Kalachuri is this the name used by two kingdoms who had a succession of dynasties from the 10th-12th centuries, one ruling over areas in Central India (west Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan) and were called Chedi or Haihaya (Heyheya) (northern branch) and the other southern Kalachuri who ruled over parts of Karnataka. Bijjala II 1130 - 1167 CE was the most famous of the southern Kalachuri kings and ruled initially as a feudatory of Chalukya Vikramaditya VI. An official language is a Language that is given a special legal status in a particular Country, State, or other territory Sanskrit (sa संस्कृता वाक् saṃskṛtā vāk, for short sa संस्कृतम् saṃskṛtam) is a historical Kannada (kn [[wiktಕನ್ನಡ ಕನ್ನಡ]] Kannaḍa) is one of the major Dravidian languages of India, spoken predominantly in the state The Tripuri (Tipra or Tipperah people are the original inhabitants of the Kingdom of Tripura in Bangladesh and North-East India. WikipediaWikiProject Indian cities for details --> Basavakalyan is a Town in Bidar District of the state of Karnataka, India This is a list of countries categorized by system of Government. A monarchy is a Form of government in which supreme power is actually or nominally lodged in an individual who is the Head of state, often for life or The Western Chalukya Empire ( Kannada: ಪಶ್ಚಿಮ ಚಾಲುಕ್ಯ ಸಾಮ್ರಾಜ್ಯ) ruled most of the western Deccan, South Name of the dynasty The Seuna dynasty claimed descent from the Yadavas and are often referred to as the "Yadavas of Devagiri" The Hoysala Empire ( Kannada: ಹೊಯ್ಸಳ ಸಾಮ್ರಾಜ್ಯ ( pronunciation: in Kannada was a prominent South Indian Kannadiga Madhya Pradesh (abbreviated as MP) ( Hindī: मध्य प्रदेश pronounced, Translation: Middle Province) often Rājasthān ( Devanāgarī: राजस्थान raːdʒəst̪ʰaːn is the largest state of the Republic of India in terms of area Chedi kingdom (चेदि was one among the many kingdoms ruled during early periods by Paurava kings and later by Yadav kings in the central and western India Karnataka (ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ pronounced) is a state in the southern part of India They are disparately placed in time and space. Apart from the dynastic name and perhaps a belief in common ancestry, there is little in known sources to connect them.

The earliest known Kalachuri family ruled from 550–620 in central and western India; its power ended with the rise of Badami Chalukyas. The Chalukya dynasty ( Kannada: ಚಾಲುಕ್ಯರು ʧaːɭukjə was an Indian royal dynasty that ruled large parts of southern and Central Northern Kalachuri family ruled in central India with its base at the ancient city of Tripuri (Tewar); it originated in the 8th century, expanded significantly in the 11th century, and declined in the 12th–13th centuries.

Southern Kalachuri Kingdom (Kannada: ದಕ್ಷಿಣ ಕಲಚೂರಿ) (1130 - 1184) at their peak ruled parts of the Deccan extending over regions of present day northern Karnataka and parts of Maharashtra. Kannada (kn [[wiktಕನ್ನಡ ಕನ್ನಡ]] Kannaḍa) is one of the major Dravidian languages of India, spoken predominantly in the state Maharashtra ( Marathi: mahārāṣṭra, IPA) is a state located on the western coast of India. Their rule was a short and turbulent and yet very important from a the socio - religious movement point of view. A new sect called the Lingayat or Virashaiva sect was founded during these times. Lingayatism or Veerashaivism is a Hindu religious sect in India but a Dharma. Lingayatism or Veerashaivism is a Hindu religious sect in India but a Dharma. A unique and purely native form of Kannada literature-poetry called the Vachanas was also born during this time. Kannada (kn [[wiktಕನ್ನಡ ಕನ್ನಡ]] Kannaḍa) is one of the major Dravidian languages of India, spoken predominantly in the state The writers of Vachanas were called Vachanakaras (poets). Vachana sahitya ( Kannada: ವಚನ ಸಾಹಿತ್ಯ) is a form of writing in Kannada (also see Kannada poetry) which evolved in the 12th Century

