chanakya national law university

TOPIC: CHALUKYAS OF BADAMI

SUBMITTED TO:
DR. PRIYADARSHINI
FACULTY OF HISTORY
SUBMITTED BY:
SNEHA KUMARI
B.A. LLB
ROLL NO. 1566
1st SEMESTER

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
1. INTRODUCTION 5-6
2. Origin of Chalukyas: Social and Economic Sources

7-12

3. Polity and Administrative System of Badami Chalukyas 13-14

4. Regionalism Art and Architecture

15-17

5. Literature 18
6. Conclusion
..19-21
BIBLIOGRAPHY

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I would like to thank my faculty Dr. Priyadarshini, whose assignment of such a relevant
topic made me work towards knowing the subject with a greater interest and enthusiasm
and moreover she guided me throughout the project.
I owe the present accomplishment of my project to my friends, who helped me
immensely with sources of research materials throughout the project and without whom I
couldnt have completed it in the present way.
I would also like to thank the library staff for working long hours to facilitate us with
required materials.

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RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

METHOD OF RESEARCH
For the purpose of research, the researcher will rely on various doctrinal and nondoctrinal methods to look for the information related to this project.
The researcher will also use books from CNLU library.

SOURCES OF DATA
The following secondary sources of data have been used in the project:
1. Books
2. Articles
3. Websites

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

1. To study in brief the rule of Chalukyas in the history of South India.
2. To deal with the State and Society of Badami Chalukyas, its social and economic
condition.
3. To deal with the political atmosphere shifted from smaller kingdoms to large
empires with the ascendancy of Badami Chalukyas.
4. To understand the importance and other aspects of Badami Chalukyas.

HYPOTHESIS
1. The Badami Chalukyas, they came out of the shadow of history.
2. Chalukyas dated back to an indigenous Kannada family, coming from the State of
Karnataka in the Southern part of India.
3. Their authenticity and utility is enhanced by the fact that they contain variable
chronological details

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1. INTRODUCTION
Before the 6th Century A.D, no one knew anything about the Chalukyas. Yet, within a
century famed Chinese traveler Hiuen Tsang, wrote glowingly about the glory of the
monarch of the Chalukyas of Badami. And then, in A.D 753, these great achievers were
defeated by their district officials, the Rashtrakutas.
All that remained to show that they had once dominated the whole of the eastern Deccan,
were magnificent monuments carved out of the huge boulders, of their former kingdoms.
We drove through this dramatic terrain, in Karnataka, to see the wonders, which had
stood for almost 1,500 years. We stopped at the ancient capital of this dynasty. In its
heyday it was called Vatapipua, today it is known as Badami.
Badami is a town and headquarters of a taluk by the same name, in the Bagalkot district
of Karnataka, India. It was the legal capital of Badami Chalukyas from 540 to 757 A.D. it
is famous for its rock cut structural temples. It is located in the ravine of the foot of a
rugged, red sandstone outcrop that surrounds Agastya lake.
The Chalukyas seem to have made a special effort to reconcile the, often antagonistic,
devotees of Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu. There is a striking Harihara, combining the
attributes of both Lords of the Hindu Trinity. There are excellent workers of Varaha, the
boar incarnation; of Narashima, the man-lion; and of the clever dwarf, Vamana.
Badami has 18 inscriptions, among them some inscriptions are important. The first
Sanskrit inscription in old Kannada script, on a hillock dates back to 543, from the period
of Pulakeshin I (Vallabheswara). The second is the inscription of Mangalesha in Kannada
language and script and third is the Kappe Arabhatta records, the earliest available
Kannada poetry.
Badami is surrounded by many pre-historic places. Hiergudda, Sidlapahadi and
Kutkankari. There we can see the rock shelters megalithic burial sites and paintings.

The Puranic story says, the wicked asura Vatapi was killed by sage Agastya, the area in
which the incident happened so named as Vatapi. At Aihole there was a merchant guild
known as Ayyavole Ainuravaru lived in the area have reformed.
As per scholars, the first Chalukya king was Jayasimha (a feudatory lord in the Kadamba
Dynasty), who in 500 AD established the Chalukya kingdom.
His grandson Pulakeshin I built a fort at Vatapi.
Interestingly, the Chalukyas experimented with a number of architectural styles when
building their temples in revered place. There are ones with the curvilinear towers, or
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Shikaras, of the northern style, like the Kashivishwanatha. We also continue to be

intrigued by the Ladkhan Temple built in the 7th or 8th centuries.
The creative Chalukyas apparently attempted to give this shrine the look of a log-roofed,
antique, one.
In many ways it epitomizes the rise and fall of the Chalukyas. They emerged, fearsome
and combatant, out of the rocks and shadows of Badami. And then, as mysteriously,
vanished into the silence of Indias vast history.
In this project we will deal with the origin and development of this royal dynasty i.e.
Chalukyas of Badami that ruled large part of southern and northern India.
The project also focus on the sources of history of Badami Chalukyas and their regional
art and architecture as some of them is mentioned above.

