Chalukyas

Besides the Pallavas, the Western Chalukyas and the
Rashtrakutas in the Deccan constitute important political forces.
Both these kingdoms had their rivals in the far south, namely the
Pallavas and later the Cholas. Their period has also been important
in the history of India for their cultural contributions.
Chalukyas (543 – 755 A.D.)
The Western Chalukyas ruled over an extensive area in the
Deccan for about two centuries after which the Rashtrakutas became
powerful. The family of Western Chalukyas had its offshoots like
the Eastern Chalukyas of Vengi and the Chalukyas of Kalyani.
Pulakesin I was the founder of the Chalukya dynasty. He established
a small kingdom with Vatapi or Badami as its capital.
Pulakesin II (608-642 A.D.)
The most important ruler of this dynasty was Pulakesin II.
The Aihole inscription issued by him gives the details of his reign.
LESSON 12
SOUTH INDIAN KINGDOMS – II
CHALUKYAS AND RASHTRAKUTAS
Learning Objectives
Students will acquire knowledge about
1. The achievements of Chalukya ruler Pulakesin II.
2. Administration, social life and art and architecture under
the Chalukyas.
3. Political history of the Rashtrakutas.
4. Administration and society under the Rashtrakutas.
5. Art and architecture of the Rashtrakutas.
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He fought with the Kadambas of Banavasi and the Gangas of
Mysore and established his suzerainty. Durvinita, the Ganga ruler
accepted his overlordship and even gave his daughter in marriage
to Pulakesin II. Another notable achievement of Pulakesin II was
the defeat of Harshavardhana on the banks of the river Narmada.
He put a check to the ambition of Harsha to conquer the south. In
his first expedition against the Pallavas, Pulakesin II emerged
victorious. But he suffered a humiliating defeat at the hands of
Narasimhavarman I near Kanchi. Subsequently, the Chalukya capital
Vatapi was captured and destroyed by the Pallavas. The most
important event in the reign of Pulakesin II was the visit of Hiuen
Tsang to his kingdom.
The successor of Pulakesin II was Vikramaditya. He once again
consolidated the Chalukya kingdom and plundered the Pallava capital,
Kanchi. Thus he had avenged his father’s defeat and death at the hands
of the Pallavas. Kirtivarman II was the last of the rulers of the Chalukyas.
He was defeated by Dantidurga, the founder of the Rashtrakuta dynasty.
Administration and Social Life under the Chalukyas
The Chalukya administration was highly centralized unlike that
of the Pallavas and the Cholas. Village autonomy was absent under
the Chalukyas. The Chalukyas had a great maritime power. Pulakesin
II had 100 ships in his navy. They also had a small standing army.
The Badami Chalukyas were Brahmanical Hindus but they
gave respect to other religions. Importance was given to Vedic rites
and rituals. The founder of the dynasty Pulakesin I performed the
asvamedha sacrifice. A number of temples in honour of Vishnu,
Siva and other gods were also built during this period. Hiuen Tsang
mentioned about the decline of Buddhism in western Deccan. But
Jainism was steadily on the path of progress in this region. Ravikirti,
the court poet of Pulakesin II who composed the Aihole inscription
was a Jain.
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Art and Architecture
The Chalukyas were great patrons
of art. They developed the vesara style
in the building of structural temples.
However, the vesara style reached its
culmination only under the Rashtrakutas
and the Hoysalas. The structural temples
of the Chalukyas exist at Aihole, Badami
and Pattadakal. Cave temple architecture was also famous under the
Chalukyas. Their cave temples are found in Ajanta, Ellora and Nasik.
The best specimens of Chalukya paintings can be seen in the Badami
cave temple and in the Ajanta caves. The reception given to a Persian
embassy by Pulakesin II is depicted in a painting at Ajantha.
The Chalukya temples may be divided into two stages. The
first stage is represented by the temples at Aihole and Badami.
Among the seventy temples found at Aihole, four are important.
1. Ladh Khan temple is a low, flat-roofed structure
consisting of a pillared hall.
2. Durga temple resembles a Buddha Chaitya.
3. Huchimalligudi temple.
4. The Jain temple at Meguti.
Among the temples at Badami,
the Muktheeswara temple and the
Melagutti Sivalaya are notable for
their architectural beauty. A group of
four rock-cut temples at Badami are
marked by high workmanship. The
walls and pillared halls are adorned

CAVE TEMPLE AT AJANTA
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The second stage is
represented by the temples at
Pattadakal. There are ten temples
here, four in the northern style and
the remaining six in the Dravidian
style. The Papanatha temple is the
most notable in the northern style.
The Sangamesvara temple and the
Virupaksha temple are famous for their Dravidian style. The
Virupaksha temple is built on the model of the Kailasanatha temple
at Kanchipuram. It was built by one of the queens of Vikramaditya
II. Sculptors brought from Kanchi were employed in its construction