Bahamani Kingdom

Charminar of Hyderabad, a Bahamani architecture

Bahamani Kingdom (1347–1527)
The Bahmani Sultanate or Bahmanid Empire was a Muslim state of the Deccan in southern India and was one of the great medieval Indian kingdoms. It was North Deccan region to the river Krishna. According to some Muslim historian a rebel chieftain of Saulatabad (an area around Ellora), was under Muhammad Bin Tughalaq. The sultanate was founded on 3rd of August 1347 by the Turkish Governor Ala-ud-Din Hassan Bahman Shah/ Hasan Gangu/ Allauddin Hassan, possibly of Tajik-Persian descent, who revolted against the Sultan of Delhi, Muhammad bin Tughluq. Nazir uddin Ismail Shah who had revolted against the Delhi sultanate stepped down on that day in favour of Zafar Khan/ Hassan Gangu who ascended the throne with the title of Alauddin Bahman Shah. His revolt was successful, and he established an independent state on the Deccan, including parts of present day Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Andhra Pradesh within the Delhi Sultanate's southern provinces. The Bahmani contested the control of the Deccan with the Hindu Vijayanagara Empire to the south. The Bahmani capital was Ahsanabad (Gulbarga) between 1347 and 1425 when it was moved to Muhammadabad (Bidar). The sultanate reached the peak of its power during the vizierate (1466–1481) of Mahmud Gawan. About eighteen kings ruled during the nearly 200 years. After 1518 the kingdom got divided into four smaller ones like Barishahi (Bidar), Kutbshahi (of Golkonda), Adamshahi( of Ahmadnagar), and Adilshahi (of Bijapur), known collectively as the Deccan sultanates.

Bahamani Dynesty of Deccan

History of Bahamani Kingdom :
Allauddin Hassan, a man of humble origin assumed the name of Gangu Bahamani in memory of his patron, a brahmin. Hasan Gangu declared the founder of the Bahamani Dynasty and ruled it under the title of Bahaman Shah. Bahamani was in constant war with south, kingdom of Vijaynagar.

Firuz Shah Bahamani left his remarkable foot prints over the Bahamani history. He was a learned man and having knowledge of many religions and natural science. He always wanted to develop the Deccan region as the cultural hub of India. He waged three battles against Vijaynagar Empire, and also extended his territories of Warangal. He gave up his kingdom and throne to his brother Ahmed shah I.

Agriculture was the main economic activity of Bahamani kingdom for earning the main revenue of the state.

The nobles in the Bahamani Kingdom were classified into two categories, Deccanis (old comers) and the Afaquis (new comers). They were always having problem of difference of opinion. Mahmud Gawan was a minister in Bahamani Empire who expanded and extended the Bahamani Kingdom rapidly. He was categorized as Afaqui and hence it was difficult for him to win the trust and confidence of the Deccanis. He was executed at the age of seventy by Muhammad Shah of Deccan in the year 1482 for his policy which made matters worse in Deccanis and Afaquis.

Culture of Bahamani :
The Bahamani kingdom flourished in architectural monuments. In the field of architecture, the Bahamanis paved way for the distinct style by inviting architects from Persia, Turkey, and Arabia and blended it with local styles. The culture that developed during this time was a blend of both north and south styles and also had its own distinct styles. Gumbaz (the largest dome in the world) and Charminar located at Hyderabad are the world famous examples of Bahamani architecture. The Bahanamis of Deccan left an important heritage of Indo-Islamic art, language, and spread of Islamic tradition in South India. Hazrat Banda Nawaz (1321 - 1422 CE) the great Sufi saint was patronized by the Bahamani kings and his Dargah of Gulbarga is a place of pilgrimage for Hindus and Muslims alike. Mahmud Gawan arrived in Bidarfrom Persia in 1453. A great scholar of Islamic lore, he founded the Madarassa (institution) from his own funds on the line of universities of Samarkhand and Khorasan. A selefless worker, he became a prime-minister of Bahamani king Mahmud III (1462- 82) whom he tutored in earlier days. But Gawan became a victim of the palace intrigue and was beheaded by the drunkern king. The later kings of the Bahamani dynasty were too weak to keep the kingdom in tact, and this led to the breakup

Golkonda Fort

List of Bahmani Sultans :
During the 191 years of Bahmani reign following rulers ruled with Gulbarga and Bidar as their capital:

Gulbarga Period ( 75 years )
*Aladdin Hassan Bahman Shah/ Abu'l Muzaffar/ Ala-ud-Din Bahman Shah (August 3, 1347 – Feb 11, 1358 AD)
Hasan Gangu s/o Kaikaus s/o Muhammad s/o Ali (there are different opinions)
Capital: Gulbarga
Founder of Bahmani Dynasty of Deccan
Original name was Hasan Gangu or Hansan Kanku and also bore the title of Zafar Khan.

Nasir-ud-din Ismail Shah asked Zafar Khan to become the King with the title of ‘Sikandar- uth- thani Ala-ud-din Hasan Bahman Shah al-wali’. The new King was crowned on Friday Aug 3, 1347 in the mosque of Qtub-ud-din Mubarak Shah Khalji at Daulatabad. According to one historian, Hasan was the nephew of Malik Hizhbar-ud-din entitled Zafar Khan' Alai, who was killed in 1298 AD when Hasan was only 6 years old.

The first act of the new king was to transfer his title of Zafar Khan to prince Muhammad. King adopted the title of Bahman. He sent Qutbul Mulk who conquered Kotgir, Maram, Mahendri and Akkal Kot. Qir Khan was sent to conquer Kalyan. After the news of this great victory of Kalyan, King renamed Daulatabad to Fatahabad.

Sikandar was send to Malkher which was held by the Hindu Zamindars who opposed first but subdued later. Krishna Nayak of Tilangana entered into treaty and became friend of Sikandar and loyal to the King. Quir Khan revolted and was beheaded by the king. King renamed Gulbarga as Ahsanabad and made it the capital of Deccan.

The King died on Rabi-ul-awwal 1, Feb 11, 1358 at the age of 67.

Silver Coins struck in the name of Bahman Shah in 760 AH indicates that he might have died some time in 760 AH and hence Muhammad Shah I ascended the throne in 760 AH.

*Mohammed or Muhammed Shah I/ Zafar Khan (Feb 11, 1358 - April 21, 1375)
Son of Bahman Shah
Capital: Gulbarga.

Muhammad Shah ascended the throne. He is better known as organizer of Bahmani Kingdom and founder of its institutions. His Silver throne from his father was replaced by the magnificent ‘Takht-e-Firoza’ (Turquoise Throne) on March 23, 1363 presented to him by Raya of Tilangana. He constructed ‘Jama Masjid’ in Gulbarga Fort and Shah Bazaar Masjid in Gulbarga town. His father Alauddin Bahman Shah, Mohammed was involved in wars with Vijayanagar. However he also became embroiled in wars with Warangal. Sultan invaded Tilangana, Kanya Nayak offered Huns, elephants and horses along with Golkunda Town. Sultan died on Zi-qada April 21, 1375 AD from drinking too much.

Silver Coins struck in the name of Muhammad Shah I in, Silver coin of and a Gold coin is also known. No coin of his successor Mujahid Shah is known. Mujahid Shah's Gold coin is known. This indicates that Muhammad Shah I might have died in 1375 and issue may be a posthumously in his Mujahid Shah's reign.

*Aladdin Mujahid Shah (April 21, 1375 - April 16, 1378)
Son of Muhammad Shah
Capital: Gulbarga

Muhammad I was succeeded by his son Aladdin Mujahid Shah at the age of 19. Mujahid Shah was murdered by Masud Khan (son of Mubarak Khan) and Daud Khan.

*Da'ud Shah (April 16, 1378 - May 21, 1378)
Son of Mahmud Shah S/o Bahman Shah
Capital: Gulbarga.

Immediately on Mujahid's murder Daud Shah proclaimed king of Deccan and all those present paid homage to him. It is said that Ruh Parwar Agha (Mujahid's sister) got Daud murdered through a royal slave Bakah while he was attending Friday prayer of Muharram, in great mosque of Gulbarga Fort.

*Mohammed Shah II (May 21, 1378 - April 20, 1397 AD)
Son of Mahmud Shah S/o Bahman Shah
Capital: Gulbarga

Ruh Parwar after taking revenge of her brother's death, blinded Sanjar ( S/o Daud I ). She put Muhammad II brother of Daud I on throne. Muhammad Shah II's 19 year reign was one of the most peaceful period in the whole Bahmani history. Since he had no son so he adopted two sons Firoz Shah and Ahmad I of his uncle Ahmad Khan s/o Bahman Shah. But after the birth of Tahmatan Shah, Muhammad on his death bed wished that Ghiyasuddin Tahmatan Shah should succeed him and Firoz and Ahmad should pay homage to him.

Muhammad died of typhoid on. The next day died the grand old man of the Deccan Mallik Saif-ud-din Ghori who had lived through five reigns and who was the Prime Minister of Bahmani State in the time of storm and three of four rulers.

*Ghiyath ud-Din/ Ghiyas-Ud-Din-Tahmatan Shah (April 20, 1397 - June 14, 1397 AD)
S/o Muhammad Shah II
Capital : Gulbarga.

Muhammad's elder son Ghiyas-ud-din Tahmatan Shah succeeded to the throne without any trouble. Taghalchin (Turkish slave) who wanted to be the Prime Minister arranged a big feast at which king was also invited. Taghalchin blinded the king on Ramadan, and imprisoned him at Sagar and his step brother Shams-ud-din Daud II was put on the throne.

*Shams-ud-Din/ Shams- ud-Din Daud Shah II(June 14, 1397 AD - Nov 15, 1397 AD)
S/o Muhammad II
Capital: Gulbarga.

The first thing the boy king was made to do was to promote Taghalchin to be the Malik Naib and Mir Jumla of the kingdom. The manumitted slave girl who was Shamsuddin's mother was now raised to the rank and title of Makhduma-i-Jahan (Dowager Queen). Taghalchin tried to persuade Shamsuddin to imprison Firoz and Ahmad and asked king's mother to have them done to death. On hearing of the conspiracy the two brothers fled to Sagar. Firoz proclaimed himself king making his younger brother Ahmad Khan Amir-ul-umra, Mir Fazlil-lah Inju Wakil (Prime Minister). He had the blind boy Ghiyasuddin Tahmatan with him. He directly attacked into the Darbar Hall. Taghalchin and his son was killed Daud II was blinded and allowed to move Mecca with his mother. Shamsuddin Daud II died in 1414 AD at Mecca.