2. ORIGIN OF CHALUKYAS: SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC SOURCES

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The CHALUKYA DYNASTY was an Indian royal dynasty that ruled large part of
Southern and Central India between 6th and 12th centuries. During this period, they ruled
as three related yet individual dynasties1. The earliest dynasty, known as the Badami
Chalukyas, ruled from Vatapi 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 Pulakeshin II. After the death of
Pulakeshin 2, Eastern Chalukyas became an independent kingdom in the Eastern Deccan.
They ruled from Vengi until about the 11th century. In the western Deccan, the rise of the
Rashtrakutas in the middle of the 8 th century eclipsed the Chalukyas of Badami before
being revived by their descendents, the Western Chalukyas, in the late 10 th century. These
Western Chalukyas ruled from Kalyani (modern Basavakalyan) until the end of the 12 th
century.
The rule of the Chalukyas marks an important milestone in the history of South India and
the 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. The rise of this empire saw the birth of efficient administration, overseas trade
and commerce and the development of new style of architecture known as Chalukyan
Architecture2
While opinions vary regarding the early origins of the Chalukyas, the consensus among
noted historians such as John Keay, D.C.Sircar, Kamath is the founder of the empire at
Badami were native to the modern Karnataka region.
In the 6th century, with the decline of the Gupta Dynasty and their immediate successors
in Northern India, major changes began to happen in the area south of the Vindyas- the
Deccan and Tamilaham.
The age of small kingdoms had given way to large empires in this region 3. The Chalukya
Dynasty was established by Pulakeshin I in 543 A.D. 4 Pulakeshin 1 took Vatapi (modern
Badami in Bagalkot district, Karnataka) under his control and made it his capital.
Pulakeshin 1 and his descendents are referred to as Chalukyas of Badami. They ruled
1 Sastri 1995 pg. 130

2 K.V.Ramesh Chalukyas of Badami , p. 85

3
4 The name probably mean the great lion

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over an empire that comprised the entire state of Karnataka and most of Andhra Pradesh
in the Deccan.
Pulakeshin II, whose precoronation name was Ereya,5 commanded control over entire
Deccan and is perhaps the most well-known emperor of the Badami Dynasty 6. Pulakeshin
II extended the Chalukya Empire upto the northern extends of the Pallava Kingdom and
halted the southern march of Harsha by defeating him on the banks of river Narmada. He
then defeated the Vishnukundins in the Southeastern Deccan7. Pallava Narasimhavarman
however reversed this victory in 642 by attacking and occupying Badami temporarily. It
is presumed Pulakeshin II the great hero died fighting8.
The rule of the Badami Chalukya was a period of religious concord. Both Shaivism and
Vaishnavism flourished during the Badami Chalukya period, though it seems the former
was more popular. Vedic sacrifices, religious vows (vrata) and the giving of gifts (dana)
was important9.
The Badami Kings were initially followers of Vedis Hinduism and dedicated temples to
popular Hindu deities in Aihole. Sculptures of deities testify to the popularity of Hindu
Gods such as Vishnu, Shiva, Kartikeya, Ganapathi, Shakti, Suryas and Sapta Matrikas
(seven mothers). The Badami kings also performed the Ashwamegha (horse sacrifice) 10.
The worship of Lajja Gauri, a fertility goddess is known. Jainism too was a prominent
religion during this period. The kings of the dynasty were however secular and actively
encouraged Jainism.
Queen Vinayavati consecrated a temple for the Trimurti (Hindu Trinity) at Badami.
Sculptures of the Trimurti, Harihara (half Vishnu, half Shiva) and Ardhanarishwara (half
Shiva, half woman) provide ample evidence of their tolerance. Buddhism was on a
5 Kamath 2001

