for students of BA II Sem BHU

1. Chalukyas of Vengi

3. Introduction
• Period of political disintegration after Andhrasatavahanas.
• Ishakavakus, Shalankayan, Vishnukundin dynasties.
• No strong-stable dynasty in Andhra.
• Rise of Chalukyas of Vatapi.
• Establishment of Eastern Chalukya dynasty by Vishnuvardhan, younger
brother of Pulkesin II.

4. Vengi Chalukyas:
Geographical
extent
• Between Krishna and Godavari
• Capital Vengi : in Godavari
district
• Area of Rule-
• North: Hyderabad
• South: Bay of Bengal
• East: Ganjam
• West: Nellore

5. Date of establishment of Vengi Chalukya dynasty
• Basis: An inscription dated to 18th regnal year of Vishnuvardhan.
• But date of issue of inscription read differently by different scholars as
632, 641, 656 CE.
• D.C.Sircar: Inscriptions date is 18 years from when Vishnuvardhan
became Yuvaraj.
• Satara inscription dated 617 CE: Vishnuvardhan calls himself as Yuvaraj
& favourite brother of Pulkesin II.
• Date of establishment of Vengi Chalukya dynasty: c.621/625/633 CE

6. अनु
क्र।
राजा तिथिक्रम
(ईसवी)
कार्य
१ विष्णुिर्धन
(क
ु ब्ज)
६१५-६३३ संस्थापक
२ जयससंह प्रथम ६३३-६६३ विष्णुिर्धन का पुत्र एिं उत्तराधर्कार
३ इंद्रिमधन जयससंह प्रथम का छोटा भाई
४ विष्णुिर्धन
द्वितीय
६३३-६७२ इंद्रिमधन का पुत्र
५ मंधि युिराज
प्रथम
६७२-६९६ चचाध नह
६ जयससंह द्वितीय ६९६-७०९
७ विष्णुिर्धन
तृतीय
७०९-७४६
८ विजयादित्य
प्रथम
७६४-७९९ विष्णुिर्धन तृतीय का पुत्र
राष्रक
ू टों का उिय
९ विष्णुिर्धन चतुथध ७६४-७९९ विजयादित्य प्रथम
िातावप चालुक्य िंश समाप्त
१० विजयादित्य
द्वितीय
७९९-८४३ विष्णुिर्धन चतुथध का पुत्र
राष्रक
ू ट + चालुक्य संघर्ध
११ विष्णुिर्धन पंचम ८३४-८४४ विजयादित्य द्वितीय का पुत्र
राष्रक
ू टों से िैिादहक सम्बन्र्
१२ विजयादित्य
तृतीय
८४४-८८८ विष्णुिर्धन पंचम का पुत्र, शक्क्तशाल शासक,
राष्रक
ू टों को हराया
१३ भीम प्रथम ८८८-९१८ विजयादित्य तृतीय का भाई
अंतिधत कलह की शुरूिात
अनु
क्र।
राजा तिथिक्रम
(ईसवी)
कार्य
१४ विजयादित्य
चतुथध
९१८ िृहयुद्र् की क्स्थतत
१५ अम्म प्रथम ९१८-९२५ िृहयुद्र् की क्स्थतत
राष्रक
ू टों का हस्तक्षेप
१६ भीम द्वितीय ९२५-९४५ िृहयुद्र् की क्स्थतत
राष्रक
ू टों का हस्तक्षेप
१७ अम्म
द्वितीय
९४५-९७० राष्रक
ू टों का आक्रमण
अंतिधत विद्रोह
१८ िाणानिध ९७०-९७३ राष्रक
ू टों का धचंतक
१९ शक्क्तिमधन
प्रथम
९९९-१०११ िाणानिध का पुत्र
चोलों का आिमन
२० विमलादित्य १०११-१०१८ शक्क्तिमधन प्रथम का भाई
पक्चचमी चालुक्यों का आिमन
२१ राजराजनरेंद्र
विष्णुिर्धन
१०१८-१०६० चोलों से िैिादहक संबंर्
भाई क
े साथ िृहयुद्र्
२२ विजयदित्य
सप्तम
१०६०,
१०६२-१०७६
चोलों एिं चालुक्यों का सामंत

7. Founder: Vishnuvardhan
• Aihole inscription: Pulkeshin II invaded and captured Pishtapura under
Vishnukundin dynasty.
• Pulkesin II appointed his brother Vishnuvardhan as provincial governor of Vengi.
• For some time, Vishnuvardhan ruled under Pulkesin II as his governor.
• Kopparam inscription: Vishnuvardhana was ruling only as a subordinate to his
brother Pulkeshin II in the Vengi area.
• Later declared his independence ?
• Timmapuram inscription: Refers to him as Maharaja.
• Capital: Pishtapur. Later shifted to Vengi.
• Titles: विर्यससद्धर् (विघ्न-बार्ाओं पर विजय), परमभािित
• Xuan Zang: 3000 Budhist monks resided in 20 viharas in Vengi in 629CE.
• Extent: Northeast- Nagvali river in Vishakhapattanam. South- Nellore district.