*Taj ud-Din Firuz Shah (Nov 16, 1397 - Sep 22, 1422 AD)
S/o Ahmad Khan s/o Bahman Shah
Capital: Gulbarga.

Firoz Shah was one of the most learned of Indian sovereigns. He was a good calligrapher and poet (poetic name Uruji or Firozi). Among other public works he under took the construction of an Observatory on the chain of hills near Daulatabad called Balaghat which could not be completed due to his death.

‘Hazrat Khwaja Syed Muhammad Gesu Draz’ was a Sufi (saint) and was deeply related with the Bahmani kings and the people of Gulbarga. He was the s/o Syed Yusuf who came to Daulatabad in the reign of Muhammad Tughlaq. Hazrat was born on Jan 30, 1331 and started living near ‘Gulbarga Jama Masjid’. He died on Nov 1, 1422 AD at the age of 105 years.

Firoz Shah paid tribute to him. He gave him many villages for his maintenance.
He knows and can carry translation in Persian, Arabic, Turkish, Telugu, Kannada, Marathi, Bengali and many other languages. He tamed prince Bukka and Harihara of Vijayanagar and Narasingha of Kherla in battle.

Firoz's army tried to kill Ahmad Khan (brother of Firoz) but defeated in battle fought cleverly by Ahmad. Gates of the city was opened for Ahmad and he was taken to dying king Firoz. Firoz died on Sep 28, 1422.


Bidar Period ( 116 years )
*Ahmad Shah I Wali/ Ahmed Shah Al Wali Bahamani/ Shihab-Ud-Din Ahmad I (1422 – 1436)
S/o Ahmad Khan s/o Bahman Shah
Capital: Bidar

Portrait of Ahmed Shah Wali Bahamani

At the begening of his reign he suffered the shock of the death of ‘Hazrat Khwaja Syed Muhammad Gesu Draz’. He decided and shifted his capital from Gulbarga to Bidar. He made Khalaf Hasan Basri as his Wakil-e-Saltanate (Prime Minister).

He constructed the Tomb of Gesu Daraz at Gulbarga any buidings at Bidar.

Ahmad Shah attacked Vijayanagar and over powered Vijayaraya I. In the last year of his reign he appointed his eldest son Ala-ud-din Zafar Khan to be his heir, giving him the full charge of kingdom. King died after a short illness.

He was a great patron of arts and culture. He brought artisans from Iran, including the metal-worker Abdulla-bin-Kaiser, who was the father of bidriware, the inlaying of zinc alloy with silver and gold.

Ahmed Shah's, and his empress's, tomb is located in Ashtur village, Bidar District, and is the subject of an annual ‘urs’, or anniversary of death festival.

*Aladdin Ahmad Shah II (Apr 17, 1436 - May 6, 1458 AD)
S/o Ahmad Shah I
Capital: Bidar.

Ahmad I had been very successful as a king and when he died he was popular even to the extent of being regarded as a saint. His son Zafar Khan who asumed the title of Ahmad on his accession. He gave preference to newcomers from outside over the old in his cabinet. This created a great cleavage between them and the Dakhnis (old comers). He married the daughter of Raja of Sangmeswar and gave her the title of Zeba Chehra apart from the daughter of Nasir Khan Faruqi of Khandesh ‘Agha Zainab’.

There became two party, aparently the old-comers and the new-comers. King died early due to his wound in his shin (front of lower leg).

Silver Coins struck in the name of Ahmad Shah II in 838 AH has been reported. No coin of Ahmad Shah I has been reported so for. This confirms that Ahmad Shah II ascended the throne in 838 AH when Ahmad I was alive

*Aladdin Humayun Zalim Shah (May 7, 1458 - Sep 4, 1461 AD)
S/o Ahmad Shah II
Capital: Bidar.

Ahmad Shah II had nominated his eldest son Humayun heir to his throne. King made Khwaja Mahmud Gawan, Malik-ut-tujjar, trafdar of Bijapur and Wakil-e-Sultunate giving him full control of military matters. Humayun was a very short tempered and cruel man. He made his own cousin Sikandar Khan as Sipahsalar. Sikandar became rebellion and was crushed to death with the help of Mahmud Gawan. Humayun died on Sep 4, 1461.

Coins were struck in the name of Humayun Shah indicates that he might have died some time in Sep 4, 1461. Hence Ahmad Shah III ascended the throne in 1461.

*Nizam Shah/ Nizam-Ud-Din Ahmad III (Sep 4, 1461 - Jul 30, 1463 AD)
S/o Humayun Shah
Capital: Bidar.

On Humayun's death his son Ahmad succeeded to the throne as Nizam-ud-din Ahmad III at the age of 8. He was escorted to the throne by Shah Muhib-ul-la and Syed-us-Sadat Syed Hanif. Late king had nominated a council of Regency constituting of Khwaja-e-Jahan Turk, Mahmud Gawan with the Dowager Queen Makhduma-e-Jahan Nargis Begum. Master mind which ruled the country during the short reign of Ahmad Shah III was that of the great queen. All the political prisoners of Humayun period were released. Ahmad III died on the very night of his marriage on and was succeeded by his younger brother Muhammad Khan as Shams-ud-din Muhammad Shah III.

*Mohammed Shah III Lashkari/ Shams-Ud-Din Muhammad Shah III (Jul 30, 1463 - Mar 26, 1482 AD)
S/o Humayun Shah
Capital: Bidar.

Shamsuddin Muhammad was between 9 and 10 years when he succeeded his elder brother. He was escorted to the Turquoise Throne by Shah Mohib-ul-lah (who was released by his captor Mahmud Khalji of Malwa) and Syed Hanif. Nizam-ul-mulk murdered Khwaja-e-Jahan Turk (one of the member of the three party committee of Regency after the death of Humayun ) ) at the instance of Queen in the presence of boy king in 870 AH.

Mohammad Shah III got married at the age of 14 years. Dowager Queen retired from active role. Malik-ut-tujjar Mahmud Gawan was made Prime Minister. The Prime Minister ship of Mahmud Gawan saw the Bahmani State attaining high unequalled in the whole of its history. During this period Parenda Fort, Great College of Bidar and Madarsa at Bidar. Kherla was besieged in 872 AH. Kapileswar of Orissa was defeated in 1470 AD. Goa was annexed on 20th of Shaban 876 AH. Queen Dowager died in 877 AH.

Boundaries of Bahmani Kingdom now touching the Bay of Bengal in the east and the Arabian Sea in the west. Mahmud Gawan was one of the first ministers in Medieval India to order a systematic measurement of land, fixing the boundaries of villages and towns and making a thorough enquiry into the assessment of revenue.

King annexed Kanchi on 1st Muharram, 886 AH. This was the southern most point ever reached by Bahmani. Nobles conspired against Khwaja Mahmud Gawan and prepared a false paper on behalf of Khwaja saying he wants Deccan to be partitioned between him and Purushottum of Orissa. King sentenced Khwaja to death on 5th Safar 886 AH at the age of 73. Later King came to know that Khwaja was innocent. He appointed his son Mahmud as his heir. He died on on 5th Safar 887 AH.

A silver Tanka of about 11 grams from the treasury of Muhammad Shah III dated 1472.

*Mohammed Shah IV/Mahmud Shah/ Shihab-Ud-Din Mahmud (Mar 26, 1482 - Dec 27, 1518 AD)
S/o Ahmad Shah III
Capital: Bidar.

The long reign of Mahmud Shah Bahmani, was a period of gradual weakening of the state. He ascended the throne at the age of 12 years, when new-comers had been over thrown. New Regency was formed with Queen as president. Qasim Barid was entitled with Barid-ul-mumalik.
King began to indulge in wine, women and song and spent so much money that he had to extract many jewels from the Turquoise throne at the instigation of Qasim Barid. Qasim Barid forced Mahmud to make Prime Minister of the kingdom. Malik Ahmad Nizamul-mulk revolted and made a beautiful palace making it the center of his newly created capital, which he named after himself, Ahmadnagar. Qutbul-Mulk was appointed as the Governor of Tilangana in 1495-96 AD who controlled over Warrangal, Rajakonda, Dewarkonda and Kovilkonda. Qasim Barid died and was succeeded by his son Amir Barid. Ahmad Nizam died and succeeded by his son Burhan. Sultan died on Dec 27, 1518 AD.

*Ahmad Shah III/ Ahmad Shah IV (Dec 27, 1518 - Dec 15, 1520)
S/o Mahmud Shah
Capital: Bidar.

Amir Barid was very clever, He put Mahmud's son Ahmad on throne. Amir Barid was careful that king should not leave the palace but he actually set about to spoil his life and morals. New Sultan was forced to breakup the ancient crown of the Bahmanis, worth 15 lakes of Rupees (Rs. 1,500,000), and sell the jewels in order to provide himself with the means of ease and pleasure. Sultan died on Muharram Dec 15, 1520.

After 1518 the sultanate broke up into five states, Ahmednagar, Berar, Bidar, Bijapur, and Golconda, known collectively as the Deccan sultanates.

*Aladdin Shah (Dec 28, 1520 - Mar 5, 1523 AD)
S/o Ahmad Shah IV
Capital: Bidar.

Amir Barid's wish to become king was rekindled with Ahmad's death. He put the crown on Ahmad's son Ala-ud-din on Dec 28, 1520.The new Sultan was wise and courageous. Amir Barid conspired against him and Sultan was dethroned.

*Wali-Allah Shah/ Wali-Ul-Lah Shah (Mar 5, 1523 - 1526 AD)
S/o Mahmud Shah
Capital: Bidar.

Amir Barid put Waliullah son of Mahmud on throne. He was imprisoned in his own zanana (ladies room) and lived on bread and clothes provided to him by his master. Amir Barid married the pretty Bibi Sitti, Ahmad's widow who was just 22-23 yrs. Amir Barid was now a royal kinsman and was free to enter the zanana apartment of the palace. He began to make love with the queen. When Sultan resisted he was poisoned.

Coin of Waliullah and no coin of Alauddin Shah indicate that Alauddin Shah was dethroned and Waliullah ascended the throne.

Coins struck in the name of Kalimullah indicate that he ascended the throne and Wali-ullah died in 1526 AD.

