Western Chalukya Empire

10th–12th century empire in western Deccan, South India

This article is about the Western Chalukya Empire. For other dynasties, see Chalukya (disambiguation).

Western Chalukya Empire

Kalyāni Chālukya

957–1184[1]

Greatest extent of the Western Chalukya Empire, 1121 AD[2]

Status|

* Vassal state of the Rashtrakutas (957–973)
* Sovereign (973–1184)

Capital| Manyakheta
Basavakalyan
Common languages| Kannada
Sanskrit
Religion

| Hinduism
Jainism
Government| Monarchy
King|

• 957–997

| Tailapa II

• 1184–1189

| Someshvara IV
History|

• Established

| 957

• Disestablished

| 1184[1]

Preceded by | Succeeded by

|

|  | Rashtrakuta dynasty

|

| Hoysala Kingdom |

|

Kakatiya dynasty |
Seuna (Yadava) dynasty |

The Western Chalukya Empire (/tʃəˈluːkjə/ chə-LOO-kyə) ruled most of the western Deccan, South India, between the 10th and 12th centuries. This Kannada dynasty is sometimes called the Kalyani Chalukya after its regal capital at Kalyani, today's Basavakalyan in the modern Bidar district of Karnataka state, and alternatively the Later Chalukya from its theoretical relationship to the 6th-century Chalukya dynasty of Badami. The dynasty is called Western Chalukyas to differentiate from the contemporaneous Eastern Chalukyas of Vengi, a separate dynasty. Before the rise of these Chalukyas, the Rashtrakuta Empire of Manyakheta controlled most of the Deccan Plateau and Central India for over two centuries. In 973, seeing confusion in the Rashtrakuta empire after a successful invasion of their capital by the ruler of the Paramara dynasty of Malwa, Tailapa II, a feudatory of the Rashtrakuta dynasty ruling from Bijapur region defeated his overlords and made Manyakheta his capital. The dynasty quickly rose to power and grew into an empire under Someshvara I who moved the capital to Kalyani.

For over a century, the two empires of South India, the Western Chalukyas and the Chola dynasty of Thanjavur fought many fierce wars to control the fertile region of Vengi. During these conflicts, the Eastern Chalukyas of Vengi, distant cousins of the Western Chalukyas but related to the Cholas by marriage, took sides with the Cholas further complicating the situation. During the rule of Vikramaditya VI, in the late 11th and early 12th centuries, the Western Chalukyas convincingly contended with the Cholas and reached a peak, ruling territories that spread over most of the Deccan, between the Narmada River in the north and Kaveri River in the south.[3][4][5][6] His exploits were not limited to the south for even as a prince, during the rule of Someshvara I, he had led successful military campaigns as far east as modern Bihar and Bengal.[7][8][9] During this period the other major ruling families of the Deccan, the Hoysala Empire, the Seuna dynasty, the Kakatiya dynasty and the Kalachuris of Kalyani, were subordinates of the Western Chalukyas and gained their independence only when the power of the Chalukya waned during the later half of the 12th century.

The Western Chalukya architecture known today as a transitional style, an architectural link between the style of the early Chalukya dynasty and that of the later Hoysala Empire. Most of its monuments are in the districts bordering the Tungabhadra River in central Karnataka. Well known examples are the Kasivisvesvara Temple, Lakkundi, the Mallikarjuna Temple, Kuruvatti, the Kalleshvara Temple, Bagali and the Mahadeva Temple, Itagi. This was an important period in the development of fine arts in South India, especially in literature, as the Western Chalukya kings encouraged writers in their native language Kannada and in Sanskrit.

## History

[edit]

Old Kannada inscription dated 1028 AD from the rule of King Jayasimha II at the Praneshvara temple in Talagunda, Shivamogga district Old Kannada inscription dated 1057 AD of King Someshvara I at Kalleshwara Temple, Hire Hadagali in Bellary district Mahadeva Temple at Itagi in Koppal district, Karnataka

Knowledge of Western Chalukya history has come through examination of the numerous Kannada language inscriptions left by the kings (scholars Sheldon Pollock and Jan Houben have claimed 90 percent of the Chalukyan royal inscriptions are in Kannada),[10][11] and from the study of important contemporary literary documents in Western Chalukya literature such as Gada Yuddha (982 CE) in Kannada by Ranna and Vikramankadeva Charitam (1120) in Sanskrit by Bilhana.[12][13] The earliest record is dated 957, during the rule of Tailapa II when the Western Chalukyas were still a feudatory of the Rashtrakutas and Tailapa II governed from Tardavadi in present-day Bijapur district, Karnataka.[14][15] The genealogy of the kings of this empire is still debated. One theory, based on contemporary literary and inscriptional evidence plus the finding that the Western Chalukyas employed titles and names commonly used by the early Chalukyas, suggests that the Western Chalukya kings belonged to the same family line as the illustrious Chalukya dynasty of the sixth century,[16][17] while other Western Chalukya inscriptional evidence indicates they were a distinct line unrelated to the early Chalukyas.[18]

The records suggests a possible rebellion by a local Chalukya King, Chattigadeva of Banavasi province (c. 967), in alliance with local Kadamba chieftains. This rebellion however was unfruitful but paved the way for his successor Tailapa II.[19] A few years later, Tailapa II re-established Chalukya rule and defeated the Rashtrakutas during the reign of Karka II by timing his rebellion to coincide with the confusion caused in the Rashtrakuta capital of Manyakheta by the invading Paramaras of Central India in 973.[20][21] After overpowering the Rashtrakutas, Tailapa II moved his capital to Manyakheta and consolidated the Chalukya empire in the western Deccan by subjugating the Paramara and other aggressive rivals and extending his control over the land between the Narmada River and Tungabhadra River.[22] However, some inscriptions indicate that Balagamve in Mysore territory may have been a power centre up to the rule of Someshvara I in 1042.[23]

The intense competition between the kingdom of the western Deccan and those of the Tamil country came to the fore in the 11th century over the acutely contested fertile river valleys in the doab region of the Krishna and Godavari River called Vengi (modern coastal Andhra Pradesh). The Western Chalukyas and the Chola dynasty fought many bitter wars over control of this strategic resource. The imperial Cholas gained power during the time of the famous king Rajaraja Chola I and the crown prince Rajendra Chola I. Chola Emperor Rajaraja Chola I conquered parts of Chalukya territory in present-day Southern Karnataka by subjugating the Western Ganga dynasty of Gangavadi. The Eastern Chalukyas of Vengi were cousins of the Western Chalukyas but became increasingly influenced by the Cholas through their marital ties with the Tamil kingdom. As this was against the interests of the Western Chalukyas, they wasted no time in involving themselves politically and militarily in Vengi. When King Satyashraya succeeded Tailapa II to the throne, he was able to protect his kingdom from Chola aggression as well as his northern territories in Konkan and Gujarat although his control over Vengi was shaky. In 1007 Chola crown-prince Rajendra Chola I invaded Western Chalukyas and had a battle with Western Chalukya Emperor Satyashraya at Donur in Bijapur district of Karnataka. According to an inscription of Satyasraya from Dharwad, Rajaraja Nittavinoda Rajendra Vidyadhara, ornament of the Chola race, Nurmudi-Chola (one-hundred-crown Chola) invaded the Western Chalukya Empire in 1007 AD with an army of 900,000 soldiers, carrying fire and sword throughout the region. The invading troops advanced as far as Donur in Bijapur district on their way to the Chalukya capital Manyakheta, where they were met by the Chalukya army under Satyashraya. The Tanjore big temple inscriptions and Hottur inscriptions state that Rajendra Chola I destroyed the Western Chalukya capital. The result of the battle was Cholas conquered Gangapadi and Nolambapadi. Satyashraya's successor, Jayasimha II, fought many battles with the Cholas in the south around c. 1020–21 when both these powerful kingdoms struggled to choose the Vengi king.[24][25] Shortly thereafter in c. 1024, Jayasimha II subdued the Paramara of central India and the rebellious Yadava King Bhillama.[24]

Chalukya dynasties

Vatapi / Badami Chalukyas

|  Jayasimha|  500-520

|

Ranaraga|  520-540
Pulakeshin I|  540–566
Kirttivarman I|  566–597
Mangalesha|  597–609
Pulakeshin II|  609–642
Adityavarman|  643-645
Abhinavaditya|  645-646
Chandraditya|  646-649
Vijaya-Bhattarika (regent)|  650-655
Vikramaditya I|  655–680
Vinayaditya|  680–696
Vijayaditya|  696–733
Vikramaditya II|  733–746
Kirtivarman II|  746–753

Vengi / Eastern Chalukyas

|  Kubja Vishnuvardhana|  624–641

|

Jayasimha I|  641–673
Indra Bhattaraka|  673
Vishnu Vardhana II|  673–682
Mangi Yuvaraja|  682–706
Jayasimha II|  706–718
Kokkili|  719
Vishnuvardhana III|  719–755
Vijayaditya I (Eastern Chalukya)|  755–772
Vishnuvardhana IV|  772–808
Vijayaditya II|  808–847
Kali Vishnuvardhana V|  847–849
Vijayaditya III|  849–892
Chalukya Bhima I|  892–921
Vijayaditya IV|  921
Amma I|  921–927
Beta Vijayaditya V|  927
Tala I|  927
Vikramaditya II|  927–928
Bhima II|  928
Yuddhamalla II|  928–935
Chalukya Bhima II|  935–947
Amma II|  947–970
Tala I|  970
Danarnava|  970–973
Jata Choda Bhima|  973–999
Shaktivarman I|  1000–1011
Vimaladitya|  1011–1018
Rajaraja Narendra|  1019–1061
Vijayaditya VII|  1061-1075

