Ancient and Medieval Dynasties of South India
Chalukyas of Badami
First half of the sixth century marks the rise Chalukyas of Badami or Vatapi as a very strong power in Deccan. The Chalukyas seem to be a race of Rajputs from North who imposed their rule upon the Dravidian inhabitants of the Deccan tableland. The Royal Emblem of Chalukyas of Badami was “Varaha”.
The earliest reference in this dynasty is of one Jayasimha / Vallabha, however the first sovereign king was Pulkeshin-I, who made himself master of a town called Vatapi (Bijapur district, Karnataka) in around 543 AD by overthrowing Kadambas. The Badami Cliff inscription tells that Pulkesin-I performed all of the five yajnas which make a king paramount viz. Hiranyagarbha, Agnistoma, Vajapeya, Bahusuvarna and Paundarika.
The successors of Pulkeshin-I extended the empire by subjugating the Kadambas from Revatidweepa (modern Goa). The most celebrated king of this dynasty was Pulkeshin-II (grandson of Pulkeshin-I). He defeated almost every contemporary including Kadambas, Alupas, Mauryans of Konkan, Pallava King Mahendravarman-I and Harsha. The defeat of Harsha on banks of river Narmada made him undisputed Dakshinapatheshwara. However, enmity between Pallavas and Chalukyas finally cost Pulkeshin-II is life when he was defeated and killed by Pallava King Narsimhavarman in 642 AD. His successors tried to revive the Kingdom but largely failed because of continous growth in the power of Rastrakuta and Pandyas. They were finally destroyed by Dantidurga of Rastrakuta empire.
Literature of Chalukyas of Badami
The most important source of history of the Badami Chalukyas Dynasty is the Aihole inscription of Pulkeshin-II written by his court poet Ravikirti in Sanskrit language and Kannada script.
Famous writers in Sanskrit from the Western Chalukya period are Vijnaneshwara who achieved fame by writing Mitakshara, a book on Hindu law, and King Somesvara-III, a noted scholar, who compiled an encyclopaedia of all arts and sciences called Manasollasa. The Karnateshwara Katha, which was quoted later by Jayakirti, is believed to be a eulogy of Pulakesin-II.
Rastrakuta Empire
This dynasty was established by one Dantidurga who overthrew main branch of Chalukyas from Badami in 735 AD. He made Gulbarga his capital but was soon deposed by his uncle Krishna who completed the establishment of Rastrakuta supremacy over the dominions of Chalukyas. Krishna carried out the most extensive and most opulent example of rock cut architecture in India in the form of Kailas Temple at Ellora. Among his successors, the notable King was Amoghvarsha whose reign extended for 64 years. He was one of the greatest ruler among Rastrakuta and patronized the Digambara sect of Jainism.
Chalukyas of Kalyani and Chalukyas of Vengi
The main branch of Chalukyas (Badami Chalukyas) was destroyed by the Rastrakutas. They revived after two centuries in around 972-72AD to be known as Chalukyas of Kalyani under one Tailapa who was a feudatory of Rastrakutas. Another branch of Chalukyas of Vengi emerged for a short period in modern Telangana region.
The Chalukyas of Kalyani are also known as Western Chalukyas. This dynasty made a great contribution in the modern Kannada literature as well as Sanskrit literature.
Hoyasala Empire
A family or clan named Hoyasala had attained considerable power in the present day Karnataka during the 12th and 13th century. This empire ruled almost all the present day Karnataka between the 11th to mid of the 14th century. Their capital was Belur which was later shifted to Halebidu. This period was a very important era for the development of the art, architecture and religion in the Southern countries. The Hoyasala Empire contributed in the growth of both the Kannada and Sanskrit literature.
The early Hoysala rulers were feudatories of Chalukyas of Kalyani. Their empire was consolidated by Vishnuvardhana or Bittiga in early part of 12th century. He established his capital at Dorasamudra (modern Halebidu in Karnataka). The last great ruler of this dynasty was Veera Ballala-III who reigned from 1291 to 1343 AD. When Alauddin Khilji invaded Deccan, he was able to subdue all regional powers except Hoyalas. Veera Ballala III campaigned against the Khiljis from new capital Tiruvannamalai and founded another capital at the banks of River Tungabhadra at Hosapattana where his able commanders Harihara and Bukkaraya (popularly known as Hakka and Bukka) founded the Vijayanagar Empire in 1336. Veera Ballala III was killed in one of the battles against the Delhi Sultan in 1343.
