Introduction

The Chalukya dynasty was an Indian royal dynasty that ruled large parts of southern and central India between the 6th and the 12th centuries. Chalukyas are identified as 3 regional powers-
1. Western Chalukyas- Badami
2. Eastern Chalukyas- Vengi
3. Later Chalukyas- Kalyani
Greatest king was Pulakesi II. The Chinese traveller Hsüan-tsang (Xuanzang) had visited the court of Pulakesi II.

Period

6th to 8th & 10th to 12th century

Language

Kannada, Sanskrit

Religion

Hinduism (Kaysatha)

Background

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) AD 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 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.

Kritivirman - I

Kritivirman - I, the son of Pulakesin– I ascended the throne after him. He constructed many temples and buildings in the town of Vatapi. The political influence of Chalukya dynasty spread over a wider region embracing southern part of Maharastra, Mysore and Tamilnadu.Kritivirman - I defeated the rulers of Vanga, Anga, Kalinga, Vattura, Magadha. Mangalesa, another son of Pulakesin – I and the brother of Kritivirman-I ascended the throne in 598 AD. Mangalesa conquered and the whole of central and northern Maratha country was brought into the territory. The eventual civil war between Mangalesa and his nephew Pulakesi-II cost Mangalesa his own life.

Pulakesin-II

Pulakesin – II ascended the throne from 610 AD to 642 AD. Ruling reign was not easy as the bed of roses for him; various parts of Chalukyas got independence. The extreme rebellion and the frequent invasion by Appayika and Govinda were at last subdued. Pulakesin- II made Gangas of south Mysore to submit and Mauryas of Konkan were defeated. As he conquered these he was into contact with Harsha and again in 637 AD Harsha was defeated when he had invaded Kathiawad. Pulakesin – II also defeated Pallava king Mahendra Varman -I, and crossed the Cauvery river. He made friendship with the Cholas, Cheras and Pandyas. As Pallavas were not totally crushed, they took revenge and attacked Pulakesin-II. He appears to have been killed in the battle, and then Chalukya Empire began to decline.The Chalukya dynasty is well known for developing and encouraging art and architecture during its era. The rulers during this period were great enthusiasts of art. We get evidence from the fact that they built many temples near the regionof Badami. A famous attempt of their architecture is the Virupaksha Temple in Karnataka. The sculptures of the temples are beautifully carved and sculpted andrepresent scenes from the famous epic Ramayana. Some of the paintings at Ajanta and Ellora cave temple also belong to this period.Pulakesin II was an admirer of art and always encouraged any art form to flourish in his kingdom. He was also fond of literature and encouraged poetry to flourish in the kingdom. The famous poets of Kannada literature Adikavi Pampa, Sri Ponna and Ranna were in this era. This chalukyan ruler was an able administrator. Being Hindu by religion, Pulakesin also had a belief in Buddhism as well as Jainism. He built monasteries in his kingdom that provided shelter to almost 5000 monks. The Chalukya dynasty was truly flourishing till it declined after the 12th century.Vikramaditya - I Pulakesin-II death gave a way to take up the throne by Vikramaditya-I from 642 AD - 655 AD. He recovered Badami and brought the whole kingdom under his control.

Vinayaditya

Vinayaditya ruled from 681 to 696 AD and battled against the Cholas, Pandyas, Pallavas, Aluvas. By defeating the Lord of the entired Uttarapatha, he acquired the banner Palidhvaja. After him the successor Vijayaditya ruled for nearly 40 years (696 AD - 733 AD).

Vikramaditya - II

Vikaramaditya-II was a son of Vijayaditya. He ruled from 734 AD -745 AD. He defeated the Pallava king thus putting off the continuing hostilities. With this conquest, he took possession of musical instruments, banners, elephants, rubies which belonged to the Pallavas. He destroyed the power of the Chola, Chera, and Pandya.Kritivarman - IIThe son of Vikramaditya-II, for the next eleven years Kritivarman-II took over the kingdom and ruled. He was the last glorious ruler of Chalukyas. Later for the further 50 years, the Chalukya power was totally eclipsed by the Rashtrakutas.The King Dantidurga defeated Kritivarman-II to gain the control of Chalukyas once for all.

Architecture

style of architecture is called “Chalukyan architecture” or “Karnataka Dravida architecture”.
The group of 8th century monuments in Pattadakal are the culmination of the earliest experiments in the Vesara style of Hindu temple architecture
The Lad Khan Temple, dedicated to Shiva, is a one of the oldest Hindu temples and is located in Aihole in the state of Karnataka
Pattadakalu is a World Heritage site
There are ten temples including a Jain sanctuary.
Four temples were built in Chalukya Dravidian style,
four in Nagara style of Northern India
and the Papanatha temple in mixed style
Virupaksha temple is the largest and grandest of all temples in Pattadakal.The Kailasantha temple at Ellora was built based on the model of Virupaksha temple.
Badami Caves-
cave 1 SHIV
cave 2 VISHNU
cave 3 SHIV & VISHNU
cave 4 JAIN