Telangana history can be divided into

three parts for academic purposes viz.

1.

Ancient History- extents till 10th century A.D

2.

Medieval History- commenced with the kakatiya dynasty and

spans till 1857 revolt.

3.

Modern history- extents till the formation of telngana in 2014.

Ancient Telangana History:

Telangana was part of the Mughal empire until the rise of satavahanas in 230
BC.
1. The Satavahanas and their contribution social structure religious
conditions growth of literature and painting Ikshvakus and their cultural
contribution Growth of Buddhism . Growth of Telugu language & Literature
education and learning Religious Sects growth of art and architecture,
Trade and commerce.
2. Vakataka empire- social structure, adminstration, cultural achievements,
literature, social life, education, religion, art and architecture, Trade and
commerce.
3. Chalukyan dynasty- badami , social structure, adminstration, cultural
achievements, literature, social life, education, art and architecture, Trade and
commerce.
4. Rashtrakutas- based at Manyakheta, social structure, adminstration,
cultural achievements, literature, social life, education, religion, art and
architecture, Trade and commerce.

5. Role of the Bhakti movements, budhism , jainism, their contributions to the

saocietal life, literature, art forms, schools of architecture, development of
literature, contributions from different areas.

Medieval telanagana history

1. Kakatiya dynasty- social structure, adminstration, cultural achievements,
literature, social life, education, religion, art and architecture.
2. Vijayanagar empire- literature, telugu language, social structure,
adminstration, cultural achievements, social life, education, religion, art and
architecture, Trade and commerce.
3. Bahmani sultanate- Gulbarga, literature urdu, persian, telugu
language, social structure, adminstration, cultural achievements, social life,
education, religion, art and Indo-Islamic architecture, Trade and commerce,
Monuments, Fine arts.
4. Qutub-Shahi Dynasty- Golconda, Hyderabad, tombs, literature urdu,
persian, telugu language, social structure, adminstration, cultural
achievements, social life, education, religion, art and Indo-Islamic
architecture, Trade and commerce, Monuments, Fine arts.
5. Asafjahi Dynasty socio-cultural awakening in Telangana -Adi-Hindu
Movement

Modern Telangana History

Medieval telanagana history can be taken to be ended with the sepoy mutiny
of 1857. With this, princely states (largest being the Hyderabad state) were
taken under the Crowns paramountcy with considerable on the

administration, social contacts, nationalism, education, economic

development by the British India.
1. Asif Jahi kings post 1857 , socio- economic condition in the hyderabad
state, Nizam Rashtra Janasangham The role of
Hyderabad State Congress and Vandemataram Movement.
2. Peasant upsurge and communist party, Telangana Peoples Armed Struggle
Ittehadul-Muslimeen Razakars-anti-Nizam
Struggles and end of Nizams Rule, and integration of Hyderabad State in
Indian Union
3.Telangana movement role of women , withdrawal of telanagana armed
partisan resistance, Non- Mulki agitation, Formation of Andhra Pradesh,
Gentleman agreement, Telangana agitation, 1969 and events leading to the
formation of Telangana, 2014.
Satavahana Dynasty

map of satavahana empire

NOTE: this is a comprehensive article on satanahana dysnasty tailor made for

the aspirants to be able to answer any kind of question asked from this
section.

Satavahana empire was a vast kingdom of the central india during the ancient
times based at Kotilingala, Telangana with other prominent centers at junnar
and prsthistana, Maharasthra.
Satavahana Dynasty (230 B.C 220 A.D): History, administration,
socio-economic and religious affairs
Time Period Empire began around 230 BC and lasted till around 220 AD,
with 400 years of coontinous rule.
Etymology: Actually word could be sadvahan. Satvahan is corrupt
Sanskrit form of the original Prakrut word . Sadvahan means a horse rider
in prakrut language.
Languages: Prakrit, Sankrit, Local languages.
Capitals: Prtisthanapura(MH), Kotilingala(Telangana) .
Founder: Simuka (230-207 BC)
Territorial Expanse Empire of the satavahanas extented from the west
coast to east coast covering the modern day Maharasthra, Telangana,
noethern Karnataka, deltaic regions of Andhra pradesh and parts of Gujrat
and Madhya Pradesh
Sources of Satavahana history:
1.

Mythology- Puranas refer them as andhra-bhrutyas.

2.

It is believed that satavahanas belong to Oundhra clan. The

first mention of Oundra along with Pundra, Mutib, Pulind, Shabar
etc. as rulers of southern part of Vindhya Mountain appears in
Aitareya Brahmana

3.

Inscriptions: like Hathigumpa , amaravati chaitya etc

4.

Numismatics- The Satavahanas are the first native Indian

rulers to issue their own coins with portraits of their rulers,
starting with king Gautamiputra Satakarni. Satavahana coins
give unique indications as to their chronology, language, and
even facial features.

Origin:

The Aitareya Brahmana speaks of them as the degenerate

sons of Visvamitra.

Pliny the Elder refers to the Andhras as a powerful race which

supplied the king with an army of 1, 00,000 infantry, 2,000
cavalry and 1,000 elephants.

It is believed that the Royal family originated in the upper parts

of north-west telanagana and extended its control to the east
coast, finally giving its name, Andhra, to this region. Since the
earliest inscriptions of the Satavahanas are found in the Western
Deccan, this view may be correct.

Prominent Kings
1.

Simukha (230-207 BC).

2.

Satakarni (180-124 BC)

3.

Hala (20-24 AD)

4.

Gautamiputra satakarni (78 AD- 102 AD)

History of Satavahanas can be divided into two phases viz.

1.

Early Satavahanas.

2.

Later Satavahanas.