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chalukyan_Empire

7 Sastri [1995],pp. 135-136

8 L.P. Sharma, 2nd revised Edn. p.299

9 L.P. Sharma, 2nd revised Edn. p.299

10

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decline, having made its ingress into Southeast Asia. This is confirmed by the writings of
Hiuen Tsang. Badami, Aihole, Kurtokoti
and Puligere were primary places of learning.
Agriculture was the main occupation of the people. Besides Sudras, Brahmans, Kshtriyas
and Vaishyas had their own land. Wheat, rice, barely etc. were mostly produced food
materials. Among fruits, mangoes and apples were mostly grown.
Besides agriculture, cattle rearing was another common profession. People domesticated
cows, buffaloes, horses, goats, etc in a wide sense.
Mostly the traders were in the hands of the Vaishyas who had organized themselves into
different srenis. There were many traders and industries. During the rule of the Badami
Chalukyas, silk, ivory, diamonds, pearls and spices were exported in great quantities to
foreign countries.
The Badami Chalukyas minted coins of a different standard compared to the Northern
kingdoms.11 . There were many traders and industries. During the rule of the Badami
Chalukyas, silk, ivory, diamonds, pearls and spices were exported in great quantities to
foreign countries. . There were many traders and industries. During the rule of the
Badami Chalukyas, silk, ivory, diamonds, pearls and spices were exported in great
quantities to foreign countries.They minted coins with symbols of temples, lion or boar
facing right, and the lotus. The coins weighed 4 grams, called Honnu in old Kannada and
had fractions such as fana and the quarter fana, whose modern day equivalent being hana
(literally means, money). Some record in Pattadakal mentioned a gold coin called
Gadyana, later called a Varaha, also published on their emblem. The Hindu Caste System
appeared and the government recognized prostitution. Some kings had concubines upon
whom they bestowed much respect. 12 Sati may have been absent as widows like
Vinayavathi and Vijayanka are mentioned in records. Devadasis appeared in temples.
Sage Bharat Natyashastra the precursor to Bharatnatyam, the dance of South India had
been popular as seen in many sculptures and mentioned in inscriptions.13 Woman enjoyed
political power in administration. Queens Vijayanka, a noted Sanskrit poetess;
Kumkumadevi, the younger sister of Vijayaditya; and Lokamahadevi, queen of
Vikaramaditya II.
11 The Early Chalukyas issued gold coins that weighed 120 grams, in imitation of the
Gupta Dynasty says noted historian and numismatist Dr. A.V.Narasimha Murthy Kamath,
2001, p.65
12 An inscription mentions Vinopati, a concubine of king Vijayaditya< with due respect, Kamath,
2001, p.67

13 One record mentions an artist called Achala as being well versed in Natya Shastra, Kamath,2001,
p.67

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The Chalukya Era may be seen as the beginning in the fusion of cultures of northern and
southern India making way for the transmission of ideas between the two regions. The
expanding Sanskritic culture mingled in a regin where local Dravidian vernaculars had
already became popular.14 Dravidian languages maintain these influences even today.
That influence also helped enrich literature in those languages.15
The Badami Chalukya Dynasty went into a brief decline following the death of
Pulakeshin 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. The Rashtrakuta Dantidurga
overthrew the last Badami Chalukya king Kirtivarman I in 753. At their peak they ruled a
vast empire stretching from the Kaveri to the Narmada.
LIST OF BADAMI CHALUKYAS:
1. PULAKESHIN I (543-566C.E.):
He established the Chalukya Dynasty in the Western Deccan and his descendents
ruled over an empire that comprised the entire state of Karnataka and most of
Andhra Pradesh. He overthrew the Kadambas to establish the Chalukya kingdom.
He had the titles Satyashraya Vallabha and Dharmamaharaja.
He was Ranarangas son. He choose Badami as his capital an constructed a strong
hill fortress there. The Chalukyan Kingdom did not extend much beyond the
immediate vicinities of Badami.
2. KIRTIVARMAN I (566-597 C.E.):
He succeeded Pulakeshin I as the ruler of the Chalukya Dynasty. 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 chief of Konkan.16 At the demise of Kirtivarman, his son Pulakeshin 2 was
too young to rule and Kirtivarmans brother Mangalesa assumed the responsibility
of the crown.
3. 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. Pulakeshin II was
14 Nilakanta Sastri, p.326

15 Nilakanta Sastri 1955/2002, p. 309

16 Nilakanta Sartri , 2004, p. 38
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considered too young to rule. Mangalesa won several laurels in war. He continued
the policy of expansion. He invaded the territory of the Kalachuri ruler Buddhiraja
Who ruled over Gujarat, Khandsh and Malwa. Mangalesa assumed the titles like
Ururanaparakrama, Ranavikrama and Parambhagavata. As Mangalesa was ruling
as the regent, he should have surrendered the throne to Pulakeshin 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 Sundaravarman in due course.
This force Pulakeshin to rebel against his uncle.he 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 battle-field of Elapattu-Simbige. This
incident is mentioned in the Peddavudu-guru inscription.

