Somesvara I
Encyclopedia
Somesvara I (1042–1068) succeeded his father Jayasimha II
as the Western Chalukya king. He was one of the greatest kings of the later Chalukya Dynasty
. In spite of many reverses he managed to safeguard the integrity of the Chalukya kingdom. He founded the city of Kalyani, present day Basavakalyana and moved his kingdom to that location. He had great faith in himself and managed to impart that to his many generals and feudatories. He patronized Kannada scholar Shridharacharya who wrote Jatakatilaka, a work on astrology and Chandraprabhacharite. One of his queens was Hoysala Devi, a Hoysala princess.
and made Somesvara's son Vikramaditya (the later Vikramaditya VI
) and Vijayaditya retreat in disorder. Rajadhiraja then entered the Western Chalukya territories and sacked the fort at Kollipakkai (in present day Andhra Pradesh). Rajadhiraja thus enabled the Eastern Chalukya Rajaraja Narendra
to get some respite.
Rajadhiraja continued his campaign on the western front and in several battles defeated the Chalukya army, demolished the Chalukya palace in the city of Kampili, in present day Bellary district. The victorious Chola army planted a victory pillar at Yedagiri. After more fighting, the Chalukya capital Kalyani itself was occupied in 1045. Rajadhiraja celebrated a coronation ceremony for anointment of war heroes at Kalyani
, the Chalukya capital and assumed the title of Virarajendra and Vijayarajendra Deva.
and made Rajaraja Narendra
to acknowledge this suzerainty. He also made a counter invasion into the Chola territories and raided Kanchipuram
. But the Chalukya forces were driven back by the Chola commanders protecting Kanchipuram
and for the Chalukyas it was nothing more than a dash, ending with them being chased into Chalukya country by Rajadhiraja Chola I's army.
. In a hot contested battle, Rajadhiraja was killed. His younger brother Rajendra Chola II
immediately took command of the Chola forces and defeated the Chalukya forces and made them retreat after killing Somesvara's brother Jayasimha. A number of generals were killed in the battle and the Cholas captured great treasure and some of Somesvara's queens. However, other sources indicate a Chalukya victory and the construction of a temple in Annigeri, Dharwad district
in celebration.
died. Somesvara supported Saktivarman II, the son of Vijayaditya to the Vengi throne and sent one of his generals into Vengi to assist Saktivarman. He also sent his sons, Vikramaditya and Jayasimha into the Gangavadi territories of the Cholas. Rajendra II sent two armies to the north, one to Vengi and the other into the Gangavadi. Saktivarman and the Chalukya generals were killed the Chalukyas driven out of the Vengi kingdom. In the west, the Chalukya invaders in Gangavadi were driven back and defeated at the battle of Kudalasangama in 1064 (where the river Malaprabha meets Krishna river). Thus Somesvara's attempts at avenging the failure at Koppam were unsuccessful.
died in 1063 and his brother Virarajendra Chola
became the Chola king. Virarajendra was occupied with other problems and so did not press any campaigns against the Chalukyas. But Somesvara knew that an attack would be imminent and made preparations for battle on both the eastern and the western fronts. On the east he counted on the help of the his Eastern Ganga
feudatory. In the west he sent Vikramaditya VI
into the Chola territories.
After initial reversals in which Vikramaditya plundered Gangaikondacholapuram, Virarajendra counter attacked in 1066 and the Chalukya forces again suffered defeat on the western front. But Somesvara soon reorganised and sent a message to the Chola for a battle at a specified spot on a specific day. The Chola monarch accepted this challenge and took his troops to the assigned spot. However Somesvara did not turn up. The reasons for this are not clear. It has been speculated that Somesvara was indisposed and so could not take the field. After waiting for a month, Virarajendra attacked and defeated the demoralised Chalukya forces. He then proceeded to the east and met the Chalukya forces near Vijayawada
which ended in heavy defeat for the Chalukyas.
