Chalukya dynasty

Introduction:

                                     The Chalukya dynasty, an influential and powerful ruling dynasty in ancient and medieval India, played an important role in shaping the political and cultural landscape of the Indian subcontinent.Arising in the 6th century AD, the Chalukyas occupied a prominent position in the Deccan region, leaving an indelible mark on the history of South India.
The Chalukyas were known for their administrative acumen, military prowess, and patronage of art and architecture, especially for the construction of intricate temples that exemplified their unique architectural style.The Chalukya dynasty is often divided into three main branches: the Early Chalukyas , the Western Chalukyas of Kalyani, and the Eastern Chalukyas of Vengi.Each branch made a significant contribution to the political and cultural scene of India.The story of the Chalukyas is a continuum of political acumen, cultural richness and architectural excellence that continues to fascinate historians and enthusiasts alike.

 Early Western Chalukya dynasty :

From the 6th to the 8th centuries, The early Chalakis ruled with Vatapi as their capital.

1. Pulikesi I (AD 543-556).
2. Kirti Varman (AD 566-594).
3. Mangalesan (AD 594-609).
4. Pulikesi II (AD 609-642).
5. Vikramaditya I (655-680 AD).
6. Kirtivarman II (AD 744-745).

The later Western Chalukya dynasty (Kalyani);

Kalyani is known as the Chalukyas because she ruled with Kalyani as her capital.Thaipar II was the founder of the later Western Roadists.

1. Thaipar II
2. Someshwaraman I

The  last king of the later Upper Chalakyas was Someshwara IV.

 Eastern Chalukya dynasty ;

                     Vengi ruled with the capital as their capital.Pulikesi II gave venky as his capital to his younger brother Vishnuvardhana and  established the kingdom.

Pulikesi I (543-556 AD);;

                      Bija was ruling as a chieftain of the titles of Puri district.In 543, Vatapi captured Malakottai and built a wall around it.Thereafter, he conquered the Western Ghats between the Rivers Krishna and Tungabhadra.

 KirtiVarman I (AD 566-594);

           He conquered as far as the Konkan coast.He shifted his head to Vatapi.

 Pulikesi II (AD 609-642);

                                      His real name is Iraaya.According to the Ajanta cave paintings, he belonged to the Persian style.Pulikesi II was the founder of the Chalukya state and a strong government.He extended the Chalukya rule to most parts of the Deccan.Khusrau II, the then King of Persia, sent a delegation to his court.He conquered Gujarat and Malavam.It is mentioned in the Aingole inscription that Pulikesi II defeated his former king Mangalesa and became king.He conquered Harsha on the banks of river Narmada and bordered Narmada.In 624 A.D., vengi was captured and given to his younger brother Vishnuvardhana.He conquered the Kadambas at Panavasi and the Gangas in Mysore and was defeated by Mahendravarman I.NarasimhaVarman I then adopted Vatapi and killed tiger Kesi.

 Vikramaditya I (655-680 AD);

He fought with the Pallavas and conquered Vatapi.He captured Kanchi.

 Kirtivarman  II (AD 744-745);

Rashta was also defeated in the battle of Telegraph Durkar.

 The second tailappar (AD 973-997);

                                 His title  was called Ahavamalla.The founder of the later Western Roaders.The Rashtrakuta chieftain of Bijapuri defeated Garga II and established a new dynasty.The Malava king defeated Paramar and captured Kalyani in.

 Someshvarman I (AD 1042-1068);

                  The Hoysalas of the hill country (hill) areas of Mysore were his slaves in the south.During his time the Chalukya dynasty developed into an empire.Shifted the capital from Manyakota to Kalyani.Not all those who came after him were considered talented.

1. Later, during the reign of Vikramaditya VI, the Chalukya dynasty extended to the Narmada in the north and cauvery in the south.
2. Then the last king was Someshwarman IV.

 Inscriptions of Chalukya dynasty;

Vatapi cave inscription of Mangalesan.

• There are 4 caves in this cave inscription.It houses vishnu temple, Narasimha temple and Vamana avatara.

Kanchi Kailasanathar Temple Inscription.

Pattakkal Virupaksha Temple Inscription.

• It is located in Bagalkot, Karnataka.It was built on the orders of his wife Lokama Devi to commemorate the conquest of Kanchipuram by Vikramaditya II .
• There are a total of 10.Four of these temples have been built in the North Indian style i.e. Babanatha style.The remaining six are built in the South Indian style i.e. sangameshwara style.

Aingole inscription of Pulikesi II.

           It was written in Sanskrit by Ravi Keerthi.It contains more information about Pulikesi II’s defeat of Harshavardhana on the banks of river Narmada and more about him.It has about 70.This is a Durga temple.

 Architecture;

             Vesara style – the method of constructing vimanas in temples.The buildings were also built in the South  Indian (Dravidian) style and the North Indian (urban) Pani.The buildings have been constructed using fine mud stones.Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Lakhandi.Mallikarjuna Temple in Kuruvati.Kalleswarar temple during the day.And the temples of Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma were built by them.

 Painting;

                        The paintings have been painted in vadakar style.There are many paintings on the Vishnu smoke in Vatapi.They have painted a lot of paintings for vishnu avatar.The palace built by Mangalesan has the most famous painting. The painting is depicted as if the royal family enjoys a visual dance performance.

 Chalukya dynasty Texts;

                         Kavirajamars written in Kannada language, Kamba-Bharata, Vikramarjuna Vijayam, By Nannayya.Mahabharata written in Telugu.The fourth is divya prabandham.There is also a reference to the Chalukyas in all the books such as Thevaram, Manivasakam, Thiruvasagam and Periya Puranam.

 Administration;

Conclusion:

                                   The Chalukya dynasty stands as a remarkable chapter in Indian history, leaving an indelible mark on the cultural, architectural, and political landscape of the subcontinent. Spanning several centuries, the Chalukyas exhibited a blend of military prowess, administrative acumen, and patronage of the arts that propelled them to prominence. The construction of awe-inspiring temples, such as the Badami Cave Temples and the Pattadakal complex, attests to their architectural brilliance and cultural contributions.

                           The Chalukyas played a crucial role in shaping the political dynamics of South India, showcasing both periods of ascendancy and fragmentation. Their legacy endures in the form of intricate stone carvings, inscriptions, and the enduring impact on regional art and architecture. Through their reign, the Chalukyas demonstrated the resilience and dynamism that characterized medieval Indian polity, making them a pivotal force in the historical narrative of the subcontinent.