4. PULAKESHIN II (609-642 C.E.):

He 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 Pulakeshin on his coronation, ascended the
Chalukya throne after defeating and killing his uncle, Mangalesa and assumed the
title Chalukya Parameshwara. His other assumed titles are Satyashraya,
Prithvivallabha. With this conquest, his control extended completely over Southern
India, including Maharashtra and parts of Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat.he assumed
the title Dakshinapatheshvara in the same time.
He was the first ruler of South India to issue gold coinage. He had five sons, each
fought among themselves after his demise, trying to divide the kingdom into
territories for each of themselves. Pulakeshins third son Vikramaditya I became
the Chalukya king 642 and attempted to re-unite the kingdom after defeating his
brothers.17
5. VIKRAMADITYA I (655-680 C.E.):
Vikramaditya I was the third son and followed his father, Pulakeshin 2 on to the
Chalukya throne. He restored order in the fractured kingdom and made the Pallavas
retreat from the capital Vatapi. He defeated the Pallava Narasimhavarman I to end
his occupation, which he lasted for thirteen years and expelled him from Vatapi.
He continued his enimity with Narasimhavarmans son and successor
Mahendravarman II, and later with his son Paramesvaravarman I. He allied
himself with the Pallavas other enemy. He was married to the Western Ganga
princess, Gangamahadevi. He died in 680.
6. VINAYADITYA (680-696 C.E.):

17 Sastri, 2004, pg. 40

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He succeeded his father on to the Chalukya throne. His reign was marked by
general peace and harmony. He earned the titles, Yuddhamalla, Sahasarasika,
Satyashraya. He sent an expedition to the North under the command of his son,
Vijayaditya. According to some accounts, Vijayaditya was captured and
heldprisoner and after a period of incarceration, escaped and returned to the
Chalukyan kingdom to be crowned the monarch of the empire. Vijayaditya
succeeded his father in 696.18
7. VIJAYADITYA (696-733 C.E.):
He succeeded his father on to the Chalukyan throne.his long reign was marked by
general peace and prosperity. He also built a number of temples. He fought against
the Pallavas and extracted tributes from Parameshwarvarman V. He was succeeded
by his son Vikramaditya II in 733.
8. VIKRAMADITYA II (733-746 C.E.):
He was the son oh 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 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.
9. KIRTIVARMAN II (746-753 C.E.):
Also known as Rahappa succeeded his father Vikramaditya II. His reign was
continuously troubled by the growing power of the Rashtrakutas and finally
succumed to them. Kirtivarman and his Ganga feudatory Sripurusha came into
yconflict with the Pandya ruler Mahavarmanrajasimha 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 the big battle at Venbai on the banks of the river Kaveri. The Chalukya king was
defeated.
Kirtivarman II was the last king of tha 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 973.19

18 Sastri, 2004, p. 43
19 Sastri, 2004, p.52
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3. POLITY AND ADMINISTRATIVE SYSTEM OF

BADAMI CHALUKYAS
The Chalukyas of Badami played a crucial role in the politics of Deccan and South India
in particular, and played a significant role in the history of India as well.
The Badami Chalukyas adopted a monarchical form of government. The hereditary
principle was followed generally and when it was violated occasionally, it led to a war of
succession. In case a minor ascended a throne, a regent looked after the administration.
Generally, the eldest son was nominated Yuvaraja. Sons of the king were trained with
necessary skills in the art of warfare and peace. The rulers generally assumed
highsounding
titles
like
Paramabhattaraka,
Maharajadhiraja
and
20
Parameshwara. Theoretically, the king wielded unlimited power, though in practice he
was controlled by political needs of the Samantas who wielded considerable power- the
power structure was hierarchical. The king was assisted by a Mantrimandali and a set of a
high officials.Mahasandhivigrahika is very often mentioned in the records.
We came across the three important military officers:
1. Baladhikrita,
2. Dandanayaka, and
3. Mahaprachanda Dandanayaka in the epigraphs.
The Amatyas looked after the revenue matters. The kingdoms consisted of two parts: one
ruled by the king directly and the other ruled by Samantas. The position of the Samantas
also varied. The king exercised control over the Samantas through his representative
stationed in the feudatory kingdom.21
20 Article, Vikram Rana

