho-lo-cha’ (Maharashtra). According to historian and author of 

Political History of the Chalukyas of Badami,

 Durga Prasad Dikshit, Hiuen Tsang may have noted the word from the inscription.

After his remarkable feats in the north and west, Pulakeshin II led a campaign in the eastern and southern parts of the subcontinent.

In the east, he conquered the kingdoms of Kalinga and Dakshina Kosala. He captured the fortress of Pishtapura in Andhra Pradesh, after defeating the Vishnukundins, who ruled from the 5th-7th CE. Pulakeshin II appointed his brother Kubja Vishnuvardhana as the Governor of Pishtapura, eventually leading to the formation of a separate branch of the Chalukyas in 624 CE, known as the Chalukyas of Vengi or the Eastern Chalukyas.

In the Aihole Inscription, Ravikirti goes on to mention Pulakeshin II’s campaigns in the southern kingdoms of the Pallavas, Cholas and Pandyas. He forged friendly alliances with the Cholas and the Pandyas but, according to the inscription, he defeated the Pallavas, forcing them to retreat to their capital Kanchipuram.

Relations between the Chalukyas of Badami and the Pallavas soured due to this campaign and resulted in a conflict between these two kingdoms, which lasted for several years. Pulakeshin II eventually returned to his capital at Badami but was defeated by Pallava King Narasimhavarman in 642 CE, and is believed to have died fighting. After Pulakeshin II, the dynasty weakened due to many internal disputes. During this time Badami was occupied by the Pallavas for around thirteen years. It was only in 655 that the dynasty was revived by Pulakeshin II’s son Vikramaditya I.

The Aihole inscription came to light due to the efforts of British historian and epigraphist John Faithful Fleet, who first interpreted it in 1876, followed by German Indologist Lorenz Franz Kielhorn in 1901. Since then, it has been studied extensively, reinterpreted and translated several times.

 or a eulogy, whose main purpose is to flatter and elevate the writer’s patron in the eyes of the world, in this case, the Chalukyas of Badami and Pulakeshin II, in particular. While some of its contents are a source of debate for their interpretation, it still is one of the key sources for the reconstruction of the history of the Chalukyas of Badami.

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The town of Aihole in Karnataka is famous not only for temples built by the Chalukyas of Badami but also for an inscription dedicated to a mighty 7th century king. Find out what it reveals and why it must be taken with a pinch of salt.

Aihole Inscription: In Praise of the Chalukyas of Badami

Most tourists who visit Aihole, a temple town in Karnataka, climb the 100-odd steps to the Meguti Jain temple to catch the spectacular sunset from the hilltop. It never disappoints. But there’s another reason this ancient shrine is important. 

Plum in the middle of the wall connecting the mandapa (assembly hall) and the garbagriha (sanctum sanctorum) is a 19-line inscription that speaks of the conquests of Pulakeshin II, one of the most prominent Kings in Southern India in the 7th CE. He presided over the dynasty of the Chalukyas of Badami.