*Kalim-Allah Shah/ Kalim-Ul-Lah Shah (1526 - 1527 AD)
S/o Mahmud Shah
Capital: Bidar

After 1538 Bahamani Empire gets converted in to 5 shahis. Kalimullah son of Mahmud Shah was the last king of the Bahmani Dynasty. He was closely guarded by Amir Barid. A new political force had now appeared on the Indian Horizon in the person of Zahir-ud-din Muhammad Babur. All the rulers of Deccan i.e. Bijapur, Ahmadnagar, Berar, and Burhanpur sent their congratulations to the Mughal conqueror. Kalimulla also wrote letter to Babur to relieve him from Amir Barid. This news was leaked and out of fear of his life Kalimullah Shah fled to Bijapur in 1527 AD. He was not welcomed there. He left for Ahmadnagar. He was first received well by Burhan Nizamul Mulk, but never again called in open court. Kalimullah soon breathed his last in Ahmadnagar. The men of shahis rulers planned to murder him after he was got down from his post because they thought that he could regain the position. His coffin was brought to Bidar. His date of death could not be confirmed. After the death of Kalimullah his son Ilhamullah proceeded to Mecca and never returned.

Coins struck in his name in 951 and 952 AH say that the sultan must have stayed long at Ahmadnagar.

Coins struck in his name in 1527 AD, indicate that he ascended the throne in 1527 AD.

Chalukya Dynasties

The Virupaksha temple (originally called Lokesvara temple) at Pattadakal in Karnataka, was built by queen Lokamahadevi (queen of Badami Chalukya King Vikramaditya II) around 740 CE.

Intro 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 empire

Badami Chalukya Dynasty:
Pulakesi I and his descendants, are referred to as Chalukyas of Badami who ruled over an empire that comprised the entire state of Karnataka and most of Andhra Pradesh in the Deccan. Pulakesi II whose precoronation name was Ereya was perhaps the greatest emperor of the Badami Chalukyas. Immadi Pulakesi (Immadi in old Kannada means "II") is considered as one of the great kings in Indian history. His queen Kadamba Devi was a princess from the dynasty of Alupas. They 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 of the Pallava kingdom and halted the southward march of Harsha by defeating him on the banks of the river Narmada. He then defeated the Vishnukundins in the southeastern Deccan. Pallava Narasimhavarman however reversed this victory by attacking and occupying the Chalukya capital Vatapi (Badami).

The Badami Chalukya dynasty went in to a brief decline following the death of Pulakesi II due to internal feuds. It recovered during the reign of Vikramaditya I, who succeeded in pushing the Pallavas out of Badami and restoring order to the empire. The empire reached a peak during the rule of the illustrious Vikramaditya II who defeated the Pallava Nandivarman II and captured Kanchipuram.

After the rise of the Rashtrakutas the Chalukyas of Badami went in to an eclipse to be recovered in the tenth century C.E. by Tailapa II (973 – 997) C.E. These later Chalukyas ruled from Kalyani. They were in constant conflict with the Imperial Cholas over the control of the Eastern Chalukya kingdom of Vengi. The Western Chalukyan power finally succumbed to the Hoysalas and Yadavas after almost three hundred years of glory. Somesvara IV (1184 – 1200 C.E.) was the last known Chalukyan ruler. Some of the most beautiful architecture and literature were developed by Chalukyas. It was a combination of the South Indian and the North Indian building styles.

Kirtivarman I was overthrown by the Rashtrakuta Dantidurga in 753. He was the last Badami Chalukya king. At their peak they ruled a vast empire stretching from the Kaveri to the Narmada.

List of Badami Chalukyas:
*Pulakesi I (543 – 566 C.E.)
Pulakesi I established the Chalukya dynasty in then western Deccan and his descendants ruled over an empire that comprised the entire state of Karnataka and most of Andhra Pradesh. Pulakesi overthrew the Kadambas to establish the Chalukya kingdom. He had the titles Satyashraya, Vallabha and Dharmamaharaja.

Pulakesi I was Ranaranga's son. His wife was Durlabhadevi of Bappura family.He earned the distinction of being the first independent King and the real founder of the Chalukya dynasty. He successfully defied the waning power of the Kadambas and proclaimed the Chalukyan independence. He chose Badami (Vatapi) as his capital and constructed a strong hill fortress there. The new fortress stood on the defensible location surrounded by rivers and steep mountains. The Chalukyan kingdom did not extend much beyond the immediate vicinities of Badami.

Pulakesi performed sacrifices like Asvamedha, Hiranyagarbha, Agnistoma, Vajapeya, Bahusuvarna and Paundarika. These details are provided by his Badami Cliff inscription dated Saka 565 (543 CE).Inscriptions compares him with such mythical heroes as Yayati and Dilipa.

*Kirtivarman I (566 – 597 C.E.)
Kirtivarman I succeeded Pulakesi I as the ruler of the Chalukya Dynasty.
Kirtivarman I consolidated the newly founded Chalukya Kingdom. He completed the subjugation of the Kadambas, and he secured the extension of the Chalukya Kingdom by subduing the Nalas of Nalavadi, the Alupas of South Kanara and the Maurya chiefs of Konkan.
He also annexed the port of Goa, then known as Revatidvipa. The Sendrakas, the feudatories of the Kadambas who ruled in Shimoga district, now shifted their political allegiance to the Chalukyas, and married a princess from this family.

At the demise of Kirtivarman, his son Pulakesi II was too young to rule and Kirtivarman's brother Mangalesa assumed the responsibilities of the crown.

*Mangalesa (597 – 609 C.E.)
Mangalesa was an energetic and ambitious ruler succeeded Kirtivarman I to the Chalukya throne. He ruled as regent as the heir to the throne Pulakesi II was considered too young to rule.
Mangalesa won several laurels in war. Mangalesa continued the policy of expansion. He invaded the territory of the Kalachuri ruler Buddhiraja who ruled over Gujarat, Khandesh and Malwa. From the Mahakuta pillar inscription of 595 it is known that he subdued the Gangas, Pallava, Chola, Alupas and Kadambas rulers.

Mangalesa assumed the titles like Ururanaparakrama, Ranavikrama and Paramabhagavata.
As Mangalesa was ruling as a regent, he should have surrendered the throne to Pulakesi II when the latter came of age. Instead he sought to prolong his reign with the view of handing the throne to his own son Sundaravarma in due course.

This forced Pulakesi to rebel against his uncle. Pulakesi left the court and by his own martial prowess, waged a war on Mangalesa with the help of few of his friends. Mangalesa was routed and killed in the battlefield of Elapattu-Simbige. This incident is mentioned in the Peddavadu-guru inscription, and the incident must have happened about 610.

*Pulakesi II (609 – 642 C.E.)
Pulakesi II is the most famous ruler of the Chalukya dynasty. In his reign the Chalukyas of Badami saw their kingdom extend over most of the Deccan.

Ereya, who assumed the name Pulakesi on his coronation, was born to the Chalukya king Kirtivarman I. When Kirtivarman died in 597, Ereya was still a young boy and Kirtivarman's brother Mangalesa governed the young kingdom as regent until Ereya came of age. Mangalesa was a capable ruler and continued expanding the kingdom. However, when Ereya came of age, desire for power perhaps made Mangalesa deny prince Ereya his rightful place on the Chalukya throne, and he sought to perpetuate his own line by making his son heir apparent.

Ereya took shelter in the Bana territory (Kolar), organised an army with the help of his associates and declared war on his uncle. According to the Peddavadagur inscription Mangalesa was defeated and killed in the ensuing battle at Elapattu Simbige. Ereya ascended the Chalukya throne as Pulakesi II and assumed the title Chalukya Parameshwara. His other assumed titles are Satyashraya, Prithvivallabha. With this conquest, Pulakesi's control extended completely over Southern India, including Maharashtra and parts of Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat. He received the title Dakshinapatheshvara (Lord of the South) at around the same time (630-634 C.E.).

The Ganga ruler Durvinita gave one of his daughters in marriage to Pulakesi, and she was the mother of Vikramaditya I.

Pulakesi was the first ruler in South India to issue gold coinage. Broad and circular in shape, the punch-marked coins had various punches at the edge, and a central punch depicting a Varaha or Boar. The Boar was the royal emblem of the Chalukyas. Contemporary literature cites the gold coins of south India as Varahas.

It is possible that Pulakesi II lost his life in one of these encounters against the Pallavas.
Pulakesi had five sons, Chandraditya, Adityavarma, Vikramaditya, Jayasimha and Ambera. They fought among themselves after his demise, trying to divide the kingdom into territories for each of themselves. Pulakesi's third son Vikramaditya I became the Chalukya king 642 and attempted to re-unite the kingdom after defeating his brothers.

*Vikramaditya I (655 – 680 C.E.)
Vikramaditya I was the third son and followed his father, Pulakesi II on to the Chalukya throne. He restored order in the fractured kingdom and made the Pallavas retreat from the capital Vatapi.

Vikramaditya, with the help of his maternal grandfather Bhuvikarma of Western Ganga Dynasty set himself the task of repelling the Pallava invasion and restoring the unity of his father's kingdom. He defeated the Pallava Narasimhavarman I to end his occupation, which had lasted for thirteen years and expelled him from Vatapi. He defeated his brothers and other feudatories who wished to divide the empire and then declared himself king of the Chalukyas (655). He rewarded his younger brother Jayasimhavarman who was loyal to him, with the viceroyalty of Lata in the southern Gujarat.

Vikramaditya continued his enimity with Narasimhavarman's son and successor Mahendravarman II, and later with his son Paramesvaravarman I. He allied himself with the Pallava's other enemy the Pandyan Arikesari Parankusa Maravarman (670 – 700).
Vikramaditya I was married to the Western Ganga princess Gangamahadevi. He died in 680.

*Vinayaditya (680 – 696 C.E.)
Vinayaditya succeeded his father, Vikramaditya I on to the Chalukya throne. His reign was marked by general peace and harmony. He earned the titles Yuddhamalla, Sahasarasika, Satyashraya.

He had fought alongside his father against the Pallavas, he defeated the Pallavas, Kalabhras, Keralas and the Kalachuri of central India. From the Kolhapur plates of 678 he defeated the kingdoms of Lanka and Kamera. The Vakkaleri plates confirm the Chalukya levying tribute on Kamera, Lanka and Parasika (Persia). During this time, Persia was under Islamic invasion.
Vinayaditya sent an expedition to the north under the command of his son Vijayaditya. According to some accounts, Vijayaditya was captured and held prisoner and after a period of incarceration, escaped and returned to the Chalukyan kingdom to be crowned the monarch of the empire.

