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Historical Sources
UNIT 4 THE POLITICAL SCENARIO III—
CHOLAS AND CHALUKYAS^1
Structure
4.0 Objectives
4.1 Introduction
4.2 The Cholas
4.2.1 Chola Kingship
4.3 Local Administration: Ur and Nadu
4.4 Brahmadeya and Nagaram
4.5 Kings, Officials and Chiefs
4.6 Chalukyas of Kalyana
4.7 Culture under the Chalukyas of Kalyana
4.8 Summary
4.9 Key Words
4.10 Answers to Check Your Progress Exercises
4.11 Suggested Readings
4.0 OBJECTIVES
After reading this Unit, you will learn about:
the Cholas, their territorial expansion, administration and institutional structures;
the Chalukyas of Kalyana and why they are also called Later-Chalukyas;
the military achievements of the Chalukya kings; and
the flowering of culture under the Chalukyas of Kalyana.
4.1 INTRODUCTION
The Cholas — the most powerful of the peninsular polities with the Kaveri valley as the nucleus of their power — succeeded in establishing the most enduring regional state in the Tamil macro-region. This Unit will introduce you to the Cholas, their kings, officials and chiefs and their administration. The latter part of the Unit will be about the Chalukyas of Kalyana. They are also known as the Later-Chalukyas owing to the fact that they came after the Chaluyas of Badami or Western Chalukyas. We will be looking at their military achievements and the flowering of culture under their reign.
(^1) The Unit has been taken from BHIC 132, Unit 6.
History of India-III
4.2 THE CHOLAS
The Cholas as a ruling power rose to eminence in the 9 th^ century CE when Vijayalaya seized Tanjavur from a feudatory chief of the Pallavas called Muttarayas. Henceforth, the Cholas were able to establish control over Pallava territories and subdued the Pandyan power. The Chola state stood on a firm footing deriving sustenance from the resource-pocket located in the fertile and rich area of the Kaveri valley. In the period of Rajaraja I and subsequent period, various feudatory chiefs were subjugated and the earlier category of Nadu was regrouped into Valanadu and was placed under the subdued chiefs. The landed magnates were also incorporated into the state system and were provided prestigious titles and were assigned administrative and military duties which included collection and assessment of land revenue.
4.2.1 Chola Kingship
The Cholas traced their origin to Suryavamsha. Mythical traditions are mentioned in the inscriptions especially in the prashastis containing the genealogies (Tiruvalangad Copper Plates, the Larger Leiden Plates and the Anbil Plates, Kanya Kumari inscription of Vira Rajendra etc.) and these are interspersed with information about historical personages. It appears that these served the purpose of legitimization of the rule of the Cholas. The prashastis of the Cholas were based on the Itihaasa- Purana tradition. The dominance of the Sanskritic and the Brahmanical traditions is well attested. The Cholas also ascribe to the legacy of the Sangam period. The genealogies of the Cholas attribute eminent and prestigious lineage to the king to legitimize his position as king. The period from the eighth year of Rajaraja onwards is marked by absence of genealogical record in the Tamil Meykirtis. These compositions narrate the military exploits of the kings, are inscribed on stone and address the Tamil landed magnates. The Cholas ascribe Kshatriya origin to themselves as is attested by the title Kshatriyasikhamani of the king Rajaraja. The Varman suffix (Sanskritic) added to the names of the kings was also a part of the process of claiming kshatriya status e.g. Adityavarman (871-906 CE) and Parantaka Varman (707-755 CE). The practice of assuming names during coronation also existed under the Cholas e.g. Prakesarivarman, Rajakesarivarman and Arumolivarman (Tamil name with a Sanskrit suffix). The charters of the Cholas consist of the prashastis and genealogies in Sanskrit and the details regarding the grant in Tamil. Hiranyagarbha and Tulabhara ceremonies were conducted by the Chola kings. The anointment ceremony was also a means to claim kshatriya position. A grant of Vira Chola points out that the king was advised by a brahmana moral preacher ( dharmopadeshta ) that bestowment of land to brahmanas would lead his forefathers to heaven. However, actual motive for making the grants was redistribution of resources in the form of land, gold, cattle etc. The gifts were bestowed for meritorious service provided by the brahmanas and also to seek legitimacy from them in political sphere. We have proper records of land-grants but the grants of gold, cattle etc. were merely stated in prashastis. Through the land- grants the kings tried to convert unsettled areas into agrarian settlements. These grants did not simply serve a charitable purpose. Rajaraja is regarded as Ulakalanda Perumel (the great one who measured the earth like Trivikrama) and as Shiva who established control over the land of Bhargava Rama.