Kalyani / Western Chalukyas

|  Tailapa II|  957–997

|

Satyashraya|  997–1008
Vikramaditya V|  1008–1015
Jayasimha II|  1015–1042
Someshvara I|  1042–1068
Someshvara II|  1068–1076
Vikramaditya VI|  1076–1126
Someshvara III|  1126–1138
Jagadhekamalla II|  1138–1151
Tailapa III|  1151–1164
Jagadhekamalla III|  1163–1183
Someshvara IV|  1184–1200

* v
* t
* e

It is known from records that Jayasimha's son Someshvara I, whose rule historian Sen considers a brilliant period in the Western Chalukya rule, moved the Chalukya capital to Kalyani in c. 1042.[26][27] Hostilities with the Cholas continued while both sides won and lost battles, though neither lost significant territory[28][29] during the ongoing struggle to install a puppet on the Vengi throne. In 1066, Vikramaditya VI, Son of Someshwara I had invaded the Chola Empire penetrating as far as the capital Gangaikonda Cholapuram and threatening the city before being repulsed by Cholas.[27][30][31] In the Battle of Vijayawada which was fought in 1068 between Someshvara I and Chola Emperor Virarajendra Chola, Someshwara I and his son Vikramaditya VI suffered defeat and lost Vengi to the Cholas. After the battle, Someshwara I due to incurable illness drowned himself in the Tungabhadra River (Paramayoga).[32][33][34] Despite many conflicts with the Cholas in the south, Someshvara I had managed to maintain control over the northern territories in Konkan, Gujarat, Malwa and Kalinga during his rule. His successor, his eldest son Someshvara II, feuded with his younger brother, Vikramaditya VI, an ambitious warrior who had initially been governor of Gangavadi in the southern Deccan when Someshvara II was the king. Before 1068, even as a prince, Vikramaditya VI had invaded Bengal, weakening the ruling Pala Empire. These incursions led to the establishment of Karnata dynasties such as the Sena dynasty and Varman dynasty in Bengal, and the Nayanadeva dynasty in Bihar.[7][8][9] At the death of Someshvara I in April 1068, his son Someshvara II succeeded him as the king of Chalukya. A dispute broke out between him and his younger brother soon after, resulting in a civil war between the two over control of the empire, with the brother proclaiming himself Vikramaditya VI of Western Chalukya. Vikramditya's request for assistance to king Virarajendra Chola was well received, with Virarajendra later recording that he recognised Vikramaditya VI as the king of Western Chalukya. Virarajendra married his daughter to Vikramaditya VI and forged an alliance with him, halting the long feud between the two empires. Vikramaditya VI won the loyalty of the Chalukya feudatories: the Hoysala, the Seuna and the Kadambas of Hangal. In 1075 Vikramaditya overthrew Someshawara II and became the Western Chalukya Emperor. From 1075 to 1076, during the Chola reign of Kulottunga I, the war began with the incursion of the Vikaramaditya's forces into the Chola territories and the two armies met in the Kolar district. What followed was the Chola counter-attack popularly known as the Nangili episode. In the ensuing battle, the Chalukyan army was completely routed and chased by the Chola forces from the rocky roads of Nangili all the way to the Tungabhadra via Manalur. Vikramaditya is said to have retreated hastily and fled.[35][36]

The fifty-year reign of Vikramaditya VI, the most successful of the later Chalukya rulers, was an important period in Karnataka's history and is referred to by historians as the "Chalukya Vikrama era".[37][38][39] Not only was he successful in controlling his powerful feudatories in the north (Kadamba Jayakesi II of Goa, Silhara Bhoja and the Yadava King) and south (Hoysala Vishnuvardhana), he successfully dealt with the imperial Cholas whom he defeated in the battle of Vengi in 1093 and again in 1118. He retained this territory for many years despite ongoing hostilities with the Cholas.[3][4][5][6] This victory in Vengi reduced the Chola influence in the eastern Deccan and made him emperor of territories stretching from the Kaveri River in the south to the Narmada River in the north, earning him the titles Permadideva and Tribhuvanamalla (lord of three worlds). The scholars of his time paid him glowing tributes for his military leadership, interest in fine arts and religious tolerance.[40][41] Literature proliferated and scholars in Kannada and Sanskrit adorned his court. Poet Bilhana, who immigrated from far away Kashmir, eulogised the king in his well-known work Vikramankadeva Charita.[42][43] Vikramaditya VI was not only an able warrior but also a devout king as indicated by his numerous inscriptions that record grants made to scholars and centers of religion.[44][45]

### Decline

[edit]

Western Chalukyas of Kalyana, coin of King Somesvara I Trailokyamalla (1043-1068). Temple façade / Ornate floral ornament.[46]

South Asia
1175 CE

KARAKHANID
KHANATE

QARA KHITAI

GHURID
EMPIRE

KUMAON

CHAULUKYAS

CHAHAMANAS

LATE
GHAZNAVIDS

PARAMARAS

WESTERN
CHALUKYAS

KAKATIYAS

SHILA-
HARAS

CHOLAS

CHERAS

PANDYAS

KADAMBAS

HOYSALAS

GAHADAVALAS

GUHILAS

KACHCHAPA-
GHATAS

CHANDELAS

KALACHURIS
(TRIPURI)

KALACHURIS
(RATNAPURA)

SENAS

KARNATAS

NAGVANSIS

KAMARUPAS

EASTERN
GANGAS

GUGE

MARYUL

LOHA-
RAS

SOOMRA
EMIRATE

MAKRAN
SULTANATE

class=notpageimage|

Main South Asian polities in 1175, on the eve of the Ghurid Empire invasion of the subcontinent[47][48]

The continual warring with the Cholas exhausted both empires, giving their subordinates the opportunity to rebel.[45][49] In the decades after Vikramaditya VI's death in 1126, the empire steadily decreased in size as their powerful feudatories expanded in autonomy and territorial command.[45][50] The time period between 1150 and 1200 saw many hard fought battles between the Chalukyas and their feudatories who were also at war with each other. By the time of Jagadhekamalla II, the Chalukyas had lost control of Vengi and his successor, Tailapa III, was defeated by the Kakatiya king Prola in 1149.[50] Tailapa III was taken captive and later released bringing down the prestige of the Western Chalukyas. Seeing decadence and uncertainty seeping into Chalukya rule, the Hoysalas and Seunas also encroached upon the empire. Hoysala Narasimha I defeated and killed Tailapa III but was unable to overcome the Kalachuris, who vied for control over the same region. In 1157 the Kalachuris of Kalyanis under Bijjala II captured Kalyani and occupied it for the next twenty years, forcing the Chalukyas to move their capital to Annigeri, located in the present day Dharwad district.[50][51]

The Kalachuris were originally immigrants into the southern Deccan from central India and called themselves Kalanjarapuravaradhisavaras.[52] Bijjala II and his ancestors had governed as Chalukya commanders (Mahamandaleshwar) over the Karhad-4000 and Tardavadi-1000 provinces (overlapping region in present-day Karnataka and Maharashtra) with Mangalavada[53] or Annigeri[54] as their capital. Bijjala II's Chikkalagi record of 1157 calls him Mahabhujabala Chakravarti ("emperor with powerful shoulders and arms") indicating he no longer was a subordinate of the Chalukyas.[53] However the successors of Bijjala II were unable to hold on to Kalyani and their rule ended in 1183 when the last Chalukya scion, Someshvara IV, made a final bid to regain control of the empire by recapturing Kalyani.[51][54] Kalachuri King Sankama was killed by Chalukya general Narasimha in this conflict.[55][56] During this time, Hoysala Veera Ballala II was growing ambitious and clashed on several occasions with the Chalukyas and the other claimants over their empire. He defeated Chalukya Someshvara IV and Seuna Bhillama V bringing large regions in the Krishna River valley under the Hoysala domains, but was unsuccessful against Kalachuris.[57] The Seunas under Bhillama V were on an imperialistic expansion too when the Chalukyas regained Kalyani. Their ambitions were temporarily stemmed by their defeat against Chalukya general Barma in 1183 but they later had their vengeance in 1189.[58]

The overall effort by Someshvara IV to rebuild the Chalukya empire failed and the dynasty was ended by the Seuna rulers who drove Someshvara IV into exile in Banavasi 1189\. After the fall of the Chalukyas, the Seunas and Hoysalas continued warring over the Krishna River region in 1191, each inflicting a defeat on the other at various points in time.[59] This period saw the fall of two great empires, the Chalukyas of the western Deccan and the Cholas of Tamilakam. On the ruins of these two empires were built the Kingdoms of their feudatories whose mutual antagonisms filled the annals of Deccan history for over a hundred years, the Pandyas taking control over some regions of the erstwhile Chola empire.[60]

## Administration

[edit]

Mallikarjuna group of temples at Badami in Bagalkot district, Karnataka

The Western Chalukya kingship was hereditary, passing to the king's brother if the king did not have a male heir. The administration was highly decentralised and feudatory clans such as the Alupas, the Hoysalas, the Kakatiya, the Seuna, the southern Kalachuri and others were allowed to rule their autonomous provinces, paying an annual tribute to the Chalukya emperor.[61] Excavated inscriptions record titles such as Mahapradhana (Chief minister), Sandhivigrahika, and Dharmadhikari (chief justice). Some positions such as Tadeyadandanayaka (commander of reserve army) were specialised in function while all ministerial positions included the role of Dandanayaka (commander), showing that cabinet members were trained as army commanders as well as in general administrative skills.[62]