8. Jaisimha I (641-663CE)
• S/O Vishnuvardhan.
• Made many kings his feudatories.
• Details of exploits not clear.
• Reference to his land grants.
• Titles: महाराज, पृथ्िीिल्लभ, पृथ्िीजयससंह, सिधससद्धर्

9. Indravarman
• Younger brother of Jaisimha I
• Also known as: इंद्रभट्टारक, इंद्रराज, इंिूराज
• Titles: ससंहविक्रम, त्यािर्ेनु
• No details about his conquests are available.

10. Vishnuvardhan II
• S/O Indravarman
• Ruled for 9 years.
• Titles: विर्मससद्धर्, मकरध्िज, प्रलयादित्य
• No details about his conquests are available.

11. Succession after Vishuvardhan II
• S/O Vishnuvardhan = Mangiyuraj
• He ruled for 25 years.
• Fight for accession to throne amongst Mangiyuraj’s many sons.
• Jaisimha II emerged victorious.
• Ruled from 662-709 CE.

12. Vishnuvardhan III
• Came to throne in 709CE.
• No details about his conquests are available
• Land grant inscriptions of his exist.
• Titles: विर्मससद्धर्, त्रत्रभुिनांक
ु श, समस्तभुिनाश्रय

13. Vijayaditya I
• S/O Vishnuvardhan III
• Period of political chaos in south India.
• Deline of Chalukyas of Vatapi and emergence of Rashtrakutas.
• Growing power of Rashatrakutas:” An issues for Vengi Chalukyas too.
• K.A.N.Shashtri (On the basis of a 769CE inscription of Govind III):
Vijayaditya surrendered in front of the might of Rashtrakuta king.

14. Vishnuvardhan IV (764-799CE)
• S/O Vijayaditya I
• Vatapi branch of Chalukyas had declined completely while the Rashtrakutas
were riding high on power.
• Internal conflict: Brother of Vishnuvardhan IV allied with Rashtrakutas.
• Battle for Rashtrakuta succession: Govind II + Vishnuvardhan IV vs. Dhruv +
brother of Vishnuvardhan IV.
• Dhurv emerged victorious.
• Rashtrakuta inscription dated 802CE: Upon hearing just one word from the
mouth of Rashtrakuta messenger, Vengi king became the servant of
Rashtrakutas.
• Matrimonial alliance: Daughter of Vishnuvardhan IV married Rashtrakuta Dhruv

15. Vijayaditya II
• S/O Vishnuvardhan IV
• One of the powerful Vengi kings
• Defeated Nagas and acquired Bastar
• Defeated Gangas.
• Titles: परमभट्टारक , महाराजाधर्राज, परमेचिर, चलुक्याजुधन, त्रत्रभुिनाक
ु श तथा
नरेंद्रमृिराज
• Inscriptions: He fought 108 battles with Rashtrakutas and Gangas.
• To ward off sins of 108 battles, constructed 108 Shiva temples

16. Vijayaditya II, internal conflicts & Rashtrakutas
• Younger brother of Vijayaditya II “सभमसलुक्की” revolted.
• Govinda III Rashtrakuta + Bhimsalukki: Defeated Vijayadiya II
• Bhimsalukki became king of Vengi.
• Death of Govinda III, Heir Amoghavarsha underage: Opportunity for Vijayaditya II
• Vijayaditya II recaptured Vengi.
• Guntur Inscription: Vijayaditya was engrossed in war with Amoghavarsha for 12 years.
• Navasari copper plate: During the reign of Amoghavarsha, Rashtrakuta Lakshmi got
immersed in sea of Chalukyas and victorious Chalukyas destroyed the city Stambhanagar.
Later Rashtrakutas expelled Chalukyas.
• Matrimonial alliance: S/O Vijayaditya II, Vishnuvardhan V married Rashtrakuta princess.

17. Vishnuvardhan V
• S/O Vijayaditya II.
• Active participation during his father’s reign.
• Had a Rashtrakuta princess as his wife.
• Titles: विर्मससद्धर्, सिधलोकश्रय, कसलविष्णुिर्धन
• Ruled for 18-20 months only.

