The Chalukya Dynasty was one of the most powerful empires in southern and central India. The political climate in South India evolved from tiny kingdoms to massive empires during the Chalukya era. The creation of efficient administration, a surge in overseas trade and commerce, and the development of a new architectural style occurred during the empire's rise. Constant wars with neighbours and the division of Chalukyas into the three kingdoms led to their downfall. In this article, we will discuss the Decline of Chalukyas which will be helpful for UPSC exam preparation.

Geographical extent of Chalukyas

Chalukyas - Background

• Between the 6th and 12th centuries, the Chalukya dynasty ruled vast areas of southern and central India.
• They governed as three separate but related dynasties i.e. Badami, Eastern and Western Chalukyas during this time.
• The "Badami Chalukyas" the first dynasty, ruled from Vatapi (modern Badami) from the middle of the sixth century.
• They asserted their independence and rose to prominence under Pulakeshin II's reign.
• Jayasimha was the first ruler of the Chalukyas dynasty.
• But the real founder of the Chalukyan dynasty was Pulakesin I (543–566 CE).
• After him, Pulakeshin II ruled over the whole Deccan and was the Badami dynasty's most well-known ruler. He is regarded as one of India's most notable kings.
• Following the death of Pulakeshin II, the Badami Chalukya dynasty had a brief period of decline due to internal feuds.
• During the reign of Vikramaditya I, who succeeded in driving the Pallavas out of Badami and restoring order to the empire.
• The next great ruler was Vikramaditya II (733–744 and the kingdom reached its pinnacle under his reign.
• Vikramaditya II conquered the three traditional kingdoms of Tamil land i.e. the Pandyas, Cholas, and Cheras.
• The Eastern Chalukyas founded an independent state in the eastern Deccan after Pulakeshin II death. They ruled Vengi until the 11th century.
• The Chalukyas of Vengi separated out from the Badami Chalukyas.
• In 624 A.D, Pulakeshin II (609–642 AD placed his brother Kubja Vishnuvardhana as governor of the newly gained region of eastern Deccan.
• After Pulakeshin II death, his brother Kubja Vishnuvardhana developed an independent state.
• In the western Deccan, the decline of the Rashtrakutas in the middle of the 10th century led to the emergence of Western Chalukyas. They ruled till the 12th century.
• The Western Chalukya Empire is also known as the Kalyani Chalukya Empire.
• Tailapa-II, who was a feudatory of the Rashtrakuta, established this dynasty.
• For 200 years, they were at odds with the Cholas as well as the eastern Chalukyas of Vengi.

Decline of Badami Chalukyas

• Jayasimha was the first ruler, but the real founder of the Chalukyan dynasty was Pulakesin I (543–566 CE).
• He established a strong fortification at Vapati (modern Badami) in Karnataka's Bijapur district and declared independence by sacrificing a horse.
• After him, Pulakeshin II ruled over the whole Deccan and after his death, there was a brief period of decline due to internal feuds.
• But Vikramaditya II (733–744 AD) reached the kingdom to its pinnacle.
• After, Vikramaditya II, the kingdom began to downfall.
• In 753 AD, the Rashtrakuta Ruler Dantidurga deposed the last Chalukya king, Kirtivarman II, who was the son of Vikramaditya II.
• When he succeeded to the throne, Chalukyas seemed to be at their best because the Pallavas were defeated, the Deccan was taken over by the Chalukyas, and the seemingly invincible Muslims were repulsed.
• However, within a decade, Kirtivarman had lost his glory, as the rising power of Rashtrakutas and Pandyas caused trouble for the Chalukya king.
• The Chalukyas of Badami's rule came to an end with Kirtivarman II, who was deposed by Dantidurga.

Decline of Eastern Chalukyas

• The Chalukyas of Vengi or Eastern Chalukyas separated out from the Badami Chalukyas.
• Rulers like Kubja Vishnuvardhana and Jayasimha I tried to maintain the kingdom.
• Vijayaditya embarked on a push to the south, which was a resounding success.
• He reigned for 44 years until dying in 892 A.D.
• During this time, the Rashtrakutas assaulted the Vengi kingdom again but were effectively rebuffed by Vengi, who came to an agreement with the Rashtrakutas and treated them as allies.
• They were able to maintain their independence till the Rashtrakutas were overthrown in 973 A.D. by the Chalukyas of Kalyani.
• For almost two centuries, Eastern Chalukyas ruled as semi-independent vassal kings loyal to the Rashtrakutas (755—968 A.D.).
• Lastly, the Vengi kingdom succumbed to the Chola empire and came to an end.

Decline of Western Chalukyas

• Tailapa-II, who was a feudatory of the Rashtrakuta, established this dynasty.
• For 200 years, they were at odds with the Cholas as well as the eastern Chalukyas of Vengi.
• The two empires of Southern India, the Western Chalukyas and the Chola dynasty of Tanjore, fought many bloody battles for control of the fertile Vengi region.
• The Deccan ruling families, the Hoysalas and the Seuna Yadavas of Devagiri were subordinates to the Western Chalukyas during this period and gained independence only when the Chalukyas' power waned in the latter half of the 12th century.
• Someshvara IV's comprehensive endeavour to reconstruct the Chalukya empire failed.
• And the dynasty was ended in Banavasi 1189 by the Seuna kings, who drove Someshvara IV into exile.
• After the Western Chalukyas were defeated in 1191 AD, the Seunas and Hoysalas continued to fight for the Krishna River region, each defeating the other at different times.
• The Chalukyas of the western Deccan and the Cholas of Tamilakam both fell during this time period.
• The Kingdoms of their feudatories were founded on the ruins of these two empires, and their mutual antagonisms occupied the annals of Deccan history for over a century.
• In the 12th century, the Hoysala Empire finally destroyed them.

Conclusion

The Chalukyas of Badami went into eclipse after the rise of the Rashtrakutas, only to be resurrected in the tenth century C.E. by Tailapa II (973 – 997) C.E. The Chalukyas later ruled from Kalyani. They were constantly at odds with the Imperial Cholas over control of the Vengi kingdom in Eastern Chalukya. After nearly three hundred years of glory, the Western Chalukyan power succumbed to the Hoysalas and Yadavas. The last known Chalukyan ruler was Somesvara IV (1184 – 1200 C.E.).