Satavahanas were the vassal kings under the Mauryan dynasty. With the death
of Ashoka in 232 BC, many feudatories declared their independence. Most
prominent and powerful among them were Satavahana dynasty.
Early Satavahanas:
The founder of the Satavahana dynasty was Simuka. He and his successors
established their authority from the mouth of the Krishna to the entire Deccan
plateau. According to the Puranas, the Satavahana king killed the last Kanva
ruler of Magadha and presumably took possession of his kingdom.

The earliest of the Satavahana kings to receive wide recognition was Satakarni
I, and this was due to his policy of military expansion in all directions. He is
the Lord of the west who defied Kharavela of Kalinga and against whom the
latter campaigned. His conquests took him north of the Narmada into eastern
Malva, which at the time was being threatened by the Shakas and the Greeks.
Satakarni I gained control of the region of Sanchi, and an inscription there
refers to him as Rajan Shri Satakarni. His next move was in the southerly
direction and on conquering the Godavari valley hefelt entitled to call himself
Lord of the Southern Regions (Dakshina pathapati).
The description of Satakarni I as (Dakshina -pathapati) in the Nanaghat
inscription of Nayanika proves that the Satavahana dominion was not
confined to western Deccan alone, but included other areas of the Deccan and
beyond Satakarni I performed two Asvamedha sacrifices and one Rajasuya
sacrifice.
Later Satavahanas:
After the reign of Satakarni I, the Satavahanas were driven out of the western
Deccan by the Shakas of the Kshaharata clan. Coins and inscriptions of the
Shaka Chief Nahapana have been found around Nasik, indicating the Shaka
dominance in the area towards the close of the first century A.D. or the
beginning of the second.
But it must have been soon after this that the Satavahanas regained their
western possessions, for the coins of Nahapana are often found over-struck by
the name Gautamiputra Satakarni, the king who was responsible for reestablishing Satavahana power in this region by driving out the Shakas.
Gautamiputra Satakarni (A.D. 106 -130) is said to have destroyed the power of
the Shakas and the pride of the Khastriyas, promoted the interests of the
twice-born and stopped the mixing of the four varnas. His achievements are

recorded in glowing terms in the Nasik prasasti by his mother Gautami

Balasri.
He ruled over a wide area extending from the Krishna in the south to Malwa
and Saurashtra in the north and from Berar in the east to the Konkan in the
west. To the Buddhists he made munificent donations. His patronage to
Brahmanism is revealed by the epithet Ekabrahmana.
Satavahana Administration:
1.

Administration is modelled on the lines of amuaryans, also

used kautilyas arthshastra and manusmriti extensively in
administration.

2.

The Satavahana coins, inscriptions and literature are the rich

source of our knowledge about their administrative system. In
this period the South was ruled over by the monarchies. King was
the highest official of the Government and his office was
hereditary.

3.

They did not assume high sounding titles. Similarly, the

Satavahana rulers did not believe in divine rights of a king and
they carried administration in accordance with the directives of
the Dharma Shastras and the social customs. The king himself
led his armies in the battle-field and was commander-in-chief of
his forces.

4.

There was also a council of ministers to aid and advise him for
carrying out the administration properly. The king was the head
of the Government as well as the protector to his people. The
Satavahana kings regarded their subjects as their own children
and always looked after their welfare.

5.

The Satavahana Empire was very vast. Their administrative

system was feudal. They had divided their empire among a

number of feudal chiefs who managed the land revenue system

and looked after the administration.
6.

There were three grades of feudatories the Raja, the

Mahabhoja and the Maharathi or Senapati. The Raja
belonged to the highest grade. He had the right to impose taxes
and to strike coins. The kingdom was divided into provinces and
Janapadas for administrative efficiency.

7.

The highest official in a province was Amatya or minister. His

office was not hereditary. Men of proven ability were appointed to
this official. Each unit had several villages. A village was
administered by a Gramika. There we several officials to help
the king. Out of them, the most important were Senapati,
Mahabhoja, Koshadhyaksha, Rajadoof, Amatya etc.

8.

There was also a special official called Uparakshita who was

charged with the duty of building caves etc. for the monks. The
bhikshus (monks) and Brahmanas were held in high esteem and
they too observed and preached high standards of conduct. They
were beyond the ordinary laws of the Government.

9.

In this period, the local administration had its own importance.

There were separate organization to look after the administration
of the towns and the villages. The towns were administered by a
body called the Nagarsabha while in villages there were Gram
Sabhas. These organizations carried their functions
independently without any interference.

10. The military administration of the Satavahanas was also quite

efficient. Their army consisted of foot soldiers, cavalry and
elephants. Foot soldiers or infantry was the backbone of the
army and they formed the vanguard and were flanked on either
side by horses and elephants. The soldiers used swords, spears,
axes and armours as weapons of war.

11. It was by dint of efficient military administration that the

Satavahanas succeeded in expanding their empires. They kept a
regiment posted in each village for maintaining peace and order.
They were maintained at the expense of the rural inhabitants.
SALIENT FEATURES OF POLITY:
1.

Absence of centralisation of administration due to presence of

powerful maharathis and mahabhojas.

2.

They were the first to start issuing land grants to the

Buddhists, monks, sanghas, brahmanas .

3.

Polity is dominated by the element of Militarism. This made the

feudal lords virtually independent.

4.

Viswas amatya acted as prime minster , who was consulted by

kings on all matters. King ias assisted by a council of ministers
calledraja pramukhs.

5.

Kings undertook royal tours to keep in touch with the public

opinion and improve adminstrative efficiency.

6.

TAXATION- collected 1/6th of teh produce as tax called bhaga

and deyameya. But states main source of income was land
revenue.

7.