The kingdom was divided into provinces such as Banavasi-12000, Nolambavadi-32000, Gangavadi-96000, each name including the number of villages under its jurisdiction. The large provinces were divided into smaller provinces containing a lesser number of villages, as in Belavola-300. The big provinces were called Mandala and under them were Nadu further divided into Kampanas (groups of villages) and finally a Bada (village). A Mandala was under a member of the royal family, a trusted feudatory or a senior official. Tailapa II himself was in charge of Tardavadi province during the Rashtrakuta rule. Chiefs of Mandalas were transferable based on political developments. For example, an official named Bammanayya administered Banavasi-12000 under King Someshvara III but was later transferred to Halasige-12000. Women from the royal family also administered Nadus and Kampanas. Army commanders were titled Mahamandaleshwaras and those who headed a Nadu were entitled Nadugouvnda.[63]

The Western Chalukyas minted punch-marked gold pagodas with Kannada and Nagari legends[64] which were large, thin gold coins with several varying punch marks on the obverse side. They usually carried multiple punches of symbols such as a stylised lion, Sri in Kannada,[65] a spearhead, the king's title, a lotus and others. Jayasimha II used the legend Sri Jaya, Someshvara I issued coins with Sri Tre lo ka malla, Someshvara II used Bhuvaneka malla, Lakshmideva's coin carried Sri Lasha, and Jagadhekamalla II coinage had the legend Sri Jagade. The Alupas, a feudatory, minted coins with the Kannada and Nagari legend Sri Pandya Dhanamjaya.[66] Lakkundi in Gadag district and Sudi in Dharwad district were the main mints (Tankhashaley). Their heaviest gold coin was the Gadyanaka, weighing 96 grains. Other coins included the Dramma (65 grains), the Kalanju (48 grains), the Kasu (15 grains), the Manjadi (2.5 grains), the Akkam (1.25 grains), and the Pana (9.6 grains).[67]

## Economy

[edit]

Ornate mantapa at Kalleshvara Temple (987 CE) in Bagali, Davanagere district

Agriculture was the empire's main source of income through taxes on land and produce. The majority of the people lived in villages and worked farming the staple crops of rice, pulses, and cotton in the dry areas and sugarcane in areas having sufficient rainfall, with areca and betel being the chief cash crops. The living conditions of the labourers who farmed the land must have been bearable as there are no records of revolts by the landless against wealthy landlords. If peasants were disgruntled the common practice was to migrate in large numbers out of the jurisdiction of the ruler who was mistreating them, thereby depriving him of revenue from their labor.[68]

Taxes were levied on mining and forest products, and additional income was raised through tolls for the use of transportation facilities. The state also collected fees from customs, professional licenses, and judicial fines.[69] Records show horses and salt were taxed as well as commodities (gold, textiles, perfumes) and agricultural produce (black pepper, paddy, spices, betel leaves, palm leaves, coconuts and sugar). Land tax assessment was based on frequent surveys evaluating the quality of land and the type of produce. Chalukya records specifically mention black soil and red soil lands in addition to wetland, dry land and wasteland in determining taxation rates.[70]

Part of a series on the

History of Karnataka

Topics

* Political history of medieval Karnataka
* Origin of Karnataka's name

Polities

* Kadambas and Gangas
* Chalukya Empire
* Rashtrakuta Empire
* Western Chalukya Empire
* Southern Kalachuri
* Hoysala Kingdom
* Vijayanagara Empire
* Bahmani Sultanate
* Sultanate of Bijapur
* Kingdom of Mysore
* Hyderabad State
* Nayakas of Keladi
* Nayakas of Chitradurga
* Haleri Kingdom
* Unification of Karnataka

Categories

* Architecture
* Forts

* Economies
* Societies

* v
* t
* e

Key figures mentioned in inscriptions from rural areas were the Gavundas (officials) or Goudas. The Gavundas belonged to two levels of economic strata, the Praja Gavunda (people's Gavunda) and the Prabhu Gavunda (lord of Gavundas). They served the dual purpose of representing the people before the rulers as well as functioning as state appointees for tax collection and the raising of militias. They are mentioned in inscriptions related to land transactions, irrigation maintenance, village tax collection and village council duties.[71]

The organisation of corporate enterprises became common in the 11th century.[72] Almost all arts and crafts were organised into guilds and work was done on a corporate basis; records do not mention individual artists, sculptors and craftsman. Only in the regions ruled by the Hoysala did individual sculptors etched their names below their creations.[73] Merchants organised themselves into powerful guilds that transcended political divisions, allowing their operations to be largely unaffected by wars and revolutions. Their only threat was the possibility of theft from brigands when their ships and caravans traveled to distant lands. Powerful South Indian merchant guilds included the Manigramam, the Nagarattar and the Anjuvannam. Local guilds were called nagaram, while the Nanadesis were traders from neighbouring kingdoms who perhaps mixed business with pleasure. The wealthiest and most influential and celebrated of all South Indian merchant guilds was the self-styled Ainnurruvar, also known as the 500 Svamis of Ayyavolepura (Brahmins and Mahajanas of present-day Aihole),[74][75] who conducted extensive land and sea trade and thereby contributed significantly to the total foreign trade of the empire. It fiercely protected its trade obligations (Vira Bananjudharma or law of the noble merchants) and its members often recorded their achievements in inscriptions (prasasti). Five hundred such excavated Prasasti inscriptions, with their own flag and emblem, the bull, record their pride in their business.

Rich traders contributed significantly to the king's treasury through paying import and export taxes. The edicts of the Aihole Svamis mention trade ties with foreign kingdoms such as Chera, Pandya, Maleya (Malaysia), Magadh, Kaushal, Saurashtra, Kurumba, Kambhoja (Cambodia), Lata (Gujarat), Parasa (Persia) and Nepal. Travelling both land and sea routes, these merchants traded mostly in precious stones, spices and perfumes, and other specialty items such as camphor. Business flourished in precious stones such as diamonds, lapis lazuli, onyx, topaz, carbuncles and emeralds. Commonly traded spices were cardamom, saffron, and cloves, while perfumes included the by-products of sandalwood, bdellium, musk, civet and rose. These items were sold either in bulk or hawked on streets by local merchants in towns.[76] The Western Chalukyas controlled most of South India's west coast and by the 10th century they had established extensive trade ties with the Tang Empire of China, the empires of Southeast Asia and the Abbasid Caliphate in Baghdad, and by the 12th-century Chinese fleets were frequenting Indian ports. Exports to Song dynasty China included textiles, spices, medicinal plants, jewels, ivory, rhino horn, ebony and camphor. The same products also reached ports in the west such as Dhofar and Aden. The final destinations for those trading with the west were Persia, Arabia and Egypt.[77] The thriving trade center of Siraf, a port on the eastern coast of the Persian Gulf, served an international clientele of merchants including those from the Chalukya empire who were feasted by wealthy local merchants during business visits. An indicator of the Indian merchants' importance in Siraf comes from records describing dining plates reserved for them.[78] In addition to this, Siraf received aloe wood, perfumes, sandalwood and condiments. The most expensive import to South India were Arabian horse shipments, this trade being monopolised by Arabs and local Brahmin merchants. Traveller Marco Polo, in the 13th century, recorded that the breeding of horses never succeeded in India due to differing climatic, soil and grassland conditions.[77]

## Culture

[edit]

### Religion

[edit]

See also: Ramanujacharya, Basavanna, Allama Prabhu, and Akka Mahadevi

Basavanna statue A Hero stone with old Kannada inscription (1115 AD) during the rule of Vikarmaditya VI at the Kedareshvara temple in Balligavi

The fall of the Rashtrakuta empire to the Western Chalukyas in the 10th century, coinciding with the defeat of the Western Ganga dynasty by the Cholas in Gangavadi, was a setback to Jainism. The growth of Virashaivism in the Chalukya territory and Vaishnava Hinduism in the Hoysala region paralleled a general decreased interest in Jainism, although the succeeding kingdoms continued to be religiously tolerant.[79] Two locations of Jain worship in the Hoysala territory continued to be patronaged, Shravanabelagola and Kambadahalli. The decline of Buddhism in South India had begun in the 8th century with the spread of Adi Shankara's Advaita philosophy.[80] The only places of Buddhist worship that remained during the Western Chalukya rule were at Dambal and Balligavi.[81] There is no mention of religious conflict in the writings and inscriptions of the time, suggesting that the religious transition was smooth.

Although the origin of the Virashaiva faith has been debated, the movement grew through its association with Basavanna in the 12th century.[82][83] Basavanna and other Virashaiva saints preached of a faith without a caste system. In his Vachanas (a form of poetry), Basavanna appealed to the masses in simple Kannada and wrote "work is worship" (Kayakave Kailasa). Also known as the Lingayats (worshipers of the Linga, the universal symbol of Shiva), these Virashaivas questioned many of the established norms of society such as the belief in rituals and the theory of rebirth and supported the remarriage of widows and the marriage of unwed older women.[84] This gave more social freedom to women but they were not accepted into the priesthood. Ramanujacharya, the head of the Vaishnava monastery in Srirangam, traveled to the Hoysala territory and preached the way of devotion (bhakti marga). He later wrote Sribhashya, a commentary on Badarayana Brahmasutra, a critique on the Advaita philosophy of Adi Shankara.[85] Ramanujacharya's stay in Melkote resulted in the Hoysala King Vishnuvardhana converting to Vaishnavism, a faith that his successors also followed.

