Chalukya Dynasty: Everything about the Chalukya Dynasty

One of the powerful dynasties of southern and central India between the 6th and the 12th century AD was the Chalukya Dynasty which was also spelled as Calukya. In the history of South India the rule of this dynasty is marked as an important milestone. 

It was called as a golden age for the history of Karnataka. There were three Chalukya Dynasties who were distinct but related to each other.

Chalukyas of Badami:

The sixth century saw the decline of the Gupta dynasty and their immediate successors in northern India which instigated major political changes in the area south of the Vindhyas— the Deccan and Tamilaham.

Pulakesi-I took control of Vatapi (Badami in Bagalkot district, Karnataka) under his control which became the Capital City when he established the Chalukya dynasty in 550. Pulakesi-I and his descendants were called as Chalukyas of Badami by Historians.

Their empire covered the entire state of Karnataka and most of Andhra Pradesh in the Deccan. Perhaps the greatest emperor of the Badami Chalukyas was Pulakesi-II (precoronation name "Ereya"); he was also known as Immadi Pulakesi and was considered as one of the great kings in Indian history by scholars.

The Princess of Alupas dynasty Kadamba Devi was his queen. This was the main reason why the maintained close family and marital relationship with the Alupas of South Canara and the Gangas of Talakad.

Pulakesi II extended the Chalukya Empire up to the northern extents and his biggest achievement was halting the march of Harsha by defeating join on the banks of the river Narmada. He then attached and conquered the Vishnukundins in the southeastern Deccan.

But the Chalukya capital Vatapi (Badami) got attacked and captured by Pallava Narasimhavarman temporarily. After the death of Pulakesi-II Badami Chalukya dynasty went into a brief decline due to internal feuds. 

Vikramaditya-I restored the reign of the dynasty by successfully pushing out the Pallavas out of Badami. Vikramaditya-II who defeated the Pallava Nandivarman-II and captured Kanchipuram helped the empire to reach to its peak. 

From the Kaveri to the Narmada River was the best stretching Empire was at their peak. In 753 the last Badami Chalukya king Kirtivarman-I got overthrown by Rashtrakuta Dantidurga. 

Chalukyas of Kalyani:

Rashtrakutas dominated much of the Deccan but after 200 years of dormancy the Chalukyas revived their fortunes in 973. 

While some popular theory suggested that the Kalyani Chalukyas belonged to the Badami Chalukya line, but some counter arguments have been raised by some historians indicating they may have been unrelated to the Early Chalukya family.

The reign of the Kalyani Chalukyas had been a golden age in Kannada literature, irrespective of their exact origin. Tailapa-II overthrew Karka-II and re-established the Chalukyan kingdom and recovered most of the Chalukya Empire which came to be known as the Western Chalukya dynasty or Later Chalukya dynasty.

The Western Chalukyas were engaged in constant conflict with the Cholas and their cousins the Eastern Chalukyas of Vengi in their 200 years of rule. Vikramaditya-VI was considered as the greatest ruler of the dynasty by scholars; his 50 year reign called Chalukya Vikrama Era.

With the rise of the Hoysalas, Kakatiya and Seuna the Western Chalukyas went into their final dissolution in 1180.

Eastern Chalukyas:

Pulakesi-II (608 – 644) defeating the remnants of the Vishnukundina kingdom conquered the eastern Deccan, corresponding to the coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh in 616. His brother Kubja Vishnuvardhana was appointed as Viceroy by him. 

The Vengi Viceroyalty developed into an independent kingdom after the death of Pulakesi-II.

The main Vatapi dynasty was outlived by Eastern Chalukyas of Vengi by many generations. According to some historians the Eastern Chalukyas originally descended from Kannada and they came from the Maratha Kshatriyas line.

Though initially they encouraged Kannada language and literature but after a period of time local factors took over and they gave importance to Telugu language. Telugu literature owes its growth to the Eastern Chalukyas.

Administration and Society:

The army of Chalukya Dynasty comprised of infantry, cavalry, elephant unit and a dominant navy. The Chalukya kings were Hindus but they had respect for Buddhism and Jainism.

Kannada and Telugu literature reached to new heights during their reign. Nagari and Kannada legends were imprinted on coins which they made. Cryptograms of temples, lion or boar facing right and the lotus were also printed on their coins.

Architecture:

They built cave temples which consisted both religious and secular themes. The temples were also garland with beautiful mural paintings.

Vesara style of architecture was seen in the temples built under the Chalukyas. A combination of Dravida and Nagara styles is known as the Vesara style. Pattadakkal Temples is a UNESCO World Heritage site which is well known for rock-cut temples.

Four in Nagar style and Six in Dravida style temples completed the ten temples here. Virupaksha temple and Sangameshwara Temple are the famous two temples built in Dravidian style.

The internal feud and the hunger to come into power made the downfall of this Empire and the empire which ruled the whole Southern India region got vanished with time.

Written by: Gourav Chowdhury