Origin of Kalachuris

Natives of Central India

Historians such as Dr. P. B. Desai are emphatic about the central Indian origin of the Kalachuris. Pandurangrao Bhimrao Desai 1910 - 1974 is a renowned Epigraphist and historian and archaeologist Before the arrival of Badami Chalukya power, they had carved out an extensive empire covering areas of Gujarat, Malwa, Konkan and parts of Maharashtra. However after their crippling defeat at the hands of Badami Chalukya Magalesa, they remained in obscurity for a prolonged period of time. The Chalukya dynasty ( Kannada: ಚಾಲುಕ್ಯರು ʧaːɭukjə was an Indian royal dynasty that ruled large parts of southern and Central A 1174. record says the dynasty was founded by one Soma who grew beard and moustache, to save himself from the wrath of Parashurama, and thereafter the family came to be known as "Kalachuri".

Legends

According to legends, Kalli meaning "long moustache" and Churi meanoing "Sharp knife" is the source of their dynastic name. They were also referred to as Katachuris (shape of a sharp knife), Kalanjarapuravaradhisvara (Lord of Kalanjara) and Haihaya (Heheya). Mount Kalanjara is in north central India, east of the Indus Valley floodplain.

This name Haihaya is supposed to be derived from haya (a horse). Other theories are,

• A prince of the Lunar race, and great-grandson of Yadu.
• A race or tribe of people to whom a Scythian origin has been ascribed. The Vishnu Purana represents them as descendants of Haihaya of the Yadu race, but they are generally associated with borderers and outlying tribes.
• In the Vayu and other Puranas, five great divisions of the tribe are named as Talajanghas,

Vitihotras, Avantis, Tundikeras, Jatas, or rather Sujatas.

• They conquered Bahu or Bahuka, a descendant of King Harish Chandra, and were in their turn conquered, along with many other barbarian tribes, by King Sagara, son of Bahu. According to the Mahabharata, they were descended from Saryati, a son of Manu. They made incursions into the Doab, and they took the city of Kasi (Benares), which had been fortified against them by King Divo Dasa; but the grandson of this king Pratardana by name, destroyed the Haihayas, and re-established the kingdom of Kasi. Kaartaveerya-arjuna, of a thousand arms, was king of the Haihayas, and he was defeated and had his arms cut off by Parasurama.
• The Vindhya Mountains would seem to have been the home of these tribes; and according to Colonel Todd, a tribe of Haihayas still exists “near the very top of the valley of Sohagpur, in Bhagelkhand, aware of their ancient lineage, and though few in number, still celebrated for their valor. ”

Northern Dynasty

First dynasty

The ancient temples of Kalachuri period at Amarkantak, built by Maharaja Karnadeva (1042-1072 AD)

Some historians identify several Kalachuri ruling families in Tripuri, Gorakhpur, Ratnapur, Rajpur (eastern Gujarat) regions of central India. WikipediaWikiProject Indian cities for details --> Amarkantak ( Devanagari: अमरकंटक is a pilgrim town and a Nagar panchayat Gorakhpur ( Hindi: गोरखपुर Urdu: گۋڙکھ پور is a city in the eastern part of the state of Uttar Pradesh in India, near Gujarat (ગુજરાત Gujǎrāt, pronounced) is a state in western India. They established their kingdom in Madhya Pradesh with their capital at Tripuri near Jabalpur. WikipediaWikiProject Indian cities for details --> Jabalpur (lang-hi|जबलपुर}} is a city in the state of Madhya Pradesh in India Kokalla I was the founder of the dynasty. The Chedis had to face the rulers of Kannauj and Malwa, the Chalukyas and Rashtrakutas. WikipediaWikiProject Indian cities for details --> Kannauj ( Hindi कन्नौज Urdu: کنوج) also spelt Kanauj, The Chalukya dynasty ( Kannada: ಚಾಲುಕ್ಯರು ʧaːɭukjə was an Indian royal dynasty that ruled large parts of southern and Central The Rashtrakuta Dynasty ( Sanskrit: राष्ट्रकूट rāṣṭrakūṭa, Kannada: ರಾಷ್ಟ್ರಕೂಟ was a royal They also had to defend their territory against the Palas and rulers of Kalinga. Glutinous rice ( Oryza sativa var glutinosa or Oryza glutinosa; also called sticky rice, sweet rice, waxy rice Kalinga is a landlocked province of the Philippines in the Cordillera Administrative Region in Luzon. One of the most important rulers of Kalachuri dynasty was Gangeya Deva. He tried to make the Chedis the paramount power of Northern India. He was succeeded by his son Karan Deva.