We do not have any further information on this expedition. Vinayaditya sent an ambassador to the Chinese court in 692.

Vijayaditya succeeded his father in 696.

*Vijayaditya (696 – 733 C.E.)
Vijayaditya succeeded his father, Vikramaditya I on to the Chalukya throne. His long reign was marked by general peace and prosperity. Vijayaditya also built a number of temples. He fought against the Pallavas and extracted tributes from Parameshwar Varma V. The Alupas of South Canara who were loyal to the Chalukyas and led by Alupa Chitravahana, brother-in-law of Vijayaditya defeated a Pandyan invasion of Mangalore in 705. He was succeeded by his son Vikramaditya II in 733.

*Vikramaditya II (733 – 746 C.E.)
Vikramaditya II was the son of King Vijayaditya succeeded the Badami Chalukya throne. He had conduced successful military campaigns against their arch enemy, the Pallavas of Kanchipuram. His most important achievements were the capture of Kanchipuram on three occasions, the first time as a crown prince, the second time as an emperor and the third time under the leadership of his son and crown prince Kirtivarman II. Virupaksha Temple inscription alludes to the emperor as the conqueror of Kanchi on three occasions and reads Sri Vikramaditya-bhatarar-mume-Kanchiyan-mume parajisidor. The other notable achievement was the consecration of the famous Virupaksha Temple (Lokeshwara temple) and Mallikarjuna Temple (Trilokeshwara temple) by his queens Lokamahadevi and Trilokadevi at Pattadakal. These two monuments are the centre piece of the UNESCO World Heritage Monuments at Pattadakal.

Kirtivarman II (746 – 753 C.E.)
Kirtivarman II also known as Rahappa succeeded his father Vikramaditya II. His reign was continuously troubled by the growing power of the Rashtrakutas and finally succumbed to them.
Kirtivarman and his Ganga feudatory Sripurusha came into conflict with the Pandya ruler Maravarman Rajasimha I who was extending the Pandya Empire on to the Kongu country which was adjacent to the Ganga kingdom. Rajasimha crossed the Kaveri and engaged Kirtivarman and Sripurusha in a big battle at Venbai on the banks of the river Kaveri. The Chalukya king was defeated.

Kirtivarman II was the last king of the Badami dynasty. There was a period of 220 years in which the western branch of the Chalukyas was in eclipse. Tailapa II revived the dynasty in 973.

Chalukyas of Kalyani/ Western Chalukyas (973 – 1200)
The Chalukyas revived their fortune in 973 C.E. after the period of decline under the Rashtrakutas. Tailapa II, overthrew the Rashtrakuta Krishna III and re-established the Chalukyasn kingdom. He recovered most of the Chalukya Empire. This dynasty came to be known as the Western Chalukya dynasty.

The Western Chalukyas ruled for another 250 years and were in constant conflict with the Cholas and their cousins the Eastern Chalukyas of Vengi. Satyasraya (997 – 1008 C.E.), Somesvara I (1042 – 1068 C.E.) and Vikramaditya VI (1076 – 1126 CE) were some of the greatest emperors of this dynasty.

*Tailapa II (973 – 997 C.E.)
Tailapa II or Ahavamalla had titles Nurmadi Taliapa and Satyashraya Kulatilaka. He re-established the Western Chalukya dynasty after a period of 220 years during which time they had been in eclipse. The revived Chalukya kingdom rose to its height of power under Vikramaditya VI. The revived dynasty came to be known as the Western Chalukyas or the Kalyani Chalukyas. He patronised Kannada poet Ranna. From the Gadag records, it is known that he ruled for 24 years.

Tailapa defeated the remnants of the Rashtrakuta power by defeating Indra IV and his feudatory in the Godavari basin, Panchaladeva. The Cholas, who were experiencing a minor crisis of succession of their own, were in a position of weakness. Uththama Chola had replaced Parantaka Chola II and Tailapa claimed victory in a battle against Uththama in 980.
Satyasraya, Tailapa's eldest son, who assisted his father in all his campaigns succeeded Tailapa in 997. Satysraya continued the aggressive policies of the Chalukyas.

*Satyasraya (997 – 1008 C.E.)
Satyasraya was also known as Sattiga or Irivabedanga. He was the king of the revived Western Chalukyas.
He identified the growing Chola power as his nemesis and resented their increasing influence in the Vengi region and with the Eastern Chalukyas. During his reign the Paramaras and Chedi reconquered the territory that they had lost to the Chalukyas earlier. But Satyashraya was able to defeat Raja Raja Chola and the crown prince Rajendra Chola when they invaded parts of Karnataka. He also subdued the Shilahara king Aparijitha ruler of North Konkana.
Seeing increased interference of Cholas in Vengi, Satyasraya invaded Vengi in 1006.

*Vikramaditya V (1008 - 1015 C.E.)
Vikaramaditya V succeeded Satyasraya on the Western Chalukya throne. Vikramaditya was Satyasraya's nephew and had a very uneventful short reign.
Vikramaditya was followed on the throne by his brother Jayasimha II in 1015.

*Jayasimha II (1015 – 1042 C.E.)
Jayasimha II was also known as Jagadekhamalla and Mallikamoda. He succeeded his brother Vikramaditya V on the Western Chalukya throne. Jayasimha had to fight on many fronts to protect his kingdom. He patronised Vachanakara and Veerashaiva saint Devara Dasimayya, Kannada scholars Durgasimha who was also his foreign minister, Chavundaraya II and Sanskrit poet Vadiraja.

*Somesvara I (1042 – 1068 C.E.)
Somesvara I was also known as Ahavamalla or Trilokamalla. He succeeded his father Jayasimha II as the Western Chalukya king. He was one of the greatest kings of the later Chalukya Dynasty. He founded the city of Kalyani, present day Basavakalyana and moved his kingdom to that location. He had great faith in himself and managed to impart that to his many generals and feudatories. One of his queens was Hoysala Devi, a Hoysala princess.

*Somesvara II (1068 – 1076 C.E.)
Somesvara II who was administering the area around Gadag succeeded his father Somesvara I (Ahavamalla) as the Western Chalukya king. He was the eldest son of Somesvara I. During his reign Somesvara II was constantly under threat from his more ambitious younger brother Vikramaditya VI. Eventually Somesvara was deposed by Vikramaditya VI.

*Vikramaditya VI (1076 – 1126 C.E.)
Vikramaditya's reign is marked by the start of the Chalukya-Vikrama era. He was the greatest of the Western Chalukya kings and had the longest reign in the dynasty. He earned the title Permadideva and Tribhuvanamalla (lord of three worlds). Vikramadtiya VI is noted for his patronage of art and letters. More inscriptions in Kannada are attributed to Vikramaditya VI than any other king prior to the twelfth century. Noted Sanskrit poet Bilhana wrote a eulogy of the King in his Vikramankadevacharita and Vijnaneshvara wrote Mitakshara on Hindu family law. At his peak, the Vikarmaditya VI controlled a vast empire stretching from the Kaveri river in southern India to the Narmada river in central India.

*Somesvara III (1126 – 1138 C.E.)
Somesvara III was a Western Chalukya king and son of Vikramaditya VI and Queen Chandaladevi. Someshvara III had to face the invasion of the Hoysala Vishnuvardhana but was able to suppress him. He lost some territory as the Vengi Chalukyas tried to gain freedom, but was able to maintain most of the vast empire left behind by his famous father. He was a scholar of merit and wrote the Sanskrit classic Manasollasa. He held titles like Tribhuvannamalla, Bhulokamalla and Sarvanjyabhupa.

*Jagadhekamalla II (1138 – 1151 C.E.)
Jagadhekamalla II followed Somesvara III to the Western Chalukya throne. His rule saw the slow decline of the Chalukya Empire with the loss of Vengi entirely, though he was still able to control the Hoysalas in the south and the Seuna and Paramara in the north Jagadhekamalla II himself was a merited scholar and wrote in Sanskrit Sangithachudamani a work on music.

*Tailapa III (1151 – 1164 C.E.)
Tailapa III succeeded Jagadhekamalla II to the Western Chalukya throne. His rule saw the beginning of the end of the Chalukya Empire. Kakatiya dynasty Prolla II warred with him defeated and took the Chalukya king captive. This resulted in other feudatories rising against the Chalukyas. The Seuna and the Hoysala started to take away territory. Kalachuri Bijjala II captured the regal capital Kalyani in 1157 when Tailapa III had to flee to Annigeri (Dharwad district). Finally Tailapa III was killed by Hoysala ViraNarasimha in 1162.

*Jagadhekamalla III (1163 – 1183 C.E.)
Jagadhekamalla III succeeded Tailapa III to the highly diminished Western Chalukya Empire. His rule was completely overshowded by the emergence of the Southern Kalachuri under Bijjala II who took control of Basavakalyana and ruled from there.

*Somesvara IV (1184 – 1200 C.E.)
Somesvara IV was the last king of the Western Chalukya Empire. He made a brief attempt to revive the Chalukya kingdom by defeating the waning Kalachuri kingdom. He managed to capture Basavakalyana but failed to prevent the other feudatories, the Seuna, Hoysala and the Kakatiya dynasty from completely overwhelming the Chalukya empire. In the end, the three feudatories divided the vast area between the Kaveri River and Narmada River amongst themselves.

The Western Chalukyas went into their final dissolution c. 1180 C.E. with the rise of the Hoysalas, Kakatiya and Yadavas.

Eastern Chalukyas
Eastern Chalukyas were a South Indian dynasty whose kingdom was located in the present day Andhra Pradesh. Their capital was Vengi and their dynasty lasted for around 500 years from the 7th century until c. 1130 C.E. when the Vengi kingdom merged with the Chola Empire. The Vengi kingdom was continued to be ruled by Eastern Chalukyan kings under the protection of the Chola empire until 1189 C.E., when the kingdom succumbed to the Hoysalas and the Yadavas. They had their capital originally at Vengi near Nidadavole of the West Godavari district end later changed to Rajamahendravaram (Rajamundry).

Eastern Chalukyas were closely related to the Chalukyas of Vatapi (Badami). Throughout their history they were the cause of many wars between the more powerful Cholas and Western Chalukyas over the control of the strategic Vengi country.