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The principal source of revenue for the state was land revenue. The rulers collected
money through direct and indirect taxes resulting in high incidence of taxation on the
common man. Land tax was collected in kind.
The Army consisted of infantry, cavalry,elephant corps and a powerful navy. The Chinese
traveller Hiuen-Tsang mentions the Chalukya army had hundreds of elephants intoxicated
with liquor prior to battle.22 They conquered Revatidvipa (Goa) and Puri on east coast on
India with their navy. Rashtrakuta inscriptions use the term Karnatabala referring to their
powerful armies. The government levied taxes called:
1. Herjunka- tax on loads,
2. Kirukula- tax on retail goods in transit,
3. Bilkode- sales tax,
4. Pannaya- betel tax,
5. Siddaya- land tax,
6. Vaddaravula- tax levied to support royalty.23
The empire divided into Maharashtrakas (provinces), then into smaller Rashtrakas
(mandala), Vishaya (district), Bhoga (group of ten villages) similar to the Dasagrama unit
used by the Kadambas. At the lower level of administration, the Kadamba style fully
prevailed. The Sanjan plates of Vikramaditya1 even mentions a land unit called
Dasagrama.24 Many autonomous regions existed ruled by feudatories like Alupas,
Gangas, Banas and Sendrakas. Local assemblies looked after local issues. Gropus of
Mahajanas (learned Brahmins), looked after Agraharas (like Ghatika or place of higher
learning) like the ones at Badami (2000 mahajanas) and Aihole (500 mahajanas).
There is a view that the Badami Chalukyan period of nearly two centuries is marked by
frequent invasions and plunder. It is bacause the resources of the state were limited and
long-distance trade and commerce was in dacaying condition and the Chalukyan land was
rocky and infertile. Hence, the Chalukyas took the offensive by attacking the
neighbouring rulers as well as the Pallavas in the South and Harshavardhana in the North.
Contrary to the above view, some historians argued that the rise of the Chalukyas as a
political power in the De ccan gave rise to manifold cultural expansions of Karnataka
21 Article, Vikram Rana

22 Kamath,2004, p.64

23 http.//Wikipedia.org/wiki/Chalukyan_Empire

24 In fact. The break up of land into mandalas, vishaya also existed in the Kadamba administrative
machinery, Kamath,2001, p.36, 65

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both in then subcontinent and foreign countries especially in South-East Asia, Persia and
China.25 Badami Chalukyas had trade relatiions with Persia, Greece, Ceylon, Cambodia,
Malaysia, Peninsula, Siam, Burma and China. At that time, the ports of Western India,
Puri, Revatidvipa, Kalyana, Mangalore and Chaul carried on trade with the countries
mentioned above.
For administrative convenience, the kingdom was divided into Rastras, Vishaya, Bhukti
and Grama. The head of the Vishaya was called Vishayapati, the head of Bhukti was
called Bhogapati and the Gramabhogikas or Gamundas were incharge of the villages. The
towns were under the control of Narapatis or Nagarapatis.

4. REGIONALISM ART AND ARCHITECTURE

The period of Badami Chalukya dynasty saw art flourish in South India. It brought about
some important developments in the realm of culture, particularly in tha evolution and
proliferation of a new style of architecture known as Vesara, a combination of South
Indian and North Indian styles. Qualitatively, the Badami Chalukyas made remarkable
contributions to art and architecture. In Karnataka, in the neighbouring areas, nearly a
hundred monuments are attributes to the Chalukyan patronage. The beautifully carved
caves, free standing temples and sculptures of this period undoubtedly constitute a
landmark in the art history of India. The majority of structures were built for Hindu
deities, while a few are also built for the Jain and the Buddhist worshippers.26
Sage Bharatas dance Natyasastra entered an advanced state of development.27
One of the richest traditions in Indian architecture took shape in the Deccan during that
time, called Karnata Dravida style as opposed to traditional Dravida style.28
The Vesara style influenced the Eastern Chalukyas. The Kalyani Chalukyas further
refined the Vesara with an inclination towards Dravidian concepts, especially in the
sculptures. They built fine monuments in the Tungabhadra- Krishna river doab in present
day Karnataka.
While Badami, Aihole and Pattadakal constitute the major centres of artistic excellence,
minor centres like Lakkundi cave temples, one each for the Buddhists, the Jains and the
25 Sasrti 2004, p. 77

