Chalukya dynasty originated in the Western part of

Deccan during VI century CE

Possibly Chalukya Vallavesvara (Pulakesin I) asserted his
independence from the Kadamba dynasty.
Chalukyas and their collateral branches (Vengi in Andhra
country; Lata in Gujarat and the later Kalyani Chalukya
dynasty) continued to dominate the whole of Deccan till
the eleventh century CE.

Great Pulakesin II was the first ruler of this dynasty who went on an expeditionary tour
for the conquest of eastern Deccan (mainly coastal Andhra) wresting Vengi from the
hands of Visnukundins, after his famous victory over Harsha.
Subsequently he came into conflict with the Pallavas (Mahendravarman I the reigning
king.
Afterwards this became the most persistent line of conflict in the south Indian history
for almost a millennium.
The consequetive kingdoms/empires set up in the present Maharashtra/ Karnataka
region were ranged up against the kingdoms located in the Tamil country.
Vatapi Chalukyas were ranged up against the Pallavas of Kanchi with the Pandyas of
Madurai playing the role of important second fiddle.
Rashtrakutas replaced the V. Chalukyas by the middle of the Eighth Century
(Kirtivarman II, the last ruler defeated by Dantidurga) who continued this conflict
with the Pallavas and later the Cholas who had replaced the Pallavas by the end of
the ninth century CE.
By the late Tenth Century the Rashtrakutas in turn were replaced by another
Chalukya dynasty who traced their lineage from the Vatapi Chalukyas; they
continued the rivalry with the Cholas till the end of their existence.
 This dominant theme of the continuous enmity and continuous war preparedness
shaped the nature of the polity of the region to a large extent.
In addition Deccan on the west is dominated by Karnataka plateau and on the east by
the Andhra plateau. Geographic features provide limited economic opportunities and had
limited population.
These together did not allow the growth of a very centralized polity. Rather it was a
loose confederation of semi autonomous regions which characterized the Chalukya polity
in contrast to the Chola polity with the Kaveri delta being the core of its power.
The minor/locally powerful chieftaincies situated in the interstices of larger state
systems in the Mysore country and Andhradesa mingled, took sides/ shifted allies
according to the vicissitudes of the political fortunes.
Western Ganga ruler Durvinita played a significant role in placing Vikramaditya I on
the Vatapi Chalukya throne after the confusion resulting from the Pallava invasion,
demise of Pulakesin II.
King and the Monarchical
government
The mainline and the collateral branches of the Chalukyas
followed a monarchical form of government with the king
personally attending to the details of the administration
as well as war.
Succession was generally through primogeniture barring a
few exceptions (Pulakesin II had to wrest power from
Mangalesha who usurped power; Kalyani Chalukyas also
saw similar such exceptions) though they were few and
far between.
Self Image of the King as reflected through royal titles.
Founder of the Chalukya power, Pulakesin I adopted the title Satyasraya Sri Prithivi
Vallabha Maharaja.
Pulakesin II added the epithet Parameshvara after successfully resisting
Harshavardhana.
Vikramaditya I, the successor added higher titles of paramountcy
Maharajadhiraja and Bhattaraka. Thus the title became Satyasraya Sri
Prithivivallabha Maharajadhiraja Paramesvara Bhattaraka.
Kalyani Chalukya kings perceived themselves as the successors of the Vatapi
Chalukya mantle. They added further to the bedrock of Chalukya imperial epithet.
Thus the full style of the imperial epithet became Samasta Bhuvanasraya (asylum
of the whole world) Shri Prithivi vallabha (beloved of the Goddess of prosperity and
Earth) Maharajadhiraja (great king of the kings) Paramesvara (supreme lord)
Paramabhattaraka (great lord) Satyasrayakulatilaka ( tilaka of the Satyasraya
dynasty) Chalukyabharana Shrimat (ornament of the Chalukyas).
This set pattern was then prefixed to the distinctive title of the particular king with
the suffix Malla (wrestler) e.g. Someshvara Ahavamalla (Wrestler in war) during the
time of Kalyani Chaukyas.
Royal Coronation, Yuvaraja etc.
