Chalukyas

The Chalukyas were dominant power in the Deccan during 6th to 8th century AD. And again during 10th century AD, they regained their power and ruled till 12 century. The Chalukyas who ruled from Badami were the Western Chalukyas.

The one who ruled from Kalyani are referred as Later Western Chalukyas and the Chalukyas of Vengi are known to the historians as the Eastern Chalukyas. The legendary history of the Chalukyas makes their origin very controversial.

They claimed descent from Pulakesin I (reigned 543-566), who established himself at Badami (in Bijapur) and who asserted their independence at the decline of the Satavahana empire and rapidly rose to prominence during the reign of Pulakesin II (reigned 609-642).

The Early Chalukyas held power in northern Karnataka from the 6th century until 757, and were rivals to the Pallavas. Vengi (in East Andhra Pradesh) became the centre of the Eastern Chalukya dynasty, which ruled there from 624 until the 11th century, surviving the fall of the Early Chalukyas in Badami.

The Late Chalukyas gained ascendancy in the Deccan about 973, centered at Kalyani. The history of the Kalyani Chalukya kingdom was largely one of war with the Cholas and defense against the incursions of the Turks and Arabs who were plundering North India. The kingdom broke up in 1189.

The Three Chalukyas

• Badami Chalukyas: The earliest Chalukyas with their capital at Badami (Vatapi) in Karnataka. They ruled from mid-6th They declined after the death of their greatest king, Pulakesin II in 642 AD.
• Eastern Chalukyas: Emerged after the death of Pulakesin II in Eastern Deccan with capital at Vengi. They ruled till the 11^th century.
• Western Chalukyas: Descendants of the Badami Chalukyas, they emerged in the late 10th century and ruled from Kalyani (modern-day Basavakanlyan).

Geographical Extent of the Chalukya dynasty

• The Chalukya dynasty reached its peak during the reign of Pulakesin II.
• His grandfather Pulakesin I had created an empire around Vatapi.
• Pulakesin II subjugated the Kadambas, the Gangas of Mysore, the Mauravas of North Konkan, the Latas of Gujarat, the Malavas and the Gurjars.
• He also succeeded in getting a submission from the Chola, Chera and Pandya kings.
• He had also defeated King Harsha of Kannauj and the Pallava king Mahendravarman.

Chalukya Rulers

Jayasimha was the first ruler of the Chalukyas.

Pulakesin I (Reign: 543 AD – 566 AD)

• Founded the empire with his capital at Vatapi.
• Performed Ashwamedha.

Kirtivarman I (Reign: 566 AD – 597 AD)

• Son of Pulakesin I.
• Conquered Konkan and northern Kerala.

Mangalesha (Reign: 597 AD – 609 AD)

• Brother of Kirtivarman I.
• Conquered the Kadambas and the Gangas.
• Was killed by his nephew and son of Kirtivarman, Pulakesin II.

Pulakesin II (609 AD – 642 AD)

• The greatest of the Chalukya kings.
• Extended the Chalukya rule to most parts of the Deccan.
• His birth name was Eraya. Information about him is obtained from the Aihole inscription dated 634. This poetic inscription was written by his court poet Ravikirti in Sanskrit language using the Kannada script.
• Xuanzang visited his kingdom. He has praised Pulakesin II as a good and authoritative king.
• Though a Hindu, he was tolerant of Buddhism and Jainism.
• He conquered almost entire south-central India.
• He is famous for stopping Northern king Harsha in his tracks while he was trying to conquer southern parts of the country.
• He had defeated the Pallava king Mahendravarman I but was defeated and killed by Mahendravarman’s son and successor Narasimhavarman I in a series of battles he had with the Pallavas.
• For the next 13 years, Badami remained under Pallava control.
• Pulakesin II received a Persian mission as depicted in an Ajanta cave painting.

  He maintained diplomatic relations with the King of Persia Khusru II.

• His death saw a lapse in Chalukya power.

Vikramaditya I (655 AD – 680 AD)

• Son of Pulakesin II who plundered Kanchi, the capital of the Pallavas.

Kirtivarman II (746 AD – 753 AD)

• Great-great-grandson of Vikramaditya I.
• Last of the Chalukya rulers. Was defeated by the Rashtrakuta king, Dantidurga.
  

  Administration and Society

  • The Chalukyas had great maritime power.
  • They also had a well-organised army.
  • Though the Chalukya kings were Hindus, they were tolerant of Buddhism and Jainism.
  • Saw great developments in Kannada and Telugu literature.
  • Sanskrit along with the local languages thrived. An inscription dated 7th century mentions Sanskrit as the language of the elite whereas Kannada was the language of the masses.

Chalukya Art & Architecture

The Chalukyas were great patrons of art. They developed the vesara style within the building of structural temples. However, the vesara style reached its culmination only under the Rashtrakutas and therefore the Hoysalas.

The structural temples of the Chalukyas exist at Aihole, Badami, and Pattadakal. Cave temple architecture was also famous for the Chalukyas.

Their cave temples are found in Ajanta, Ellora, and Nasik. the simplest specimens of Chalukya paintings are often seen within the Badami cave temple and the Ajanta caves.

The reception given to a Persian embassy by Pulakesin II is depicted in a painting at Ajantha. The Chalukya temples could also be divided into two stages. The primary stage is represented by the temples at Aihole and Badami.

Among the seventy temples found at Aihole, four are important.

1. Ladh Khan temple is a low, flat-roofed structure consisting of a pillared hall.
2. Durga temple resembles a Buddha Chaitya.
3. Huchimalligudi temple.
4. The Jain temple at Meguti.

Among the temples at Badami, the Muktheeswara temple, and therefore the Melagutti Sivalaya are notable for their architectural beauty. a gaggle of 4 rock-cut temples at Badami is marked by high workmanship. The walls and pillared halls are adorned by beautiful images of gods and citizenry.

The second stage is represented by the temples at Pattadakal. There are ten temples here, four within the northern style and the remaining six within the Dravidian style.

The Papanatha temple is the most notable within the northern style. The Sangamesvara temple and the Virupaksha temple are famous for their Dravidian style.

The Virupaksha temple is built on the model of the Kailasanatha temple at Kanchipuram. it had been built by one among the queens of Vikramaditya II. Sculptors brought from Kanchi were employed in its construction.

Badami Temple Architecture

Badami Chaluka architecture was a temple building style that evolved during the 5th – 8th century AD in the Malaprabha river basin.

Virupaksha temple, which is dedicated to Lord Shiva was created by Chalukyas of Badami initially in the 8th century.

This is located in the present-day, Bagalkot district in Karnataka.