Society during Satavahana Period:

The coins, sculpture and literature of the Satavahana period are the source of
our knowledge not only in respect of the contemporary administration but
also about the political, social, economic and religious and cultural conditions.
Social Condition:

The Satavahana society was divided into four classes. This

division was based on economic activity and status. The first

class consisted of high officials and feudatory chief who ruled

over provinces and districts. The second class included petty
officers like Amatyas Mahamatras and wealthy traders. In
thethird class were the middle class peoples such as Vaidyas or
physicians, writers, peasants, goldsmiths, perfumers etc.

The varna system became rigid , Gautamiputra satakarni called

himself as dwijakulavardhana, eka brahmin.

The fourth and the last class were constituted of the lowest
vocations such as carpenters, blacksmiths, fishermen and
gardeners. There were the four divisions of the society.

The smallest unit was the family in which the eldest living
member commanded the greatest respect. He was called the
Grihapati and was obeyed by all the other members of the
family.

Women were honoured. They were given higher education and

they took part in religious functions. Some of the rulers even
added their mothers name to their own name, such as
Gautamiputra, Vashishthiputra, Pulumavi, Kaushakiputra etc.

According to Gathasapsati, society was patriarchal and joint

family system is followed.

This practice itself reveals that the status of women was much
high. Sometimes, women assumed guardianship of their minor
sons and acted as their regents. They also took part in the
Ashvamedhas. The Satavahanas were Brahmanas.

Therefore, Brahmansnism made rapid strides under their rule.

The Brahmanas were accorded the highest place. Effort was also
made to revice the Varna system. In their bid to exalt
Brahmanism the Smritis declared that a ten years old Brahman
would be more revered than a 100 years old Kshatriya.

Mixed marriages were considered obnoxious though there are

some instances of such marriages. Vashishthiputra Pulumavi
himself married the daughter of the Saka ruler Rudradaman thus
giving respectability to such marriages.

In this period, inter marriages among the Hindus and foreign

tribes of the Sakas, the parthians and the Greeks were freely
consummated so that these foreigners were absorbed forever in
the Hindu social order.

Economic Condition:
1.

Agriculture and trade were prosperous. Life of the common

man was happy as he was well- provided with all facilities of life.
They were economically well-off.

2.

They inherited many traits of the material culture of the

Mauryas and made their life better and well off. There was a free
fusion of local elements and northern ingredients under them.

3.

They learnt the use of coins, burnt bricks and ring wells from
the Mauryas and added much to the advancement of their
material life. Under the Satavahanas, agriculture was prosperous
and the villages economy was developed.

4.

Rice was cultivated in the territory between the Krishna and

Godavari rivers. Cotton was also produced. The peasants used
implements made of iron which were extensively used
particularly in Carnatic. There were also wells for irrigation.

5.

Encouragement was given to trade and industry. The traders

and those engaged in other professions had their own guilds or
sanghas/ srenis. Coin dealers, potters, oil pressers and metal
workers had their own guilds.

6.

These guilds looked after the collective interests of their trade

and worked for their common uplift. These guilds were
recognized by the Government and worked as bankers also.

7.

Both internal and external to trade and industry. The external

or foreign trade was carried through the famous ports of Supara,
Broach and Kalyan.

8.

India and trade relations with countries like Arabia, Egypt and
Rome. In the far eastern countries, Indian traders established
their own settlements and preach Indian culture.

9.

They referred to these countries as Swargabhoomi or

paradise. India exported cotton, textiles, spices etc. India
imported wine, glass and items of luxury. The inland trade was
also prosperous.

10. Travel between the north and south of India were much easy as
the roads and transport were better.
11. Several towns sprang up in Maharashtra during this period.
Paithan, Nasik and Junar were big markets and centers of trade.
In the south-east Vijaypur and Narsela were well-known trade
centers.
12. There were guilds of traders as well and they carried trade in
groups. To encourage trade, the Satavahna kings struck
numerous coins of gold, silver, copper and bronze.
Religious Condition:

During the Satavahana period, both Hinduism and Buddhism

spread rapidly. The Satavahana rulers were the followers of
Brahmanism. They performed Aswamedha Yajnas and gave
donations to Brahmanas. Indra, Surya (The Sun God), Chandra,
(the Moon God), Vasudeva, Krishna, Pasupati and Gauri etc. were
various Gods and Goddesses worshipped by the people.

Shaivism and Vaishnavism were most popular form of

Hinduism. Beautiful temples were built. The Brahmans occupied
the highest position in the society.

Cave inscription

The Satavahana kings were Brahmanas but they showed

tolerance towards other faiths such as to Buddhism as well.

They gave similar donations to Buddhism as they did for the

Hinduism. Consequently, Buddhism too spread in this period. At
many places, the Buddhist caves, chaityas and stupas were built.

Almost all the caves in the south belonged to the Buddhists.

Sometimes, grants of land were made for the maintenance of
these chaityas, viharas and stupas as well as for the monks or
bhikshus. In this period, there were several sects of Buddhism in
the south and various classes of monks were always busy to
preach the Buddhist doctrines.

One significant development of this period was the admission

of the foreign races of the Sakas, Greeks, Kushans and Abhiras to
the folds of Hinduism or Buddhism. They became an integral part
of the Indian society. They were quite tolerant and exchanged
gifts on religious festivals and other occasions.

Literature:
The Satavahana rulers were lovers of literature. Under their patronage, great
progress was made in the field of literature. Most of the Satavahana rulers
were themselves learned and had special interest in literature. In this period,
the Prakrit language and literature developed significantly.