Royal coronation (abhisheka) took place at Kisuvolal. The practice continued during
the time of Kalyani Chalukyas. The place was described as Vira Simhasana. The
modern name is Pattadakkal (coronation stone).
Vatapi Chalukyas installed the heir apparent as yuvaraja as he attained the age.
Vikramaditya I associated his son and grand son in practical administration.
Kirtivarman II was also given practical hands on job training by his father
Vikramaditya II.
Kalyani Chalukyas instituted the practice of putting the yuvaraja in charge of
Belvola 300 and Purigere 300 (sometimes described as eradarunuru (600).
They were given a distinctive investiture symbol kanthika a practice which
possibly started with Rashtrakutas.
Sometimes in absence of a qualified prince the title of yuvaraja was temporarily
conferred upon some trusted officials.
Family members fission collateral branches
Other family members were entrusted with the responsibility of administering
important divisions when Pulakesin II went in his expeditionary spree in Eastern
Deccan, his younger brother Kubja Visnuvardhana was left in charge of the capital.
When Pulakesin returned back, Visnuvarshana was sent to Vengi as the viceroy and
founded the collateral branch of Vengi/Eastern Chalukyas.
Another collateral branch was the Lata Chalukyas in Gujarat.
Queens and princesses were also sometimes playing public roles.
Royal Orders
The king either listened to petitions or gave orders expressed by the term
Rajashravitam which could have meant reported to the king as much as
proclaimed by him corresponding to the Tamil term Tiruvaykkelvi (heard from the
sacred mouth).
The oral orders were taken down by the royal secretaries holding the title
Sandhivigrahi (Ravikkirti of the Aihole prashasti fame)
In the Rayagad plates we come across four generations of such royal secretaries
belonging to Punyavallavha family Shri Rama, Niravadya, Anivarita and
Dhananjaya who wrote important orders/inscriptions for the successive Vatapi
Chalukya kings.
Royal ministers; ministerial portfolios
King was ably assisted by competent and trustworthy group of ministers both in the
council chambers as well as battlefields.
However there were neither regularly constituted council of ministers, nor regular
distribution of portfolios.
An inscription of Somesvara III mentions following officers/ministers present during
the time of a donation.
Mahaprashana (Chiefminister), Antahpuradhyaksha (superintendent of royal Harem),
Karituragasahanavergadde (mister of the elephant and cavalry corps), Srikaranam (chief
accountant) , Herisandhivigrahi (senior foreign minister), Pasapita (master of royal robes),
Senadhipati (general) , Maneverggade (palace controller/chamberlain), Hadapadava
(bearer of the betel pouch), Rajadhyaksha (kings representative present when
Mahajanas of villages gifted some land, Dandanayaka (Master of the staff, Commanding
officer)
Administration of the empire was becoming more complex every passing day, offices
multiplied greatly during the time of Kalyani Chalukyas
Able and experienced ministers were allowed to hold many offices simultaneously (The
position of , Maneverggade and bhanasa vergade (royal steward/chef, bhanasa literally
meant kitchen) were held together by Anantapala for many years under Vikramaditya V
and his successors.
Royal ministers; ministerial portfolios
Mahaprashana (Chiefminister)- denoting seniority, denoting him as trusted
councillor.
Antahpuradhyaksha (superintendent of royal Harem) position generally held by
prominent generals and statesmen, nature of the duty is not very clear.
sandhivigrahi (foreign minister) entrusted with conducting diplomatic
negotiations; not only concerned with relations with foreign powers but possibly
handled relations with ancient ruling lineages within the realm.
According to the contemporary literary text Manasollasa it required a sandhivigrahika to
be acquainted with many languages and scripts, he should have outstanding tact and skill
to deal with samantas and mandalesvaras expert in diplomacy and finance.
The empire was divided into spheres Lata/Lala (north) and Karnataka (south). We hear
about Kannada sandhivigrahi and Lala sandhivigrahi. The adjective heri suffixed to
sandhivigrahika possibly denoted seniority
The most distinguised officers/ministers held several portfolios simultaneously or in
succession (not clear from the inscriptions). In a record from Soratur during the reign of
Somesvara II (1071 CE) Baladevayya was bestowed with the epithets shriman
mahapradhanam heresandhivigrahi senadhipati kaditavergadde dandanayaka. Earlier in
the same inscription he was described as kuntaladhisha hitopodesa dhurandhara.
foremost in offering wholesome advice to the Lord of Kuntala country.