The impact of these religious developments on the culture, literature, and architecture in South India was profound. Important works of metaphysics and poetry based on the teachings of these philosophers were written over the next centuries. Akka Mahadevi, Allama Prabhu, and a host of Basavanna's followers, including Chenna Basava, Prabhudeva, Siddharama, and Kondaguli Kesiraja wrote hundreds of poems called Vachanas in praise of Lord Shiva.[86] The esteemed scholars in the Hoysala court, Harihara and Raghavanka, were Virashaivas.[87] This tradition continued into the Vijayanagar empire with such well-known scholars as Singiraja, Mallanarya, Lakkana Dandesa and other prolific writers of Virashaiva literature.[88][89] The Saluva, Tuluva and Aravidu dynasties of the Vijayanagar empire were followers of Vaishnavism and a Vaishnava temple with an image of Ramanujacharya exists today in the Vitthalapura area of Vijayanagara.[90] Scholars in the succeeding Mysore Kingdom wrote Vaishnavite works supporting the teachings of Ramanujacharya.[91] King Vishnuvardhana built many temples after his conversion from Jainism to Vaishnavism.[92]

### Society

[edit]

Main article: Western Chalukya society

Kirtimukha relief at Kedareswara Temple in Balligavi, Shimoga district

The rise of Veerashaivaism was revolutionary and challenged the prevailing Hindu caste system which retained royal support. The social role of women largely depended on their economic status and level of education in this relatively liberal period. Freedom was more available to women in the royal and affluent urban families. Records describe the participation of women in the fine arts, such as Chalukya queen Chandala Devi's and Kalachuris of Kalyani queen Sovala Devi's skill in dance and music. The compositions of thirty Vachana women poets included the work of the 12th-century Virashaiva mystic Akka Mahadevi whose devotion to the bhakti movement is well known.[93] Contemporary records indicate some royal women were involved in administrative and martial affairs such as princess Akkadevi, (sister of King Jayasimha II) who fought and defeated rebellious feudals.[94][95] Inscriptions emphasise public acceptance of widowhood indicating that Sati (a custom in which a dead man's widow used to immolate herself on her husband's funeral pyre) though present was on a voluntary basis.[96] Ritual deaths to achieve salvation were seen among the Jains who preferred to fast to death (Sallekhana), while people of some other communities chose to jump on spikes (Shoolabrahma) or walking into fire on an eclipse.

In a Hindu caste system that was conspicuously present, Brahmins enjoyed a privileged position as providers of knowledge and local justice. These Brahmins were normally involved in careers that revolved around religion and learning with the exception of a few who achieved success in martial affairs. They were patronised by kings, nobles and wealthy aristocrats who persuaded learned Brahmins to settle in specific towns and villages by making them grants of land and houses. The relocation of Brahmin scholars was calculated to be in the interest of the kingdom as they were viewed as persons detached from wealth and power and their knowledge was a useful tool to educate and teach ethical conduct and discipline in local communities. Brahmins were also actively involved in solving local problems by functioning as neutral arbiters (Panchayat).[97]

Regarding eating habits, Brahmins, Jains, Buddhists and Shaivas were strictly vegetarian while the partaking of different kinds of meat was popular among other communities. Marketplace vendors sold meat from domesticated animals such as goats, sheep, pigs and fowl as well as exotic meat including partridge, hare, wild fowl and boar.[98] People found indoor amusement by attending wrestling matches (Kusti) or watching animals fight such as cock fights and ram fights or by gambling. Horse racing was a popular outdoor pastime.[99] In addition to these leisurely activities, festivals and fairs were frequent and entertainment by traveling troupes of acrobats, dancers, dramatists and musicians was often provided.[100]

Schools and hospitals are mentioned in records and these were built in the vicinity of temples. Marketplaces served as open air town halls where people gathered to discuss and ponder local issues. Choirs, whose main function was to sing devotional hymns, were maintained at temple expense. Young men were trained to sing in choirs in schools attached to monasteries such as Hindu Matha, Jain Palli and Buddhist Vihara.[101] These institutions provided advanced education in religion and ethics and were well equipped with libraries (Saraswati Bhandara). Learning was imparted in the local language and in Sanskrit. Schools of higher learning were called Brahmapuri (or Ghatika or Agrahara). Teaching Sanskrit was a near monopoly of Brahmins who received royal endowments for their cause. Inscriptions record that the number of subjects taught varied from four to eighteen.[102] The four most popular subjects with royal students were Economics (Vartta), Political Science (Dandaniti), Veda (trayi) and Philosophy (Anvikshiki), subjects that are mentioned as early as Kautilyas Arthashastra.

### Literature

[edit]

Main article: Western Chalukya literature in Kannada

Grill work at Tripurantkesvara temple in Balligavi, Shimoga district

The Western Chalukya era was one of substantial literary activity in the native Kannada, and Sanskrit.[103] In a golden age of Kannada literature,[104] Jain scholars wrote about the life of Tirthankaras and Virashaiva poets expressed their closeness to God through pithy poems called Vachanas. Nearly three hundred contemporary Vachanakaras (Vachana poets) including thirty women poets have been recorded.[105][106] Early works by Brahmin writers were on the epics, Ramayana, Mahabharata, Bhagavata, Puranas and Vedas. In the field of secular literature, subjects such as romance, erotics, medicine, lexicon, mathematics, astrology, encyclopedia etc. were written for the first time.[107][108]

Most notable among Kannada scholars were Ranna, grammarian Nagavarma II, minister Durgasimha and the Virashaiva saint and social reformer Basavanna. Ranna who was patronised by king Tailapa II and Satyashraya is one among the "three gems of Kannada literature".[109] He was bestowed the title "Emperor among poets" (Kavi Chakravathi) by King Tailapa II and has five major works to his credit. Of these, Saahasabheema Vijayam (or Gada yuddha) of 982 in Champu style is a eulogy of his patron King Satyashraya whom he compares to Bhima in valour and achievements and narrates the duel between Bhima and Duryodhana using clubs on the eighteenth day of the Mahabharata war.[110] He wrote Ajitha purana in 993 describing the life of the second Tirthankara, Ajitanatha.[111][112]

Nagavarma II, poet laureate (Katakacharya) of King Jagadhekamalla II made contributions to Kannada literature in various subjects.[113][114] His works in poetry, prosody, grammar and vocabulary are standard authorities and their importance to the study of Kannada language is well acknowledged. Kavyavalokana in poetics, Karnataka-Bhashabhushana on grammar and Vastukosa a lexicon (with Kannada equivalents for Sanskrit words) are some of his comprehensive contributions.[115] Several works on medicine were produced during this period. Notable among them were Jagaddala Somanatha's Karnataka Kalyana Karaka.[116]

A popular Vachana poem in the Kannada language by Akka Mahadevi

A unique and native form of poetic literature in Kannada called Vachanas developed during this time. They were written by mystics, who expressed their devotion to God in simple poems that could appeal to the masses. Basavanna, Akka Mahadevi, Allama Prabhu, Channabasavanna and Siddharama are the best known among them.[117]

In Sanskrit, a well-known poem (Mahakavya) in 18 cantos called Vikramankadeva Charita by Kashmiri poet Bilhana recounts in epic style the life and achievements of his patron king Vikramaditya VI. The work narrates the episode of Vikramaditya VI's accession to the Chalukya throne after overthrowing his elder brother Someshvara II.[118] The great Indian mathematician Bhāskara II (born c. 1114) flourished during this time. From his own account in his famous work Siddhanta Siromani (c. 1150, comprising the Lilavati, Bijaganita on algebra, Goladhaya on the celestial globe and Grahaganita on planets) Bijjada Bida (modern Bijapur) was his native place.[119]

Manasollasa or Abhilashitartha Chintamani by king Someshvara III (1129) was a Sanskrit work intended for all sections of society. This is an example of an early encyclopedia in Sanskrit covering many subjects including medicine, magic, veterinary science, valuing of precious stones and pearls, fortifications, painting, music, games, amusements etc.[120] While the book does not give any of dealt topics particular hierarchy of importance, it serves as a landmark in understanding the state of knowledge in those subjects at that time.[121] Someshwara III also authored a biography of his famous father Vikramaditya VI called Vikraman-Kabhyudaya. The text is a historical prose narrative which also includes a graphic description of the geography and people of Karnataka.[122]

A Sanskrit scholar Vijnaneshwara became famous in the field of legal literature for his Mitakshara, in the court of Vikramaditya VI. Perhaps the most acknowledged work in that field, Mitakshara is a treatise on law (commentary on Yajnavalkya) based on earlier writings and has found acceptance in most parts of modern India. An Englishman Colebrooke later translated into English the section on inheritance giving it currency in the British Indian court system.[123] Some important literary works of the time related to music and musical instruments were Sangita Chudamani, Sangita Samayasara and Sangita Ratnakara.[124]

### Architecture

[edit]

Main article: Western Chalukya architecture

Typical Western Chalukya dravida Vimana at Siddesvara temple in Haveri, Karnataka

The reign of Western Chalukya dynasty was an important period in the development of Deccan architecture. The architecture designed during this time served as a conceptual link between the Badami Chalukya architecture of the 8th century and the Hoysala architecture popularised in the 13th century.[125][126] The art of the Western Chalukyas is sometimes called the "Gadag style" after the number of ornate temples they built in the Tungabhadra River-Krishna River doab region of present-day Gadag district in Karnataka.[127] The dynasty's temple building activity reached its maturity and culmination in the 12th century with over a hundred temples built across the Deccan, more than half of them in present-day central Karnataka.[128][129] Apart from temples, the dynasty's architecture is well known for the ornate stepped wells (Pushkarni) which served as ritual bathing places, a few of which are well preserved in Lakkundi. These stepped well designs were later incorporated by the Hoysalas and the Vijayanagara empire in the coming centuries.[130][131]