18. Vijayaditya III
• S/O Vishnuvardhan V
• Greatest amongst all Vengi Chalukya kings
• Ruled for 44 years.
• Period of Imperialistic campaigns.
• Titles: परचक्रराम (शत्रुओं क
े सलए राम), िुणक
े नलल्लाट : (िुणों एिं सिाचार
का प्रेमी), त्रत्रपुरामत्यधमहेचिर (3 निरों क
े सलए महेचिर क
े समान संहारक)

19. Victories
• Vengi Chalukya inscription: Vijayaditya acquired Tanjore and gave
shelter to Chola king Vijayalaya. He also defeated Pandya king.
• An inscription of Amma II: Vijayadiya cut off the head of Nolamba king
in battlefield. Also defeated the Ganga king.
• Defeated Boya tribe ruling in Nellore as it offered resistance to
Vijayaditya’s south Indian campaign. Destroyed Nellore city and its fort.
• Probabaly Boyas were Pallava feudatories.
• Some historians believe that he also defeated Pallava king Aparajit.

20. Vengi
Chalukyas
vs
Rashtrakutas
• Rashtrakuta king = Krishna II
• Dharamvaram inscription: Vijayaditya fought 2 battles with Krishna II.
• Battle I: Krishna II defeated & forced to take shelter in Kalchuri kingdom.
• Battle II: Commander of Vijayaditya chased Krishna II to Dahal.
• Commander of Vengi defeated the combined armies of Krishna II &
Kalchuris.
• Burned the city of Kiranpur & Elichapur.
• Reacquired the areas lost to Rashtrakutas in earlier attack.
• Prestige of Rashtrakutas decreased.
• Vijayaditya III took the royal titles of Rashtrakutas
• He returned Rashtrakuta territories when Krishna II submitted
• Kalchumburu inscription: Krishna II worshipped Vijayaditya.

21. Bhim I/Vishnuvardhan VI
• Vijayaditya died heirless.
• His brother’s(Vikramaditya I) son = Bhim I, became the king
• Accession conflict

22. Bhim I vs. Rashtrakuta: Stage I
• Rashtrakuta king = Krishna II
• Krishna II sided with rebels & attacked Vengi in time of accession
conflict
• Poet Pampa: Bhim I’s uncle Yuddhamalla + Krishna II Rashtrakuta:
Imprisoned Bhim I
• Vengi went under the control of Rashtrakutas.

23. • Bhim I and some loyal samantas united to defeat combined armies
of Krishna II & his feudatories.
• Bhim I successful in getting back his rightful throne
• अंततसल असभलेख: Bhim’s coronation happened in 892CE after which he
took the title of Vishnuvardhan
Bhim I vs. Rashtrakuta: Stage II

24. Bhim I vs. Rashtrakuta: : Stage III
• Krishna II reached Nellore and Guntur.
• Won many forts in Vengi kingdom & Gave them to his feudatories.
• Krishna II supported by Karnaat and Lat armies + Shankargana
Kalchuri
• Masulipatam inscription: Bhim I + his son: defeated Krishna II.
• Rashtrakuta commander in chief of army killed.
• S/O Bhim I was killed in the battle

25. Bhim I: remarks
• Able general.
• A benevolent & kind king
• Shaivite
• Constructed Shiv temples at द्राक्षारामम, चालुक्यसभमिरम
• Titles: सिधलोकाश्रय, त्रत्रभुिनक
ु श , द्रोणाचायध, परम्रह्मणय

26. Succession after Bhim I
• 40 years of political chaos.
• Period of civil wars and conflicts for accession
• Interference of Rashtrakutas to sort out the issue
• Finally Bhim II was able to gain hold and established peace in Vengi.
• After him, his son, Amma II became Vengi king.

27. Amma II
• Declared yuvaraj at age of 8.
• Ascended throne at age of 12.
• Another contender for throne: Danarnav.
• Rashtrakuta Krishna III + Vengi prince Danarnav ousted Amma II from Vengi
• Krishna III coronated Danarnav as the new King of Vengi
• Krishna III retreated back to his Rashtrakuta kingdom
• Amma II defeated Danarnav and himself became the King
• Later Danarnav rebelled and killed Amma II.

