Chalukya Dynasty (Badami and Kalyani Branches)
Medieval History › Early Medieval Period · Topic 1.7
The Chalukyas ruled the Deccan in two great phases: the Badami (Vatapi) Chalukyas from 543 to 753, whose king Pulakeshin II defeated Harsha, and the Kalyani (Western) Chalukyas, who revived the power from 973 until the late twelfth century. Both branches built temples and patronised learning.
5 min read · UPSC Prelims · History · Early Medieval Period
At a Glance
- Badami branch 543 to 753; capital Vatapi
- Greatest Badami king Pulakeshin II (609 to 642)
- Kalyani branch 973 to late twelfth century
- Greatest Kalyani king Vikramaditya VI
- Monuments Aihole, Badami and Pattadakal
- Exam link UPSC Prelims, Medieval History: Early Medieval Period
Where Does It Fit?
This is the seventh topic of the category on the early medieval period. The previous topic described the Pallavas, who fought the Badami Chalukyas, and this topic follows the Chalukya story through its Kalyani revival. The next topic covers the Rashtrakutas, who overthrew the Badami line and whom the Kalyani Chalukyas later replaced. Previous topic: Pallava Dynasty of South India. The earlier phase is in Chalukyas, Pallavas and the Kalabhra Revolt.
Who Were the Badami Chalukyas?
In short: the Chalukya dynasty first ruled the Deccan from Badami between 543 and 753, and its greatest king, Pulakeshin II, stopped Harsha from crossing south of the Narmada.
Pulakeshin I established the dynasty in 543 and made Vatapi (modern Badami) his capital. Kirtivarman I ruled from about 566 to 597. Pulakeshin II ruled from 609 to 642 and controlled much of the Deccan. He halted Harsha’s southward advance by defeating him on the Narmada. His achievements are celebrated in the Aihole inscription of 634, composed by Ravikirti.
How Did the Badami Line Rise and Fall?
| Ruler | Period | Main fact |
|---|---|---|
| Pulakeshin I | 543 | Established the dynasty at Vatapi |
| Kirtivarman I | About 566 to 597 | Extended the kingdom |
| Pulakeshin II | 609 to 642 | Defeated Harsha; Aihole inscription of 634; the Pallava occupation of Vatapi in 642 followed |
| Vikramaditya I | After 642 | Pushed the Pallavas out of Badami; title Rajamalla |
| Vikramaditya II | About 733 to 746 | Raided Tondaimandalam and defeated Nandivarman II |
| Kirtivarman II | Last Badami king | Overthrown by the Rashtrakuta Dantidurga in 753 |
The Pallava king Narasimhavarman I occupied Badami temporarily in 642, and Pulakeshin II is presumed to have died fighting. The Rashtrakutas ended the Badami line in 753.
How Did the Kalyani Chalukyas Revive the Dynasty?
The Chalukya line revived in 973 under Tailapa II, a Rashtrakuta feudatory who overthrew Karka II. These rulers are called the later or Western Chalukyas, and their capital was at Kalyani. Chalukya kings of Kalyani fought the Cholas for the overlordship of Vengi, the Tungabhadra doab and the Ganga-ruled country of northwest Karnataka. Neither side won clearly, and the war exhausted both. The Cholas sacked and plundered Chalukyan cities, including Kalyani.
Vikramaditya VI was the most notable ruler. He founded the Vikrama era, which replaced the Saka era in his territory. His court poet Bilhana and the legal scholar Vijnaneshwara, who wrote the Mitakshara, a commentary on Hindu law, lived in his time. Someshvara III compiled the encyclopaedia Manasollasa. The dynasty dissolved toward the end of the twelfth century as the Hoysalas, Pandyas, Kakatiyas and Seuna Yadavas rose, and the later Chalukyan empire in the Maharashtra area came to an end in that century.
What Are the Main Chalukyan Monuments?
| Site | Phase | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Aihole | Early and second | Durga temple, Lad Khan temple and the Meguti Jain temple of 634 |
| Badami | Early | Cave temples, including Cave 3 of 578 |
| Pattadakal | Peak | UNESCO site with the Papanatha temple of about 680, the Virupaksha temple and the Mallikarjuna temple of 740 to 745 |
| Tungabhadra region | Kalyani phase | Kasivisvesvara temple at Lakkundi, Dodda Basappa temple at Dambal and the Mahadeva temple at Itagi |
The Chalukyas are credited with the Vesara style, which blends the northern nagara and the southern Dravida elements. Aihole is often called a laboratory of temple styles because early experiments in form are concentrated there.