History of India-III (^) 3) those of agricultural labour (paraicceri).
Karashima is of the opinion that in the vellanvagai villages differentiation is not noticed. Subbarayalu, however, refutes this argument and suggests the existence of a hierarchical structure in these villages comprising of:
cultivators (kaniyudaiyar) , tenant cultivators (ulukudi) , artisans, and the agricultural labourers. The cultivators were generally referred to as vellalas. The functions of the ur included: supervision of village lands viz. activities related to sale, purchase and gift. An important prerequisite for becoming a member of the ur was to be a holder of land. From the inscriptional evidence we come to know that the members of the ur also possessed the titles like:
Udaiyan , Kilan (kilavan) , Velan , and Peraraiyan.
All these titles point to landholding. Thus, the epigraphical testimony enables us to infer that ur was the group/assembly of non-brahmana land holders of a village.
Karashima has argued that the land was held in common in the ur villages. In some other instances he refers to sale of land by members of ur as individuals. Subbarayalu also refers to the tendency towards ‘individual holdings’ in this period. Nadus were named after a village which formed a part of a nadu. Inscriptional evidence indicates that in several nadus the main village was brahmadeya (land given to brahmanas). However, many nadus did not have brahmadeya. Subbrayalu refers to increase in nadus from the 9th^ century CE. Initially, nadus emerged in fertile areas which had more villages and later spread to periphery (less fertile areas) where the number of villages was comparatively less. Nilakantha Shastri points out that the nadu comprised of many villages which were the smallest component of administration. Mahalingam suggests that nadu was an administrative unit and it was sub-divided into villages. There is no unanimity of opinion among scholars regarding whether nadu comprised of only vellanvagai or also consisted of brahmadeya , devadana etc. Subbrayalu points out that nadu and ur represented a locality comprising of vellanvagai villages and its representatives participated in the assembly of nadu. It is difficult to delineate the exact area over which the nadus were spread. Nadus differed in size and they did not have any natural divisions (e.g. rivers). Therefore, they could not possibly have been been artificially created units or divisions. Sometimes, nadus covered the area beyond a river. In conventional historiography Nattar was regarded as a territorial assembly of a territorial unit, nadu, which comprised of eminent members of every village. Other assemblies such as of brahmedeya , pallicandam were also considered subordinate to nadu in the administrative machinery. Recently, historians have argued that nadu was not an administrative unit created by the Chola state but it was a natural collection of peasant settlements which was
The Political Scenario III— Cholas and Chalukyas
incorporated into the state system of the Cholas as a legacy from the previous period. This is proved by the fact that these nadus were not of same size and were nucleated. The valanadus which came into existence in the period of Rajaraja I were artificially created as administrative divisions. Nadus initially emerged in fertile areas and later spread to comparatively less fertile zones. This is how the agrarian economy expanded. Nadus located in the fertile tracts were more populated than those in other areas.