Royal ministers; ministerial portfolios
Kadita vergadde , karanam was there in constant attendance on the emperor in
public business made notes of his royal orders and later put them in proper
shape/form for official action.
Dharmadhikari - From Gadag inscription of Vikramaditya VI we come to know
about Mahapradhanam Dandanayakam Shrimad Ayyamgalu Somesvara
Bhattopadhyaya he was an erudite scholar master of all branches of learning
both sacred and secular (vaidika and laukika); Vikramaditya made him
Dharmadhikari and placed all his material resources (samastasampada) at his
disposal; king raised his hands in salutation (anjali) and royal ladies revered him as
guru; it seems the title denoted chief superintendent of religious affairs.
Kings honoured these high officials by bestowing certain symbols of privileges on
them Vikramaditya conferred upon Kesava Gavuna of Goduva family of Pottiyur
(Hottur) his own titles Chalukya Ganga Vermadi and allowed him to use/carry
white umbrella, double chauris of gold, the flag/ensign of his own, war drum,
parasol of peacock feathers and other insignias.
Army
Somadevasuri gives a description of a military review of the Deccani army in his
Yashatilaka Champu.
The title sahavasigal adhisthayaka appears in two inscriptions. The term has been
interpreted by some epigraphists as regulators of companion sahavasi indeed
meant companion a select band of devoted soldiers who were ready to lay down
their lives in the service of the monarch.
Feudatories
The Chalukya state was not highly centralized or unitary; the conquered rulers,
members of ancient lineages were allowed to continue ruling their respective
domains as vassals.
During the time of Kalyani Chalukya rule the extensive empire was divided into
many provinces governed by feudatory chiefs styled as Mahamandalesvaras.
Silahaharas were ruling over Southern Konkan (Ratnagiri), northern Konkan
(Kolhapur and Karad (southern part of Satara and extreme north Belgaum); Rattas
ruling over Kundi 3000 (Saundati and Belgaum); Kadambas of Hanagal (Dharwar);
Sindhas of Yelburga (Bijapur and Dharwar and northern Bellary); Hoyasalas (greater
portion of Hassan and Kadur)
Even powerful monarch like Vijayaditya VI found it tough to control Hoysala
Mahamandalesvara.
Once Hoysala Mahamandalesvara Vishnuvardhana invaded Ucchangi and Belvola. It
was only timely intervention of another Mahamandelesvara Sindha chief Acchugi II
which saved the day for Kalyani Chalukyas. They ultimately succumbed under the
pressure of increasingly assertive Mahamandalesvaras.
Feudatories
Pampa, the great Kannada poet in his Vikramarjuna Vijaya started the prashasti
about feudatory chiefs with the phrase Samasdhigata Pancha Mahasabda; the
chiefs were also ruling from Nelevidus (Capital)
The only difference in the formulae employed to describe them lies in the
ommission of the particular phrase uttarottarabhivriddhi pravardhamanam
accndrarkkataram varam saluttam ire indicating increasing prosperity and
permanence of rule which occurred in imperial records.
Turning to provincial and local administration..
Different terms - Rashtra, vishaya were used to denote such administrative units
(Banarajavishaya etc.)
Most common territorial divisions were known as rashtra, vishaya, nadu they were
larger/major territorial divisions though vishaya and nadu sometimes were
distinguished as divisions smaller than rashtra.
Below the nadu was its subdivision Kampana. Thana was another minor territorial
division possibly thana was more nearly a fiscal division than a territorial unit.
A peculiar tradition of numerical denominations attached to provincial units prevalent in
Kalyani Chalukya realm. Possibly the practice came into vogue under the Rashtrakutas.
Nadarasa (arasa ruler) generally defrayed the administration while Nalgavunda was in
charge of charge of collecting dues.
Possibly a small police force was stationed in every village with a talari at the head;
There were also cavalry troops at the disposal of the local government but in case of any
emergency the ordinary inhabitants themselves were ready to meet the situation.
Herostones/Memorial stones were raised in the memory of the heroes fallen dead in
such situations.