They extended patronage to the Prakrit language and wrote most of their
inscriptions in that language. The Satvahana King Hala was a poet of high
order. He composed Gatha Saptasati in Prakrti.
It has 700 shloakas. He also patronized several scholars who lived in his court.
Gunadhya, the great scholar who wrote Brihat Katha lived in his court.
Another scholar Sarva Varman wrote a treatise on the Sanskrit Grammar.
Architecture:

amaravati stupa

Most of the rock caves in the Deccan were cut during this period. These caves
were big and beautiful. The caves, monasteries, chaityas and stupas of Orissa,
Nasik, Karle and Bhuj are fine specimen of contemporary architecture and
decoration.
Chaitya was a large hall with a number of columns. The Vihara had a central
Hall. One could enter this hall by a doorway from a varandah in front. The
Chaitya of Karle was most famous. It is 40 metres long, 15 metres wide and 15
metres high. It has rows of 15 columns on each side.

Each of these columns is built on a stair like square plinth. Each

pillar has a capital figure of an elephant, a horse or a rider on the
top. The roof-tops are also decorated with elegant carvings.The
viharas were meant as places of residence for the monks. At

Nasik, there are three viharas carrying the inscriptions of

Gautmiputra and Nahapana.

The most famous of these monuments are the stupas. Among

them the Amravati Stupa and the Nagarjunakonda Stupa are
most famous. The stupa was a large round structure built over
some relic of the Buddha.

The Amravati Stupa measures 162 metres across the base and
its height is 100 feet. Both these stupas are full of sculptures.
The Nagarjunakonda town contains not only the Buddhist
monuments but also some ancient Hindu brick temples.

Many sculptures were made during this period. Most of the

sculptures of this period depict scenes from the life of the
Buddha. At Amravati, there is a beautiful scene showing
Buddhas feet being worshipped. The scene, showing Buddha
preaching at Nagarjunakonda, is pervaded with serenity and
calm.

Achievements of the Satavahana Rulers:

The Satavahana rulers were great kings. They recorded significant
achievements in various fields which are described as under:
1. The Satavahana Rulers and their Conquests:
There were about 19 Satavahana rulers of whom the most important were
Simuka who conquered Magadha and Krishna who occupied Nasik. Sri
Satakarni conquered Berarand Madhya Pradesh. Little is known about their
successors for about a century except Hala the 17th ruler of this dynasty.
Shri Gautamiputra Satakarni conquered Malwa, Kathiawar, Gujarat and part
of the Rajputana. Shri Pulumavi had perpetual conflict with Rudradaman. The
last king was Yagya Sri Satakarni who was a strong ruler. He waged wars to
recover the territories conquered previously by the Saka rulers.

2. Political Condition and Administration:

The system of administration was monarchical. The king himself was the
commander of his force. He sought advice from his council of ministers to
carry out his administration efficiently. The administration was feudal. The
whole kingdom was divided into provinces, districts and villages.
The king was always prepared to take steps for the welfare of his subjects. The
main sources of income were land tax, salt tax, property tax, justice- cess and
income from import and export trade. The military administration was
efficient. The army which consisted of infantry or foot soldiers, cavalry or
horses and elephants were well-equipped.
3. Literary Progress:
The Satavahana kings were lovers of literature. They also patronized learning.
The Prakrit language prospered well during this period. Hala wrote Gatha
Saptasati, Gunadhya wrote Brihat Katha and Sarva Varman wrote a treatise
on the Sanskrit Grammar.
4. Progress in the Field of Architecture:
Under the Satavahanas great progress was made in the field of architecture as
well.
5. Progress in the Field of Sculpture:

Many statues and images were also made during this period.
Most of the images depict scenes from the life of the Buddha.

Buddha idol

The scene depicting Buddhas feet being worshipped is

particularly a unique sculpture at the Amravati Stupa while at
Nagarjunakonda the sculpture, depicting the Buddha giving a
sermon, cast a spell of serenity and calm.

6. Coinage :

The Satavahanas are the first native Indian rulers to issue their
own coins with portraits of their rulers, starting with king
Gautamiputra Satakarni, a practice derived from that of the
Western Satraps he defeated, itself originating with the Indo-

Greek kings to the northwest.

Satavahana coins give unique indications as to their

chronology, language, and even facial features (curly hair, long
ears and strong lips). They issued mainly lead and copper coins;

their portrait-style silver coins were usually struck over coins of

the Western Kshatrapa kings.
The coin legends of the Satavahanas, in all areas and all

periods, used a Prakrit dialect without exception. Some reverse

coin legends are in Kannada & Telugu language,[22] which seems
to have been in use in their heartland abutting the Godavari,
Kotilingala, Karimnagar in Telangana, Krishna, Amaravati, Guntur
in Andhra Pradesh.
Their coins also display various traditional symbols, such as

elephants, lions, horses and chaityas (stupas), as well as the

Ujjain symbol, a cross with four circles at the end. The
legendary Ujjayini Emperor Vikramditiya on whose name the
Vikram Samvat is initiated might be Satakarni II a Satavahana
emperor as the Ujjayini symbol also appeared on the Satavahana
coins.

Vakataka Dynasty
Period around 250A.D to 500 A.D .
Territorial Expanse : Their state is believed to have extended from
the southern edges of Malwa and Gujarat in the north to the
Tungabhadra River in the south as well as from the Arabian Sea in
the western to the edges of Chhattisgarh in the

east.

Languages Ancient Maharasthri, Sanskrit, Prakrit.