Second dynasty

After the decline of the Gurjara-Pratiharas, Laksm Karna (1041-1072) of Kalachuri dynasty of Tripuri, who came to power, brought under his control almost the entire region covered by the present district of Gorakhpur. The Gujjar ( Hindi: गुज्जर Urdu: گجر or Gurjar (Hindi गुर्जर Urdu گُرجر are an ethnic group in India and Origin The Gurjar Pratiharas were one of the Agnikula clans of Rajputs according to a legend given in later manuscripts of Prithviraj Raso Gorakhpur District is a District of Uttar Pradesh state in India. But his son and successor Yash Karna (1073-1120), was unable to check the process of disintegration. The Kahla inscription indicates that Sodha Deva, a feudatory of another branch of Kalachuri dynasty, had proclaimed his independence in a portion of Gorakhpur district. During the same period the Kalachuri rule was supplanted by that of the Gahadvalas of Kannauj over this region. According to epigraphic evidence the kingdom of Govind Chandra (1114-1154) of the Gahadvala dynasty extended to Bihar including the area now comprising Gorakhpur. Bihar ( Hindi:बिहार Urdu: بہار bɪhaːr) is a state in eastern India. Two inscriptions ascribed to Govind Chandra have also been found one each at Magdiha (Gagha) and Dhuriapar in Bansgaon Tehsil mentioning the genology of the Gahadvalas and the charity given by him for the prosperity of his family. A number of mounds of bricks, ruins and masonry wells found at these places go to establish their antiquity.

The defeat of Jaya Chandra ( 1170-1194) grandson of Govind Chandra, at the hands of Shihab-uddin Ghuri in 1194, paralyzed the Gahadvala power and brought to an end their dominance over the district. As a result a number of small principalities held by Sarnet, Donwar, Kaushik Rajputs and Bhars came into existence in different parts of the district.

Southern Dynasty, Immigrants in Karnataka

Legends

This dynasty which overthrew the Chalukyas of Kalyani in the early part of the 12th century, had a relatively short but stormy rule. Karnataka (ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ pronounced) is a state in the southern part of India The Chalukya dynasty ( Kannada: ಚಾಲುಕ್ಯರು ʧaːɭukjə was an Indian royal dynasty that ruled large parts of southern and Central According to a record pertaining to the year 1174, the founder of the family was Soma, who was a disciple of Ashwathama (the heroic character of the Mahabharata). According to legends, he grew a beard and a moustache to conceal his visage, in a bid to escape the wrath of the fiery Parashurama (another famous character of the Mahabharata). Parashurama a Brahman ( Sanskrit: परशुराम or Parasurama ( Axe-wielding Rama) the sixth Avatar of Vishnu, Thereafter his family and kinsmen came to be known as Kalachuris. However, the later records of the dynasty claim that they descended from Brahma, the Creator of the universe. Brahma is the Hindu god ( deva) of creation and one of the Trimurti, the others being Vishnu and Shiva.

Research Notes

Historians have also pointed out that several Kalachuri kings were related to Chalukyas and Rashtrakutas by matrimonial alliances and had ruled from places like Tripuri, Gorakhpur, Ratnapur, Rajpur. They migrated to the south and made Magaliveda or Mangalavedhe (Mangalavada) their capital. They called themselves Kalanjarapuravaradhisvara, which indicates their central Indian origin. The Central India Agency was a political unit of British India, which covered the northern half of present-day Madhya Pradesh state Their emblem was Suvarna Vrishabha or the golden bull. They started out as modest feudatories of the Chalukyas of Kalyani.