Ornate pillars at Saraswati temple in Gadag city, Karnataka

The Kasivisvesvara Temple at Lakkundi (Gadag district),[132][133] the Dodda Basappa Temple at Dambal (Gadag district),[134][135] the Mallikarjuna Temple at Kuruvatti (Bellary district),[133][136] the Kallesvara Temple at Bagali (Davangere district),[136][137] the Siddhesvara Temple at Haveri (Haveri district),[138][139] the Amrtesvara Temple at Annigeri (Dharwad district),[140] the Mahadeva Temple at Itagi (Koppal district),[141][142] the Kaitabheshvara Temple at Kubatur,[143] and the Kedareshvara Temple at Balligavi are the finest examples produced by the later Chalukya architects.[144] The 12th-century Mahadeva Temple with its well executed sculptures is an exquisite example of decorative detail. The intricate, finely crafted carvings on walls, pillars and towers speak volumes about Chalukya taste and culture. An inscription outside the temple calls it "Emperor of Temples" (devalaya chakravarti) and relates that it was built by Mahadeva, a commander in the army of king Vikramaditya VI.[145][146] The Kedareswara Temple (1060) at Balligavi is an example of a transitional Chalukya-Hoysala architectural style.[147][148] The Western Chalukyas built temples in Badami and Aihole during their early phase of temple building activity, such as Mallikarjuna Temple, the Yellamma Temple and the Bhutanatha group of Temples.[149][150]

Brahma Jinalaya at Lakkundi dates to the mid-late 11th century

The vimana of their temples (tower over the shrine) is a compromise in detail between the plain stepped style of the early Chalukyas and the decorative finish of the Hoysalas.[126] To the credit of the Western Chalukya architects is the development of the lathe turned (tuned) pillars and use of Soapstone (Chloritic Schist) as basic building and sculptural material, a very popular idiom in later Hoysala temples. They popularised the use of decorative Kirtimukha (demon faces) in their sculptures. Famous architects in the Hoysala kingdom included Chalukyan architects who were natives of places such as Balligavi.[151] The artistic wall decor and the general sculptural idiom was dravidian architecture.[131] This style is sometimes called Karnata dravida, one of the notable traditions in Indian architecture.[152]

### Language

[edit]

Old Kannada inscription from 1112 at Mahadeva Temple in Itagi, Karnataka ascribed to King Vikramaditya VI

The local language Kannada was mostly used in Western (Kalyani) Chalukya inscriptions and epigraphs. Some historians assert that ninety percent of their inscriptions are in the Kannada language while the remaining are in Sanskrit.[153][11] More inscriptions in Kannada are attributed to Vikramaditya VI than any other king prior to the 12th century,[154] many of which have been deciphered and translated by historians of the Archaeological Survey of India.[13] Inscriptions were generally either on stone (Shilashasana) or copper plates (Tamarashasana). This period saw the growth of Kannada as a language of literature and poetry, impetus to which came from the devotional movement of the Virashaivas (called Lingayatism) who expressed their closeness to their deity in the form of simple lyrics called Vachanas.[155] At an administrative level, the regional language was used to record locations and rights related to land grants. When bilingual inscriptions were written, the section stating the title, genealogy, origin myths of the king and benedictions were generally done in Sanskrit. Kannada was used to state terms of the grants, including information on the land, its boundaries, the participation of local authorities, rights and obligations of the grantee, taxes and dues, and witnesses. This ensured the content was clearly understood by the local people without any ambiguity.[156]

In addition to inscriptions, chronicles called Vamshavalis were written to provide historical details of dynasties. Writings in Sanskrit included poetry, grammar, lexicon, manuals, rhetoric, commentaries on older works, prose fiction and drama. In Kannada, writings on secular subjects became popular. Some well-known works are Chandombudhi, a prosody, and Karnataka Kadambari, a romance, both written by Nagavarma I, a lexicon called Rannakanda by Ranna (993), a book on medicine called Karnataka-Kalyanakaraka by Jagaddala Somanatha, the earliest writing on astrology called Jatakatilaka by Sridharacharya (1049), a writing on erotics called Madanakatilaka by Chandraraja, and an encyclopedia called Lokapakara by Chavundaraya II (1025).[108][157]

## See also

[edit]

* Balligavi
* Chola dynasty
* Kulothunga Chola I
* Rashtrakutas
* Vikramaditya VI
* Chalukya dynasty
* Eastern Chalukyas
* List of Chalukya emperors

## Notes

[edit]