There are several inscriptions which give us information about nadus. Kiranur inscription of 1310 refers to the ‘ urom of villages Nanjil, Peruncevur, Viraikkudi...as qualified for the Nadu or Vada-chiruvayil-nadu.’ (Veluthat 1993: 184). It is clear from the evidence of the records that the nattars were the vellalas and the functions of nattar (nadu) were performed by the vellala who held the title of Velan. The main occupation of nattar was agriculture since nadu was a collection of agricultural settlements. The copper plates which basically deal with land-grants address the nattar and the execution of the grant made by the king was entrusted to them (deciding the limits of the lands granted by the establishment of superior rights of new grantees etc.) Nattar was subservient to the will of the ruler. Nattar also supervised irrigation works. They bestowed land on temples. They also served as stockists of donation made to temples. They also supervised the grants made by individuals and exempted the lands donated from tax and, in return, took a certain sum of money as a deposit. Nadu also bestowed land on temples which was tax-free (nattiraiyili). The tax payments exempted on lands donated to the temple were now the responsibility of nadu towards the state. Nadu seems to have levied a cess for meeting these expenses. These levies or imposts were:
Nadatci ,
Nattu viniyogan , or
Nattu-vyavasthai.
The temple lands were sold and leased out, a process in which the nattar played an important role. Nadu seems to have been engaged in tax collection and assessment. Sometimes, the nattar performed the revenue collection task on behalf of the state and sometimes king’s personnel (komarravar) were responsible for this work. Mudaligal and Dandanayakam were functionaries deputed in nadu and as royal officials; they were entrusted with administrative responsibility. Thus, the land holders in a locality were absorbed into the state system by the Cholas. These constituted the local landed magnates and worked on behalf of the king who exercised authority over them.
Nadu was the smallest unit for revenue administration. Nattup-puravu , nattu-vari (land revenue) and nattukkanakku : all refer to revenue of nadu. Nattuk-kanakku was the personnel responsible for revenue administration of nadu. The collection and fixation of the revenue of a village was carried out within the context of nadu where the village was located. When ur exempted taxes this got reflected in nadu accounts.
The king’s decision to transfer the funds of temple for a specific purpose in the temple was reflected in:
67
The Political Scenario III— Cholas and Chalukyas
The brahmadeya settlements where the temple played a pivotal role lost importance in the later phase of the Chola period. After mid-11 th^ century CE we find fewer brahmadeya tracts and more temples were constructed and the older ones were improved upon. Sometimes, the mahasabha , unable to pay the amount taken from a temple due to shortage of funds, was forced to fall back upon its income from the neighbouring village.
Nagaram settlement was a tract where traders and others (including artisans) lived. “An inscription of 1036 CE from Chidambaram distinguishes between non- brahmana inhabitants of superior status (kudiga) and those of inferior status (kil kalanai). Kudiga included two merchant groups: Sankarappadiyar (lower group) and Vyaparin (higher group) plus three other groups — Vellalas (cultivators), Saliyar (cloth merchants) and Pattinavar (fishermen). The subordinate workmen ( kil kalanai ) were Taccar (carpenters), Kollar (blacksmiths), Tattar (goldsmiths) and Koliyar (weavers)” (Stein, 1980).
Nagarattar was the representative body of traders. Nagaram settlement was a separate area. Committee of nagarattar was referred to as nagaravariyam. Nagaram also held land in common called nagarakkani. This they acquired through purchase but they also leased out land and performed the task of levying taxes and rendering services to the local groups. They maintained their records regarding income and expenditure. They also paid royal levies in the form of gold and paddy. They also allocated taxes to the local temples viz. Kadamai (tax on land), nagaraviniyogam (a tax for sustenance of nagaram) etc. In some cases Nagaram were independent of nadu ( taniyur ).
