THE CHALUKYAS OF BADAMI

THE CHALUKYAS OF BADAMI

This post focuses on the early Chalukyas (6^th-8^th centuries CE) of Badami. The later Chalukyas (Western and Eastern) will be dealt with in later posts

Overview

Chalukya territories under Pulakesi II (c. 630 CE)

• The Chalukyas ruled large parts of central and southern India between the 6^th and 12^th centuries
• The Chalukyas consisted of three related dynasties
  • Badami Chalukyas – earliest dynasty, 6^th-8^th centuries CE
  • Eastern Chalukyas – 6^th – 11^th centuries
  • Western Chalukyas – 10^th-12^th centuries
• Chalukya rule was concentrated around present day Karnataka
• The Chalukyas were the earliest known proponents of Kannada and were an important contributor to the growth of Kannada language
• Inscriptions from Chalukya period are mainly in Kannada and Sanskrit

About the Chalukyas of Badami

• The Chalukya kingdom was established by Pulakesi I in 543 CE
• The capital of the Chalukya kingdom was Vatapi (modern Badami)
• This family of early Chalukyas is known as Chalukyas of Badami
• The Chalukyas of Badami ruled over all of Karnataka and parts of Andhra Pradesh

About Pulakesi II

• Pulakesi II, the son of Pulakesi I, was the most famous Chalukya emperor
• Pulakesi II defeated Harshavardhana on the banks of the Narmada and halted the southern expansion of Harsha’s kingdom
• Pulakesi II also extended the Chalukya kingdom up to the northern portions of the Pallava kingdom in the south
• Pulakesi II is famous for the Aihole inscription, which gives details regarding his defeat of Harsha

Chalukyas and Pallavas

The Virupaksha Temple at Pattadakal, Karnataka

• The Chalukyas of Badami and the Pallavas (of Kanchipuram) were in constant and continuous conflict for more than 200 years
• Pulakesi II defeated the Pallava king Mahendravarman I and occupied large parts of northern Pallava kingdom
• However, Mahendravarman’s son Narasimhavarman I defeated Pulakesi II, annexed large parts of the Chalukya kingdom and occupied Badami temporarily
• This was again reversed by Chalukya Vikramaditya II who defeated Pallava Nandivarman II and carved a Kannada inscription on the Kailasanatha temple at Kanchipuram

Architecture under the Chalukyas of Badami

• The architecture of Badami Chalukyas marked an important phase in development of South Indian architecture
• Their style of architecture is also called Karnata Dravida architecture
• Most of their architectural work is concentrated in small area of the Chalukyan heartland in northern Karnataka
• The earliest phase of architecture consists of cave temples at Aihole and Badami (6^th century). These temples had plan exteriors but exceptionally well finished interiors including pillared verandah, columned hall etc
• The second phase was in Aihole and Badami (7^th century).
  Important temples include: Lad Khan Temple (Aihole), and Meguti Jain Temple, Durga Temple, Huccimalli Gudi Temple at Badami
• The final and mature phase was in Pattadakal and Badami (8^th century). Famous temples include: Bhutanatha Temples at Badami, Sangameswara, Virupaksha and Mallikarjuna Temples at Pattadakal
• Chalukya architecture is known for its fusion of nagara and dravida architectural styles
• Pattadakal is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site
• courtesy- iashelp.com