28. Danarnav (c.970-973 CE)
• Ruled for only 3 years.
• Succeeded by his 2 sons-
• Shaktivarman and Vimaladitya
• But a period of 27 years of chaos before the accession of
Shaktivarman as Vengi king.
• N.Subramanayam: During this period, Vengi prince took refuge in
Chola kingdom

29. Shaktivarman I (c.1000-1012CE)
• His reign marked by interference of Cholas in Vengi politics
• Rajaraja Chola established him on the throne of Vengi not once but twice
• Vengi became a kingdom protected by Cholas.
• Shaktivarman supported Rajaraj Chola in his many battles.
• In return, Rajaraj I defeated Kalyani Chalukyas when they attacked Vengi.
• Shaktivarman died without any son.
• So succeeded by his brother

30. Vimaladitya
• Initial years challenging.
• Killed some Chola king/prince/family member?
• Rajaraj Chola attacked Vengi.
• But matrimonial alliance was sought to resolve the matter.
• Rajaraja I married his daughter with a brother of Shaktivarman.
• Titles: विरूिााँकभीम, मुम्मुडभीम, राजमातंड, भूपमहेंद्र

31. Succession after Vimaladitya
• Two sons of Vimaladitya with 2 queens
1. क
ुं ििा= राजराजनरेंद्र विष्णुिर्धन
2. मेलम= विजयदित्य सप्तम
• Fight for accession between two sons.
1. राजराजनरेंद्र विष्णुिर्धन supported by चोल (राजेंद्र चोल)
2. विजयदित्य VII supported by कल्याणी चालुक्य (जयससंह द्वितीय)

32. Rajarajnarendra Vishnuvardhan
• Two sons of Vimaladitya with 2 queens
1. क
ुं ििा= राजराजनरेंद्र विष्णुिर्धन
2. मेलम= विजयदित्य सप्तम
• Fight for accession between two sons.
1. राजराजनरेंद्र विष्णुिर्धन supported by चोल (राजेंद्र चोल)
2. विजयदित्य VII supported by कल्याणी चालुक्य (जयससंह द्वितीय)

33. Rajarajnarendra Vishnuvardhan
• Rajendra sent chola army to support accession of Rajarajanarendra as Vengi
king.
• Rajendra Chola defeated Kalyani king + Vishnuvardhan VII.
• This battle was won in 1022 CE.
• But coronation of Rajarajanarendra done in 1026 CE by the hands of Rajendra
Chola.
• Ruled for 40 years.
• Chola king married his daughter with him. Rajendra II (Koluttunga) was born
of this union.

34. Rajarajanarendra & Vijayaditya VII
• 1030 CE: Vijayaditya VII rebelled against Rajarajanarendra.
• Established an independent kingdom east of Vengi in Vishakhapattanam
• Performed his coronation.
• Probably he received some help from Kalyani Chalukyas.
• 1060 CE: Vijayaditya VII occupied Vengi when Rajarajanarendra was
outstation.

35. Rajarajanarendra & Kalyani Chalukyas
• 1042 CE: Someshwar I Kalyani Chalukya king attacked Vengi.
• Rajendra sent Chola army under his son and Yuvraja Rajadhiraj to Vengi.
• Rajadhiraj defeated Someshwar I.
• 1047 CE inscription of Kalyani Chalukyas: Someshwar I defeated Vengi.
• Sometime later, Rajarajanarendra ended relations with Cholas.
• Befriended Kalyani Chalukya king Someshwar I instead.
• As a result, Cholas lost their hold in Vengi.

36. Vijayaditya VII (c.1060-1075CE) & his successor
• Waited a along time to become king
• Veerarajendra, the Chola king attacked & defeated Vijayaditya VII.
• Vengi Chalukyas now became Chola feudatory.
• 1068 CE: Attack on Vengi by Kalinga kinga & Kalchuri king Karna
• 1074-75 CE inscription: Vijayaditya called samant of Someshwar II
• Shaktivarman II, S/O Vijayaditya VII next king.
• Rayali inscription: Shaktivarman II killed by Cholas within a year of his reign

37. Causes of decline
• Continuous battles : Money-man drain
• Internal conflicts
• Civil wars for succession
• Rise of powerful contemporizes
• Lack of powerful rulers.
वेंगी
राष्ट्रक
ू ट
पल्लव
चोल
चालुक्र्

38. Remarks
• Ruled for a period of almost 500 years.
• Political history shadowed by interference of other contemporary powers
in internal strife.
• Construction of new cities -वपठापुरम, िेंिी, सभमिरम,विजयिाडा,
• Construction of temples: Bhimeshwar temple, Sri Narendraswami,
Umamaheshwar temple
• A period of Religious tolerance: Jain Queens and ministers.
• Use of Telugu language in inscriptions.

39. Any Questions?