The creator of an era.' In the history of the world only a few can be described in these words. Vikramaditya the Sixth is one of them.

We must have some way of keeping count of the years, mustn't we? Otherwise, when we think of an incident, how can we explain when it happened?

Generally we follow the Christian era. 1947 means one thousand and nine hundred and forty seven years after the birth of Christ. (The Christian Era was followed only by the Christians of the West. It came to us with the dawn (British rule in India). This means Jesus Christ was the creator of an era.

The Government of India now follows the Shalivahana Shaka or Era. It started 78 years after the Christian Era. It takes its name from King Shalivahana. He was the creator of an era.

About 850 years ago the 'Chalukya- Vikrama Era' was in vogue in Karnataka. Vikramaditya the Sixth came to the throne on the 26th of February 1077A.D. The Chalukya-Vikrama Era commenced from that date.

The history of Karnataka extends to more than two thousand years. Many dynasties came to power during these centuries. The Chalukyas are one of the greatest of these. Twice in the history of Karnataka they were prominent. The first time they grew powerful Badami or Vatapi was their capital. After 250 years of powerful rule the Rashtrakutas of Manyakheta defeated them. A thousand years ago, in 973, Tailapa the Second of the Chalukya Dynasty became independent. Kalyana was his capital. He was very powerful. He had to face many enemies but he defeated all. Many battles were fought between him and Paramara Munja of Malwa. Munja was defeated and died. Their battles were so terrible that poets have sung their heroism and glory in their poems. The valiant Tailapa ruled for the welfare of the people. Ranna, one of the greatest poets of Kannada, was in his court.

Ranna is famous for the power of his language. He has narrated the story of the duel between Bheema and Duryodhana who fought with maces, and the victory of Bheema and the defeat of Duryodhana. Ranna has compared his patron king Satyashraya, the son of Tailapa, to Bheema. Satyashraya was as powerful as his father was. He subdued all his enemies. For about 225 years the Chalukyas ruled once again in Karnataka. Vikramaditya the Sixth who proved to be a genius as a warrior and as a king belonged to this dynasty.

Vikramaditya’s greatness came to light even when he was still young. He said 'no' when the high position of the Yuvaraja was offered to him. Someshwara the First was Vikramaditya's father. He had three sons Someshwara the Second, Vikramaditya the Sixth and Jayasimha the Fourth.

From the very beginning Vikramaditya was very bright and bold. His father was very proud of him. When Someshwara the First ascended the throne he was surrounded by many enemies in the neighboring states. There was utter enmity between him and the Chola king Rajadhiraja. They fought repeatedly. In the end Rajadhiraja died. The other states, too, attacked the Chalukya kingdom. So, Someshwara realized that it was not easy task for any one whom ascended the throne to defend and to retain it.

Someshwara always thought that only a hero of heroes could keep the throne. Someshwara was watching his sons to decide which of them was fit to be his successor. His eldest son Someshwara the Second was not a strong man. Vikramaditya was a veritable lion. So the king thought that he was fit to be his successor. 'This boy can defend the kingdom and protect the people' thought the king.

King Someshwara was growing old. He thought it would be better if one of his sons became the Yuvaraja or the Crown Prince. He, the king, himself would have assistance in defending the state and also in the government; the subjects also would begin to respect him as their future king and the boy himself would get the training needed to rule the kingdom.

The boys completed their education. One day the king sent for Vikramaditya. He said, "My boy, you will be my successor. When I am alive I want you to be Yuvaraja. My burden will be less, and you too, will gain experience."

A lad just on the threshold of youth; the high place of the Yuvaraja had come to him, unsought.

How tempting! How overjoyed should he have been!

I do not want to be the Yuvaraja. Someshwara is elder to me. Give him the place," said the boy.

The king was astonished and overjoyed. He was all admiration for his son. He blessed his son.

The eldest son Someshwara Second became the Yuvaraja.