Chalukya (543 – 755A.D.)

The Chalukyas were a powerful South Indian dynasty that ruled between the 6th and 12th centuries CE, mainly from Badami (Vatapi). Pulakeshin II was their most famous ruler, known for defeating Harshavardhana and expanding the Chalukya empire.

They were divided into the Badami Chalukyas (Early Chalukyas), Eastern Chalukyas (Vengi), and Western Chalukyas (Kalyani). The Chalukyas were great patrons of art and architecture, seen in the rock-cut temples of Badami and structural temples of Aihole and Pattadakal. Their rule contributed significantly to the development of Deccan culture, regional languages, and religious harmony.Besides the Pallavas, the Western Chalukyas and the Rashtrakutas in the Deccan constitute important political forces. Both these kingdoms had their rivals in the far south, namely the Pallavas and later the Cholas. Their period has also been important in the history of India for their cultural contributions.

The Western Chalukyas ruled over an extensive area in the Deccan for about two centuries after which the Rashtrakutas became powerful. The family of Western Chalukyas had its offshoots like the Eastern Chalukyas of Vengi and the Chalukyas of Kalyani.

Chalukyas of Badami

• Founder: Pulakesin I
• Region and capital: Chalukyas ruled the extensive Deccan region between 6th and 12th century CE with capital at Badami (Vatapi).
• Offshoots: The same family also ruled from Vengi (as the Eastern Chalukyas) and Kalyani during some later time.
• Famous king: The most famous king of Chalukyas was Pulakesin II, contemporary of Harshvardhan.

Pulakesin II (608 CE – 642 CE)

• Aihole Inscription of Ravikirti described Victory of Pulkeshin II
• He expanded the Kingdom to all of the Maharashtra and conquered large part of
• Deccan.
• Pulakesin II defeated Harshavardhan and limited his southward expansion till Narmada.
• He also defeated Kadambas of Banavasi and the Gangas of Mysore and established his suzerainty.
• Pulakesin II emerged victorious against first struggle with Pallavas but he was defeated by Narasimhavarman I (Vatapikonda) of Pallavas (Kanchi) who captured the capital Vatapi (Badami).
• Chalukyas of Badami adopted Vesara style in building architecture
• Aihole- ‘Craddle of Indian Temple architecture’
• Rashtrakutas who were the feudatories of chalukyas overthrew chalukyas in 757 AD.

Eastern Chalukyas of Vengi

• Pulkeshin II’s brother, Vishnu Vardhan established a new dynasty.
• After the death of Pulakesin II, in Eastern Deccan, a branch of Chalukyas appeared with capital at Vengi. They ruled till the 11th century.

Western Chalukyas of Kalyani

• During the late 10th century, the descendants of the Chalukyas of Badami, re-appeared and ruled with Kalyani as their capital (Basavakanlyan, western deccan).
• Founder: Taila II in 973
• Establish after defeating Amoghvarsha IV, the last Rashtrakuta ruler.
• Chalukya’s of western did not provided autonomy in village administration.

Salient Features of Chalukyas

Administration

• Chalukyas was highly centralised unlike Chola and pallava. Units (villages) were in direct control of central authorities.
• Chalukyas maintained great naval force and small but well organised standing army that too was contributed by feudal chiefs.
• Army officers were put to civil duties whenever an emergency arose.

Village Administration

• The traditional revenue officials of the villages were called the nalakavundas.
• The central figure in village administration was kamunda or pokigan who were appointed by the kings.
• The village accountant was karana and he was otherwise called gramani.
• Law and order of the village was in the hands of a group of people called mahajanam.
• There was a special officer called mahapurush, in charge of maintaining order and peace of the village.
• Nagarapatis or Purapatis were the officials of the towns.

The King and His Ministers

• All powers were vested in the king.
• Inscriptions do not specifically speak of a council of ministers, but they do refer to an official called maha-sandhi-vigrahika.
• Four other categories of ministers are also referred to in the epigraphs:
  • Pradhana (head minister)
  • Mahasandhi-vigrahika (minister of foreign affairs)
  • Amatya (revenue minister)
  • Samaharta (minister of exchequer).
• Chalukyas divided the state into political divisions for the sake of administration: Vishayam, Rastram, Nadu and Grama.
• Samantas were feudal lords functioning under the control of the state.
• Grampohis and gramkudas were village officials. Mahatras were the prominent village men.

Royal Women

• Chalukya dynasty of Jayasimhan I line appointed royal ladies as provincial governors. They also issued coins in some instances.
• Vijya Bhattariga, a Chalukya princess, issued inscriptions.

Economy

• Rocky and infertile land limited the income from land for Chalukyas.
• Overall decline of trade and commerce in India during this period, therefore the Chalukyas conducted invasions and plunder of the neighbouring regions.
• Arab traders were given patronage at the west coast under Chalukyas.

Religion

• Chalukyas of Badami practiced Brahmanism but respected other sects of religion too.
• Expansion of Brahmanism is reflected by building of temples in honour of Vishnu, Shiva and other gods. While Jainism witnessed expansion, Buddhism declined in Chalukya’s reign and region.
• Religious sphere of life became more ritualistic.

Literature, Art and Architecture

• Chalukyas contributed to the growth of Prakrit language and literature.
• Ajanta art continued to grow under the patronage of Chalukyas.
• The fusion of Nagara and Dravidian style i.e., Vesara Style of temples started to appear during Chalukya’s time but they distinctively developed under Rashtrakutas and Hoysalas.
• Aihole, Badami and Pattadakal are important centres of structural temples of the Chalukyas
• Ajanta (Cave paintings too), Ellora and Nasik have some of the Cave temples of Chalukya’s times.
• A number of rock-cut halls (Chaityas) were constructed and granted to Jain monks.
• Aihole-Badami and Pattadikal groups are two groups of temples of Chalukyas.
• Of these Ladh Khan temple, Durga temple (a Buddha Chaitya), Huchimalligudi temple and the Jain temple of Meguti are in Aihole group.
• The Muktheeswara temple and the Melagutti Sivalaya are at Badami.
• At Pattadakkal, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site, there are 10 temples.
• Papanatha temple is in Nagara style, Sangamesvara temple and Virupaksha temple are in Dravidian style.

Painting

• Paintings are found in a cave temple dedicated to Vishnu in Badami.
• Chalukyas adopted the Vakataka style in painting. Many of the paintings are of incarnations of Vishnu.
• The most popular Chalukya painting is in the palace built by the King Mangalesan (597-609).
• It is a scene of ball being watched by members of royal family and others.

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Subject: Ancient History

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