1. ^ Sen, Sailendra (2013). A Textbook of Medieval Indian History. Primus Books. pp. 52–53\. ISBN 978-93-80607-34-4.
2. ^ Kamath, Suryanath U. (2001). A Concise History of Karnataka: (from Pre-historic Times to the Present). Jupiter Books. p. 328.
3. ^ a b Quote: "From 1118, Ananthapala, Vikramaditya VI's famous general is described as the ruler of Vengi, other Chalukyan commanders are found established in other parts of Telugu country and the Chola power practically disappears for a number of years thereafter. Thus Kulotunga sustained another curtailment of his empire which by the end of his reign was practically confined to Tamil country and a relatively small area of the adjoining Telugu districts" (Sastri, 1955, p. 175)
4. ^ a b Quote: "Vikramaditya VI led an expedition against the Cholas in c. 1085 and captured Kanchi and held it for some years. Vikramaditya VI succeeded in conquering major parts of Vengi Kingdom in 1088. Kollipakei-7000, a province of Vengi was under his control for long after this. Vengi was under his control from c. 1093 to 1099 and though it was recaptured by the Cholas in 1099, he reconquered it in c. 1118 and held it till 1124" (Kamath, 2001, p. 105). Vikramaditya VI successfully subdued the Hoysalas, the Silharas of Konkan, the Kadambas of Goa, the Pandyas of Uchangi, the Seuna of Devagiri, the Kakatiya of Warangal, the Chaulukyas of Gujarat, the Chedi of Ratnapur and the rulers of the Malwa territories south of the Narmada river. (Kamath, 2001, p. 105)
5. ^ a b Quote: "About AD 1118 Vikramaditya's diplomatic and military skill enabled the Western Chalukyas to end Chola ascendancy on Vengi and bring that province back within the sphere of influence of Kalyani" (Chopra, 2003, p. 139, part 1)
6. ^ a b Quote: "From about 1118 to the end of Vikramaditya's reign, and for some years thereafter, the Chola power seized to exist in Vengi" (Sen, 1999, p. 387)
7. ^ a b Somers, 1977, p. 214
8. ^ a b Sen, 1999, p. 282
9. ^ a b Majumdar, 1977, p. 320
10. ^ Pollock, 2006, pp. 288–289, 332
11. ^ a b Houben, 1996, p. 215
12. ^ Kamath, 2001, pp. 10–12, 100
13. ^ a b Sastry, Shama & Rao, N. Lakshminarayana. "Kannada inscriptions". Archaeological survey of India, South Indian inscriptions, Saturday, November 18, 2006. What Is India Publishers (P) Ltd. Retrieved 28 December 2006.
14. ^ The province of Tardavadi, lying in the very heart of the Rashtrakuta empire, was given to Tailapa II as a fief (provincial grant) by Rashtrakuta Krishna III for services rendered in war. (Sastri, 1955, p. 162)
15. ^ Kamath, 2001, p. 101
16. ^ Bilhana's 12th-century Sanskrit work  Vikramadeva Charitam and Ranna's Kannada work Gadayuddha (982) and inscriptions from Nilagunda, Yevvur, Kauthem and Miraj claim Tailapa II was son of Vikramaditya IV, seventh in descent from Bhima, brother of Badami Chalukya Vikramaditya II. (Kamath, 2001, p. 100)
17. ^ Kings of the Chalukya line of Vemulavada, who were certainly from the Badami Chalukya family line used the title "Malla" which is often used by the Western Chalukyas. Names such as "Satyashraya" which were used by the Badami Chalukya are also name of a Western Chalukya king. (Kamath, 2001, p. 100)
18. ^ Unlike the Badami Chalukyas, the Kalyani Chalukyas did not claim to be Harithiputhras of Manavysya gotra in lineage. The use of titles like Tribhuvanamalla marked them of as a distinct line. (Kamath, 2001, p. 100)
19. ^ Moraes, 1931, pp. 88–93
20. ^ Later legends and tradition hailed Tailapa as an incarnation of the God Krishna who fought 108 battles against the race of Ratta (Rashtrakuta) and captured 88 fortresses from them. (Sastri, 1955, p. 162)
21. ^ According to a 973 inscription, Tailapa II helped by Kadambas of Hangal, destroyed the Rattas (Rashtrakutas), killed the valiant Munja (of the Paramara kingdom), took the head of Panchala (Ganga dynasty) and restored the royal dignity of the Chalukyas. (Moraes, 1931, pp. 93–94)
22. ^ Sastri, 1955, p. 164
23. ^ A minor capital of Jayasimha II. (Cousens, 1926, pp. 10, 105)
24. ^ a b Sen, 1999, p. 383
25. ^ Jayasimha's choice was Vijayaditya VII while the Cholas sought to place Rajaraja Narendra, son-in-law of Rajendra Chola I. (Kamath, 2001, p. 102)
26. ^ Quote: "Beautified it so that it surpassed all the other cities of the earth" (Cousens, 1926, p. 10)
27. ^ a b Sen, 1999, p. 384
28. ^ Kamath, 2001, p. 103
29. ^ Sastri, 1955, p. 166
30. ^ Someshvara I supported the cause of Shaktivarman II, son of Vijayaditya II while the Cholas preferred Rajendra, son of the previous king Rajaraja Narendra (Kamath, 2001, p. 103)
31. ^ Sastri, 1955, p. 169
32. ^ Kamath, 2001, p. 104
33. ^ Sastri, 1955, p. 170
34. ^ Cousens, 1926, pp. 10–11
35. ^ Sastri, 1955, p. 172
36. ^ Eulogising Vikramaditya VI, Kashmiri poet Bilhana wrote in his Vikramanakadeva Charita that lord Shiva himself advised Chalukya Vikramaditya VI to replace his elder brother from the throne. (Thapar, 2003, p. 468)
37. ^ Vikramaditya VI abolished the saka era and established the Vikrama-varsha (Vikrama era). Most Chalukya inscriptions thereafter are dated to this new era. (Cousens, 1926, p. 11)
38. ^ Vikramaditya's rule is mentioned as an era (samvat) along with Satavahana Vikrama era 58 BCE, Shaka era, of 78 CE, Harshavardhana era of 606 CE. (Thapar, 2003, pp. 468–469)
39. ^ Sen, 1999, p. 386
40. ^ Vijnyaneshavara, his court scholar in Sanskrit, wrote of him as a king like none other. (Kamath, 2001, p. 106)
41. ^ Cousens, 1926, p. 12
42. ^ Bilhana called the reign "Rama Rajya" in his writing that consisted of 18 cantos. The last canto of this work is about the life of author himself who writes that the work was composed by him in gratitude for the great honor bestowed upon him by the ruler of Karnata. (Sastri, 1955, p. 315)
43. ^ Bilhana was made Vidyapati (chief pandit) by the king. (Cousens, 1926, p. 12)
44. ^ No other king prior to the Vijayanagara rulers have left behind so many records as Vikramaditya VI. (Kamath, 2001, p. 105)
45. ^ a b c Sen, 1999, p. 387
46. ^ CNG Coins
47. ^ Schwartzberg, Joseph E. (1978). A Historical atlas of South Asia. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. p. 37, 147. ISBN 0226742210.
48. ^ Eaton, Richard M. (25 July 2019). India in the Persianate Age: 1000-1765. Penguin UK. p. 38\. ISBN 978-0-14-196655-7.
49. ^ Their feudatories, Hoysalas of Mysore region, Kakatiyas of Warangal, Seunas of Devagiri and the Pandyas of Madurai wasted no time in seizing the opportunity. (Sastri, 1955, p. 158)
50. ^ a b c Sastri, 1955, p. 176
51. ^ a b Sen, 1999, p. 388
52. ^ Kamath, 2001, p. 107
53. ^ a b Kamath, 2001, p. 108
54. ^ a b Cousens, 1926, p. 13
55. ^ From the Minajagi record of 1184. (Kamath, 2001, p. 109)
56. ^ A Kalachuri commander called Barmideva or Brahma is known to have given support to the Chalukyas. (Sastri, 1955, pp. 179–180)
57. ^ Kamath, 2001, p. 127
58. ^ Sen, 1999, pp. 388–389
59. ^ Sastri, 1955, p. 180
60. ^ Sastri, 1955, p. 192
61. ^ Kamath, 2001, p. 110
62. ^ Kamath, 2001, p. 109
63. ^ There was flexibility to the terms used to designate territorial division. (Kamath, 2001, p. 110)
64. ^ Coins of Western Chalukyas with Kannada legends have been found. (Kamath, 2001, p. 12)
65. ^ Govindaraya Prabhu, S (1 November 2001). "Indian coins-Dynasties of South-Chalukyas". Prabhu's Web Page On Indian Coinage. Retrieved 10 November 2006.
66. ^ Govindaraya Prabhu, S. "Indian coins-Dynasties of South-Alupas". Prabhu's Web Page On Indian Coinage, 1 November 2001. Archived from the original on 15 August 2006. Retrieved 10 November 2006.
67. ^ Kamath, 2001, p. 111
68. ^ Thapar, 2002, p. 373
69. ^ Thapar, 2002, p. 378
70. ^ Sastri, 1955, p. 298
71. ^ Thapar, 2002, pp. 379, 382
72. ^ Thapar, 2002, p. 382
73. ^ Sastri, 1955, p. 299
74. ^ Sastri, 1955, p. 300
75. ^ Thapar, 2002, p. 384
76. ^ Sastri, 1955, p. 301
77. ^ a b Thapar, 2002, p. 383
78. ^ Sastri, 1955, p. 302
79. ^ Kamath, 2001, pp. 112, 132
80. ^ A 16th-century Buddhist work by Lama Taranatha speaks disparagingly of Shankaracharya as close parallels in some beliefs of Shankaracharya with Buddhist philosophy was not viewed favourably by Buddhist writers. (Thapar, 2003, pp. 349–350, 397)
81. ^ An inscription dated 1095 CE of Vikramaditya VI mentions grants to a Vihara of Buddha and Arya-Taradevi. (Cousens, 1926, p. 11)
82. ^ It is said five earlier saints Renuka, Daruka, Ekorama, Panditharadhya and Vishwaradhya were the original founders of Virashaivism. (Kamath, 2001, p. 152)
83. ^ However it is argued that these saints were from the same period as Basavanna. (Sastri, 1955, p. 393)
84. ^ Thapar, 2003, p. 399
85. ^ He criticised Adi Shankara as a "Buddhist in disguise". (Kamath, 2001, p. 151)
86. ^ Narasimhacharya, 1988, p. 20
87. ^ Sastri, 1955, pp. 361–362
88. ^ Kamath, 2001, p. 182
89. ^ Narasimhacharya, 1988, p. 22
90. ^ Mack, 2001, pp. 35–36
91. ^ Kamath, 2001, p. 152
92. ^ Kamath, K.L. (4 November 2006). "Hoysala Temples of Belur". Kamat's Potpourri. Retrieved 1 December 2006.
93. ^ She was not only a pioneer in the era of women's emancipation, but also an example of a transcendental worldview. (Thapar, 2003, p. 392)
94. ^ Sastri, 1955, p. 286
95. ^ This is in stark contrast to the literature of the time (such as Vikramankadeva Charita of Bilhana) that portrayed women as retiring, overly romantic and unconcerned with affairs of the state. (Thapar, 2003, p. 392)
96. ^ The Belathur inscription of 1057 describes the end of a widow called Dekabbe who committed Sati despite the requests of her parents not to while some widows, such as Chalukya queen Attimabbe, long outlived their deceased husbands. (Kamath, 2001, pp. 112–113)
97. ^ The intellectual qualifications of the Brahmins made them apt to serve as ministers and advisers of kings (rajguru). (Sastri, 1955, p. 289)
98. ^ Sastri, 1955, p. 288
99. ^ Sastri, 1955, p. 289
100. ^ The Manasollasa written by King Someshvara III contains significant information of the social life of Western Chalukyan times. (Kamath, 2001, p. 112)
101. ^ Orchestras were popularised by the Kalamukhas, a cult who worshipped Lord Shiva. (Kamath, 2001, p. 115)
102. ^ Sastri, 1955, p. 292
103. ^ Kamath, 2001, p. 114
104. ^ Sen, 1999, p. 393
105. ^ Puranik, 1992, p. 4452
106. ^ Sastri, 1955, p. 361
107. ^ Narasimhacharya, 1988, pp. 18–20
108. ^ a b Narasimhacharya, 1988, pp. 61–65
109. ^ The other two gems are Adikavi Pampa and Sri Ponna. (Sastri, 1955, p. 356)
110. ^ A composition written in a mixed prose-verse style is called Champu. (Narasimhacharya, 1988, p. 12)
111. ^ This also is in Champu style and was written at the request of Attimabbe, a pious widow of general Nagavarma who promoted the cause of Jainism. (Sastri, 1955, p. 356)
112. ^ Rice, 1921, p. 32
113. ^ Narasimhacharya, 1988, pp. 64–65,
114. ^ Rice, 1921, p. 34
115. ^ Nagavarma II was the teacher (guru) of another noteworthy scholar Janna who later adorned the court of Hoysala Empire. (Sastri, 1955, p. 358)
116. ^ Narasimhachar, 1988, p. 63
117. ^ Vachanas are disconnected paragraphs ending with a name attributed to lord Shiva or one of his forms. The poems teach the valuelessness of riches, rituals and book learning and the spiritual privileges of worshipping Shiva. (Sastri, 1955, p. 361)
118. ^ Thapar, 2003, p. 394
119. ^ Puttaswamy, 2012, p. 331
120. ^ Thapar, 2003, p. 393
121. ^ Sastri, 1955, p. 315
122. ^ Sreedharan, 2004, p. 328
123. ^ Sastri, 1955, p. 324
124. ^ Sangita Ratnakara being written in the court of feudatory Seuna kingdom. (Kamath, 2001, p. 115)
125. ^ An important period in the development of Indian art. (Kamath, 2001, p. 115)
126. ^ a b Sastri, 1955, p. 427
127. ^ Kannikeswaran. "Temples of Karnataka, Kalyani Chalukyan temples". Retrieved 16 December 2006.
128. ^ A fabulous revival of Chalukya temple building in central Karnataka in the 11th century. (Foekema, 1996, p. 14)
129. ^ Hardy, 1995, pp. 156–157
130. ^ Davison-Jenkins, 2001, p. 89
131. ^ a b Kamiya, Takeo. "Architecture of the Indian Subcontinent,20 September 1996". Gerard da Cunha-Architecture Autonomous, Bardez, Goa, India. Archived from the original on 13 October 2008. Retrieved 10 November 2006.
132. ^ Cousens, 1926, pp. 79–82
133. ^ a b Hardy, 1995, p. 336
134. ^ Cousens, 1926, pp. 114–115
135. ^ Hardy, 1995, p. 326
136. ^ a b Kamath, 2001, p. 117
137. ^ Hardy, 1995, p. 323
138. ^ Cousens, 1926, pp. 85–87
139. ^ Hardy, 1995, p. 330
140. ^ Hardy, 1995, p. 321
141. ^ Cousens, 1926, pp. 100–102
142. ^ Hardy, 1995, p. 333
143. ^ Hardy, 1995, p. 335
144. ^ Hardy, 1995, p. 324
145. ^ Quote: "A title it fully deserves, for it is probably the finest temple in Kanarese districts, after Halebidu" (Cousens, 1926, p. 101)
146. ^ Rao, Kishan. "Emperor of Temples crying for attention". The Hindu, June 10, 2002. The Hindu. Archived from the original on 28 November 2007. Retrieved 10 November 2006.
147. ^ Cousens, 1926, pp. 105–106
148. ^ Githa U.B. (2002). "Balligavi-An important seat of learning". Chitralakshana.com. Chitralakshana. Archived from the original on 6 October 2006. Retrieved 15 December 2006.
149. ^ Hardy, 1995, p. 157
150. ^ Gunther, Michael D 2002. "Monuments of India - V". Retrieved 10 November 2006.`{{cite web}}`: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
151. ^ Kamath, 2001, pp. 116–118
152. ^ Hardy, 1995, pp. 6–7
153. ^ Pollock, 2006, p. 332
154. ^ Thousands of Kannada-language inscriptions are ascribed by Vikramaditya VI and pertain to his daily land and charitable grants (Nityadana),Kamat, Jyotsna. "Chalukyas of Kalyana". 1996–2006 Kamat's Potpourri. Retrieved 24 December 2006.
155. ^ Kannada enjoyed patronage from royalty, influential Jains and the Lingayat movement of Virashaivas. (Thapar, 2003, p. 396)
156. ^ However by the 14th century, bilingual inscriptions lost favour and inscriptions became mostly in the local language. (Thapar, 2003, pp. 393–395)
157. ^ Rice, 1921, p. 33

