Kalachuris of Kalyani

Kalachuris of Kalyani
1156–1181
Coinage of the Kalachuris of Kalyana, from the time of Bijjala of Kalachuri
Coinage of the Kalachuris of Kalyana, from the time of Bijjala
CapitalKalyani (Basavakalyana)
Common languagesSanskrit, Kannada
Religion
Shaivism, Vaishnavism
GovernmentAbsolute monarchy
History 
• Established
1156–1181
Preceded by
Succeeded by
Western Chalukyas
Seuna
Hoysala
Hero stone with 1160 CE Old Kannada inscription from the rule of Kalachuri King Bijjala in the Kedareshvara temple at Balligavi, Shimoga district, Karnataka state
Old Kannada inscription of Rayamuri Sovideva dated 1172 CE at the Jain temple in Lakkundi, Gadag district, Karnataka state
Sangamanatha temple at Kudalasangama, North Karnataka

The Kalachuris of Kalyani, also Southern Kalachuris, were a 10th-12th-century Indian dynasty, who ruled over parts of present-day northern Karnataka and Maharashtra. This dynasty will rise to its peak power in the Deccan region between 1156 and 1181.

The rulers of the dynasty traced their origins to one Krishna, who is said to have conquered Kalinjar and Dahala in present-day Madhya Pradesh (see Kalachuris of Tripuri). Bijjala, a viceroy of the dynasty, is said to have established the authority over Karnataka after wresting power from the Chalukya king Taila III. Bijjala was succeeded by his sons Someshvara and Sangama but after 1181 CE, the Chalukyas gradually retrieved the territory. Their rule was short and turbulent and yet very important from a socio-religious point of view; a new sect known as the Lingayat or Virashaiva sect was founded during these times in a time extent of 25 years.[1]

A unique and purely native form of Kannada literature-poetry called the Vachanas was also born during this time. The writers of Vachanas were called Vachanakaras (poets). Many other important works like Virupaksha Pandita's Chennabasavapurana, Dharani Pandita's Bijjalarayacharite and Chandrasagara Varni's Bijjalarayapurana were also written.

  1. ^ Students' Britannica India By Dale Hoiberg, Indu Ramchandani.