Chalukyan Rulers

• 12 Oct 2019

Recently, graves of Chalukyan rulers have been unearthed in a village near Pattadakal, Karnataka.

• The findings are significant since there are no clear details available of the places where Chalukyan rulers lived.
• Neither they have left behind documents nor evidence of their graves. It is believed that they wanted their death to remain a secret and built their graves in a discreet manner.
• Chalukyan kings were famous for building gigantic temples with intricate architecture which could be found at places such as Aihole, Badami and Pattadakal.

Historical Background

• The Chalukyas ruled parts of Southern and Central India between the 6^th century and the 12^th century.
• There were three distinct but related Chalukya dynasties.
  
  • Badami Chalukyas:
    
    • The earliest Chalukyas with their capital at Badami (Vatapi) in Karnataka.
    • They ruled from mid-6^th century and declined after the death of their greatest king, Pulakesin II in 642 AD.
  • Eastern Chalukyas:
    
    • Emerged after the death of Pulakesin II in Eastern Deccan with capital at Vengi.
    • They ruled till the 11^th century.
  • Western Chalukyas:
    
    • Descendants of the Badami Chalukyas, they emerged in the late 10^th century and ruled from Kalyani.
• The extent of empire:
  
  • The Chalukya dynasty reached its peak during the reign of Pulakesin II.
  • Pulakesin II subjugated the Kadambas, the Gangas of Mysore, the Mauravas of North Konkan, the Latas of Gujarat, the Malavas and the Gurjars.
    
    • He also succeeded in getting a submission from the Chola, Chera and Pandya kings.
    • He had also defeated King Harsha of Kannauj and the Pallava king Mahendravarman.
    • He had maintained friendly relations with Khusru II, the king of Persia.
• Administration and Society:
  
  • The Chalukyas had great army comprised of infantry, cavalry, elephant unit and a dominant navy.
  • Though the Chalukya kings were Hindus, they were tolerant of Buddhism and Jainism.
  • They contributed to great developments in Kannada and Telugu literature.
  • They imprinted coins were included Nagari and Kannada legends.
    
    • They minted coins with cryptograms of temples, lion or boar facing right and the lotus.
• Architecture:
  
  • They built cave temples depicting both religious and secular themes.
  • The temples also had beautiful mural paintings.
  • The temples under the Chalukyas are a good example of the Vesara style of architecture.
• Vesara style is a combination of Dravida and Nagara styles.
  
  • Aihole temples: Lady Khan temple (Surya Temple), Durga temple, Huchimalligudi temple etc.
  • Badami temples
  • Pattadakkal Temples:
    
    • It is well known for rock-cut temples.
    • It is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
    • There are ten temples here – 4 in Nagar style and 6 in Dravida style. Virupaksha temple and Sangameshwara Temple are in Dravida style.

Source: TH