## References

[edit]

Book

* Chopra, P. N.; Ravindran, T. K.; Subrahmanian, N. (2003). History of South India (Ancient, Medieval and Modern) Part 1. New Delhi: Chand Publications. ISBN 81-219-0153-7.
* Cousens, Henry (1996) [1926]. The Chalukyan Architecture of Kanarese Districts. New Delhi: Archaeological Survey of India. OCLC 37526233.
* Davison-Jenkins, Dominic J. (2001). "Hydraulic works". In John M. Fritz; George Michell (eds.). New Light on Hampi: Recent Research at Vijayanagara. Mumbai: MARG. ISBN 81-85026-53-X.
* Foekema, Gerard (1996). A Complete Guide To Hoysala Temples. New Delhi: Abhinav Publications. ISBN 81-7017-345-0.
* Hardy, Adam (1995). Indian Temple Architecture: Form and Transformation-The Karnata Dravida Tradition 7th to 13th Centuries. Abhinav Publications. ISBN 81-7017-312-4.
* Houben, Jan E. M. (1996). Ideology and Status of Sanskrit: Contributions to the History of the Sanskrit language. Brill. ISBN 90-04-10613-8.
* Kamath, Suryanath U. (2001) [1980]. A concise history of Karnataka: from pre-historic times to the present. Bangalore: Jupiter Books. LCCN 80905179. OCLC 7796041.
* Mack, Alexandra (2001). "The temple district of Vitthalapura". In John M. Fritz; George Michell (eds.). New Light on Hampi: Recent Research at Vijayanagara. Mumbai: MARG. ISBN 81-85026-53-X.
* Majumdar, R. C. (1977). Ancient India. New Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass Publishers. ISBN 81-208-0436-8.
* Moraes, George M. (1990) [1931]. The Kadamba Kula, A History of Ancient and Medieval Karnataka. New Delhi, Madras: Asian Educational Services. ISBN 81-206-0595-0.
* Narasimhacharya, R. (1988). History of Kannada Literature. New Delhi: Penguin Books. ISBN 81-206-0303-6.
* Pollock, Sheldon (2006). The Language of the Gods in the World of Men: Sanskrit, Culture, and Power in Premodern India. Berkeley: University of California Press. ISBN 0-520-24500-8.
* Puranik, Siddya (1992). "Vachana literature (Kannada)". In Mohal Lal (ed.). Encyclopaedia of Indian Literature: sasay to zorgot. New Delhi: Sahitya Akademi. ISBN 81-260-1221-8.
* Puttaswamy, T. K. (2012). "Bhaskara II". Mathematical Achievements of Pre-modern Indian Mathematicians. London: Elsevier Publications. ISBN 978-0-12-397913-1.
* Rice, E. P. (1982) [1921]. Kannada Literature. New Delhi: Asian Educational Services. ISBN 81-206-0063-0.
* Sastri, Nilakanta K. A. (2002) [1955]. A history of South India from prehistoric times to the fall of Vijayanagar. New Delhi: Indian Branch, Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-560686-8.
* Sen, Sailendra Nath (1999). Ancient Indian History and Civilization. New Age Publishers. ISBN 81-224-1198-3.
* Somers, George E. (1977). Dynastic History Of Magadha. New Delhi: Abhinav Publications. ISBN 81-7017-059-1.
* Sreedharan, E. (2004). A Textbook of Historiography, 500 B.C. to A.D. 2000. New Delhi: Orient Blackswan. ISBN 81-250-2657-6.
* Thapar, Romila (2003). The Penguin History of Early India. New Delhi: Penguin Books. ISBN 0-14-302989-4.

Web

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Western Chalukya Empire.

* Kamiya, Takeyo. "Architecture of Indian subcontinent". Indian Architecture. Gerard da Cunha. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 31 December 2006.
* Kamat, Jyotsna. "The Chalukyas of Kalyani". Dynasties of Deccan. Kamat's Potpourri. Retrieved 31 December 2006.
* "Indian Inscriptions, Vol 9, 11, 15, 17, 18, 20". Archaeological Survey of India. What Is India Publishers Ltd. Retrieved 10 November 2006.
* Githa, U. B. "Balligavi – An important seat of learning". History of Indian Art. Chitralakshana.com 2002. Archived from the original on 6 October 2006. Retrieved 31 December 2006.
* Gunther, Michael D. "Index IV, Late Chalukya". Monuments of India. Retrieved 10 November 2006.
* Kannikeswaran, K. "Kalyani Chalukyan temples". TempleNet. Retrieved 10 November 2006.
* Prabhu, Govindaraya S. "Alupa Dynasty-catalogue". Prabhu's web page on Indian Coins. Archived from the original on 15 August 2006. Retrieved 10 November 2006.
* Prabhu, Govindaraya S. "Chalukya Dynasty-catalogue". Prabhu's web page on Indian Coins. Retrieved 10 November 2006.
* Rao, Kishan. "Emperor among Temples crying for attention". Southern States – Karnataka. The Hindu. Archived from the original on 28 November 2007. Retrieved 10 November 2006.

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Historical places of Chalukyas

Karnataka|

* Badami
* Aihole
* Pattadakal
* Mahakuta
* Sudi
* Banashankari
* Lakkundi
* Dambal
* Gadag
* Mahadeva Temple, Itagi
* Lakshmeshwara
* Annigeri
* Kundgol
* Chaudayyadanapura
* Galaganatha
* Hangal
* Hooli
* Jalasangvi
* Basavakalyan
* Manyakheta
* Chandramouleshwara Temple Unkal Hubli-Dharwad
* Haveri
* Kuruvatti

Maharashtra|

* Elephanta Caves
* Ajanta cave #1 paintings
* Sangli
* Sangli State
* Hottal near Deglur
* Kolhapur
* Latur
* Dhule
* Solapur
* Manapura
* Mumbai
* Akola
* Nanded
* Hottal in Nanded District
* Naldurg
* Aurad
* Omerga
* Daitya Sudan temple
* Shiva temples at Pen
* Naldurg

Telangana|

* Bhadrakali Temple in Warangal
* Someshwara temple in Warangal
* Thousand Pillar Temple in Hanamakonda
* Ramappa Temple near Warangal
* Alampur, Mahbubnagar
* Panagal
* Bhongir Fort
* Kulpakji and Jangaon, Warangal

Andhra Pradesh|

* Chebrolu, Guntur district
* Eluru
* Kolletikota
* Nidumolu
* Rajahmundry
* Vengi
* Terela village in Durgi mandal in Guntur district

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Middle kingdoms of India

|  | Timeline and
cultural period  | Northwestern India
(Punjab-Sapta Sindhu)  | Indo-Gangetic Plain | Central India  | Southern India

|
|
|
|

Upper Gangetic Plain
(Ganga-Yamuna doab)  | Middle Gangetic Plain  | Lower Gangetic Plain
IRON AGE
Culture | Late Vedic Period | Late Vedic Period
Painted Grey Ware culture | Late Vedic Period
Northern Black Polished Ware | Pre-history
6th century BCE | Gandhara | Kuru-Panchala | Magadha  |  | Adivasi (tribes) | Assaka
Culture | Persian-Greek influences | "Second Urbanisation"
Rise of Shramana movements
Jainism \- Buddhism \- Ājīvika \- Yoga | Pre-history
5th century BCE | (Persian conquests)  |  | Shaishunaga dynasty |  | Adivasi (tribes) | Assaka
4th century BCE | (Greek conquests)  | Nanda empire |
HISTORICAL AGE
Culture | Spread of Buddhism | Pre-history |
3rd century BCE | Maurya Empire | Satavahana dynasty
Sangam period
(300 BCE – 200 CE)
Early Cholas
Early Pandyan kingdom
Cheras

Culture | Preclassical Hinduism[a] \- "Hindu Synthesis"[b] (ca. 200 BC - 300 CE)[c][d]
Epics \- Puranas \- Ramayana \- Mahabharata \- Bhagavad Gita \- Brahma Sutras \- Smarta Tradition
Mahayana Buddhism |
2nd century BCE | Indo-Greek Kingdom | Shunga Empire
Maha-Meghavahana Dynasty | Satavahana dynasty
Sangam period
(300 BCE – 200 CE)
Early Cholas
Early Pandyan kingdom
Cheras