4.5 KINGS, OFFICIALS AND CHIEFS
A number of officers were responsible for the administration in the Chola kingdom. Although there is no clear evidence of a council of ministers but Uddan-kottam seems to have served this purpose. Upward and downward mobility is noticed in the administrative hierarchy. According to conventional historiography Perundanan and Sirutaram were higher and lower category officials respectively. Senapatis (commander of troops) had the middle position referred to as Sirudanattup Perundaram. Nyayattar (judges) were of both category. Recently, historians have pointed out that these divisions are not conclusively borne out by evidence. Officials were paid by allotting land rights. Tax on land was levied in cash and kind both. Officials were referred to as holders (udaiyan, kilan) of lands. They could further sub-assign land or even sell it. Communal ownership was prevalent and customary rights of villagers were recognised. The lowest unit of administration was the village. They combined to form a nadu. A valanadu comprised of a few nadus. Taniyur was a separate village or settlement site. Above valanadu there was mandalam which was equivalent to a province. Karumigal and Panimpkkal meant officers and servants. Anbil plates refer to a brahmana Manya Sachiva. He was granted land by the king. The king conveyed his orders orally ( triuvaykkelvi ) especially with regard to gift to temples. The directive was conveyed through a letter ( sri-mukham ) issued by Anatti (executive officer) appointed by the king. The local bodies were apprised and when the process was completed a record was prepared in the presence of the local magnates called Nattukkon , Nadukilavan , Urudaiyan.
History of India-III (^) Officers associated with the process of bestowment and registration of land-grants
were many and some are also referred to as Uttaramantris. Puravu- vari-tinaikkalam was the department of land revenue. Varipottagam was the record of land rights and Vari-pottagak-kanakku was the register of revenue department. Officers associated with the task of maintaining records and registers of land rights and land revenue department were Varipottagam and Variyiledu. Kankanis (supervisors) were the audit officers. Entry in a record was called Variyilidu. Mugavettis wrote royal letters and Pattolais were junior functionaries of land revenue department. Officers of Nadu (of the status of adhikari ) were Nadu kuru (revenue assessment and settlement officer) and Nadu vagai (revenue official). Mandira olai was the officer who wrote the Tirumugam (letter containing the royal order). The term Naduvirukkai was used for Vijnapti ( vaykkelvi ) or petitioner and Anatti (executive officer) who served as a link between monarch and the persons who wished to approach the king. The king made oral orders (triuvaykkelvi) regarding the issues brought to him by the officers. These requests transformed into orders were sent to local administration and central administration for implementation. The Olai nayagam were the officers who verified the letters written by Mandira-olai. The oral order of the king was put to writing (eluttu) and compared (oppu) and then entered (pugunda). Vidaiyil adigari got the order listed in the record. The document was called Tittu and the charity deed, aravolai.
Justice was carried out by the village assemblies through the committees comprising of Nyayattar. The central court of justice was the Dharmasana which conducted its affairs through Dharamasana bhattas (brahmanas proficient in law). It appears that civil and criminal offences were not dealt separately. The penalty for crime committed by a person affecting the king or ruling dynasty was decided by the king himself. Several methods of punishment prevailed viz. imposition of fines, capital punishment etc. Adhikaris were the king’s officers. They possessed the titles Udaiyan , Kilan/ Kilavan , Velan , Muvendavelan , Brahma , Pallavaraiyan , Vilupparaiyan and other chiefly nomenclature. Sometimes, more than one nomenclature was adopted. At times the name of the Chola ruler or his epithet was used as a prefix by the Adhikaris. Naduvirukkai were mostly brahmana (held titles like Bhatta , Barhmadhirajan) officers and acted as a link between the royal authority and the bureaucracy and they are always referred to in connection with the adhikaris. Personnel in charge of temples were Srikaryam but they did not look after the ritual related aspects like worship etc. In some cases we have the evidence of Adhikaris holding the Srikaryam office. Generally, they had a distinctive position in the administrative system. The titles held by them were Kilan/Kilavan , Velan , Muvendvelan , Brahma , Bhatta , Kon , Pallavaraiyan , Vilupparaiyan , Nadu title, King’s title_. Senapati_ was in charge of military affairs. They bore the king’s title/ name and other titles such as Udaiyan , Brahma , Araiyan , Kilans. The office of Dandanayakam was probably akin to the Senapati (military office). The title mentioned for this office is Pallavaaraiyans. The titles held by Senapatis were: udaiyan , brahma , araiyan etc.
70
History of India-III (^) Rajaraja and his successors although they still held the title.