26 L.P. Sharma,2nd revised Edn. p.300

27 As evidenced by the presence of dancing girls and various musical instruments like veena, flute,
conch and drums in Badami Chalukya sculptures, Kamath, 2001, p.67

28 Adam Hardy, Indian Temple Architecture

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Hindus, are found at Aihole. Similar rock-cut caves are also found at Badami. Groups of
four pillared rock art halls of the same type are found at Badami, of which three are
Hindu Caves and one Jain. Each cave comprised a pillared verandah, a columned hall and
a small square cellar cut deep into the rock. Of the three Hindu caves, one is the
Vaishnava cave belonging to AD 578. The cave contains fine reliefs of Vishnu seated and
of Anantapadmanabha and Narasimha. Both of them are located in the verandah.
These reliefs exhibit a high degree of technical perfection. Aihole and Badami temples
reflect the first stage of the Chalukyan architectural style. Aihole is a town of temples and
appears to be a sacred centre.
It contains many structures, out of which four deserve special recognition:
1. Ladh Khan,
2. Durga,
3. Hucimalligudi and
4. The Jaina temple of Megati
Ladh Khan is a 15 metre square low flat-roofed building with a small square cell and
porch set on the roof.
In the construction of Durga temple also, we notice an effort to adapt the Buddhist
Chaitya to a Brahmanical temple. In this temple, we find a Sikhara curvilinear in shape
after the northern style, rising above the sanctorum.29
Hachimalligudi is a construction that appears to be similar to that of the temple of Durga.
The Jaina temple of Megati, though unfinished, exhibits some development in the
direction of erection of structural temples. Of the temples at Badami, the Melagatti
Shivalaya, though small is finely proportioned and magnificently constructed.
The Pattadakal temples embody an important stage in the history of the Chalukyan
architecture. Pattadakal has ten temples. Out of them, four were built in northern style,
while the rest are in southern style.
The Papanasa temple attributed to AD 680 was built in the northern style. One view is
that an attempt was made here to combine both northern and southern styls without
success. The most notable example of the southern style is the Virupaksha Temple built
by the queen of Vikramaditya II, Loksanmahadevi of the Haihaya royal family. Though it
was vastly improved in design and execution, it appears to be an imitation of
Kailasanatha temple of Kanchi and to have been built by the artisans brought from
Kanchi.The Sangameswara temple was also built in the same style but on an open
mandapa.
29 Kamath, 2001, p. 72

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There is a bold beauty in the appearance of the Virupaksha Temple as a whole ehich is
best seen in the exterior. It is a comprehensive scheme as it consists not only of the
central structure, but of a detached Nandi Pavilion in front, and it is contained within a
walled enclosure entered by an appropriate gateway.Virupaksha Temple is one of those
rare buildings of the past in which the spirit of the men who conceived it and brought it
with their hands still lingers.
The Badami Chalukyas professed faith in Brahmanical Hinduism by performing Vedic
sacrifices and rituals, though they respected other heterodox faiths.
Many centuries later, the serene art of the Badami Chalukya reappeared in the pillared
architecture of the Vijayanagar Empire.30
Their caves include finely engraved sculptures of Harihara, Trivikrama, Mahisa Mardhini,
Tandavamurthi, Paravasudeva, Nataraja, Varaha, Gomateshvara and others. Plenty of
animal and foliage motifs are also included.
Some important sculptures of their time were Gundan Anivaritachari, Revadi Ovajja and
Narasobba. The large cave temple, Ellora excavated by the early Chalukyas are located in
Badami, Aihole, Ellora and in the Guntur and Krishna districts of Andhra Pradesh.
The two cave temple at Aihole are dedicated to Shiva and have rock-cut lingas in them.
The cave temples at Ellora are also dedicated to Shiva and contain images of Mahesa,
Linga and Nandi. One of the caves is double-storeyed. The cave temples in Andhra
Pradesh contain relief sculptures of Ganesha, Brahma, Vishnu, Linga and Nandi.