The Southern Clan

The Kalachuris of the south were Jains and encouraged Jainism in their kingdom. The first notable chief of the Kalachuri family of Karnataka was Uchita. While there were several kings who followed him ruling as feudatories of the Kalyani Chalukya, it was Jogama who became an influential vassal of Vikramaditya VI, being related to the great Chalukya king by matrimony. The Chalukya dynasty ( Kannada: ಚಾಲುಕ್ಯರು ʧaːɭukjə was an Indian royal dynasty that ruled large parts of southern and Central Vikramaditya VI (1076 – 1126 CE became the Western Chalukya King after deposing his elder brother Somesvara II.

The Kalachuri Clan (feudatory of Kalyani Chalukya)

• Uchita
• Asaga
• Kannam
• Kiriyasaga
• Bijjala I
• Kannama
• Jogama
• Permadi
• Bijjala II (1130 – 1167): proclaimed independence in 1162. The Chalukya dynasty ( Kannada: ಚಾಲುಕ್ಯರು ʧaːɭukjə was an Indian royal dynasty that ruled large parts of southern and Central Bijjala II 1130 - 1167 CE was the most famous of the southern Kalachuri kings and ruled initially as a feudatory of Chalukya Vikramaditya VI.
• Sovideva (1168 – 1176)
• Mallugi --> overthrown by brother Sankama
• Sankama (1176 – 1180)
• Ahavamalla (1180 – 1183)
• Singhana (1183 – 1184)

Coinage

The Southern Kalachuri kings minted coins with Kannada inscriptions on it. In the link provided, notice the coin from Barma Bhupala, Kalachuri-feudatory 1187 - 1188.

• Conis of Kalachuri

Virashaiva Movement and Emergence of Basavanna (or Basaveshvara, Basava)

The Virashaiva movement evolved in an attempt to simplyfy religion and create social order. Lingayatism or Veerashaivism is a Hindu religious sect in India but a Dharma. Basava (also known as Basaveshwara (ಬಸವೇಶ್ವರ or Basavanna (ಬಸವಣ್ಣ 1134 &ndash 1196) was a philosopher and a Tradition wrongly claims that the sect was started by five saints namely, Renuka, Daruka, Ekorama, Panditaradhya and Vishwaradhya. Latest research has proved that there was no person called Renukacharya. Few selfish Jangamas created Renukacharya out of Revanasiddha. Revanasiddha was elder contemporary of Basavanna. It was Basavanna, the prime minister of king Bijjala who gave it momentum and inspirational direction, in the process he established a new religion called "Lingayata".

Basavanna was born in 1105 in the town of Bagavadi in present day Bijapur district in Karnataka state. Basava (also known as Basaveshwara (ಬಸವೇಶ್ವರ or Basavanna (ಬಸವಣ್ಣ 1134 &ndash 1196) was a philosopher and a Bijapur (ವಿಜಾಪುರ is a district in the state of Karnataka in southern India. Karnataka (ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ pronounced) is a state in the southern part of India He was born to Brahmin parents and studied Kannada and Sanskrit during his childhood. Brahmin ( Brāhmaṇa, sa ब्राह्मणः is the class of educators scholars and preachers in Brahminical Hinduism. Kannada (kn [[wiktಕನ್ನಡ ಕನ್ನಡ]] Kannaḍa) is one of the major Dravidian languages of India, spoken predominantly in the state Sanskrit (sa संस्कृता वाक् saṃskṛtā vāk, for short sa संस्कृतम् saṃskṛtam) is a historical From an early age, Basava disliked religious rituals and tried to distance himself from it. He refused to undergo the brahminical "thread ceremony". He left Bagevadi and went to Kudala Sangama, a near by town to study spirituality under Isanya Guru. He found employment in the treasury of king Bijjala and his efforts and hard work did not go unnoticed. He married the daughter of minister Baladeva. He often gathered around him large number of devotees of lord Shiva. Shiva:(pronunciation; Sanskrit: शिव Śiva, lit "Auspicious one" One of the Trimurtis Shiva is the supreme God in the Shaiva Much to the discontent of the orthodox Bhramins of Kalyani, Basava preached his casteless beliefs even in the regal capital, Kalyani. The Anubhava Mantapa, an academy of mysticism, a great centre of religious discussions, was founded at Kalyani. It was from here the Basavanna taught his teachings to a growing number of devotees of lord Shiva. Shiva:(pronunciation; Sanskrit: शिव Śiva, lit "Auspicious one" One of the Trimurtis Shiva is the supreme God in the Shaiva During this time, he conducted a marriage between a lower caste man and a brahmin girl, something the orthodoxy in Kalyani could not accept. They complained to King Bijjala II about this and wanted the parties involved punished. Bijjala II 1130 - 1167 CE was the most famous of the southern Kalachuri kings and ruled initially as a feudatory of Chalukya Vikramaditya VI. The king had Haralayya and Madhuvayya, the fathers of the groom and the bride executed. This atrocity of the ruler stunned the followers of Basavanna, and soon it became a signal for a widespread anger and discontent. In order not to kindle a raging fire among his followers, Basavanna moved back to Kudala Sangama. In the capital however, chaos reigned. King Bijjala was assassinated by Jagadeva, a cousin of Basavanna. This led to widespread resentment against the Virashaiva community which seemed to have suffered a setback, though only temporarily. The movement that had been inspired by Basavanna would regain its regal patronage during the days of the Vijayanagar Empire. The Vijayanagara Empire ( Kannada: ವಿಜಯನಗರ ಸಾಮ್ರಾಜ್ಯ Telugu: విజయనగర సామ్రాజ్యము was a South

