Someshvara I

Western Chalukyas of Kalyana, coin of King Somesvara I Trailokyamalla (1043-1068). Temple façade / Ornate floral ornament.[1]
Amrtesvara Temple in Annigeri was built in the Dharwad district by Someshvara I in 1050 CE with dravida articulation. This was the first temple made entirely of soapstone
Kalleshwara Temple, Hire Hadagali built in 1057 CE by the Prime Minister to Someshvara I
Old Kannada inscription (1053 CE) from Kelawadi of Western Chalukya king Someshvara I

Someshvara I (IAST: Someśvara; r. c. 1042 – 1068[2]) was a king of the Western Chalukyas. Also known as "Ahavamalla" or "Trilokamalla", Someshvara succeeded his father Jayasimha II to the throne.

His several military successes in Central India made him a formidable ruler of a vast empire. During his rule, the Chalukyan empire extended to Gujarat and Central India in the north. The Hoysalas of the Malenadu (hill) regions of Mysore were his vassals in the South. Vinayaditya's daughter or sister called Hoysala Devi was one of his queens. In the west, Someshvara I retained control over the Konkan. In the east he was able to extend his influence up to Ananthapur and Kurnool. Despite many defeats during his wars with the Cholas of Tanjore, he managed to play king-maker at Vengi on several occasions.[3]

According to the historian Ganguli, the Cholas "could not wrest from him any part of his kingdom". According to the historian Sen, Someshvara I's rule was a "brilliant period" in the history of the Western Chalukyas that would reach its zenith under Vikramaditya VI.[4] Historian Tripathi claims the Chalukya influence was felt in far-off Eastern India as well. He shifted his capital from Manyakheta to Kalyani (present day Basavakalyana in modern Bidar district).[5][6] He patronized the Kannada language scholar Shridharacharya who wrote Jatakatilaka (c.1049), the earliest available work on astrology in the language, and the now extinct Chandraprabhacharite on Belles-lettres (kavya kavite).[7]

  1. ^ CNG Coins
  2. ^ Sen, Sailendra (2013). A Textbook of Medieval Indian History. Primus Books. pp. 52–53. ISBN 978-9-38060-734-4.
  3. ^ Kamath (1980), p.104, p.124
  4. ^ Sen (1999), p.384
  5. ^ Kamath (1980), p.103
  6. ^ Cite error: The named reference sankar was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  7. ^ Narasimhacharya (1988), p.19