30 Nilakanta Sastri, 1995, a History of South India

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LITERATURE
The Aihole Inscription of Pulakeshin II writted by is court poet Ravikirti in Sanskrit
language and Kannada script is considered as a classical piece of poetry.31 A few verses of
a poet named Vijayanka who describes herself as a dark Sarasvati have been preserved.
It is possible that she may have been a queen of prince Chandraditya ( son of Pulakeshin
II).32 Famous writers in Sanskrit from the Western Chalukya period are Vijnaneshwara
who achieved fame by writing Mitakshara, a book on Hindu Law, and a king Someshvara
III, a noted scholar, who compiled on encyclopedia of all arts and sciences called
Manasollasa.33
From the period of Badami Chalukyas, reference are made to the existence of Kannada
literature, though not much as survived. 34 Inscriptions however refer to Kannada as the
natural language. The Kappe Arabhatta record of c. 700 in tripadi (three lines) metre is
the earliest available work in Kannada poetics. Karnateshwara Katha, which was quoted
later by Jayakirti, is believed to be a eulogy of Pulakeshin II and to have belonged to this
period. One probable Kannada writer, whose works are not extant now nut titles of which
are known from independent references such as Indranandis Srutavatara, Devachandras
31 He deemed himself the peer of Bharavi and Kalidasa. An earlier inscription in Mahakuta, in prose
is comparable to the works of Bana,( Sastri, 1995, p.312 )

32 Sastri, 1995, p.312

33The writing is on various topics including traditional medicine, muisic, precious stones, dance etc.
(Kamath 2001, p.106)

34Sastri, 1995, p.314

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Rajavalikathe, Bhattakalankas Sabdanusasana, Shyamakundacharyas Prabhrita and

Srivaradhadevas Chudamani, a lenthy commentary on logic.
By the 9th-10th centuries, Kannada language had already seen some of its most notable
writers. The three gems of Kannada literature, Adikavi Pampa, Sri Ponna and Ranna
belonged to the Western and Eastern Chalukyas. In the 11 th century, Telugu literature was
born under the patronage of the Eastern Chalukyas with Nannaya Bhatta as its first writer.

CONCLUSION
The rule of the Chalukyas marks an important milestone in the history of South India and
the 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. The rise of this empire saw the birth of efficient administration, overseas trade
and commerce and the development of new style of architecture known as Chalukyan
Architecture
The Puranic story says, the wicked asura Vatapi was killed by sage Agastya, the area in
which the incident happened so named as Vatapi. At Aihole there was a merchant guild
known as Ayyavole Ainuravaru lived in the area have reformed.
As per scholars, the first Chalukya king was Jayasimha (a feudatory lord in the Kadamba
Dynasty), who in 500 AD established the Chalukya kingdom.
In the 6th century, with the decline of the Gupta Dynasty and their immediate successors
in Northern India, major changes began to happen in the area south of the Vindyas- the
Deccan and Tamilaham.
The age of small kingdoms had given way to large empires in this region 35. The Chalukya
Dynasty was established by Pulakeshin I in 543 A.D. 36 Pulakeshin 1 took Vatapi
35 http://kauverri:blogspots.in/2009/11/Badami_Ancient_Chalukya_Capital.html