How Did the Chalukyas Support Learning and Languages?
The Rashtrakuta, Chalukya and Hoysala rulers patronised Kannada and Telugu. Nanniah, who lived at the court of a Chalukyan king, began the Telugu version of the Mahabharata, completed in the thirteenth century by Tikkanna. Sanskrit scholarship flourished at the Kalyani court through Vijnaneshwara and Bilhana, and the Manasollasa shows an interest in a wide range of subjects.
Why Is This Topic Important?
- Two phases A common Prelims trap is mixing Badami, Kalyani and Vengi lines
- Harsha Pulakeshin II set the southern limit of Harsha’s empire
- Art Aihole and Pattadakal are heritage staples
What Came Next?
The next topic covers the Rashtrakutas, who ended the Badami Chalukyas and became the main power of the Deccan. Next topic: Rashtrakuta Dynasty of the Deccan.
Key People and Terms
- Pulakeshin II Defeated Harsha; ruled 609 to 642
- Ravikirti Poet of the Aihole inscription of 634
- Vesara Style mixing nagara and Dravida features
- Tailapa II Revived the Chalukya power in 973
- Bilhana Court poet of Vikramaditya VI
- Mitakshara Law commentary by Vijnaneshwara
Exam Corner
Points to Remember
- Badami line founded in 543 by Pulakeshin I.
- Aihole inscription: 634, by Ravikirti.
- Badami line ended by Dantidurga in 753.
- Kalyani revival under Tailapa II, 973.
- Mitakshara was written in the court of Vikramaditya VI.
Do Not Confuse With
- Badami, Kalyani and Vengi Chalukyas Early Deccan line, later Western line and the eastern line of Vengi
- Pulakeshin II and Harsha The Chalukya king who stopped the northern emperor
- Pattadakal and Aihole Peak temples versus early experimental temples
Memory Hook
Pulakeshin stops Harsha, Pattadakal builds, Dantidurga ends, Tailapa returns, Vikramaditya shines.
Mains Angle
Questions on the Chalukyas often cover art or the Deccan balance of power. These points add depth.
- Politics Chalukya-Pallava and Chalukya-Chola wars
- Art From cave temples to Vesara style
- Culture Kannada, Telugu and Sanskrit literature
A Question You May Face
An original practice question, not a past paper question.
“Discuss the contribution of the Chalukyas of Badami and Kalyani to the politics and art of the Deccan.”
How to Answer
- Badami Pulakeshin II and the Aihole inscription.
- Fall Pallava occupation and Dantidurga.
- Kalyani Tailapa II to Vikramaditya VI.
- Art Aihole, Pattadakal and the Vesara style.
GS Relevance
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Pulakeshin II?
Pulakeshin II was the greatest Badami Chalukya king, ruling from 609 to 642. He controlled much of the Deccan and defeated Harsha on the Narmada, and the Aihole inscription of 634 by Ravikirti praises his conquests, before the Pallava occupation of Vatapi in 642.
What is the Aihole inscription?
The Aihole inscription of 634 was composed by the poet Ravikirti and celebrates the military achievements of Pulakeshin II. It is a major source for the Badami Chalukyas, including his victory over Harsha, and was set up at the Meguti Jain temple at Aihole.
How did the Chalukya dynasty revive in 973?
Tailapa II, a feudatory of the Rashtrakutas, overthrew Karka II in 973 and revived the Chalukya line with its capital at Kalyani. These rulers are called the later or Western Chalukyas, and they fought the Cholas for Vengi and the Tungabhadra doab.
Who was Vikramaditya VI?
Vikramaditya VI was the most notable Kalyani Chalukya king. He founded the Vikrama era, and his court included the poet Bilhana and Vijnaneshwara, who wrote the Mitakshara. His successor Someshvara III compiled the encyclopaedia Manasollasa.
What is the Vesara style?
The Vesara style is a temple style credited to the Chalukyas that blends the northern nagara and southern Dravida elements. Examples include the Pattadakal temples of the Badami phase and the Western Chalukya temples at Lakkundi and Dambal in the Tungabhadra region.
PYQ Practice — Statement Analysis
1 Pulakeshin II defeated Harsha on the Narmada.
He thereby halted Harsha's advance into the Deccan.
2 The Aihole inscription was composed by Ravikirti.
It dates from 634.
3 The Badami Chalukya line was ended by the Cholas in 753.
The Rashtrakuta Dantidurga overthrew Kirtivarman II in 753.
4 The Mitakshara was written at the court of Vikramaditya VI.
Vijnaneshwara was its author.
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