chalukyas dynasties

Introduction Chalukya Dynasties

The Chalukya Dynasty was a powerful Indian royal dynasty that ruled large parts of southern and central India between the 6th and the 12th century C.E. During this period, they ruled as three related, but individual dynasties. The earliest dynasty, known as the "Badami Chalukyas", ruled from their capital Vatapi (modern Badami) from the middle of the 6th century. The Badami Chalukyas began to assert their independence at the decline of the Kadamba kingdom of Banavasi and rapidly rose to prominence during the reign of Pulakesi II (609 – 642) C.E. After the death of Pulakesi II, the Eastern Chalukyas became an independent kingdom in the eastern Deccan. They ruled from their capital Vengi until about the 11th century.In the 6th century, the Gupta dynasty declined. They were having immediate descendants in northern India. Many changes were undertaken in the southern area of the Vindyas- the Deccan and Tamilaham. The age of small kingdoms had given way to large empires in this region. In 550 Pulakesi I established the Chalukya dynasty. He took Vatapi (Badami in Bagalkot district, Karnataka) under his control and made it his capital. In the western Deccan, the rise of the Rashtrakutas in the middle of 8th century eclipsed the Chalukyas of Badami before being revived by their descendants, the Western Chalukyas, in late 10th century. These Western Chalukyas ruled from Kalyani (modern Basavakalyan) till the end of the 12th century.

The rule of the Chalukyas marks an important milestone in the history of South India and a golden age in the history of Karnataka. The political atmosphere in South India shifted from smaller kingdoms to large empires with the ascendancy of Badami Chalukyas. For the first time, a South Indian kingdom took control and consolidated the entire region between the Kaveri and the Narmada rivers. The rise of this empire saw the birth of efficient administration, overseas trade and commerce and the development of new style of architecture called "Chalukyan architecture". Kannada literature, which had enjoyed royal support in the 9th century Rashtrakuta court found eager patronage from the Western Chalukyas in the Jain and Veerashaiva traditions. The 11th century saw the birth of Telugu literature under the patronage of the Eastern Chalukyas.

Badami Chalukya Dynasty (Badami): History and Rulers

The Chalukyas began their dynastic rule with Pulakesin I, who reigned from 543 CE to 566 CE. Pulakesin was the founder of the Badami Chalukya Dynasty. The Badami Chalukya Dynasty is sometimes referred to as the first Western Chalukya Dynasty.

One of the rulers of the Badami Chalukya Dynasty that stands out among the rest is Pulakesin II. Pulakesin II (r. 609 CE to 642 CE) is often cited as the greatest of the Badami Chalukya rulers. During his reign, the Chalukya expanded their kingdom, taking over much of the Deccan Plateau. He also successfully defended his kingdom from Vardhana Dynasty King Harsha and opened up a diplomatic channel with Persia.

His death, during a battle with Narasimhavarman I, of the Pallava Dynasty, resulted in the decline and loss of the Badami Chalukya kingdom. However, this change in fortune wouldn't last, and a few centuries later, the Western Chalukya Dynasty would win back their lands.

Eastern Chalukya Dynasty (Vengi)

Kubja Vishnuvardhana (624 CE to 641 CE), was the brother of Pulakesin II. Kubja Vishnuvardhana was the first ruler of the Eastern Chalukya Dynasty to rule over the Vengi Kingdom. Pulakesin II gave his brother the lands of the Vishnukundins, a kingdom called Vengi, after Pulakesin II conquered them. The Eastern Chalukya Dynasty had a total of 30 rulers.

One of the most notable rulers from the Eastern Chalukya Dynasty was Rajaraja Narendra. Rajaraja Narendra began his reign in 1019 CE. During his reign, he built the city of Rajahmahendravaram also called Rajahmundry, in what is now the modern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. The city is strategically situated near the Godavari River delta and remains inhabited.

Western Chalukya Dynasty (Kalyani)

Tailapa II (957 CE to 997 CE) was the first ruler of the Western Chalukya Dynasty, also called the Second Western Chalukya Dynasty. Tailapa II regained the lands that Kirtivarman II lost in 753 CE. The Western Chalukya Dynasty had 12 rulers.

Vikramaditya VI is cited by some as the greatest of the Western Chalukya Dynasty rulers. During his reign, which began in 1076 CE, the Western Chalukyas built many Hindu temples built in the Vesara style. The temples were built in the Vesara style. Vikramaditya VI was a patron of the arts and literature and promoted learning.

The last Western Chalukya ruler, in fact, the last of all the Chalukya dynasty rulers, was Someshvara IV. He began his reign circa 1184 CE but it wasn't a peaceful reign. Circa 1200 CE the reign of the Chalukya Dynasty was no more and their kingdom was carved up by three other dynasties that had banded together to defeat the Chalukya's and take their land.

Architecture

Chalukya Dynasty architecture tended to be ostentatious; it was large and ornamental, something you could not help but notice. They blended two styles called Dravida and Nagara, that when combined together resulted in the Vesara style of architecture.

