EASTERN CHALUKYA

The “Chalukya of Vengi” emerged from “Chalukya of Badami”. Pulakeshin II was the famous Badami ruler who conquered the region of Vengi in the eastern Deccan after defeating the “Vishnukundins Dynasty”. Pulakeshin had appointed his brother named “Kubja Vishnuvardhana” as the powerful governor in the new territory. “Eastern Chalukya Dynasty” had been founded by the Kubja Vishnuvardhana after the memorable death of “Pulakeshin II” in the “Battle of Vatapi”. Eastern Chalukya was the leading cause of major wars between the most powerful Western Chalukyas and Cholas. Eastern Chalukya had seen the upcoming growth of Telugu Literature, poetry, art and culture throughout their region.

Types of Governments

In Hindu philosophy, the “Eastern Chalukya Government” was famous as a Monarchy Based government. The inscription actually refers to some traditional components of Saptanga (7 states) and those eighteen Tirthas which means the offices like Mantri (Minister), Purohita (Chaplain), “Yuvaraj (Heir-apparent)”, Senapati (Commander), Pradhan (Chief), Adhyksha (Departmental Head), “Dauvarika (Door Keeper)” and many more. The Kottam and Vishaya were known as administrative subdivisions and Boya-Kottams and Karmarashtra are the most famous examples in this aspect. There are some royal edicts that are also available in this decade which have been addressed to Naiyogi Kavallabhas. In this aspect, village residents are also granted land assignment in multiple villages.

Society

The population of Vengi was very heterogeneous in terms of character. After the establishment of the “Eastern Chalukya Kingdom”, Xuanzang travelled to the “Andhra Country”. He had noticed that those people are mostly preferred as violent characteristics and in a dangerous dark complexion. This society is practically based on a caste system that was hereditary. Even Jains and Buddhists who basically disregard this caste had also adopted it which was very shocking to them. Among all traditional castes, there are some minor communities also present like Savaras and Boyas. Both of them had existed in this caste but the “Brahmins” were practically held in a society that was highly esteemed. Brahmins were basically proficient in Shastras and Vedas and money and land were being gifted to them. In this decade the ruling class was considered as Kshatriyas and they fought for their responsibilities. “Komatis (Vaishyas)” was known as a flourishing community. Most of the population was Shudra and they are considered as poor and low-class people in this decade.

Religion

In the Chalukyas Kingdom, Hinduism was considered the most applicable and most traditional religion where most of the people were Vaishnavism and Shaivism. In this era, Shaivism has gained more popularity rather than Vaishnavism. In this aspect, the Mahasena temple had become more famous for its historical annual Jatra. In that era, there were some rulers who considered themselves Emperors (Parama Maheshwara). In this aspect, the Buddhists were religious to this goddess and made themselves in the division of Shiva (The God of Destruction). Along with that, there are some rulers available in the Chalukyas Kingdom who were Bhima, Vijayaditya, Yuddha Malla and Vijyaditya.

Literature

In this period the Telugu Literature was in Zenith. In the 7th century of Eastern Chalukya Lakshmipuram and Jayasimha were considered marvellous Telugu Inscriptions.  Those copper plates are being granted by “Eastern Chalukya” and that was written in Sanskrit. Few parts of the literature are being written in Telugu and few of them are written in Sanskrit. In this aspect, Telugu poetries are easier than Sanskrit so in the latter half of the “9th century” many army chiefs are considered to use Telugu poetries rather than choosing Sanskrit language.

Connection between Telugu and Kannada Literature

Kubja Vishnuvardhana was the founder of the “Eastern Chalukya Dynasty ” who was the brother of Pulakeshin II (Chalukya King). In this aspect, Chalukyas have governed both Andhra and Karnataka countries, as well as patronised Telugu also. This seems to have a close connection or relation with Kannada literature. There are few Telugu authors available who wrote down the Kanndas works in their literature. The same has been found in the inscription of Yudhamalla’s Bezwada. Another inspection was also identified which was done by Narayana Bhatta and he assisted Nannaya Bhatta in composing Bharata.

Architecture

As in the origin of Chalukyas kingdom, most people worship Shiva as their main god and spreading the devotion of Shiva has enlarged the kingdom by his blessing which was believed as per the Indian mythology the construction of a huge temple has been started by the order of Chalukya. The architecture of that Shiva temple was made on a very large scale. Total 108 temple construction had been credited by Vijayaditya II. In Vijayawada, a temple of Kartikeya had been created by Yuddhamalla I. Those famous temples Chalukya Bhimavaram and Draksharama had been constructed by Bhima I. 

Conclusion

Originally, Eastern Chalukyas capital Vengi city subsequently moved to Rajamahendravaram. Eastern Chalukya was essentially considered as the most famous republic in the Badami government and according to his opinion, every generation was passed with local factors. The strength of Chgalukya was developed in Vengi as he set a new kingdom with new rules in every aspect. Some external influences are also present where Chalukya intimate contact is hostile, with Cholas, Rakshtrakutas and Pallavas of Kalyani.