Bhillama III, Paramara
Bhoja of Dhara and Chaulukyas of Gujarat around 1051. Bhoja attempted to align with the Kalachuri
, but this did not help him against Somesvara I who plundered Dhara, Ujjaini and Mandapa
. The Chindaka Nagas of Bastar in central India were defeated by Chalukya feudatory Kakatiya dynasty Prolla.
region under his control practically throughout his reign. Throughout his rule he had the upper hand over Konkan
, Gujarat, Malwa and even Kalinga
.
Somesvara I was succeeded by his eldest son Somesvara II
.
Jayasimha II
Jayasimha II , also known by the titles Jagadekhamalla and Mallikamoda, succeeded his brother Vikramaditya V on the Western Chalukya throne. Jayasimha had to fight on many fronts to protect his kingdom...
as the Western Chalukya king. He was one of the greatest kings of the later Chalukya Dynasty
Chalukya dynasty
The Chalukya dynasty was an Indian royal dynasty that ruled large parts of southern and central India between the 6th and the 12th centuries. During this period, they ruled as three related yet individual dynasties. The earliest dynasty, known as the "Badami Chalukyas", ruled from Vatapi from the...
. In spite of many reverses he managed to safeguard the integrity of the Chalukya kingdom. He founded the city of Kalyani, present day Basavakalyana and moved his kingdom to that location. He had great faith in himself and managed to impart that to his many generals and feudatories. He patronized Kannada scholar Shridharacharya who wrote Jatakatilaka, a work on astrology and Chandraprabhacharite. One of his queens was Hoysala Devi, a Hoysala princess.
Chola invasion
Rajadhiraja Chola I became the Chola king in 1042 and immediately sought to restore Chola power in Vengi. He personally led a force to the Vengi kingdom and defeated the occupying Western Chalukya forces there at the battle of Dannada on the Krishna RiverKrishna River
The Krishna River , is one of the longest rivers in central-southern India, about . It is also referred to as Krishnaveni in its original nomenclature...
and made Somesvara's son Vikramaditya (the later Vikramaditya VI
Vikramaditya VI
Vikramaditya VI became the Western Chalukya King after deposing his elder brother Somesvara II. Vikramaditya's reign is marked by the start of the Chalukya-Vikrama era. Vikramaditya VI was the greatest of the Western Chalukya kings and had the longest reign in the dynasty. He earned the title...
) and Vijayaditya retreat in disorder. Rajadhiraja then entered the Western Chalukya territories and sacked the fort at Kollipakkai (in present day Andhra Pradesh). Rajadhiraja thus enabled the Eastern Chalukya Rajaraja Narendra
Rajaraja Narendra
Rajaraja Narendra was the Eastern Chalukya king of the Vengi kingdom in South India. Rajaraja was related to the Cholas of Tanjavur by marital and political links. Rajaraja Narendra established the city Rajahmahendravaram. His period was famous for the Social and Cultural heritage...
to get some respite.
Rajadhiraja continued his campaign on the western front and in several battles defeated the Chalukya army, demolished the Chalukya palace in the city of Kampili, in present day Bellary district. The victorious Chola army planted a victory pillar at Yedagiri. After more fighting, the Chalukya capital Kalyani itself was occupied in 1045. Rajadhiraja celebrated a coronation ceremony for anointment of war heroes at Kalyani
Basavakalyan
Basavakalyan is a town in Bidar District of the state of Karnataka, India, and was historically known as Kalyan.-History:Basavakalyan's history dates back to 3000 years with its name being mentioned in Guru Charitra....
, the Chalukya capital and assumed the title of Virarajendra and Vijayarajendra Deva.