The cattle herders (manradi) supervised the grants for lighting lamps in the temples. Merchants held the titles of Cetti , Mayilatti and Palan. They even occupied the important offices like Senapati and accountant. Peruntaccan and Perunkollan were titles used by artisan category but at the most their important positions were confined to royal palace and the temple connected with it.
We do not get clear evidence of a council of ministers but there existed officers like:
Purohita (dharmopadeshta) , Rajagurus , Tirumandira olai , Adhikari , Vayilketpar (officer who noted the king’s directives) etc. M. G. S. Narayanan points out that Udan kuttams were like king’s companions of honour. They might have had a head because we have mention of Adhikari of Udankuttam. There are references to the court in literature (Periyapuranam etc.). The king’s court comprised of: brahmana advisors, priests, Rajaguru , Adhikaris , Tirumandira olai nayagams , Vayilketpar , head of the king’s bodyguards, and Samantas (feudatory chiefs). The various levies of this period were:
Antarayam , Eccoru , Kadamai (produce-rent), Kudimai , Muttaiy-al , Vetti (labour-rent) and Tattar-pattan (cash payment).
Most of the imposts were exacted in kind viz. paddy.
The Cholas undertook military expedition to Sri Lanka (during the time of Rajaraja I) and SriVijaya (during the time of Rajendra I). This shows the military strength of the Chola state. It seems that the cavalrymen (kudiraiccevagar) , Anaiyatkal (those who fought on elephant), archers (villigal , anukkar) were names of the categories constituting the military force. Valangai (right hand) Velaikkarar were the soldiers recruited from among the peasants. Soldiers were also recruited from
The Political Scenario III— Cholas and Chalukyas
the artisan groups ( idangai - left hand). These were basically mercenary soldiers. Chola Meykkirttis refer to Kantalur Salai which has been interpreted as an educational institution in the Chera kingdom which imparted military education and training to the brahmanas which is mentioned in Meykkirttis was the place where Chera fleet was destroyed by the Chola king. This proves that Chola military prowess was insurmountable.
The chiefs held an important position in the state system. In the Pandyan kingdom the only category of chiefs was Ays. In the Sangam literature there is reference to many chiefs viz. Ays , Vels , Muvas , Kodumbalurs and Adigamans. The records of the Pallavas refer to chiefs such as Gangas and Adigamans. The various other chiefs who accepted the suzerainty of Pallavas were Banas, Vettuva-adiaraiyan, Muttaraiyar etc. The chiefs of the Chola period were:
Paluvettaraiyar,
Vels,
Malavas,
Gangas,
Banas etc.
It appears that the chiefs were assigned land and collected dues from it in return for padi kaval (protection of territory). In the post-Kulottunga period there is reference to Nilamaittittu: diplomatic agreement between two or more chiefs. These chiefs also had their soldiers and retainers. Their services were utilized by the Chola kings.^2
Check Your Progress Exercise 2
- Discuss the role and functions of ur and nadu.
........................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................
- Define Brahmadeya settlements.
........................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................
- What were the nagarams?
........................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................
- Discuss briefly the Chola administrative set-up.
........................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................
(^2) The entire section on the Cholas is adapted from MHI-04, Political Structures in India , Unit 15.5, pp. 14-21.
The Political Scenario III— Cholas and Chalukyas
Jadadekamalla Jayasimha II, another younger brother of Vikramaditya V was the monarch from 1015-1044 CE. Some sources indicate that there was an understanding among the Paramaras, Kalachuris and the Chalukyas of Vengi and the Cholas to encircle the Chalukyan kingdom and to launch simultaneously fierce actions against the Chanlukyas of Malkhed. The Paramara king made inroads into the northern and western regions of the Chalukyan kingdom and fought a severe battle on the banks of the Godavari which ended in a victory to Jayasimha. The Paramara chief had occupied parts of the Konkan from which he was dislodged after a tough fighting. From the south, the Cholas advanced through the Banavasi region and the Raichur doab up to Kollipake (Kulpak) in the present Telangana, which was a subsidiary capital of the Chalukyas of Manyakheta. Evetually the Chola forces were driven back and to mark his success against the Chola invasion Jayasimha assumed the title of cholagra-kalanala. It was during his reign that Kalyana came into prominence.