Eastern Deccan was conquered by Pulakesin II (608 – 644 C.E). It was corresponding to the coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh c. 616 C.E. Pulakesin II defeated the small part of the Vishnukundina kingdom and appointed his brother Kubja Vishnuvardhana as Viceroy. On the death of Pulakesin II, the Vengi Viceroyalty developed into an independent kingdom. Eastern Chalukyas of Vengi outlived the main Vatapi dynasty by many generations. Till around the middle of 9th century, they continued to encourage Kannada language in the Vengi region. Thereafter, inscriptions show a gradual shift towards Telugu with the appearance of Telugu stanzas written in old Kannada script.

*Kubja Vishnuvardhana (624 – 641 C.E.)
Kubja Vishnuvardhana was the brother of Chalukya Pulakesi II. He ruled the Vengi territories in the eastern Andhra Pradesh as the viceroy under Pulakesi II from around 615 CE. Eventually Vishnuvardhana declared his independence and started the Eastern Chalukya dynasty (c. 624 CE).

The Eastern Chalukyas ruled the Vengi kingdom for nearly five centuries and had very close relationship with the imperial Cholas.

*Jayasimha I (641 – 673 C.E.)
Jayasimha II succeeded Vishnuvardhana as the king of Eastern Chalukyas. He had a long reign of 32 years, however we know of nothing important happening in his reign.

His younger brother Indra Bhattaraka succeeded him.

*Indra Bhattaraka (673 C.E.)
Indra Bhattaraka succeeded his brother Jayasimha I as the king of Eastern Chalukyas. He had a very short reign of a week.

His son Vishnuvardhana II succeeded him.

*Vishnuvardhana II (673 – 682 C.E.)
Vishnuvardhana II became the Eastern Chalukya king following the very short rule of his father Indra Bhattaraka.

His son Mangi Yuvaraja succeeded him.

*Mangi Yuvaraja (682 – 706) C.E.)
Mangi Yuvaraja followed a period of unrest characterised by family feuds and weak rulers. In the meanwhile, the Rashtrakutas of Malkhed ousted Chalukyas of Badami. The weak rulers of Vengi had to meet the challenge of the Rashtrakutas, who overran their kingdom more than once.

*Jayasimha II (706) – 718 C.E.)

*Vishnuvardhana III (719 – 55 C.E.)

*Vijayaditya I (755 – 772 C.E.)
Gandaraditya I was succeeded by his son Vijayaditya I. The Satara plates of his son claim that son Vijayaditya I reinstated the fallen lords of Sthanaka and Goa. Vijayaditya I had to fight hard to wrest independence from Bijjala, the new sovereign but it was only after the death of Bijjala that Vijayaditya I could assume full sovereignty.

*Vishnuvardhana IV (772 – 808 C.E.)

*Vijayaditya II (808 – 847 C.E.)

*Vishnuvardhana V (847– 849 C.E.)

*Vijayaditya III (848 – 892 C.E.)

*Bhima I (892 – 921 C.E.)
King Bhima I built a temple in honour of Siva at Draksharama.

*Vijayaditta IV (921 C.E.)

*Amma I (921 – 927 C.E.)
King AMMA I was also known as VIJAYADITYA V. He compelled to take refuge in the fort of Pithapuram, where he founded a dynasty.

*Vikramaditya II (927 – 928 C.E.)

*Yuddamalla II (928 – 935 C.E.)

*Chalukya Bhima II (935 – 947 C.E.)

*Amma II (947 – 970 C.E.)

*Danamava (970 – 973 C.E.)

*Jata Choda Bhima (973 - 1000 C.E.)

*Saktivarman I (1000 - 1011 C.E.)

*Vimaladitya (1011 – 1018 C.E.)
Vimaladitya fled from the Kingdom and took refuge in the court of the Chola King Rajaraja I (985/1016), Rajaraja invaded Vengi on behalf of the sons of Danarnava. In this war, Jata Choda Bhima was killed and Vengi passed into the hands of Rajaraja. This was not liked by Satyasraya, an early ruler of the Western Chalukyas of Kalyani. As a result of this, Vengi became the bone of contention between the Cholas and Chalukyas of Kalyani to the west, married Rani Kundavai, daughter of King Rajaraja I Chola.

*Rajaraja Narendra (1018 – 1061 C.E.)
Rajaraja Narendra was the Eastern Chalukya king of the Vengi kingdom in South India. Rajaraja was closely related to the Cholas of Tanjavur by marital and political links.

*Saktivarman II (1061-1063)

*Vijayaditya VII (1063 – 1068 C.E. , 1072 – 1075 C.E.)
Vijayaditya VII was the last king of the eastern Chalukya dynasty, witnessed an invasion of the Vengi kingdom by the Chedi King of Dahala, Yasahkarnadeva in 1073. Vijayaditya VII lost his kingdom and with his death in 1075 the eastern Chalukya dynasty came to an end.

Army of Chalukyas:
The army comprised of infantry, cavalry, elephant unit and a dominant navy. It is referred by Hiuen-Tsiang, a Chinese traveler that the Chalukya army consisted of hundreds of elephants, which were inebriated with liquor prior to battle. Rashtrakuta inscriptions use the idiom Karnatabala referring to their commanding armies. Taxes were levied and called Herjunka, Kirukula, Bilkode and Pannaya.

Land Governed:
The empire was alienated into Maharashtrakas (provinces), then into minor Rashtrakas (Mandala), Vishaya (district), Bhoga (group of 10 villages), analogous to the Dasagrama unit used by the Kadambas. At the subordinate levels of organization, the Kadamba style entirely reigned. The Sanjan plates of Vikramaditya I have mentioned a land unit termed Dasagrama. There were many regions ruled by feudatories like Alupas, Gangas, Banas, Sendrakas etc. Local assemblies worked on the local issues. Groups of mahajanas (learned brahmins) looked after agraharas (like Ghatika or place of higher learning) like the ones at Badami (2000 mahajans) and Aihole (500 mahajanas).

Coinage:
The Badami Chalukyas imprinted coins were included Nagari and Kannada legends. They minted coins with cryptograms of temples, lion or boar facing right and the lotus. The coins were called honnu in old Kannada and had fractions such as fana and the quarter fana, whose contemporary equivalent being hana (literally means money). It weighed 4 grams. A gold coin called Gadyana is mentioned in some record in Pattadakal that later came to be known a varaha which was also witnessed on their emblem.

Religion:
The rule of the Badami Chalukya was a period of religious development. Initially they followed Vedic Hindusim, as observed in the diverse shrines devoted to countless popular Hindu deities. Pattadakal is the location of their grandest architecture. The worship of Lajja Gauri, the fertility goddess was equally popular. They enthusiastically encouraged Jainsm and confirmed to by one of the Badami cave temples and other Jain temples in the Aihole complex. Aihole and Kurtukoti, Puligere (Laksmeshwara in Gadag district) were primary places of learning.

Art and Architecture:
The primarily long-term inheritance of the Chalukya dynasty is the architecture and art they left behind. More than one hundred and fifty monuments attributed to the Badami Chalukya, and built between 450 and 700; remain in the Malaprabha basin in Karnataka.

The rock-cut temples of Pattadakal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Badami and Aihole are their most celebrated monuments. Two of the famous paintings at Ajanta cave no. 1, "The Temptation of the Buddha" and "The Persian Embassy" is attributed to them. This is the commencement of Chalukya style of architecture and a consolidation of South Indian style.
In Aihole, the Durga temple (6th century), Ladh Khan temple (450), Meguti temple (634), Hucchimalli and Huccappayya temples (5th century), Badami Cave Temples (600) are examples of early Chalukyan art. The splendid temples at Pattadakal were commissioned by Vikramaditya II (740). Here the Virupakshaand Mallikarjuna (740), Sangameswara (725) and a Jain temple are in the Dravidian style while Jambulinga, Kasivisweswara and Galaganatha (740) are in the Northern nagara style. The Papanatha (680) temple shows an attempt to combine the Northern and Southern styles.

Certain art reviewers say that the Badami Chalukya style is a "prayaga" or meeting of formal trends of architecture, the dravida and nagara.

Vishnu image inside cave temple No.3

History of Gujarat

The Sun Temple of Modhera was built in 1026 AD by King Bhimdev of Solanki dynasty and dedicated to Lord Surya, the Sun God of Hinduism.

Gujarat gets its name from "Gujjar Rashtra" or “Gujjaratta”, the land of the Gujjars. It is situated on the western coast of India. They were a migrant tribe who came to India in the wake of the invading Huns in the 5th century. The history of Gujarat dates back to 2000 BC. Settlement of Indus valley, which is known as Harappan Civilization is in Gujarat. Some of the coastal Cities, mainly Bharuch, served as ports and trading centers in the Maurya, Gupta, Pratiharas etc but it was under the regime of Chalukyas (Solanki) Gujarat witnesses’ progress and prosperity. In the 6th century Gupta Empire failed and Gujarat flourished as an independent Hindu Kingdom. After this glorious respite, Gujarat faced troubled times under the Muslims, Marathas and the British rules.

History of Gujarat:
The early history of Gujarat is mainly related to Chandragupta Maurya who conquered a number of earlier States of Gujarat. Pushyamitra was a governor (322 BC to 294 BC) of Saurashtra appointed by Mauryan regime. He ruled Giringer or Junagadh and built a dam on the Sudarshan Lake.

Emperor Ashoka asked Governor Tusherpha to take out the canals from the lake where an earlier Mauryan Governor had built a dam; as well he ordered the carving of his famous edicts on the rock at Junagarh.

Mauryan power declined and Saurashtra came under the sway of Samprati Mauryas of Ujjain, a Greek incursion came into Gujarat led by Demetrius.

Saka rulers played prominent part in Gujarat history for nearly 400 years from the start of the first century. Weather beaten rock at Junagadh gives a glimpse of the Ruler Rudradaman I (100 AD) of the Saka satraps known as Western Satraps, or Kshatraps. Mahakshatrap Rudradaman I founded the Kardamaka dynasty which ruled from Anupa on the banks of the Narmada up to Aparanta region which bordered Punjab.

Gupta dynasty was replaced for Kshatrapa dynasty with the conquest of Gujarat by Chandragupta Vikramaditya. His successor Skandagupta has left an inscription (450 AD) on a rock at Junagadh which gives details of the repairs of the embankment, damaged by floods, of Sudarshan lake by his Governor. Anarta and Saurashtra regions were both part of the Gupta empire.

Gupta Empire started to decline during the middle of the 5th century AD. Senapati Bhatarka, the Maitrak general of the Guptas, took advantage of the situation and in 470 AD and he set up what came to be known as the Maitrak kingdom.