Sources of their History- Allahabad inscriptions, Ajanta caves.
Religions Patronised- Hinduism, Buddhism.
Founder King Vindhyasakthi is considered to be the original
founder .
Rulers of the Vakataka dynasty
Vindhyasakti (250270)
Pravarasena I (270330)
1. The PravarapuraNandivardhana branch
Rudrasena I (330 355)
Prithvisena I (355 380)
Rudrasena II (380385)
Divakarasena (385400)
Prabhavatigupta (fem.), Regent (385405)
Damodarasena (Pravarasena II) (400440)
Narendrasena (440460)
Prithvishena II (460480)
2.The Vatsagulma branch
Sarvasena (330 355)
Vindhyasena (Vindhyashakti II) (355 400)
Pravarasena II (400 415)
Unknown (415 450)
Devasena (450 475)
Harishena (475500)
Territorial expansion began in the reign of his son Pravarasena I, who
came to the throne about 270 and reached the Narmada River in the
north by annexing the kingdom of Purika.
Branches of Vakataka Dynasty

It is generally believed that the Vakataka ruling family was divided

into four branches after Pravarsena I. Two branches are known and
two are unknown. The known branches are the
1.Pravarpura Nandivardhana branch They ruled from various sites
like Pravarapura (Paunar) in Wardha district and Mansar
and Nandivardhan (Nagardhan) in Nagpur district. This branch
maintained matrimonial relations with the Imperial Guptas.
Prominent Kings were Rudrasena I, Pravarasena ,

2.Vatsagulma branch This branch was founded by Sarvasena, the

second son of Pravarasena I after his death. King Sarvasena made
Vatsagulma, the present day Washim in Washim district of
Maharashtra his capital .
The territory ruled by this branch was between the Sahydri Range
and the Godavari River .
Sarvasena
Sarvasena (c.330 355) took the title of Dharmamaharaja. He is also
known as the author of Harivijaya in Prakrit which is based on the
story of bringing the parijat tree from
heaven by Krishna. This work,praised by later writers is lost.
He is also known as the author of many verses of the Prakrit
Gaha Sattasai. One of his ministers name was Ravi. He
was succeeded by his son Vindhyasena.
Vindhyasena
Vindhysena (c.355 400) was also known as Vindhyashakti II. He is
known from the well known Washim plates which recorded
the grant of a village situated in the northern marga (subdivision)
of Nandikata (presently Nanded) in his 37th regnal year. The
genealogical portion of the grant is written in Sanskrit and the

formal portion in Prakrit. This is the first known land grant by any
Vakataka ruler. He also took the title of Dharmamaharaja.
Pravarsena II
Pravarasena II (c.400 415) was the next ruler of whom very little is
known except from the Cave XVI inscription of Ajanta, which says
that he became exalted by his excellent, powerful and liberal rule.
He died after a very short rule and succeeded by his minor son, who
was only 8 years old when his father died. Name of this ruler is lost
from the Cave XVI inscription.
Devasena
This unknown ruler was succeeded by his son Devasena (c.450 475).
His administration was actually run by his minister
Hastibhoja.[6] During his reign, one of his servant Svaminadeva
excavated a tank named Sudarshana near Washim
Harishena
Harishena (c.475 500) succeeded his father Devasena. He was a
great patron of Buddhist architecture, art and culture. The World
Heritage monument Ajanta is surviving example of his works. The
rock cut architectural cellXVI inscription of Ajanta states that he
conquered Avanti (Malwa) in the north, Kosala (Chhattisgarh),
Kalinga and Telangana in the east, Lata (Central and Southern
Gujarat) Harishena was succeeded by two rulers whose names are
not known.
The end of the dynasty is unknown. They were probably defeated by
the Kalachuri of Mahismati.

Cultural Contributions
Some of the kings of the Vakataka dynasty contributed heavily
towards the sectors of culture, religion and arts. Though the rule of
these kings was not as famous or as significant as the

kings of other famous dynasties, they still played a big role in those
days.

Art

AJANTA CAVES
The caves, famous for its murals, are the finest surviving examples
of Indian art, particularly painting.
These caves are excavated in horseshoe shaped bend of rock
surface nearly 76 m in height overlooking a narrow stream known as
Waghora.
The location of this valley provided a calm and serene environment
for the Buddhist monks who retreated at these secluded places
during the rainy seasons. This retreat also provided them with
enough time for furthering their religious pursuits through
intellectual discourses for a considerably longer period
The caves were caused to be excavated by royal patronage and the
feudatories under the Vakatakas as illustrated by the inscriptions
found in the caves. Varahadeva, the minister of Vakataka king
Harishena (A.D. 475-500) dedicated Cave 16 to the Buddhist Sangha
while Cave 17 was the gift of a prince (who subjugated Asmaka)
feudatory to the same king.
The flurry of activities at Ajanta was between mid 5th century A.D.
to mid 6th century A.D.
During the rule of King Harishena, cave numbers sixteen and

seventeen were dug out and adorned with excellent paintings and
sculptures. One of the famous historians, Walter Spink
has recorded that all the caves in the Ajanta rock cut temples,
except caves 9, 10, 12, 13 and
15A, were constructed during the historic rule of Harishena.
Literature
One of the rulers of the Vatsagulma branch, King Sarvasena, was
also a famous poet and is best known for his work, Harivijaya in
Prakrit script. During the time it was written, this work was praised
by lot of literature experts. However, this work got lost over time
due to lack of preservation. The work termed as Gaha Sattasai, was
also penned by Sarvasena.
Religion
The last significant ruler of the Vatsagulma branch, Harishena, was
known to have contributed excessively towards Buddhism culture.
Cave number 16 in Ajanta caves found in the Aurangabad district is
proof of the fact that Harishena won places like Nasiks Trikuta
(west), Central and Southern Gujarats Lata (west), Telangana (east),
Kalinga (east), Malwas Avanti (north), Chhattisgarhs Kosala (east)
and Southern Maharashtras Kuntala (south).

Chalukya Dynasty
Time period 6th A.D to 12th A.D . They ruled Telangana areas

mainly from 543 A.D to 753 A.D .

