Pulakesin II was the greatest Chalukya king. Details about his reign are available from his eulogy written by the court-poet Ravikirti in the Aihole Inscription, written in Sanskrit. The Chalukya power reached its climax under Pulakesin II. Even the powers like Cholas, Pandyas, etc. offered submission to him.

Pulakesin II maintained friendly relations with the neighboring countries. He sent a goodwill mission to the Iranian monarch Khusru II. The famous Chinese traveller Hiuen Tsang visited Vatapi, the Chalukyan capital. Hiuen Tsang in his accounts referred to Pulakesin II as the greatest monarch of the contemporary India.