Yadavas of Devagiri
The Yadavas of Devagiri were earlier feudatories of Western Chalukyas. Their capital was Devagiri (Modern Daulatabad) in Maharashtra and they controlled a territory in Modern Maharashtra, North Karnataka and Southern Madhya Pradesh. Devagiri was founded by Bhillama who built a mighty fort there. This fort was ransacked by Alauddin Khilji in 1294 and later plundered by Malik Kafur again 1307, 1310 and 1318. Bhillama was killed in a battle with a Hoyasala Chief in 1191 AD. The last king of this dynasty was Raja Ramachandra, who was also the last Hindu sovereign of Deccan. He was defeated by Alauddin Khilji and ransomed his life for a large treasure tribute. His son Harpala revolted against Muslims but was defeated, flayed alive and decapitated by Mailk Kafur. Such was the tragic end of Yadavas of Devgiri.
The Pandya Kingdom
Pandya was also an ancient Kingdom mentioned in Mahabharata, Puranas and also in Asoka’s inscriptions. As the legend goes, one King of this dynasty Sarangdhwaj had participated in Mahabharata war. Fish was family crest of the ancient Pandyas. The most ancient capital of Pandyas was Korkai in Tamil Nadu. It is home of three brothers who founded Chola, Pandya and Chera Kingdoms. Korkai was also a centre of pearl trade. Ancient Pandya country was well known to Greeks and Romans for its pearl trade.
The later capital of Pandyas was Madura. Madura, located on river Vaigai, is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities around the world. It was visited by Megasthenes in 3rd Century BC.
Marcopolo in Pandya Kingdom
Marcopolo had landed in Pandya Empire (at Kayal) in 13th century and impressed by the wealth and magnificence of the King, Prince as well as people, tagged it as the richest kingdom in existence.
However, not much authentic information is available regarding Pandya country before 10th century. In the times of Parantaka Chola in 10th century, Madura was under Maravarman Rajasimha-II. Parantaka overran his kingdom and captured Madura and assumed the pompous title of Maduraikonda. Rajsimha-II fled to Ceylon and later returned to Kerala to live under a Chera King in low profile. Similarly, Rajaraja Chola-I in 1000 AD reduced the Pandyas to tributary vassals. In 13th century, one of these Vassals Jatavarman Kulasekaran-I turned rebel to Cholas. But the Chola subdued him and made him surrender on humiliating terms. To seek revenge, his brother Maravarman Sundara Pandyan invaded Cholas in 1216. He was able to plunder Thanjavur, Uraiyur and drive the Cholas in exile. However, he returned Chola territories on interference from Hoyasala King Veera Ballala-III. However, Cholas were now reduced to vassals of Pandyas. His successor Jatavarman Sundara Pandyan (1251-61) was also a mighty conqueror who plundered Sri Lanka and took away huge booty. He also conflicted with the Kakatiya Kings of Warangal.
Early in the 14th century, a dispute arose about the succession of the Pandya throne and one of the claimants appealed to the Sultan of Delhi, Alauddin Khilji for help. This probably resulted in an invasion by the Sultan’s forces in 1310 under Malik Kafur. Malik Kafur sacked, looted Madura and marched up to Rameshwaram, where he erected a mosque. After that invasion, the Pandya kings ruled sporadically at undefined territories. Malik Kafur was followed by two other expeditions from the Delhi Sultanate in 1314 AD led by Khusrav Khan and in 1323 AD by Ulugh Khan. Later Muhammad Bin Tughlaq created a southern province and placed Sayyid Jalal-ud-Din Ahsan as its governor. In 1333 AD Sayyid declared his independence and created Madurai Sultanate. Madurai Sultanate was replaced by the Nayaka Governors, who kept on ruling until arrival of British.
The Chera Kingdom
The Ashokan inscriptions have mentioned Choda (Chola), Pada, (Pandya), Ketala Puto (Keralaputra) and Satiya Puto (Satyaputra) in the south of Maurya Empire. The Keralaputra are considered to be Chera dynasty while nothing is known about Satyaputras. The Chera Kings adopted “bow and arrow” as their family insignia. Their area of dominance included North Travancore, Cochin and southern Malabar region. Early capital of Cheras was Vanchi Muthur and later Cheras were Mahodayapuram /Kulashekarapuram.
Kakatiya Dynasty
The Kakatiyas were vassals of Western Chalukyas until 1163 when one Prataparudra-I declared himself sovreign and established the Kakatiya dynasty. The capital of these dynasty rulers was Warangal and they dominated till 1323 when they were eventually annexed in Delhi Sultanate. Between 1262 to 1289, the Kaktiyas were led by Rudrammadevi, one of the most celebrated Indian queens of medieval era. Marcopolo had visited India during her rule and has praised her rule. [no_toc]
