Chalukya Dynasty: Administration, Art, and Architecture

The Chalukyas left an indelible mark on Indian history, shaping the socio-political landscape and contributing to the richness of diverse Indian culture. Their legacy, preserved through inscriptions, literature, and architectural wonders, continues to impress and admire us today. As we reflect on their achievements, we acknowledge the enduring significance of the Chalukya dynasty in India’s historical narrative

Overview of Chalukyas Dynasty: Administration and Cultural Legacy

A. Sources to Study

• • Inscriptions: The Allahabad Pillar inscription of Samudragupta and the Aihole inscription of Pulikesin II provide details of the Pallava – Chalukya conflict.

• Literature: Kannada work, including Kavirajamarga and Vikramarjuna-vijayam (also called Pampa-bharata, by Pampa)

• • • Nannaya’s Mahabharatam in Telugu.
    • The writings of Arab travellers and geographers such as Sulaiman, Al-Masudi, and Ibn Hauka provide information about the socio-political and economic conditions of India.

• Poems: The poems of the Vaishnavite Azhwars, later compiled as the Nalayira Divya Prabhandam. 

• Saiva Literature: canonised as the Panniru Tirumurai. 
• Thevaram: composed by Appar (Thirunavukkarasar), Sambandar (Thirugnanasambandar) and Sundarar; and Thiruvavasagam by Manickavasagar. 

B. Important Rulers

C. Administration

State Administration

• • Royal Authority: The king was the head of the administration. The rule was according to Dharma-sastra and Niti-sastra. 
  • Succession Practices: During succession, primogeniture was not strictly followed. The elder son was appointed as Yuvaraja while the king was in office.
  • Division of State: The state was divided politically for the sake of administration into Vishayam, Rastram, Nadu and Grama. 
  • Vishayapatis: exercised power at the behest of the kings. 
  • Samantas: were feudal lords functioning under the control of the state.
  • Pulikesin I: was well-versed in Manu-sastra, Puranas, and Itihasas. 
  • Adoption of Titles: Initially, they assumed titles such as Maharajan, Sathyasrayan and Sri-Pritivi-Vallaban. 
    • Parameswaran: After defeating Harshavardhana, Pulikesin II assumed the title of Parameswaran.
    • The kings took titles such as Maharajadhiraja, Dharma Maharaja, Bhattarakan etc.
  • Royal Insignia: The wild boar (Varaha avatar of Vishnu).
  • Royal Women: The Chalukya dynasty of Jayasimhan I line appointed royal ladies as provincial governors. 
    • They also issued coins and inscriptions. 
    • Example: Vijya Bhattariga, a Chalukyan princess, issued inscriptions

• Categories of Ministers were:

• • Pradhana (head minister)
  • Mahasandhi-Vigrahika (minister of foreign affairs).
  • Amatya (revenue minister), and
  • Samaharta (minister of exchequer)

Provincial, District And Village Administration

D. Art and Architecture

Religion 

• • Religious Patronage: They patronised both Saivism and Vaishnavism. 

• They also patronised heterodox sects like Jainism and donated lands to them.

• Brahmin Ritualism: Brahmin groups were invited from the Gangetic regions to perform rituals and ceremonies in the temples. 
• Royal Participation in Rituals: Notable rulers like Kirtivarman, Mangalesa, and Pulikesin II performed yagnas. 
• Adoption of Titles: They bore titles such as Parama-Vaishana and Parama-Maheswara.
• War Deity: They gave a prominent place to Kartikeyan, the war god, and the Saiva monasteries became centres for popularising Saivism.
• Jain Influence: Ravikirti, the poet-laureate of Pulakesin II, was a Jain scholar.
  • During the reign of Kirtivarman II, a Jain temple in Annigere was built.
  • The prince Krishna appointed Gunapatra, a Jain monk, as his master.
  • Pujyapatar, the author of Jainentriya-Viyakarnam, was a Jain monk, a contemporary of Chalukyan ruler Vijayadityan.
• Buddhist Centers: Hiuen Tsang mentioned many Buddhist centres with followers of the Hinayana and Mahayana sects living there

Literature 

• • Sanskrit in Pillar Inscriptions: They used Sanskrit in pillar inscriptions such as Aihole and Mahakudam. 
  • Language Policy: A seventh-century inscription mentions Kannada as the local language and Sanskrit as the language of culture.
  • Scholarly Contributions: A chieftain of Pulikesin II authored a grammar work, Saptavataram, in Sanskrit.

• Aihole Inscription of Pulakesin II: The Megudi Jain temple in Aihole, Karnataka, features a Sanskrit inscription (635 AD) composed by the poet Ravikriti. 

• • The inscription serves as a Prashasti, praising the Chalukya dynasty, with a particular emphasis on the reigning king Pulikesin II, also known as Sathyasraya (the abode of truth). 
  • It outlines the dynasty’s history, boasting victories over various adversaries, including the notable triumph over Harshavardhan

Architecture 

• Innovation in Temple Construction: Chalukyas introduced the technique of building temples using soft sandstones.
• Temple Architecture:  Their temples are grouped into two: Excavated cave temples and Structural temples. 
  • Badami: is known for both structural and excavated cave temples. 
    • There are four caves in Badami. 
    • Largest Cave: temple built by Mangalesa is dedicated to Vishnu. 
  • Pattadakal: Virupaksha temple and Aihole (Lad Khan temple) are famous for their structural temples.
    • In Pattadakal, Chalukyas built more than ten temples, which demonstrate the evolution of Chalukya architecture. 

Painting

• Vakataka Style: Chalukyas adopted the Vakataka style in painting.
• Depictions of Vishnu: Many of the paintings are incarnations of Vishnu.
• Iconic Chalukyan Painting: The most popular Chalukya painting is in the palace built by King Mangalesan (597-609 AD). 
  • It is a scene of the ball being watched by members of the royal family and others

Conclusion

The Chalukyas were really important in Indian history. Their patronage of literature, administration, and architecture laid the foundation for the flourishing of arts and culture in South India. Through their enduring contributions, the Chalukyas remain immortalized in the annals of history, inspiring admiration and awe for generations to come

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