Chalukya counter attack
The Chola occupation was however short lived. Somesvara managed to defeat and drive the Chola forces out of the Chalukya territories by 1050 . He also managed to revive his influence in VengiVengi
The Vengi kingdom extended from the Godavari River in the north to Mount Mahendragiri in the southeast and to just south of the banks of River Krishna in the south of India. This area was part of Kalinga until that kingdom was conquered by Emperor Ashoka of the Mauryan Empire in the mid 3rd century...
and made Rajaraja Narendra
Rajaraja Narendra
Rajaraja Narendra was the Eastern Chalukya king of the Vengi kingdom in South India. Rajaraja was related to the Cholas of Tanjavur by marital and political links. Rajaraja Narendra established the city Rajahmahendravaram. His period was famous for the Social and Cultural heritage...
to acknowledge this suzerainty. He also made a counter invasion into the Chola territories and raided Kanchipuram
Kanchipuram
Kanchipuram, or Kanchi, is a temple city and a municipality in Kanchipuram district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is a temple town and the headquarters of Kanchipuram district...
. But the Chalukya forces were driven back by the Chola commanders protecting Kanchipuram
Kanchipuram
Kanchipuram, or Kanchi, is a temple city and a municipality in Kanchipuram district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is a temple town and the headquarters of Kanchipuram district...
and for the Chalukyas it was nothing more than a dash, ending with them being chased into Chalukya country by Rajadhiraja Chola I's army.
Battle of Koppam
Rajadhiraja, in response to these aggressions by Somesvara led another expedition into the Chalukya territories in 1054. The two forces met at Koppam on the Krishna RiverKrishna River
The Krishna River , is one of the longest rivers in central-southern India, about . It is also referred to as Krishnaveni in its original nomenclature...
. In a hot contested battle, Rajadhiraja was killed. His younger brother Rajendra Chola II
Rajendra Chola II
Rajendra Chola II reigned as the Chola king succeeding his elder brother brother Rajadhiraja Chola. He is best remembered for his role in the battle of Koppam alongside his elder brother where he dramatically turned the tables on the Chalukyan King Somesvara I.- Koppam Battle :The Chola forces were...
immediately took command of the Chola forces and defeated the Chalukya forces and made them retreat after killing Somesvara's brother Jayasimha. A number of generals were killed in the battle and the Cholas captured great treasure and some of Somesvara's queens. However, other sources indicate a Chalukya victory and the construction of a temple in Annigeri, Dharwad district
Dharwad District
Dharwad District is an administrative district of the state of Karnataka in southern India. Dharwad is the cultural headquarters of North Karnataka....
in celebration.
Renewed battle in Vengi
Anxious to wipe out the disgrace at Koppam, Somesvara soon renewed the war. He again involved in the succession politics of Vengi when Rajaraja NarendraRajaraja Narendra
Rajaraja Narendra was the Eastern Chalukya king of the Vengi kingdom in South India. Rajaraja was related to the Cholas of Tanjavur by marital and political links. Rajaraja Narendra established the city Rajahmahendravaram. His period was famous for the Social and Cultural heritage...
died. Somesvara supported Saktivarman II, the son of Vijayaditya to the Vengi throne and sent one of his generals into Vengi to assist Saktivarman. He also sent his sons, Vikramaditya and Jayasimha into the Gangavadi territories of the Cholas. Rajendra II sent two armies to the north, one to Vengi and the other into the Gangavadi. Saktivarman and the Chalukya generals were killed the Chalukyas driven out of the Vengi kingdom. In the west, the Chalukya invaders in Gangavadi were driven back and defeated at the battle of Kudalasangama in 1064 (where the river Malaprabha meets Krishna river). Thus Somesvara's attempts at avenging the failure at Koppam were unsuccessful.
Final battle
Rajendra Chola IIRajendra Chola II
Rajendra Chola II reigned as the Chola king succeeding his elder brother brother Rajadhiraja Chola. He is best remembered for his role in the battle of Koppam alongside his elder brother where he dramatically turned the tables on the Chalukyan King Somesvara I.- Koppam Battle :The Chola forces were...
died in 1063 and his brother Virarajendra Chola
Virarajendra Chola
Virarajendra Chola was one of the most under-rated Chola kings, mainly because a major part of his life was spent in the apprenticeship of his two elder brothers Rajadhirajan Chola I and Rajendra Chola-II, who along with Virarajendra Chola himself were the illustrious sons of their Chakravarti...