Bhatarka shifted his capital from Giringer to Valabhipur, near Bhavnagar, on Saurashtra's east coast. They became powerful in Gujarat as well as Malwa. Maitrakas set up a university which came to be known far and wide for its scholastic pursuits and was compared with the famous Nalanda University.

map of Maitraka dynasty

Maitraka Dynasty (c. 475 to 767)
The Maitraka dynasty ruled Gujarat in western India from the c. 475 to 767. The Maitraka Dynasty descended from a Gupta general. Senapati (general) Bhatarka, was a military governor of Saurashtra peninsula under Gupta Empire, who had established himself as the independent ruler of Gujarat approximately in the last quarter of 5th century. He was the founder of Maitraka Dynasty who ruled Gujarat in Western India.

The Maitrakas ruled from their capital at Vallabhi. They came under the rule of Harsha in the mid-seventh century, but retained local autonomy, and regained their independence after Harsha's death.

There is evidence that the Maitraka rulers had switched to Saivism, but when Chinese traveller Hieun-Tsang visited Vallabhi during second quarter of 7th century, he found its ruler to be a Buddhist follower. When I-Tsing, another Chinese traveller, visited Vallabhi in the last quarter of 7th century, he found Vallabhi as a great center of learning including Buddhism.

Maitraka Kings:
•Bhatarka (c. 475- ?)
Bhatarka, was a military governor of Saurashtra peninsula under Gupta Empire, who had established himself as the independent ruler of Gujarat. He was the founder of Maitraka Dynasty. He used the title of Senapati (general).

•Dharasena I
Dharsena I also used the title of Senapati (general).

•Dronasimha (c. 500-c. 525)
He declared himself as the Maharaja.

•Dhruvasena I (c. 525-c. 545)

•Dharapatta (c. 545-c. 556)

•Guhasena (c. 556-c. 570)
King Guhasena stopped using the term Paramabhattaraka Padanudhyata along his name like his predecessors, which denotes the cessation of displaying of the nominal allegiance to the Gupta overlords.

•Dharasena II (c. 570-c. 606)
Guhasena was succeeded by his son Dharasena II, who used the title of Mahadhiraja.

•Siladitya I (c. 606-c. 616)
Siladitya I was the son of Dharsena II, Dharmaditya was described by Hiuen Tsang as a "monarch of great administrative ability and of rare kindness and compassion".

•Kharagraha I (c. 616-c. 623)
Siladitya I was succeeded by his younger brother Kharagraha I. Virdi copperplate grant (616 CE) of Kharagraha I proves that his territories included Ujjain.

•Dharasena III (c. 623-c. 640)
During the reign of the next ruler, his son Dharasena III north Gujarat was included in this kingdom.

•Dhruvasena II (c. 640-c. 644)
Dharasena II was succeeded by another son of Kharagraha I, Dhruvasena II, Baladitya.

•Dharasena IV (c. 644-c. 651)
Dharasena IV assumed the imperial titles of ‘Paramabhattaraka Mahrajadhiraja Parameshvara Chakravartin’. Sanskrit poet Bhatti was his court poet.

•Dhruvasena III (c. 651-c. 656)

•Kharagraha II (c. 656-c. 662)

•Siladitya II (c. 662- ?)
•Siladitya III
Siladitya III was known as a powerful ruler of this dynasty.

• Siladitya IV

• Siladitya V
During the reign of Siladitya V, Arabs probably invaded this kingdom.

•Siladitya VI

•Siladitya VII (c. 766-c. 767)
Siladitya VII was the last known ruler of this dynasty.

The Sakas, Pahlavas and Kambojas had occupied south-west India including Sindhu, Saurashtra/Gujarat as a consequence of second century BCE tribal movement from Central Asia. This is attested from several ancient sources including the Puranas and other Sanskrit literature.

Solanki Dynasty (c. 960 to 1243):
The Solanki (from Chalukya, an ancient Indian dynasty) are a Hindu Rajput clan who ruled parts of western and central India between the 10th and 13th centuries. Solanki was the descent from 6th Centuary Badami Chalukya (During 543-566). It was established at Vatapi now it is called as Badami, Bagalkot District in North Karnataka of Karnataka. The Solanki are a branch of the Chalukya dynasty of whose oldest known area of residence was in present-day Karnataka. The Solanki clan-name is found within the Rajput community of Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.
In Gujarat, Anhilwara (modern Siddhpur Patan) served as their capital. Gujarat was a major center of Indian Ocean trade, and Anhilwara was one of the largest cities in India. The Solankis were patrons of the great seaside temple of Shiva at Somnath Patan in Kathiawar; Bhima Dev helped rebuild the temple after it was sacked by Mahmud of Ghazni in 1026. His son, Karandev, conquered the Bhil king Ashapall or Ashaval, and after his victory established a city named Karnavati on the banks of the Sabarmati River, at the site of modern Ahmedabad.

Solanki rulers of Gujarat:
•Mulraj I (942-996)
Mulraj overthrew Samantsinh Chavda in 942 and form Solanki dynasty. Mulraj moved southward from gurjaratra region and took over Anhilvad pattan from Chavda rulers in 942. He defeated Abhir king Grahripu of Saurashtra and Laxraj (Lakha Fulani) of Kutchh. He snatched Lat for some period from Barapp in one war. Shakambhari king Vigrahraj Chauhan defeated Mulraj. He got defeat from Malav King Munj Parmar (Vakpati II). After death of Munj in 995, Mulraj adorned self as “Param bhattarak maharajadhiraj parmeshawara” and the title of Gurjaresh (King of Gurjardesh).

He invited many learned Brahmins and other castes to settle in Saraswat mandal. He constructed several temples and initiated construction of Rudra mahalaya (Siddhpur).
He died in 996. At the time of his death, his kingdom included saraswat and satyapur mandals, kutchh and some territories of Saurashtra. . His reign marked the start of a period during which Gujarati culture flowered as manifested in art, architecture, language and script. It is described as the golden period of Gujarat's chequered history. His son Chamund started taking responsibility during his ruling (977).

•Chamundaraj (996-1009)
Chamundaraj succeeded by king Mulraj. He could not extend his kingdom territory further. He tried to be independent from Malav king Sindhuraj (successor of Munj) but could not succeed. In the later years of his life, he lost his character (womanizer). His sister Chachinidevi dethroned him and gave it to his son Vallabhraj in 1009. Chamund ended his life by immersing in narmada river near Shuklatirth.

•Vallabharaj (1009 for six months)
Vallabhraj attacked King Sindhuraj's territory as soon as he became king. He died due to small pox in the war only.

•Durlabhraj (1009-1022)
Durlabhraj (brother of Vallabhraj) could not extend father's kingdom much. He married the sister of Chauhan Baliraj's son Mahendra of Naddul. He was of good character. He invited Jain saints in his kingdom and continued as Samant of Malav king Bhoj. After his death, his nephew Bhimdev (son of Nagraj) became king in 1022.

•Bhimdev I (1021-1063)
Bhimdev I was son of Durlabhraj's brother Nagraj. Bhimdev was a mandlik of Malav king Bhoj. Bhimdev added Saurashtra, Kutchh, Abu and some parts of Khetak mandal and Mahimandals with his kingdom. Bhimdev became independent from Bhoj on his death in 1054. Bhimdev had a son named Karndev from Udaymati (a pricess of Saurastra Narvahan Khengar) and sons named Xemraj and Mulraj from Bauladevi (also called Chauladevi). Mulraj died in very early age. Bhimdev died in 1064. Karndev (Bhimdev's son by Udaymati) came on the throne after Bhimdev's death.

•Karndev I (1064-1094)
Karndev came on the throne after Bhimdev's death. He is described as a very handsome king. As soon as he came to the throne, he made friendship with King Someshwar of Kalyani. Up to 1075, he added entire Lat in his kingdom. His territories were touching Konkan in south and Naddul in north. He married to Karnataka's king Tribhuvanmalla's friend Jaykeshi's daughter Mayanalladevi(Minaldevi). Jaykeshi was Konkan's suba. Karn had built many temples, lakes and cities like Karnavati. Shakambhari's king Dushshal chauhan defeated and killed Karn in a war. Malavking Laxmdev and Naddul king Joggal helped in defeating Karndev. Patan's condition was worse in the last days of Karandev. His son Jaysinh became Karandev's successor for the throne.

•Siddhraj Jaysinh I (1094-1143)
Siddhraj Jaysinh was also known as Siddhraj Solanki who was considered as the most prominent Solanki king. His mother Minaldevi , Maha Mantri Santu and Munjal Mehta initially played a great part to deter the internal revolt and in establishing his rule and stability to Patan in Gujarat. Jaysinh came on throne in 1096. So the years between his father's death and his actual takeover might have been guarded by his mother and his mantris. Apart from Saurashtra and Kachchh, Siddhraj Jaysinh had also conquered the Malwa defeating king Yashovarma. He adorned the title of “Barbarak Jishnu” and also “Siddhraj” after controlling Bhil king Barbarak. He became Chakravarti after acquiring total control of the region under old Gurjar Chakravarti kings. He renovated and widened the lake constructed by Durlabhraj and named it as Sahastraling Lake. He constructed two lakes in the memory of his mother. He also renovated Rudramahal. During his kingdom Patan flourished in education, religion and commerce. He gave shelter to many scholars of different religion and castes. Other notable figures of his time included his, Prime Minister Munjal Mehta, Kak and leading Courtier Udayan Mehta. Siddhraj Jaysinh died in 1143. The throne remained without King for 18 days. Thereafter Kumarpal was suddenly declared King of Patan.

•Kumarpal (1143-1174)
Siddhraj Jaysinh did not have any son. His daughter's son Someshwar was brought up by him in Patan. But many Mantris like Dadak, Madhav, Sajjan and Udayan were of the opinion that decedent of Mulraj and Bhimdev should be made King of Patan. Siddhraj Jaysinh hated this proposal. Kumarpal was the probable candidate being decedent of Bhimdev by his second wife Bauladevi. Hence Kumarpal was under direct wrath of Siddhraj. Kumarpal had to flee and hide from Siddhraj for 30 years to save his life. There were many internal fights for Patan's throne. After Siddhraj Jaysinh's death, Kumarpal was ultimately given throne of Patan in 1144. Kumarpal had to face much resistance. He along with his able mantries took harsh steps to subside the resistance. Many mantries opposing him were given death sentence. Kumarpal adopted Jain religion in 1160 along with Shiv religion. He became vegetarian and stopped animal slaughter. He built 1440 Jain Vihars. He renovated Somnath temple. In his old age he reduced interest in administration and left it to his faithful samants and mantries. Again internal conflicts for throne have surfaced. One of the group wanted Kumarpal's nephew Ajaypal ( Mahipal's son) as a king. Ajaypal came on throne after a revolt in 1173. Kumarpal died in early 1174 due to poison given to him.