36 The name probably mean the great lion

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(modern). Badami in Bagalkot district, Karnataka) under his control and made it his
capital. Pulakeshin I and his descendents are referred to as Chalukyas of Badami. They
ruled over an empire that comprised the entire state of Karnataka and most of Andhra
Pradesh in the Deccan.
Hiuen-Tsang travelled in the Deccan in the early 7th century, primarily in the domain of
the Chalukyas, and left a detailed record of his travels that is considered by all historians
to be authentic and without any usual embellishments common to medieval travelogues.
He reports that the peninsula was divided between three major dynasties- the Deccans and
surrounds ruled by the Chalukyas of Badami; the Pallavas ruling with Kanchi as the
capital; and some parts of the Konkan under the control of the Kadambas of Banavasi. Of
these, the Chalukyas were the predominant, having brought the Kadambas under their
control and engaged in an endless struggle for prominence with the Pallava kings. There
is a prevalent opinion that these three royal families were of mixed Aryan-Dravidian
ancestry and were the joint forefathers of the modern day Marathas.37
The first ruler mentioned in the earliest records of the Chalukyas of Badami is Jayasimha.
He is not attributed any imperial title in the early records, which indicated he was a ruler
who came to power without any ancestral precedence of independent rule. It can also be
presumed that he was initially the feudatory of some other powerful and paramount king.
Considering the time frame, it is possible that he was a vassal of the Kadambas of
Banavasi, holding a position of either a high-ranking militaryor executive/ administrative
officer. This theory is supported by the fact that Jayasimha followed the custosms and
traditions of the Kadambas. However, there is ni conclusive proof of such an origin and
the theory remain speculative, drawn only from circumstantial evidence at best. This
speculation is further emphasized by the fact that no individual epigraph of Jayasimha has
yet been discovered.38
The early dynastical records do not attribute any particular achievement to this first king
of what was to become one of the best famous dynasties to have ruled in the Indian subcontinent. Later family records mention a few military exploits, although is the larger
scheme of the subsequent Chalukya conquests they are minor in nature. These records
also give him the titles of Vallabh, a patronymic adopted by all subsequent Chalukyan
kings, which was obviously an attempt to elevate his status as a founder of the great
dynasty.
As in the case of almost all dynasties of Ancient and Medieval India, there are differences
of opinions even against the most learned of historians regarding the origin of the
37 Article, Sanu Kainikara, 2014
38 Article Sanu Kainikara, 2014
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Chalukyas as well. The more probable explanation of their origins start with the
likelihood of their having been a minor feudatory of the early Rashtrakutas.
This is confirmed by the Undikavatika Grant dated to the 6 th century that clearly states
that the Rashtrakutas King Abhimanyu granted a village to the Shaiva ascetic Jatabhara in
the presence of Jayasimha, the commander of the Harirasta Fort. Most historians accept
this grant as authentic,which in turn confirms the fact that Jayasimha started his career as
a senior military comnmander of the Rashtrakutas.
The Chalukya Era may be seen as the beginning in the fusin of cultures of northern and
southern India making way for the transmission of ideas between the two regions. The
expanding Sanskritic culture mingled in a regin where local Dravidian vernaculars had
already became popular. Dravidian languages maintain these influences even today. That
influence also helped enrich literature in those languages.
There were many traders and industries. During the rule of the Badami Chalukyas, silk,
ivory, diamonds, pearls and spices were exported in great quantities to foreign countries.
Pulakeshin II was the most famous ruler of the Chalukya Dynasty. By the time Pulakeshin
II successfully claimed his patrimony, the Chalukyas were undisputedly the most
prominent dynasty ruling an empire that straddled the waistline of the sub-continent from
coast to coast. They were Brahmanical Hindus, although tolerant of other sects and
religions, like most of the medieval Indian rulers. However, their attitude to other
religions was one of indifference and not support. This resulted in a lack of concerted
patronage to other religions that subsequently led to their decline.
Buddhism was particularly affected during this period and declined rapidly to oblivion in
the Deccan. There is another reason that could have contributed to this decline. Buddhism
was after all a reformatory form of Hinduism, developed at a time when Hinduism was
suffering from a direct form of disconnect with the common people. By medieval times
the mother-religion, Hinduism was itself in the process of self-reformation. Therefore,
Buddhism, a separate but connected reformative movement may have become
superfluous, with more common people coming back to the Hindu fold.
This period of the Chalukya ascent also saw the creation of a number of religious treatise
that made the sacrificial form of Hinduism became predominant. Pulakeshin I,
kirtivarman I and Mangalesa laid down a solid foundation for the coming generations to
build on and create a magnificent edifice- The Chalukya Empire.
The process of further construction was initiated by Pulakeshin II, who proclaimed the
greatness of his dynasty in an indisputable fashion and also captivated later-day historians
as the epitome of Indian princely qualities.39
39 Article, Sanu Kainikara, 2014

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BIBLIOGRAPHY

BOOKS REFERRED:
1. Chalukyan Art by Dr. Jyotsna Kamath, Kamaths Potpourri,1995
2. A History of South India by K.A. Nilakanta Sastri,2004, Retrieved 2004
3. Echoes from Chalukya caves. Retrieved 2009
4. Chalukyas of Badami by R.V. Ramesh
5. History of Ancient India, 2nd Revised Edition by L.P. Sharma

WEBSITES:
1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karnataka_History_Timeline
2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chalukyan_Empire

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3. http://kauverri:blogspot.in/2009/11/Badami _Ancient_Chalukyan_Capital.html
4. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Badami_Cave_Temples

ARTICLES:
1. Sanu Kainikara,2014
2. Vikram Rana,2013

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