Temple Discoveries Highlight Chalukya Expansion

• 06 Mar 2024

For Prelims: Badami Chalukyan, Mudimanikyam village, Gandaloranru, Jogulamba temples at Alampur, submerged sites of Yeleswaram, Architectural Design of Chalukya Period, Aihole Inscription of Pulikesin II.

For Mains: Key Features Related to the Chalukya Dynasty

Source: TOI

Why in News?

Archaeologists from the Public Research Institute of History, Archaeology, and Heritage (PRIHAH) have unearthed two ancient temples dating back to the Badami Chalukyan period, along with a rare inscription, in Mudimanikyam village of Nalgonda district, Telangana.

What are the Major Highlights of the Recent Excavation?

• Temples: Located at the end of the village, the two temples date back to between 543 AD and 750 AD, corresponding to the rule of the Badami Chalukyas.
  • They showcase unique architectural styles, blending Badami Chalukyan and Kadamba Nagara style in the Rekha nagara format.
  • In one temple, a panavattam (base of a Shiva lingam) in the sanctum sanctorum has been found.
  • In another, a Vishnu idol was recovered.
• Inscription: The discovery also includes an inscription, labeled as 'Gandaloranru', dating back to the 8^th or 9^th Century AD.
• Significance: Previously, the Jogulamba temples at Alampur and the submerged sites of Yeleswaram were considered the farthest reaches of the Badami Chalukya influence.
  • The new discovery extends the known boundaries of the Chalukya kingdom significantly.

What are the Key Features Related to the Chalukya Dynasty?

• About: The Chalukya dynasty governed significant territories in southern and central India from the 6^th to the 12^th centuries.
  • It comprised three distinct dynasties: the Chalukyas of Badami, the Eastern Chalukyas, and the Western Chalukyas.
  • The Chalukyas of Badami, originating in Vatapi (modern Badami in Karnataka), ruled from the early 6^th century until the mid-8th century, reaching their zenith under Pulakeshin II.
  • After Pulakeshin II's reign, the Eastern Chalukyas emerged as an independent kingdom in the eastern Deccan, centred around Vengi (in present-day Andhra Pradesh) until the 11^th century.
  • The rise of the Rashtrakutas in the 8^th century overshadowed the Chalukyas of Badami in the western Deccan.
    • However, their legacy was revived by their descendants, the Western Chalukyas, who ruled from Kalyani (modern Basavakalyan in Karnataka) until the late 12^th century.
• Foundation: Pulikesin I (c. 535-566 CE) is credited with fortifying a hill near Badami, laying the foundation for the Chalukya dynasty's ascendancy.
  • The city of Badami was formally founded by Kirtivarman (566-597), serving as the epicentre of Chalukya power and culture.
• Polity and Administration: The Chalukyas implemented a structured administrative system, dividing their realm into political units for effective governance.
  • These divisions included Vishayam, Rastram, Nadu, and Grama.
• Religious Patronage: The Chalukyas were notable patrons of both Saivism and Vaishnavism.
  • Beyond mainstream Hinduism, the Chalukyas also patronized heterodox sects, such as Jainism and Buddhism, exemplifying their commitment to religious diversity.
    • Ravikirti, the poet-laureate of Pulikesin II, was a Jain scholar.
    • According to the traveller Hiuen Tsang, there were many Buddhist centres in the Chalukya territory wherein more than 5000 followers of the Hinayana and Mahayana sects lived.
• Architecture: Historically, in Deccan, Chalukyas introduced the technique of building temples using soft sandstones as medium.
  • Their temples are grouped into two: excavated cave temples and structural temples.
    • Badami is known for both structural and excavated cave temples.
    • Pattadakal and Aihole are popular for structural temples.
• Literary: Chalukya rulers utilised Sanskrit for official inscriptions, showcasing their commitment to classical literature and language.
  • Despite Sanskrit's prominence, the Chalukyas also acknowledged the significance of regional languages like Kannada, recognizing them as the language of the people.
• Painting: Chalukyas adopted the Vakataka style in painting. Paintings are found in a cave temple dedicated to Vishnu in Badami.

Aihole Inscription of Pulikesin II:

• Situated in the Megudi temple at Aihole, Karnataka, the Aihole inscription provides invaluable insights into Chalukya history and achievements.
  • Aihole is considered as the cradle of Indian temple architecture.
• Crafted by the renowned poet Ravikriti, the inscription is a lyrical tribute to the Chalukya dynasty, particularly King Pulakesin II, lauded as the embodiment of truth (Sathyasraya).
• The inscription chronicles the Chalukya dynasty's triumphs over adversaries, including the renowned defeat of Harshavardhana.