•Ajavapal (c.1173-c.1176)
Kumarpal's nephew Ajaypal (1173-1176) ( Mahipal's son) came on throne after a revolt in 1173. He was very shrewd and merciless. He got rid off all people connected to Kumarpal. During his period Patan's kingdom remained from Gwaliar to Narmada River. He discouraged Jain saints and leaders. A pratihar named Vayjaldev injured Ajaypal with a dragger. Ajaypal died in 1176 due to this injury suffering a lot. His child son Mulraj was given Patan's throne on his death.

•Mulraj II (c.1176-c.1178)
Mulraj (1176-1178) was on the throne for two years. His mother Naikdevi along with child Mulraj pushed back Islamic army of Shahbuddin Ghori near Gadrar ghat war. Mulraj died in 1178. His brother Bhimdev II came on throne after him.

•Bhimdev II (c.1178-1241)
India was passing through a great turmoil when Bhimdev came to throne. Gahadwal of Kanoj, Chandelas of Jejabhukti, Yadavs of Devgiri and Kalyani's Chalukyas were Bhimdev's (Patan's) stern enemies. He adorned himself as “Abhinav Siddharaj”. Malav king Subhat varma invaded Gujarat in 1209. Bhimdev fled to either Saurashtra or Kutchh. Between 1209 and 1226, a brave Chalukya named Jaisinh/ Jayansinh took over the kingdom of Gujarat (Patan), probably to save Patan in absence of Bhimdev. In 1226, Bhimdev again came on the throne of Patan. Mantri Vastupal , Maha mandleshwar Lavanprasad and his son Virdhaval played an important role in bringing Bhimdev to throne. They virtually ruled Patan even though Bhimdev was a king. In the old age of Bhimdev, Virdhaval's son Visaldev and Vastupal's brother Tejpal took the charge to rule Patan. Bhimdev died in 1241. His son, Tribhuvan pal, was made king after him.

•Jaysinh II (c. 1223)
He was the co-ruler of Bhimdev II

•Tribuvanpal (1241-1244)
Tribhuvan pal, son of Bhimdev II was a king for namesake. In fact, Visaldev and Tejpal ruled Patan. During this period, Tejpal persuaded ambitious Visaldev from dethroning Tribhuvan pal and continue ruling in his name. Tribhuvan pal died in 1244. Visaldev took over the throne as a king. Thus the Solanki dynesty came to an end. Visaldev being a decedent from Arnoraj Vaghela's son Lavanprasad, Vaghela dynesty ruled Patan there after.

Vaghelas
The Vaghelas were an Indian dynasty of Gujarat. The Vaghelas were based in the town of Dholka, and were feudatories of the Solanki dynasty, who ruled Gujarat from the 10th to the 13th centuries. The Solanki went into decline in the thirteenth century, and by 1243 the Vaghelas were firmly in control of Gujarat. They restored stability to Gujarat for the latter half of the 13th century, and the Vaghela kings and officials were dedicated patrons of the arts and temple-building.

List of Vaghela kings
•Virdhaval (Visala) (c. 1243 - c. 1262)
Virdhaval was the first Vaghela king, and two of his Jain minister brothers, Vastupal and Tejpal, built the exquisite Dilwara Temples on Mount Abu in Rajasthan, and temples at the Girnar and Shetrunjay hills.

•Arjuna (Vishaldev) (c. 1262 - c. 1275)
Virdhaval’s successor Vishaldev built temples at Dabhoi and founded Vishalnagar.

•Sarangadev (c. 1275 - c. 1297)

•Karandev (II) (c. 1297-1304)
Karandev was the last Vaghela king, who died in the 1304 conquest of Gujarat by Ala-ud-din Khilji, Sultan of Delhi.

Vaghela is a Kshatriya name. It is one of the four varnas (Social Orders) in Hinduism. It constitutes the military and noble order of the traditional Vedic-Hindu social system as outlined by the Vedas and the Laws of Manu. Lord Rama, Lord Krishna, Lord Buddha and Lord Mahavira all belonged to this social order.

Initially in ancient Vedic society, this positions was achieved on the merits of a person's aptitude (guna), conduct (karma), and nature (swabhava). Over the years it became hereditary.

Kalachuri Dynasty

Ancient temple at Amarkantak built by Kalachuri Maharaj Karnadeva

Introduction:
According to legends, Kalli meaning long moustache and Churi meanoing Sharp knife is the source of their dynastic name. They were also referred to as Katachuris (shape of a sharp knife), Kalanjarapuravaradhisvara (Lord of Kalanjara) and Haihaya (Heheya). Mount Kalanjara is in north central India, east of the Indus Valley floodplain. Kalachuri is this the name used by two kingdoms who had a succession of dynasties from the 10th-12th centuries, one ruling over areas in Central India (west Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan) and were called Chedi or Haihaya (Heyheya) (northern branch) and the other southern Kalachuri who ruled over parts of Karnataka.
The earliest known Kalachuri family (550–620 A.D) ruled over northern Maharashtra, Malwa and western Deccan. Their capital was Mahismati situated in the Narmada river valley. Krishnaraja, Shankaragana and Buddharaja were three prominent members of this family. They had to fight with the two powerful neighbours; the Maitrakas of Valabhi and the Chalukyas of Badami. As noted above, the Chalukyas king Mangalesa put to flight Budharaja and conquered his dominions. Evidently the Kalachuris were not exterminated. For the Chalukya king Vinayaditya II married two Haihaya Princesses.

Origin of Kalachuri family:
The Kalachuris, also known as the Haihayas, were an ancient people known from the Epics and Puranas from 249 or 250 A.D. Several branches of the Kalachuris were settled in different parts of Northern India. In the later half of sixth century A.D., they ruled over a powerful kingdom comprising Gujarat, northern Maharashtra, and later then some parts of Malwa.
One of them founded a principality in Sarayupara in the modern Gorakhpur District. The other, which soon became very powerful, ruled in Chedi country in Bundelkhand.
The Kalachuris of Chedi also known as kings of Dahalas, had their capital at Tripur, represented by the modern village of Tewar, six miles to the west of Jubulpore.

Southern Kalachuri Kingdom (1130 - 1184)
They ruled parts of the Deccan extending over regions of present day North Karnataka and parts of Maharashtra. This dynasty rose to power in the Deccan between 1156 and 1181 A.D. They traced their origins to Krishna, the conqueror of Kalinjar and Dahala in Madhya Pradesh.
Some people say that Bijjala a viceroy of this dynasty established the authority over Karnataka. He wrested power from the Chalukya king Taila III. Bijjala was succeeded by his sons Someshwara and Sangama. After 1181 A.D, the Chalukyas gradually retrieved the territory. Their rule was a short and turbulent, although very important from the socio - religious movement point of view. A unique and purely native form of Kannada literature-poetry called the Vachanas was also born during this time. The writers of Vachanas were called Vachanakaras (poets). Many other important works like Virupaksha Pandita's Chennabasavapurana, Dharani Pandita's Bijjalarayacharite and Chandrasagara Varni's Bijjalarayapurana were also written.
The Kalachuris of the south were Jains and encouraged Jainism in their kingdom. The Southern Kaluchuri kingdom went into decline after the assassination of Bijjalla. The rulers who followed were weak and incompetent, with the exception of Sovideva, who managed to maintain control over the kingdom. The Kalachuris are the principal characters in the Andhra epic The battle of Palnadu.

Northern Kalachuri kingdom
They ruled in central India with its base at the ancient city of Tripuri (Tewar); it originated in the 8th century, expanded significantly in the 11th century, and declined in the 12th–13th centuries.

First dynasty:
Some historians identify several Kalachuri ruling families in Tripuri, Gorakhpur, Ratnapur, Rajpur (eastern Gujarat) regions of central India. They established their kingdom in Madhya Pradesh with their capital at Tripuri near Jabalpur. Kokalla I was the founder of the dynasty.
Kokalla I (reigned c. 850–885): Kokalla invaded Northern Konkan and helped the Rashtrakuta king Krishna II (878-914 A.D.), probably against the Eastern Chalukyas and the Pratiharas. He married a Chandella princess and had eighteen sons. The eldest succeeded him on the throne while the others were appointed rulers of different mandalas or Divisions. This led to the disintegration of the kingdom, for we know that the descendants of one of these founded a separate kingdom in South Kosala with its capital Tummana.

Samkaragana: Kokalla was succeeded by his son Samkaragana some time between A.D. 878 and 888. He defeated a Somavansi ruler of South kosala and conquered some territories from him near Ratanpur in Bilaspurdistrict. He came to rescue of the Rashtrakuta king Krishna II when the latte was attacked by the Eastern Chalukya king Vijayaditya III, but was defeated. There were several matrimonial alliances between the Kalachuris and the Rashtrakutas.
Balaharsha : Samkaragana was succeeded by his two sons Balaharsha and Yuvaraja in about the middle of the 10th century A.D.

Yuvraja defeated and drove out the Rashtrakuta forces. In order to celebrate this great victory the famous poet Rajasekara staged his drama Viddhasalabhanjika. The kalachuri inscription credit Yuvraja with successful raids against Kashmir and the Himalayan region.

Yuvaraja I (reigned c. 915–945): The Kalachuris were at times involved in Rashtrakuta politics, as in the period of Yuvaraja I. Between the mid-9th and the early 11th centuries, the Kalachuris pursued a policy of traditional hostility toward the kingdoms of south Kosala, Kalinga, Gauda, and Vanga; occasional clashes with the Gurjaras, the Chandelas, the Eastern Chalukyas, the Gujarat Chalukyas, and others are mentioned in their records.

Lakshmanaraja: Yuvraja’s son Lakshmanaraja, who ruled in the third quarter of the 10th century A.D., was also a great conqueror. He invaded Vangala, south Bengal, and the Somavamsi king of South Kosala was also defeated by him. In the west he invaded Lata, ruled by a feudatory of the Rashtrakutas, and defeated the king of Gurjara, probably Mularaja I, the founder of the Chalukya Dynasty.