Capital Vatapi (modern day Badami) . Hence they are also called
as Badami chalukyas.
Languages- Sanskrit, prakrit, Old kannada. Old telugu.
Religion- Hinduism, Jainism.
Sources of History
Inscriptions in Sanskrit and Kannada , Badami cave inscriptions
of Mangalesa, Peddavaduguru inscription of Pulakesi II, the
Kanchi Kailasanatha Temple inscription and Pattadakal
Virupaksha Temple inscription of Vikramaditya II. The Badami cliff
inscription of Pulakesi I , the Mahakuta Pillar inscription of
Mangalesa and the Aihole inscription of Pulakesi II .

Travelogues of contemporary foreign travellers have provided

useful information about the Chalukyan empire. The Chinese
traveller Hsan tsang(Xuanzang) had visited the court of Pulakesi
II .

The rule of the Chalukyas marks an important milestone in the

history of South India. Since it is the first south indian based
kingdom to take control and consolidated the entire region between
the Kaveri and the Narmada rivers.
Badami Chalukya Dynasty:
Pulakesi I and his descendants, are referred to as Chalukyas of
Badami who ruled over an empire that comprised the entire state of
Karnataka and most of Telangana in the Deccan. Pulakesi IIwhose
precoronation name was Ereya was perhaps the greatest emperor of
the Badami Chalukyas. Immadi Pulakesi (Immadi in old Kannada
means II) is considered as one of the great kings in Indian history.
His queen Kadamba Devi was a princess from the dynasty of Alupas.
They maintained close family and marital relationship with the
Alupas of South Canara and the Gangas of Talakad.
Pulakesi II extended the Chalukya Empire up to the northern extents
of the Pallava kingdom and halted the southward march
of Harsha by defeating him on the banks of the river Narmada. He
then defeated the Vishnukundins in the southeastern
Deccan. Pallava Narasimhavarman however reversed this victory by
attacking and occupying the Chalukya capital Vatapi (Badami).
The Badami Chalukya dynasty went in to a brief decline following
the death of Pulakesi II due to internal feuds. It recovered during the
reign of Vikramaditya I, who succeeded in pushing the Pallavas out
of Badami and restoring order to the empire. The empire reached a
peak during the rule of the illustrious Vikramaditya II who defeated
the Pallava Nandivarman II and captured Kanchipuram.

List of Badami Chalukyas:

Pulakesi I (543 566 C.E.)

Pulakesi I established the Chalukya dynasty in then western Deccan

and his descendants ruled over an empire that comprised the entire
state of Karnataka and most of Telangana. Pulakesi overthrew the
Kadambas to establish the Chalukya kingdom. He had the titles
Satyashraya, Vallabha and Dharmamaharaja.
Pulakesi I was Ranarangas son. His wife was Durlabhadevi of
Bappura family.He earned the distinction of being the first
independent King and the real founder of the Chalukya dynasty. He
successfully defied the waning power of the Kadambas and
proclaimed the Chalukyan independence. He chose Badami (Vatapi)
as his capital and constructed a strong hill fortress there. The new
fortress stood on the defensible location surrounded by rivers and
steep mountains. The Chalukyan kingdom did not extend much
beyond the immediate vicinities of Badami.
Pulakesi performed sacrifices like Asvamedha, Hiranyagarbha,
Agnistoma, Vajapeya, Bahusuvarna and Paundarika. These details
are provided by his Badami Cliff inscription dated Saka 565 (543
CE).Inscriptions compares him with such mythical heroes as Yayati
and Dilipa.
Kirtivarman I (566 597 C.E.)
Kirtivarman I succeeded Pulakesi I as the ruler of the Chalukya
Dynasty. Kirtivarman I consolidated the newly founded Chalukya
Kingdom. He completed the subjugation of the Kadambas, and he
secured the extension of the Chalukya Kingdom by subduing the
Nalas of Nalavadi, the Alupas of South Kanara and the Maurya chiefs
of Konkan.
He also annexed the port of Goa, then known as Revatidvipa. The
Sendrakas, the feudatories of the Kadambas who ruled in Shimoga
district, now shifted their political allegiance to the Chalukyas, and
married a princess from this family.
At the demise of Kirtivarman, his son Pulakesi II was too young to

rule and Kirtivarmans brother Mangalesa assumed the

responsibilities of the crown.
Mangalesa (597 609 C.E.)
Mangalesa was an energetic and ambitious ruler succeeded
Kirtivarman I to the Chalukya throne. He ruled as regent as the heir
to the throne Pulakesi II was considered too young to rule.
Mangalesa won several laurels in war. Mangalesa continued the
policy of expansion. He invaded the territory of the Kalachuri ruler
Buddhiraja who ruled over Gujarat, Khandesh and Malwa. From the
Mahakuta pillar inscription of 595 it is known that he subdued the
Gangas, Pallava, Chola, Alupas and Kadambas rulers.
Mangalesa assumed the titles like Ururanaparakrama, Ranavikrama
and Paramabhagavata. As Mangalesa was ruling as a regent, he
should have surrendered the throne to Pulakesi II when the latter
came of age. Instead he sought to prolong his reign with the view of
handing the throne to his own son Sundaravarma in due course.
This forced Pulakesi to rebel against his uncle. Pulakesi left the court
and by his own martial prowess, waged a war on Mangalesa with the
help of few of his friends. Mangalesa was routed and killed in the
battlefield of ElapattuSimbige. This incident is mentioned in the
Peddavaduguru inscription, and the incident must have happened
about 610 A.D
Pulakesi II (609 642 C.E.)
Pulakesi II is the most famous ruler of the Chalukya dynasty. In his
reign the Chalukyas of Badami saw their kingdom extend over most
of the Deccan.
Ereya, who assumed the name Pulakesi on his coronation, was born
to the Chalukya king Kirtivarman I. Ereya ascended the Chalukya
throne as Pulakesi II and assumed the title Chalukya Parameshwara

