Chalukyan Rulers

Chalukyan Rulers

Some long-lost history of the Chalukyas got unearthed recently, yet nothing much is known about it. The recent discovery of a cluster of ten graves near Pattadakal, better known as the cultural capital of the Chalukya dynasty in Karnataka, could potentially mean that these belong to nobles or vassals of the former.

About Chalukya dynasty

Chalukyan kings were famous for building gigantic temples with intricate architecture which could be found at places such as Aihole, Badami and Pattadakal. The Chalukyas were also great patron of scholars, artists and poets.

The Chalukyas ruled parts of Southern and Central India between the 6th century and the 12th century.

There were three distinct but related Chalukya dynasties.

1. Badami Chalukyas: The earliest Chalukyas with their capital at Badami (Vatapi) in Karnataka. They ruled from mid-6th century and declined after the death of their greatest king, Pulakesin II in 642 AD.
2. Eastern Chalukyas: Emerged after the death of Pulakesin II in Eastern Deccan with capital at Vengi. They ruled till the 11th century.
3. Western Chalukyas: Descendants of the Badami Chalukyas, they emerged in the late 10th century and ruled from Kalyani.

Extent of the Chalukya dynasty

The Chalukya dynasty reached its peak during the reign of Pulakesin II. His grandfather Pulakesin I had created an empire around Vatapi.

Pulakesin II subjugated the Kadambas, the Gangas of Mysore, the Mauravas of North Konkan, the Latas of Gujarat, the Malavas and the Gurjars. He also succeeded in getting a submission from the Chola, Chera and Pandya kings.

He had also defeated King Harsha of Kannauj and the Pallava king Mahendravarman.

Administration and Society:

The Chalukyas had great army comprised of infantry, cavalry, elephant unit and a dominant navy. Though the Chalukya kings were Hindus, they were tolerant of Buddhism and Jainism.

They contributed to great developments in Kannada and Telugu literature. They imprinted coins were included Nagari and Kannada legends. They minted coins with cryptograms of temples, lion or boar facing right and the lotus.

Art and Architecture

They built cave temples depicting both religious and secular themes. The temples had beautiful mural paintings also.

The temples under the Chalukyas are a good example of the Vesara style of architecture. This is also called the Deccan style or Karnataka Dravida or Chalukyan style. It is a combination of Dravida and Nagara styles.

Aihole temples: Ladh Khan temple (Surya Temple), Durga temple, Huchimalligudi temple, Jain temple at Meguti by Ravikirti. There are 70 temples in Aihole.

Pattadakkal: is a UNESCO World Heritage site. There are ten temples here – 4 in Nagar style and 6 in Dravida style. Virupaksha temple and Sangameshwara Temple are in Dravida style. Papanatha temple is in Nagara style.