Virashaiva Saints and Vachanakaras

A unique feature of the Virashaiva movement was the large number of woman saints and poetesses it produced. Basavanna believed in equality of both sexes. The contribution of Basavanna to Kannada language and literature is immense and enduring. Kannada (kn [[wiktಕನ್ನಡ ಕನ್ನಡ]] Kannaḍa) is one of the major Dravidian languages of India, spoken predominantly in the state He couched his teachings in simple, terse, verse forms of rare felicity known as Vachanas. They were frank, vigorous and incisive. Dr. Mugali regards the Vachanas as "Spiritual lyrics" and "springs of beauty flown from the peak of devotion". Basavanna is considered as one of the great saints of Karnataka, who rose above caste, creed, religion and sex. His vigorous yet simple teachings endeared to him people of "lower castes" and "lower creed". It is for this reason that Dr. Arthur Miles called him Martin Luther of Karnataka.

Some well known and saints and vachanakaras were

• Renukacharya
• Darukacharya
• Ekoramacharya
• Panditaradhyacharya
• Vishwaradhyacharya
• Akka Mahadevi +
• Nilambike
• Gangambike +
• Allama Prabhu
• Siddarama
• Chennabasava
• Madivala Machayya
• Madara Channayya
• Sakalesha Madarasa
• Ramanna
• Sujikayakada Ramitande
• Medara Ketayya
• Kayakada Basappa

(+ poetess)

Kannada Literature

While this period saw the emergence of vachana sahitya, many other important works were also written. Vachana sahitya ( Kannada: ವಚನ ಸಾಹಿತ್ಯ) is a form of writing in Kannada (also see Kannada poetry) which evolved in the 12th Century Akka Mahadevi (ಅಕ್ಕ ಮಹಾದೇವಿ Born in Udatadi (or Udugani near the ancient city of Banavasi (in Shikaripura taluk Shimoga district) was a prominent Vachana sahitya ( Kannada: ವಚನ ಸಾಹಿತ್ಯ) is a form of writing in Kannada (also see Kannada poetry) which evolved in the 12th Century Virupaksha Pandita wrote Chennabasavapurana, Dharani Pandita wrote Bijjalarayacharite and Chandrasagara Varni wrote Bijjalarayapurana

Decline Of Kalachuris

The kingdom went into decline after the assassination of Bijjalla. The rulers who followed were weak and incompetent, with the exception of Sovideva, who managed to maintain control over the kingdom. The Kalachuris are the principal characters in the Andhra epic The battle of Palnadu

References

• Dr. Palnadu is the northern region of Guntur District in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. Suryanath U. Kamath (2001). A Concise History of Karnataka from pre-historic times to the present, Jupiter books, MCC, Bangalore (Reprinted 2002)

Links

• Brief history of Kalachuris
• Life of Basavanna

See

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