Chalukyas

The Chalukya dynasty ruled large parts of southern and central India between the sixth and twelfth centuries. They ruled as three closely related, but individual dynasties.

Chalukyas of Badami

• The Badami Chalukyas ruled from their capital Badami from the middle of the sixth century.
• The Eastern Chalukyas became an independent kingdom in the eastern Deccan after the death of Pulakesi II.\
• The Western Chalukyas ruled from Basavakalyan till the end of the twelfth century.
• The rise of the Chalukyas marks an important milestone in the history of South India and a golden age in the history of Karnataka.

Chalukyas of Kalyani

• The Chalukyas revived their fortunes in 973 C.E. after over 200 years of dormancy when the Rashtrakutas dominated much of the Deccan.
• Scholars widely considered Vikramaditya VI the greatest ruler of the dynasty.
• The Western Chalukyas went into their final dissolution in 1180 with the rise of the Hoysalas, Kakatiya, and Seuna.

Eastern Chalukyas

• Pulakeshin II conquered the eastern Deccan, corresponding to the coastal districts of modern Andhra Pradesh.
• The eleventh century saw the birth of Telugu literature under the patronage of the Eastern Chalukyas.

Significance of the Chalukya Dynasty

• The rise of the Chalukyas marks an important milestone in the history of South India and a golden age in the history of Karnataka.
• For the first time in history, a South Indian kingdom took control and consolidated the entire region between the Kaveri and the Narmada rivers.
• The birth of efficient administration, rise in overseas trade and commerce and the development of a new style of architecture called Vesara.
• Growth of Kannada as a language of literature in the Jaina Puranas, Veerashaiva Vachanas, and Brahmanical traditions.

Sources of Chalukyan History

• Inscriptions constitute the main source of information about the Badami Chalukya history.
• Important inscriptions are the Badami cave inscriptions, Kappe Arabhatta record, Peddavaduguru inscription of Pulakesi II, the Kanchi Kailasanatha inscription, and Pattadakal Virupaksha Temple inscriptions of Vikramaditya II.
• Hiuen-Tsiang, a Chinese traveler, visited the court of Pulakesi II.
• Vidyapati Bilhana, the famous poet in the court of Vikramaditya VI of the Western Chalukya dynasty of Kalyana, mentions a legend in his work, Vikramankadeva Charita, which has been used to reconstruct history.

History and Culture of the Chalukya Dynasty

Chalukyas of Badami

• Established by Pulakesi I in 550, with the decline of the Gupta dynasty in northern India.
• Made Vatapi (Badami in Bagalkot district, Karnataka) their capital and ruled over an empire that comprised Karnataka and most of Andhra Pradesh in the Deccan.
• Pulakesi II extended the Chalukya Empire and defeated Harsha on the banks of the river Narmada.
• Brief decline following Pulakesi II's death due to internal feuds, recovered under Vikramaditya I, and reached a peak during the rule of Vikramaditya II.
• Overthrown by the Rashtrakuta Dantidurga in 753.

Chalukyas of Kalyani

• Revived their fortunes in 973 C.E. after a period of dormancy when the Rashtrakutas dominated much of the Deccan.
• Tailapa II re-established the Chalukyan kingdom and recovered most of the Chalukya empire.
• Scholars widely considered Vikramaditya VI the greatest ruler of the dynasty, and his 50-year reign was called Chalukya Vikrama Era.
• Final dissolution occurred in 1180 with the rise of the Hoysalas, Kakatiya, and Seuna.

Eastern Chalukyas

• Pulakeshin II conquered the eastern Deccan in 616, defeating the remnants of the Vishnukundina kingdom.
• After Pulakeshin II's death, the Vengi Viceroyalty developed into an independent kingdom.
• Territorial disputes flared up between the Rashtrakutas and the Eastern Chalukyas following the decline of the Badami Chalukya empire in the mid-8th century.
• Fortunes of the Eastern Chalukyas took a turn around 1000 C.E.

Art and Architecture

• Badami Chalukya dynasty saw art flourish in South India, particularly in the evolution and proliferation of a new style of architecture known as Vesara.
• Karnataka Dravida style of architecture took shape in the Deccan during that time, combining South Indian and North Indian building styles.
• Kalyani Chalukyas further refined the Vesara style with an inclination towards Dravidian concepts, especially in the sculptures.
• Monuments include Pattadakal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Badami and Aihole rock-cut temples.
• Pattadakal is known for its blend of North and South Indian temple architecture.

Literature

• The Chalukya rule embodies a major event in the history of Kannada and Telugu languages.
• Kannada language saw some of its greatest writers during the ninth – tenth century, including Adikavi Pampa, Sri Ponna, and Ranna.
• Patronage of the Eastern Chalukyas gave birth to Telugu literature in the eleventh century.
• Somesvara III compiled an encyclopedia of all arts and sciences called “Manasollasa.”
• From the period of the Badami Chalukya no major Kannada literary work has been recovered, though many works have been referenced in later centuries.
• The extant Kappe Arabhatta record of 700 in tripadi (three line) metre represents the earliest work in Kannada poetics.
• The literary work Karnateshwara Katha, quoted later by Jayakirti, belonged to the period of Pulakesi II with the great king himself as the hero.
• Other Kannada writers of that time included Syamakundacharya of 650 who wrote Prabhrita, the celebrated Srivaradhadeva also called Tumubuluracharya of 650 (who wrote Chudamani, a commentary on Tattvartha-mahashastra in 96,000 verses)

Badami Chalukya Government:

• Army: consisted of infantry, cavalry, elephant corps, and a powerful navy
• Taxation: levied taxes called Herjunka, Kirukula, Bilkode, and Pannaya
• Land governance: divided into Maharashtrakas, Rashtrakas, Vishaya, Bhoga, and had autonomous regions ruled by feudatories
• Agraharas: groups of mahajanas looked after places of higher learning
• Coinage: minted coins of a different standard, had Nagari and Kannada, and symbols of temples, lion, boar, and lotus
• Religion: followed Vedic Hinduism, took an inclination towards Shaivism and encouraged Jainism
• Society: Hindu caste system appeared, Sati may have been absent, devadasis appeared in temples, and women enjoyed political power in administration

Conclusion:

• Beginning of the fusion of cultures of northern and southern India during the Chalukya era
• Vesara style of architecture was created, which includes elements of northern nagara and southern dravida styles
• Bhakti movement gained momentum in south India during the Chalukya rule, spreading later to north India

Related aspects in News:

• Chalukya utsava, a three-day festival of music and dance, organized by the Government of Karnataka, is held every year at Pattadakal, Badami, and Aihole
• Celebration of the achievements of the Chalukyas in art, craft, music, and dance
• Inaugurated by the Chief Minister of Karnataka and artists from all over the country take part in this event.