Chalukyas or Solanki Of Gujarat: Rise, Rule, and Architectural Legacy

Introduction

The Solanki dynasty, also known as the Chalukyas of Gujarat, ruled over parts of present-day Gujarat and Kathiawar in India from 950 to 1300 CE. They were renowned as the Solanki Rajputs and had their capital at Anhilwara, a major center of Indian Ocean trade. Their reign saw both territorial expansion and cultural flourishing, marked by significant architectural and religious developments.

Solanki Dynasty Overview

1. Rise and Fall of Solanki Dynasty

• Agnikula Legend: The Prithviraj Raso mentions the Agnikula legend, suggesting the Solankis originated from a fire pit on Mount Abu.
  • While colonial-era historians interpreted this as a foreign origin, Solanki inscriptions associate it with the Paramaras, not themselves.
• Territorial Expansion: Ruled parts of present-day Gujarat and Kathiawar in India from 950 to 1300 CE.
  • Known as the Chalukyas of Gujarat or Solanki Rajputs, they referred to themselves as “Chaulukya.”
  • Ended when Alauddin Khalji conquered Gujarat.
• Capital and Trade: Capital at Anhilwara (modern Patan, Gujarat), a major center of Indian Ocean trade.
  • Anhilwara was one of India’s largest cities, with an estimated population of 100,000 in 1000 CE.
• Destruction of Somnath: In 1026, Mahmud of Ghazni destroyed the Somnath temple complex in Gujarat.
• Feudatory Rule and Decline: After 1243, lost control to their feudatories, primarily the Vaghela dynasty of Dholka.
  • The Vaghelas later became tributaries of the Seuna (Yadava) dynasty of Devagiri.

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2. Important Solanki Kings

• Mularaja: In 940-941 AD, Mularaja overthrew the final Chavda ruler of Gujarat and established his own sovereign realm, establishing the capital at Anahilapataka.
  • He was a Shaiva king operating within Brahmanical and Vedic paradigms of kingship. 
  • He built Mulavasatika temple for Digambaras and the Mulanatha-jinadeva temple for the Svetambaras.
• Bhima I (1022-1064 AD): After Mularaja, Bhima I emerged as a significant leader. 
  • He constructed the Sun Temple in Modhera. 
  • In memory of him, his wife Udaymati constructed the Rani ki vav step-well. 
  • The Solanki dynasty revered Somnath at Prabhas as their guardian deity, During their rule, Mahmud of Ghazni attacked and looted this sacred shrine.
• Karna: Following Bhima I, Karna, his successor, conquered a Bhil chieftain and established Karnavati, which is modern-day Ahmedabad. 
  • Karna wedded Mayanalladevi, from whom he fathered Jayasimha Siddharaja.
• Jayasimha Siddharaja (1092-93 AD) consolidated and expanded the kingdom. After  conquering parts of Malwa(1137), he took the title of Avantinath (Lord of Malwa).
  • He was a devotee of Shiva and built the RudraMahakala temple at Siddapura.
  • He was a patron of Jain scholar Hemachandra.
  • Hemachandra: a Jain monk, gained prominence and enjoyed a good relationship with the king.
  • Expansion: Besides Saurashtra and Kutch, Jayasimha also conquered Malwa.
    • One popular legend recounts the siege of Junagadh by Jayasimha, culminating in its capture.
    • During the siege, Ranakdevi, wife of the Chudasama ruler Ra Khengar, chose to commit sati rather than remarry Jayasimha.
    • Jayasimha allowed her to perform sati on a pyre at Wadhwan, where the Ranakdevi Temple now stands in her memory.
• Kumarpala: his successor, was the last renowned royal proponent of Jainism. 
  • During the reign of Kumarapala’s minor grandson, Gujarat faced Muhammad Ghur’s invasion.
  • He had a good relation with Hemchandra and promoted Jainism during his rule in Gujarat.
  • He reconstructed the Somnath temple.
  • Gujarat reached its peak prosperity during Kumarapala’s reign.
• Karna II: the last Hindu king of Gujarat, confronted Alauddin Khalji’s forces.

Conclusion

The Solanki dynasty left a lasting legacy in Gujarat’s history, with their rule witnessing both remarkable achievements and challenges. From the construction of grand temples to facing invasions by Mahmud of Ghazni and Alauddin Khalji, their era shaped the region’s socio-political landscape. Despite their eventual decline, their contributions to art, architecture, and governance continue to be remembered and revered in the annals of Indian history.

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