CHALUKYAS

CHALUKYAS

The Chalukyas grew powerful in the Deccan towards the middle of the sixth century AD. They were probably kshatriyas from Ayodhya. The dynasty had two branches, viz., Vatapi (Badami) and Kalyani. The Chalukyas of Vatapi ruled during 550-753. After a lapse of 200 years, the rule of the second branch of the Chalukyas of Kalyani began. Their reign lasted for about 200 years (793-1190).

CHALUKYAS OF VATAPI (BADAMI) The rule of this dynasty began in the early sixth century AD, and its first two rulers were ayasingha and Ranaraja. But the first independent ruler was Pulakesin I (535-566). He founded the fort of Vatapi in Bijapur district of Karnataka. The most famous ruler of the dynasty was Pulakesin II (611-642), also known as Satyasraya, who was a contemporary of Harshavardhana. From the Aihole inscription in Sanskrit it comes to light that there was much external and internal disturbance which he overcame with little effort. Pulakesin IT established his influence over the whole of Deccan from the Narmada to the Kaveri (Cauveri). He entered into a matrimonial alliance with the Gangas and thus strength­ened his position. The greatest achievement of Pulakesin II was his victory over Harshavardhana in 620.

The Chalukyas were involved in a long battle with the Pallavas over Vengi. Pulakesin IT defeated the Pallava king, Mahendra Varman I. He was able to unify a large part of south India. He made himself the master of three great kingdoms­Maharashtra, Konkan and Kamata. He was probably killed by the Pallava king, Narasimhavarman in 642. With his death followed a temporary decline of Chalukya power. His son, Vikramaditya (655-681 AD), succeeded in recovering his paternal dominions from the grip of the Pallavas. Vikramaditya II (733-746) once more defeated the Pallava kings. But his son Kirtivarman IT (746-757) lost Maharashtra to the Rashtrakuta chief, Dantidurga, and the sovereignty of the Chalukyas came to an end in about 757. Their long struggle with the Pallavas exhausted the strength of the Chalukyas and led to their ultimate fall.

EASTERN CHALUKYAS OF VENGI This dynasty was founded by Pulakesin IT's brother, Kubja-Vishnu-Vardhana, who transferred his capital from Pishtapura to the ancient city of Vengi in Andhra. Hostilities between the Rashtrakutas and Chalukyas of Vengi were strong. Vijayaditya ill (848­892) is credited with victories over the Pallavas, the Pandyas and the Rashtrakutas. The power of the Eastern Chalukyas was weakened in the tenth century AD and they became the allies of the Cholas. Kulottunga Chola annexed the kingdom in 1076.