Someshvara I (1044-1068 CE), the eldest son of Jayasimha II was crowned king in 1044 CE. In about 1048 CE, Kalyana became the metropolis of the kingdom in place of Manyakheta. During this time, Vengi had become the bone of contention between the Chalukyas and the Cholas. The Chalukyas of Vengi, despite being the cousins of the Chalukyas of Kalyana, had not acknowledged the suzerainty of the latter. Someshvara I embarked upon a campaign against Vengi. But his march was hampered by the Cholas. An inconclusive battle followed. The next year in 1045 CE, the Cholas carried their arms into the Chalukyan dominion and pillaged Kollipake which was a subsidiary capital of the Chalukyas. But very soon Someshvara I was able to reassert the Chalukya suzerainty over Vengi. An inscription of 1047 CE claims that he subdued Vengi and Kalinga. His son Bhuvanaikamalla Someshvara II is styled as Vengipuravareshvara in several records dating from 1049-1054 CE. The Chalukta ruler of Vengi continued to be the vassal of the Chalukyas of Kalyana to the end of his reign. It is seen that Narayana Bhatta, a noted scholar, was resident representative of Someshvara I at Vengi and he helped Vengi’s court poet in composing a Telugu Mahabharata. In the north and west he led successful campaigns against Paramaras, Chedis, Sihararas and the Yadavas.
Bhuvanaikamalla Someshvara II, the eldest son of Someshvara I became the next sovereign in 1068 CE. During his reign he was constantly engaged in sudiung the growing power of the Vengi Chalukyas and the Cholas of deep south. Vikramaditya VI the next ruler inaugurated a new era of reckoning known as the Chalukya Vikrama-Varsha from the date of his coronation (26 February, 1077 CE). He led military expeditions into Lata and Malwa thrice in order to secure the northern frontiers of his kingdom. He sent a cordial embassy to Vijayabahu, the ruler of Sri Lanka, who was an adversary of Koluttunga I. He extended his sway in the Vengi territory. He led an expedition to Kanchi and put Kulottunga I to flight and restored Chalukyan suzerainty over Vengi. As a result many of his inscriptions have been found in the Vengidesha.
In the south the Hoysalas of Dorasamudra were becoming powerful and they were waging successful wars against the Cholas and Chalukyas. However they were forced to accept the suzerainty of the Chalukyas after being defeated at Halasuru and Hosavidu in 1122 CE. Vikramaditya Vi was a great patron of learning and
History of India-III (^) arts. Bilhana, who had migrated from Kashmir was an eminent scholar who wrote
Vikramankadevacharita and Vijnaneshvara wrote Mitakshara, a celebrated book on Hindu law. Both sang the glory of Vikramaditya Vi and his capital, Kalyana. He was succeeded by his son Someshvara II in 1127 CE. He had the epithets of Sarvajna-Bhupa and Bhulokamalla. The former appelation indicates that he was a man of deep learning. The authorship of a valuable encyclopaedic literary work called Manosollasa (also called Abhilashitartha-Chintamani ) is attributed to him. He was a peace loving ruler and did not move out of the capital much. Someshvara III was followed by his son Jagadekamalla II on the throne about 1139 CE. He was known as Perma and Tribhuvanamalla Permadideva. In his northern expeditions he was assisted by the Hoysalas. However he had to contend with the growing power of Hoysalas in south, the Kakatiyas in the east and Sevunas in the north. The Kadambas of Goa were also acting independently. However Chalukya generals were able to successfully subdue the subordinate rulers and restored the prestige of the Chalukyas. The successor of Jagadekamalla II was his younger brother Trailokvamalla Taila III. By this time the Chalukya power was on wane. His feudatories were growing in power. Kalachuri Bijjala II, who was a nephew of king Someshvara III and cousin of Jagadekamalla II was functioning as a mahamandaleshvara by this time had