after defeating his uncle. His other assumed titles are Satyashraya,
Prithvivallabha.
With this conquest, Pulakesis control extended completely over
Southern India, including Maharashtra and parts of Madhya Pradesh
and Gujarat. He received the title Dakshinapatheshvara (Lord of the
South) at around the same time (630-634 A.D).
The Ganga ruler Durvinita gave one of his daughters in marriage to
Pulakesi, and she was the mother of Vikramaditya I. Pulakesi was the
first ruler in South India to issue gold coinage. Broad and circular in
shape, the punchmarked coins had various punches at the edge,
and a central punch depicting a Varaha or Boar. The Boar was the
royal emblem of the Chalukyas. Contemporary literature cites the
gold coins of south India as Varahas. It is possible that Pulakesi II lost
his life in one of these encounters against the Pallavas.
Pulakesi had five sons, Chandraditya, Adityavarma, Vikramaditya,
Jayasimha and Ambera. They fought among themselves after his
demise, trying to divide the kingdom into territories for each of
themselves. Pulakesis third son Vikramaditya I became the
Chalukya king 642 and attempted to reunite the kingdom after
defeating his brothers.
Vikramaditya I (655 680 C.E.)
Vikramaditya I was the third son and followed his father, Pulakesi II
on to the Chalukya throne. He restored order in the fractured
kingdom and made the Pallavas retreat from the capital Vatapi.
Vikramaditya, with the help of his maternal grandfather Bhuvikarma
of Western Ganga Dynasty set himself the task of repelling the
Pallava invasion and restoring the unity of his fathers kingdom.
He defeated the Pallava Narasimhavarman I to end his occupation,
which had lasted for thirteen years and expelled him from Vatapi. He
defeated his brothers and other feudatories who wished to divide

the empire and then declared himself king of the Chalukyas (655).
He rewarded his younger brother Jayasimhavarman who was loyal to
him, with the viceroyalty of Lata in the southern
Gujarat.
Vikramaditya continued his enimity with Narasimhavarmans son
and successor Mahendravarman II, and later with his son
Paramesvaravarman I. He allied himself with the Pallavas other
enemy the Pandyan Arikesari Parankusa
Vinayaditya (680 696 C.E.)
Vinayaditya succeeded his father, Vikramaditya I on to the Chalukya
throne. His reign was marked by general peace and harmony. He
earned the titles Yuddhamalla, Sahasarasika, Satyashraya. He had
fought alongside his father against the Pallavas, he defeated the
Pallavas, Kalabhras, Keralas and the Kalachuri of central India.
From the Kolhapur plates of 678 he defeated the kingdoms of Lanka
and Kamera. The Vakkaleri plates confirm the Chalukya levying
tribute on Kamera, Lanka and Parasika (Persia). During this time,
Persia was under Islamic invasion. Vinayaditya sent an expedition to
the north under the command of his son Vijayaditya.
According to some accounts, Vijayaditya was captured and held
prisoner and after a period of incarceration, escaped and returned to
the Chalukyan kingdom to be crowned the monarch of the empire.
Vinayaditya sent an ambassador to the Chinese court in 692.
Vikramaditya II (733 746 C.E.)
Vikramaditya II was the son of King Vijayaditya succeeded the
Badami Chalukya throne. He had conduce successful military
campaigns against their arch enemy, the Pallavas of Kanchipuram.
His most important achievements were the capture of Kanchipuram
on three occasions, the first time as a crown prince, the second time

as an emperor and the third time under the leadership of his son
and crown prince Kirtivarman II.
Virupaksha Temple inscription alludes to the emperor as the
conqueror of Kanchi on three occasions and reads Sri
VikramadityabhatararmumeKanchiyanmume parajisidor. The other
notable achievement was the consecration of the famous
Virupaksha Temple (Lokeshwara temple) and Mallikarjuna Temple
(Trilokeshwara temple) by his queens Lokamahadevi and Trilokadevi
at Pattadakal. These two monuments are the centre piece of the
UNESCO World Heritage Monuments at Pattadakal.
Kirtivarman II (746 753 C.E.)
Kirtivarman II also known as Rahappa succeeded his father
Vikramaditya II. His reign was continuously troubled by the growing
power of the Rashtrakutas and finally succumbed to them.
Kirtivarman and his Ganga feudatory Sripurusha came into conflict
with the Pandya ruler Maravarman Rajasimha I who was extending
the Pandya Empire on to the Kongu country which was adjacent
to the Ganga kingdom.
Rajasimha crossed the Kaveri and engaged Kirtivarman and
Sripurusha in a big battle at Venbai on the banks of the river Kaveri.
The Chalukya king was defeated. Kirtivarman II was the last king of
the Badami dynasty. There was a period of 220 years in which the
western branch of the Chalukyas was in eclipse.

Contribution of the Chalukyas:

Art and Architecture:
The Chalukyas of Badami developed the Deccan or Vesara style in
the building of structural temples, which reached culmination,
however, only under the Rashtrakutas and the Hoysalas. They

perfected the art of stone building without mortar. Under their

auspices, the Buddhists, Jainas and Brahmanas competed with each
other in building cave temples. Some of the finest specimens of the

cave frescoes belonged to the Chalukya era.