A vimana is the part of the temple that sits above the inner sanctum, the holiest part of the temple, and it is the tallest architectural element in the structure. It protects the inner sanctum and it is sometimes referred to as an upper temple sitting on top of a lower, flat roofed temple. It represents the realm of the god. The Chalukya based their vimana's on Dravidian designs.

The Chalukya also adapted a style of faceted wall that was originally an element of Nagara architecture. Other architectural features include:

• A kamuda a type of platform.
• A small foundation or base that was sometimes shaped like the letter 'u'.
• Porches.
• Stone, window-like screens called jalandhras.
• A garbhagriha, or square shaped room that is the holiest part of a Hindu temple; this is where a sacred object or icon, often phallic in nature, is housed and the Hindu follower can meditate upon this image.
• A pradakshinapatha was a path designed to guide the practitioner in a clockwise direction in meditation around a sacred object.
• Columned halls called mandapa.
• Intricately carved friezes of Hindu deities in niches, as well as animal figures, floral motifs, and narrative scenes from Hindu literature and Hindu life.

Political History

• Kirtivarman I (566-97)

• The son and successor of Pulakesin I, he expanded the kingdom by wars against the Kadambas of Banavasi and the Nalas of Bastar.

• Mangalesa (597-609)

• On the death of Kirtivarman, his brother Mangalesa became the regent, since his son, Pulakesin II was a minor.
• Mangalesa plundered the territories of Gujarat, Khandesh and Malwa.

• Pulakesin II (608-642 A.D.)

• The most important ruler of this dynasty was Pulakesin II.
• The Aihole inscription issued by him gives the details of his reign.
• He fought with the Kadambas of Banavasi and the Gangas of Mysore and established his suzerainty.
• Durvinita, the Ganga ruler accepted his overlordship and even gave his daughter in marriage to Pulakesin II.
• Another notable achievement of Pulakesin II was the defeat of Harshavardhana on the banks of the river Narmada. He put a check to the ambition of Harsha to conquer the south.
• In his first expedition against the Pallavas, Pulakesin II emerged victorious. But he suffered a humiliating defeat at the hands of Narasimhavarman I near Kanchi.
• Subsequently, the Chalukya capital Vatapi was captured and destroyed by the Pallavas.
• The most important event in the reign of Pulakesin II was the visit of Hiuen Tsang to his kingdom.
• The description given by this Chinese pilgrim of the kingdom of Pulakesin is quite useful in knowing the social and economic conditions under the Chalukya rulers of Badami.
• Vikramaditya 1 (644-81): After an occupation of about 12 years, he not only drove out the Pallava forces, but also consolidated the kingdom and plundered the Pallava capital, Kanchi, thus avenging his father’s defeat and death at the hands of the Pallavas.
• Vinayaditya (681-93): His reign was generally peaceful and prosperous.
• Vijayaditya (693-733): It was the longest and also the most prosperous and peaceful reign. It was marked by great increase in temple building.
• Vikramaditya 11 (733-44): His reign is significant for the successful invasion of the Pallava kingdom three times, and the repelling of the Arab invasion of south Gujarat.
• Kirtivarmin 11 (744-55): This last Chalukyan ruler of Badami was defeated by Dantidurga, the founder of the Rashtrakuta dynasty, and thus came an end to the Chalukya dynasty of Badami.

Administration

• The central government under the Chalukyas of Badami exercised a paternalistic control over the village administration, which was unlike the administrative practice of south India.
• The main difference between the Chalukyan administration and that of south Indian rulers like Pallavas and Cholas, was that the south India rulers allowed a great amount of autonomy to the village administration, while the Chalukyas of western Deccan did not.
• The Chalukyas of Badami are said to have been a great maritime power.
• Pulakesin II, with 100 ships, attacked and captured the capital of a hostile country.
• The army of the Chalukyas consisted of a small standing army, but mainly of feudal levies.
• Army officers have been used in civil administration whenever an emergency arose.

RELIGION OF CHALUKYAS

The Chalukyas were the followers of Brahmanical religion but they also followed a policy of religious tolerance. During their reign Jainism prospered in the Deccan. Many Chalukyan kings granted villages to well known Jain scholars. There is no information regarding Buddhism. As regards Brahmanism there arrived the Bhagvata and Pashupati cults the cults of devotion to Vishnu and Shiva respectively. Superb structures were set up at Vatapi and Pattadakal in the honor of Brahma, Vishnu and Siva. The sacrificial form of worship was composed. Of the Shaivite saints the most popular were Appar, Sambandar, Manikkavasagar and Sundarar.The hymns dedicated to Shiva and Vishnu have been preserved in two separate collections the Tirumurari and the Nalyira Prabandham.

The Jainism and Buddhism gradually gave way to a new form of religious worship the devotional cults of the Tamil saints which later came to be called the Bhakti movement. The devotional aspect was formulated in a relationship between god and man based on love. Tamil devotionalism achieved a great wave of popularity in the 6th and 7th centauries AD and continued in the hymns and sermons of the Nayanars and the Alvars.