1st century BCE
1st century CE |

Indo-Scythians
Indo-Parthians

| Kuninda Kingdom |  |
2nd century | Kushan Empire
3rd century | Kushano-Sasanian Kingdom | Kushan Empire | Western Satraps | Kamarupa kingdom  | Adivasi (tribes)
Culture | "Golden Age of Hinduism"(ca. CE 320-650)[e]
Puranas
Co-existence of Hinduism and Buddhism
4th century | Kidarites | Gupta Empire
Varman dynasty | Andhra Ikshvakus
Kalabhra dynasty
Kadamba Dynasty
Western Ganga Dynasty
5th century | Hephthalite Empire | Alchon Huns | Vishnukundina
Kalabhra dynasty

6th century | Nezak Huns
Kabul Shahi |  | Maitraka |  | Adivasi (tribes) | Vishnukundina
Badami Chalukyas
Kalabhra dynasty

Culture | Late-Classical Hinduism (ca. CE 650-1100)[f]
Advaita Vedanta \- Tantra
Decline of Buddhism in India
7th century | Indo-Sassanids |  | Vakataka dynasty
Empire of Harsha | Mlechchha dynasty | Adivasi (tribes) | Badami Chalukyas
Eastern Chalukyas
Pandyan kingdom (revival)
Pallava
8th century | Kabul Shahi |  | Pala Empire | Eastern Chalukyas
Pandyan kingdom
Kalachuri
9th century |  | Gurjara-Pratihara |  | Rashtrakuta Empire
Eastern Chalukyas
Pandyan kingdom
Medieval Cholas
Chera Perumals of Makkotai
10th century | Ghaznavids |  |  | Pala dynasty
Kamboja-Pala dynasty | Kalyani Chalukyas
Eastern Chalukyas
Medieval Cholas
Chera Perumals of Makkotai
Rashtrakuta

References and sources for table

References

1. ^ Michaels (2004) p.39
2. ^ Hiltebeitel (2002)
3. ^ Michaels (2004) p.39
4. ^ Hiltebeitel (2002)
5. ^ Michaels (2004) p.40
6. ^ Michaels (2004) p.41

Sources

* Flood, Gavin D. (1996), An Introduction to Hinduism, Cambridge University Press
* Hiltebeitel, Alf (2002), Hinduism. In: Joseph Kitagawa, "The Religious Traditions of Asia: Religion, History, and Culture", Routledge
* Michaels, Axel (2004), Hinduism. Past and present, Princeton, New Jersey: Princeton University Press

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State of Karnataka

Capital: Bengaluru

State symbols|

* Emblem: Emblem of Karnataka
* Song: Jaya Bharata Jananiya Tanujate

* Animal: Asian elephant
* Bird: Indian roller
* Flower: Lotus
* Tree: Sandalwood
* Fruit: Mango
* Fish: Carnatic carp
* Insect: Southern birdwing

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History|

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| Bangalore division|

* Bengaluru Urban
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|

Belagavi division|

* Bagalkot
* Belagavi
* Bijapur
* Dharwad
* Haveri
* Gadag
* Uttara Kannada

Kalaburagi division|

* Ballari
* Bidar
* Kalaburagi
* Koppal
* Raichur
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* Yadgir

Mysore division|

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Geography|

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* Districts
* Rivers
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Culture|

* Bharatanatyam
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* Yakshagana
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Literature|

* Kannada
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Noted poets|

* Asaga
* Gunavarma I
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* Siddharama
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* Chamarasa
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* Ratnakaravarni
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* Kanaka Dasa
* Vijaya Dasa
* Gopala Dasa
* Jagannatha Dasa
* Lakshmisa
* Sarvajna
* Shishunala Sharif
* Krishnaraja Wadiyar III
* D. R. Bendre
* Gopalakrishna Adiga
* V. Seetharamaiah
* K. S. Narasimhaswamy
* M. Govinda Pai
* Kuvempu
* D. V. Gundappa
* G. S. Shivarudrappa

People and society|

* Karnataka ethnic groups
* List of people from Karnataka

Tourism|

* Beaches
* Dams
* Forts
* National parks
* Hindu temples
* Jain temples
* Waterfalls

Awards|

* Karnataka Ratna
* Pampa Award
* Nrupatunga Award
* Basava Puraskara
* Rajyotsava Prashasti
* Jakanachari Award
* Varnashilpi Venkatappa Award
* Kempegowda Award

Media|

* Cinema
* Newspapers
* Magazines
* Television
* Radio

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State of Andhra Pradesh

Capital: Amaravati

Topics|

* History
* Geography
* Government
* Language
* People
* Demographics
* Culture
* Economy
* Politics
* Education
* Cuisine
* Cinema
* Tourism
* Sports
* Transport

Symbols|

Song
Maa Telugu Thalliki
Language
Telugu
Dance
Kuchipudi
Sport
Kabaddi
Animal
Blackbuck
Bird
Rose-ringed parakeet
Fish
Great Snakehead
Flower
Jasmine
Fruit
Banginapalli Mango
Tree
Neem

Regions|

* North Andhra
* Coastal Andhra
* Rayalaseema

Districts|

* Alluri Sitharama Raju
* Anakapalli
* Anantapur
* Annamayya
* Bapatla
* Chittoor
* East Godavari
* Eluru
* Guntur
* Kadapa
* Kakinada
* Konaseema
* Krishna
* Kurnool
* Nandyal
* NTR
* Palnadu
* Parvathipuram Manyam
* Prakasam
* Nellore
* Srikakulam
* Sri Sathya Sai
* Tirupati
* Visakhapatnam
* Vizianagaram
* West Godavari

Metropolis|

* Visakhapatnam
* Vijayawada

Cities|

* Adoni
* Anantapur
* Bhimavaram
* Chilakaluripet
* Chittoor
* Dharmavaram
* Kadiri
* Eluru
* Gudivada
* Guntakal
* Guntur
* Hindupur
* Kadapa
* Kakinada
* Kurnool
* Machilipatnam
* Madanapalle
* Nandyal
* Narasaraopet
* Nellore
* Nuzvid
* Ongole
* Palakollu
* Proddatur
* Rajahmundry
* Srikakulam
* Tadepalligudem
* Tadipatri
* Tenali
* Tirupati
* Tuni
* Vijayawada
* Visakhapatnam
* Vizianagaram

Transport|

* Airports
* Railways
* Roadways
* Seaports

Tourism|

* Dams
* Forts
* Lakes
* National parks
* Hindu temples
* Churches
* Wildlife sanctuaries
* Waterfalls

History|

* Satavahana dynasty
* Andhra Ikshvaku
* Ananda Gotrika
* Salankayana dynasty
* Vishnukundina dynasty
* Pallava dynasty
* Eastern Chalukyas
* Kakatiya dynasty
* Velanati Chodas
* Musunuri Nayakas
* Vijayanagara Empire
* Eastern Ganga dynasty
* Reddi kingdom
* Qutb Shahi dynasty
* Asaf Jahi dynasty

Related lists|

* List of cities in Andhra Pradesh by population
* List of urban agglomerations in Andhra Pradesh
* List of revenue divisions in Andhra Pradesh
* List of urban local bodies in Andhra Pradesh
* List of mandals of Andhra Pradesh

India portal

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State of Telangana

Capital: Hyderabad

Topics|

* Architecture
* Cuisine
* Culture
* Demographics
* Economy
* Education
* Geography
* Government
* History
* Telugu language
* Language day
* Politics
* People
* List
* Tourism

Dynasties|

* Satavahanas
* Vishnukundinas
* Chalukyas
* Rastrakutas
* Western Chalukyas
* Kakatiyas
* Musunuri Nayakas
* Bahmanis
* Qutb Shahi
* Asaf Jahi dynasty (Nizams)

Districts|

* Adilabad
* Komaram Bheem Asifabad
* Bhadradri Kothagudem
* Hanamkonda
* Hyderabad
* Jagtial
* Jangaon
* Jayashankar Bhupalpally
* Jogulamba Gadwal
* Kamareddy
* Karimnagar
* Khammam
* Mahabubabad
* Mahabubnagar
* Mancherial
* Medak
* Medchal-Malkajgiri
* Mulugu
* Nagarkurnool
* Nalgonda
* Narayanapet
* Nirmal
* Nizamabad
* Peddapalli
* Rajanna Sircilla
* Ranga Reddy
* Sangareddy
* Siddipet
* Suryapet
* Vikarabad
* Wanaparthy
* Warangal
* Y.Bhuvanagiri

Commissionerates|

* Hyderabad central
* Rachakonda-Bhuvanagiri, Hyderabad East
* Cyberabad-Hyderabad West
* Karimnagar
* Khammam
* Nizamabad
* Ramagundam
* Siddipet
* Warangal

Major cities|

* Hyderabad
* Warangal
* Nizamabad
* Khammam
* Karimnagar
* Ramagundam
* Mahbubnagar
* Nalgonda
* Adilabad
* Secunderabad
* Suryapet

Tourism|

* Churches
* Dams
* Forts
* Temples
* Mosques
* Lakes
* National Parks
* Sanctuaries
* Waterfalls

Municipal corporations|

* Hyderabad
* Karimnagar
* Khammam
* Nizamabad
* Ramagundam
* Warangal
* Boduppal
* Peerzadiguda
* Jawaharnagar
* Nizampet
* Badangpet
* Bandlaguda Jagir
* Meerpet–Jillelguda

Related lists|

* List of cities in Telangana by area
* List of cities in Telangana by population
* List of urban agglomerations in Telangana
* List of districts in Telangana
* List of urban local bodies in Telangana
* India Portal

*[v]: View this template
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*[c.]: circa