Temples:
The temple building activity under the Chalukyas of Badami can be
broadly divided into two stages.
The first stage is represented by the temples at Aihole and Badami.
Of the temples at Aihole, four are prominent. The Ladh Khan temple
is a flat roofed structure. The Durga temple was an experiment
seeking to adopt the Buddhist Chaitya to a Brahmanical temple. The
Hucimaligudi temple is very similar to the Durga temple, but smaller
than it.
The Jaina temple of Meguti shows some progress in the construction
of structural temples, but it is unfinished. Of the temples at Badami,
the Melagitti Sivalaya is a small but finely proportioned and
magnificently located temple. A group of four rockcut halls (one
Jaina and three of them Hindu) at Badami are all of the same type.
The second stage is represented by the temples at Pattadakal.There

are four temples in the northern style and

six in the southern style. The Papanatha temple is the most notable
among the temples of the northern style and it also reveals
attempts to combine northern and southern features in one
structure. The Virupaksha temple, a direct imitation of the
Kailasanatha temple of Kanchi was built by one of the queens of
Vikramaditya II.

Different styles of architecture

1.Nagara architecture (North Indian style)
Distinct Features:
1.In plan, the temple is a square with a number of graduated
projections in the middle of each side giving a cruciform shape with
a number of re-entrant angles on each side.
2.In elevation, a Sikhara, i.e., tower gradually inclines inwards in a
convex curve, using a concentric rotating-squares and circles
principle.
The projections in the plan are also carried upwards to the top of the
Sikhara and, thus, there is strong emphasis on vertical lines in

elevation. The Nagara style is widely

distributed over a greater part of India, exhibiting distinct varieties
and ramifications in lines of evolution and elaboration according to
each locality. An example of Nagara architecture is the Kandariya
Mahadeva Temple.

2. Dravidian architecture
Following four parts are important:
1. The principal part, the temple itself, is called the Vimana (or
Vimanam). It is always square in plan and surmounted by a
pyramidal roof of one or more stories; it contains the cell where the
image of the god or his emblem is placed.
2.The porches or Mandapas (or Mantapams), which always cover
and precede the door leading to the cell.
3.Gate-pyramids, Gopurams, which are the principal features in the
quadrangular enclosures that surround the more notable temples.
4.Pillared halls or Chaultrisproperly Chawadis used for various
purposes, and which are the invariable accompaniments of these

temples.
Besides these, a temple always contains temple tanks or wells for
water (used for sacred purposes or the convenience of the priests),
dwellings for all grades of the priesthood are attached to it, and
other buildings for state or convenience.

3.Vesara Style
It is a combination of both the Nagara and the Dravida styles. This
style of architecture reached perfection during the era of badami
chalukyas.This style reduces the height of the individual tiers
without reducing their number resulting in a reduction in the height

of the temple towers.

The semi-circular structures of the Buddhist Chaityas are also
incorporated in some of the temples of this style. The temples of
Halebid, Belur, Somnathapura and Pattadakal are some of the
examples of this style.

Polity :
The empire was divided into Maharashtrakas (provinces), then into
minor Rashtrakas (Mandala), Vishaya (district), Bhoga (group of 10
villages), analogous to the Dasagrama unit used by the Kadambas.
At the subordinate levels of organization, the Kadamba style entirely
reigned. The Sanjan plates of Vikramaditya I have mentioned a land
unit termed Dasagrama. There were many regions ruled by
feudatories like Alupas, Gangas, Banas, Sendrakas etc.
Local assemblies worked on the local issues. Groups of mahajanas
(learned brahmins) looked after agraharas (like Ghatika or place of
higher learning) like the ones at Badami (2000 mahajans) and Aihole
(500 mahajanas).

Coinage:
The Badami Chalukyas imprinted coins were included Nagari and
Kannada legends. They minted coins with cryptograms of temples,

lion or boar facing right and the lotus.

The coins were called honnu in old Kannada and had fractions such
as fana and the quarter fana, whose contemporary equivalent being
hana (literally means money). It weighed 4 grams. A gold coin called
Gadyana is mentioned in some record in Pattadakal that later came
to be known a varaha which was also witnessed on their emblem.
Religion:
The rule of the Badami Chalukya was a period of religious
development. Initially they followed Vedic Hindusim, as observed in
the diverse shrines devoted to countless popular Hindu deities.
Pattadakal is the location of their grandest architecture. The worship
of Lajja Gauri, the fertility goddess was equally popular.
They enthusiastically encouraged Jainsm and confirmed to by one of
the Badami cave temples and other Jain temples in the Aihole
complex. Aihole and Kurtukoti, Puligere (Laksmeshwara in Gadag
district) were primary places of learning.
Literature
The Aihole inscription of Pulakesi II (634) written by his court poet

Ravikirti in Sanskrit language and Kannada script is considered as an

classical piece of poetry.
A few verses of a poetess named Vijayanaka who describes herself
as the dark Sarasvati have been preserved. It is possible that she
may have been a queen of prince Chandraditya (a son of Pulakesi II).
Famous writers in Sanskrit from the Badami 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
encyclopedia of all arts and sciences called Manasollasa.
From the period of the Badami Chalukyas, references are made to
the existence of Kannada literature, though not much has survived.
Inscriptions however refer to Kannada as the natural language.
The Kappe Arabhatta record of c. 700 in tripadi (three line) metre is
the earliest available work in Kannada poetics.
Karnateshwara Katha, which was quoted later by Jayakirti, is
believed to be a eulogy of Pulakesi II and to have belonged to this
period. Other probable Kannada writers, whose works are not
extant now but titles of which are known from independent
references are Syamakundacharya (650), who is said to have
authored the Prabhrita, and Srivaradhadeva (also called
Tumubuluracharya, 650 or earlier), the possible author of the
Chudamani (Crest Jewel), a lengthy commentary on
logic .
Around 6th century AD, the Chalukya kings of Telangana also started
using Telugu for inscriptions. Telugu was most exposed to the
influence of Sanskrit, as opposed to Prakrit, during this period. This
period mainly corresponded to the advent of literature in Telugu.