become very powerful. He was able to win several of the feudatories to his side and established a firm hold on the region of the Chalukyan capital itself. An epigraph of Bijjala II found at Chikkalige dated in 1157 CE does not mention the reign of Taila III at all. In another inscription of Bijjala of the same year discovered at Haveri he is described as Maharajadhiraja Bhujabala Chakravarti Kalachurya Bijjaladeva. And finally Bijjala II declared himself the monarch of the whole Chalukyan kingdom in 1162 CE. The Kalachuri interregnum lasted for 22 years (116201184 CE). Someshvara Iv who had been declared king by his father Taila III but who had to flee due to unfavourable circumstances resumed power once again and resurrected the Chalukya power. Banavasi became the chief seat of Chalukya Someshvara IV and only a few parts of the Varada was under his sway in 1183-84. By about 1200 CE, the Chalukyan power faded out in this region and Karnataka became an arena of struggle for power mainly between the Sevunas of Devagiri and Hoysalas of Dorasamudra.
4.7 CULTURE UNDER THE CHALUKYAS OF
KALYANA
The Chalukya empire saw the flourisging trading activities of many guils. The most notreworthy was the guild of Ayyavole 500. It originated at Aihole, the capital of the Chalukyas of Badami and spread its activities on the whole of south India by the time of the Chalukyas of Kalyana. They participated in the giving of land grants and in some of these grants the rioyal power was one of the donors. They had close assoiation with the ruling kings and helped in the construction of many temples. Other guilds were Nanadesi and Veera Bananju.
The building activity initiated by the Chalukyas of Badami were developed even more by the Chalukyas of Kalyana. Narayanapur, Shivapur, Jalasangi and Mailara (present Khanapur) are some of the places in Bijapur where their temples have
History of India-III (^) Self Check Exercise 3
- Describe the military aqchievements of the Chalukyan kings.
- Write a note on the culture under the Chalukyas of Kalyana.
4.8 SUMMARY
The Cholas re-emerged on the scene as the most powerful polity in the Tamil macro-region with the nucleus of their activities in the Kaveri delta. The practice of land grants intensified during this time. In this Unit we became familiar with some of the terms that occur in the inscriptions such as nattar, brahmadeya, pallichandam, devadana etc. We also studied their sifnificance in the institutional framework of the agrarian economy. The chief characteristics of nadu, ur and nagram were also taken into consideration. Later in the Unit we studied the military exploits of the Chalukyas of Kalyana. Under their reign and subsequently under the Kalachuries, many cultural achievements were attained. The Virashaiva movement which came into existence during the Kalachuri interregnum, attacked the caste system and promoted equality. It attracted followers from far and wide.
4.9 KEY WORDS
Ur : a south Indian village
Nadu : a locality consisting of many settlements, in early medieval south India
Nagaram : market or commercial centre in early medieval south Induia Nagarattar : the corporate organization of the nagaram.
Nattar : leading men of the nadu in early medieval south India Mandapika : a local entre of exchange, in between small periodic markets and larger trade entres.
4.10 ANSWERS TO CHECK YOUR PROGRESS
EXERCISES
Check Your Progress Exercise 1
- See Section 4.
- See Section 4.2.
Check Your Progress Exercise 2
- See Section 4.
- See Section 4.
- See Section 4.
- See Section 4.
The Political Scenario III— Cholas and Chalukyas
Check Your Progress Exercise 3
- See Section 4.
- See Section 4.
4.11 SUGGESTED READINGS
Bidar District Gazeteer 1977.
Sastri, Nilakantha K. A. (1958) A History of South India from prehistoric times to the fall of Vijayanagar. Oxford University Press.
Sastri, Nilakantha K. A. (1975). The Colas. Madras: University of Madras Press.