Samkaragana II:

Yuvraja II:

Laxmanraja’s two sons, Samkaragana II and Yuvraja II, who successively sat on the throne, were unworthy sons of a worthy father. The kingdom suffered serious reverse during the reign of last quarter of the 10th century A.D. His maternal uncle Taila II carried on raids into his dominions and defeated him. He restored the power as well as prestige of the dynasty by his brilliant military career and became a great power.

The period between Kokalla I and Kokalla II (reigned c. 990–1015) is marked by a consolidation of Kalachuri power and by their relations with contemporary dynasties. The success attributed to Kokalla I against the Pratiharas, the Kalachuris of Uttar Pradesh, the Guhilas of Marwar, the Chauhans (Chahamanas) of Shakambhari, and the kings of Vanga and Konkan appears somewhat exaggerated.

Gangeyadeva (reigned c. 1015–41): The Kalachuris of Dahala rose to be the greatest political power in India during the 11th century A.D. This was mainly due to the military genius of Gangadeva. Perhaps an important factor contributing to his success was the factor that his kingdom escaped the devastating raids of Sultan Mahmud which affected most of the other great powers to its north and north-west. In the token of his great victory he assumed the proud title of Trikalingadhipati, ‘Lord of Trikalinga’.

Gangeyadeva assumed the title of Vikramaditya. He died at the sacred city of Prayag (Allahabad). Probably he ascended the throne before 1019 A.D. and died about 1040 A.D.
Karna (reigned 1041–73): Gangadeva was succeeded by his son Lakshmi Karna or Karna. He was in possession of the city Allahabad which was also probably conquered by his father. He carried his victorious arms alone the eastern coast as far as the country round kanchi. He is said to have defeated a number of people in the south such as the Pallavas, Kungas, Muralas, Pandyas (South) and Kuntalas, (probably the Chalukya King), Somesvara I during A.D. 1048.
He was more successful than his father not only in the south but also in the north-west. In 1072 A.D. he abdicated the throne in favor of his son Yasahkarna.

Gangeyadeva issued coins of different metals, sizes, weights which were in Gold, Base Gold, Silver Gold, Silver, Silvery copper (Billon) and Copper.

The four-armed Lakshmi seated cross-legged on lotus, holding lotus in the upper two hands and the reverse side were inscriptions in Nagari script "Shrimad-Ga/ ngeyade/va" - introduced by Maharaj Gangeyadeva

Yasahkarna (reigned 1073–1123): Like father and grand father Yasahkarna began his reign by leading two military expeditions, one against North Bihar and the other against the Eastern Chalukyas.

The Chalukyas of Deccan raided his kingdom, the Paramras plundered his capital and encamped for some time on the Narmada, and he was also defeated by the Chandellas. All these defeats weakened his power.

Gayakarna: The son and successor of Yasahkarna was defeated by the Chandella king Madanavarman. This second son Jayasimha, who ascended the throne between A.D. 1159 and 1167, seems to have partly recovered the fortunes and prestige of the family. He achieved success against the Chalukya king Kumarapala and the king of Kuntala.

Vijayasimha (reigned c. 1188–1209): During the reign of Jayasimha’s son Vijayasimha who succeeded him between 1177 and 1180 A.D., the Chandella king Trailokyavarman conquered nearly the whole of the Kalachuri kingdom, included Baghelkhand and Dahala Mandala (1212 A.D.)

The Hayobansi Rajputs of Balia District in U.P. claim descent from them.

Kalachuri dynasty Silver coin

Second dynasty:
The decline of Gurjara-Pratiharas, Laksm Karna(1041-1072) of Kalachuri dynasty of Tripuri, who came to power, brought under his control almost the entire region covered by the present district of Gorakhpur. But his son and successor Yash Karna (1073-1120), was unable to check the process of disintegration. The Kahla inscription indicates that Sodha Deva, a feudatory of another branch of Kalachuri dynasty, had proclaimed his independence in a portion of Gorakhpur district. During the same period the Kalachuri rule was supplanted by that of the Gahadvalas of Kannauj over this region.

The defeat of Jaya Chandra (1170-1194) grandson of Govind Chandra, at the hands of Shihab-uddin Ghuri in 1194, paralyzed the Gahadvala power and brought to an end their dominance over the district. As a result a number of small principalities held by Sarnet, Donwar, Kaushik Rajputs and Bhars came into existence in different parts of the district.

Amarkantak temple built by Maharaja Karnadeva

The Kalachuri Clan (feudatory of Kalyani Chalukyas)
* Uchita : The first notable chief of the Kalachuri family of Karnataka was Uchita.

*Asaga: Uchita is said to have been followed by Asaga, Kannam and Kiriyasaga.

*Kannam:

*Kiriyasaga:

*Bijjala I: under Bijjala I the Kalachuri family earned considerable political fame.

*Kannama: He was son of Bijjala I, he must have earned considerable political fame like his father Bijjala I.

*Jogama: Kannama's son Jogama became an influential feudatory of the Chalukya Vikramaditya VI, who was matrimonially connected with the Kalachuri Chief.

*Permadi: He was son and successor of Jogama. Though he was only a Mahamandalesvara or a feudatory Chief, his influence in the disintegrating set-up of the Chalukya rule must have been immense.

*Bijjala II (1130 – 1167 A.D.): (proclaimed independence in 1162). Bijjala II succeeded his father, Permadi, as the Mahamandalesvara and ruled over Karhada 4,000 and Tardavadi 1,000 during the reign of Chalukya ruler, Vikramaditya VI. Bijjala was confident of his strength and had realised that under Vikramaditya's successors the Chalukya Empire was showing all the signs of weakness, which spoke of its mortality. That indeed provided him enough justification to seek independence. The Balligave inscription speaks of his attitude when it says, "Sovereignty deserves to be enjoyed by one who is a true warrior". The Chikkalagi inscription refers to Bijjala as "Mahabhujabalachakravarti".

Bijjala's independent rule was short; it lasted from about 1162 A. D. to 1167 A. D. During these years he fought successfully against the Hoysala King Narasimha I and the Pandya Chief of Uchchangi. He also defeated the Seunas and the Cholas, and subdued the turbulent Chiefs of Andhra and Kalinga. In administration, Bijjala is said to have introduced certain innovations. The great Virasaiva saint Basaveshvara was Bijjala's Chief Treasurer.

Bijjala abdicated in 1167 A. D. in favour of his second son Sovideva. But that did not prevent the eruption of trouble, which shook the Kalachuri Kingdom and took Bijjala as a victim. Bijjala appears to have been murdered in 1168 A. D.

*Sovideva (1168 – 1176 A.D.): Bijjala's successor, Sovideva had to confront Challenges to his powers from many sides, but the held his own, and ruled upto 1176 A. D.

*Mallugi --> (overthrown by brother Sankama): Mallugi was succeeded by his younger brother Mallugi, but was almost immediately overthrown by his brother Sankama.

*Sankama (1176 – 1180 A.D.): Sankama who ruled till 1180 A. D.

*Ahavamalla (1180 – 1183 A.D.): His successors were Ahavamalla (1180-83 A. D.) and Singhana (1183-84 A.D).

*Singhana (1183 – 1184 A.D.): During this period the Kalachuri Kingdom became weak and yielded its sovereign independence to the Chalukyas, whose power, in turn, flickered for a while before going out. The Kalachuri usurpation and rule, then, was dramatic, convulsive and short-lived.

Inscriptions:
Kalachuri inscriptions give credit to Kokalla for his victories over many powerful kings. As per the 1163 AD inscription Hampi, which records a religious offering (mahadana) in the presence of Hampi Lord Virupaksha by Bijjala the Kalachuri King. The Kahla inscription indicates that Sodha Deva, a feudatory of another branch of Kalachuri dynasty, had proclaimed his independence in a portion of Gorakhpur district. During the same period the Kalachuri rule was supplanted by that of the Gahadvalas of Kannauj over this region. According to epigraphic evidence the kingdom of Govind Chandra (1114-1154) of the Gahadvala dynasty extended to Bihar including the area now comprising Gorakhpur. Two inscriptions ascribed to Govind Chandra have also been found one each at Magdiha (Gagha) and Dhuriapar in Bansgaon Tehsil mentioning the genealogy of the Gahadvalas and the charity given by him for the prosperity of his family.

Coinage:
The Southern Kalachuri kings minted coins with Kannada inscriptions on it. Gajasaradula type coins were mostly gold or copper. Some of the common ones were the the seated goddess type along with the name of the issuer which is generally prefixed with Srimat and suffixed with Deva.

Virashaiva Movement and Emergence of Basavanna:
The Veerashaiva movement evolved in an attempt to simplyfy religion and creates social order. It was Basavanna, the prime minister of king Bijjala who gave inspirational direction, in the process he established a new religion called Lingayat. Basaveshwara is generally believed to have founded the veera saiva sect. He travelled to Kalyan a place near modern Bombay, India during the rule of King Vijjala (1157-1167 A.D).

Basaveshwara

According to Basavapurana, when Basavanna assumed power, he began distributing gifts to all the devotees of Lord Shiva. The other people felt left out and began instigating King who later cruelly punished two devotees of Siva. Much to the discontent of the orthodox Brahmins of Kalyani, Basavanna preached his casteless beliefs even in the regal capital, Kalyani.

Virashaiva Saints and Vachanakaras:
A unique feature of the Virashaiva movement was the large number of woman saints and poetesses it produced. Basavanna believed in equality of both sexes. The contribution of Basavanna to Kannada language and literature is immense and enduring. He couched his teachings in simple, terse, verse forms of rare felicity known as Vachanas. They were frank, vigorous and incisive. Dr. Mugali regards the Vachanas as "Spiritual lyrics" and "springs of beauty flown from the peak of devotion". Basavanna is considered as one of the great saints of Karnataka, who rose above caste, creed, religion and sex. His vigorous yet simple teachings endeared to him people of "lower castes" and "lower creed". It is for this reason that Dr. Arthur Miles called him Martin Luther of Karnataka.

Some well known and saints and vachanakaras were:
• Renukacharya
• Darukacharya
• Ekoramacharya
• Panditaradhyacharya
• Vishwaradhyacharya
• Akka Mahadevi
• Nilambike
• Gangambike +
• Allama Prabhu
• Siddarama
• Chennabasava
• Madivala Machayya
• Madara Channayya
• Sakalesha Madarasa
• Ramanna
• Sujikayakada Ramitande
• Medara Ketayya
• Kayakada Basappa