HOYSALAS

HOYSALAS

The founder of this dynasty was probably a kshatriya named Sala. The Hoyasalas emerged into prominence in 'about the beginning of the eleventh century AD. The Hoysalas attained a dominant position with the rule of Bittiga Vishnuvardhana (1110-1140). He transferred his capital from Velapura to Dwarasamudra (Halebid)and made himself independent of the Chalukyan suzerain, Vikramaditya VI. He is believed to have humbled the Cholas, the Pandyas, and the Kadambas. The next impor­tant ruler of this house was Vira-Ballala I (1172-1215), who was the first to assume the title of Maharajadhiraja. The last Hoysala ruler was VU"a-Ballala III. The kingdom was ravaged by Malik Kafur (1310). Thus the Hoysala line came to an end around the middle of the fourteenth century AD.

The Hoysalas were great temple builders, supreme examples of which are the Kesava temple at Belur (in Hassan district) dedicated to Vishnu and the Hoysaleswara temple dedicated to Siva at Halebid (or Dwarasamudra). Continuing the Chalukyan style, rich decoration in the form of sculpted panels showing a panorama of life adorn the temples, indicating a close integration of life with religion. The ground plan was star-shaped or polygonal. The temple was built within this on a raised platform. Sandstone was given up in favour of the more tractable chloritic schist for construction. The pillars of the temples acquire a special shape owing to the practice of fashioning the monolithic blocks by turning them on a large lathe.