became the Chola king. Virarajendra was occupied with other problems and so did not press any campaigns against the Chalukyas. But Somesvara knew that an attack would be imminent and made preparations for battle on both the eastern and the western fronts. On the east he counted on the help of the his Eastern Ganga
Gangas
The Western Ganga Dynasty was an important ruling dynasty of ancient Karnataka in India. They are known as Western Gangas to distinguish them from the Eastern Gangas who in later centuries ruled over modern Orissa...
feudatory. In the west he sent Vikramaditya VI
Vikramaditya
Vikramaditya was a legendary emperor of Ujjain, India, famed for his wisdom, valour and magnanimity. The title "Vikramaditya" was later assumed by many other kings in Indian history, notably the Gupta King Chandragupta II and Samrat Hem Chandra Vikramaditya .The name King Vikramaditya is a...
into the Chola territories.
After initial reversals in which Vikramaditya plundered Gangaikondacholapuram, Virarajendra counter attacked in 1066 and the Chalukya forces again suffered defeat on the western front. But Somesvara soon reorganised and sent a message to the Chola for a battle at a specified spot on a specific day. The Chola monarch accepted this challenge and took his troops to the assigned spot. However Somesvara did not turn up. The reasons for this are not clear. It has been speculated that Somesvara was indisposed and so could not take the field. After waiting for a month, Virarajendra attacked and defeated the demoralised Chalukya forces. He then proceeded to the east and met the Chalukya forces near Vijayawada
Vijayawada
Vijayawada is the third largest city in Andhra Pradesh, India, located on the banks of the Krishna River and bounded by the Indrakiladri Hills on the West and the Budameru River on the North. The city is located in the Krishna District, about from the state capital Hyderabad.Vijayawada literally...
which ended in heavy defeat for the Chalukyas.
Wars in the north
During this time of constant conflict with the Cholas, Somesvara I dealt successfully with the Shilaharas of North Konkan, SeunaSeuna
The Seuna, Sevuna or Yadavas of Devagiri was an Indian dynasty, which at its peak ruled a kingdom stretching from the Tungabhadra to the Narmada rivers, including present-day Maharashtra, north Karnataka and parts of Madhya Pradesh, from its capital at Devagiri...
Bhillama III, Paramara
Paramara
Paramara is a Maratha, Gurjar,& Rajput clan of India.The Paramara clan belongs to the Agnivansha of Rajputs ancient Kshatriyas...
Bhoja of Dhara and Chaulukyas of Gujarat around 1051. Bhoja attempted to align with the Kalachuri
Kalachuri
Kalachuri Empire is this the name used by two kingdoms who had a succession of dynasties from the 10th-12th centuries, one ruling over areas in Central India and were called Chedi or Haihaya and the other southern Kalachuri who ruled over parts of Karnataka...
, but this did not help him against Somesvara I who plundered Dhara, Ujjaini and Mandapa
Mandapa
A mandapa in Indian architecture is a pillared outdoor hall or pavilion for public rituals.-Temple architecture:...
. The Chindaka Nagas of Bastar in central India were defeated by Chalukya feudatory Kakatiya dynasty Prolla.
Somesvara's death
Unable to endure the illness he suffered from, Somesvara committed suicide by drowning himself in the Tungabhadra at Kuruvatti on 29 March 1068. Thus departed one of the greatest Chalukya rulers. He managed to keep the VengiVengi
The Vengi kingdom extended from the Godavari River in the north to Mount Mahendragiri in the southeast and to just south of the banks of River Krishna in the south of India. This area was part of Kalinga until that kingdom was conquered by Emperor Ashoka of the Mauryan Empire in the mid 3rd century...
region under his control practically throughout his reign. Throughout his rule he had the upper hand over Konkan
Konkan
The Konkan also called the Konkan Coast or Karavali is a rugged section of the western coastline of India from Raigad to Mangalore...
, Gujarat, Malwa and even Kalinga
Kalinga
Kalinga is a landlocked province of the Philippines in the Cordillera Administrative Region in Luzon. Its capital is Tabuk and borders Mountain Province to the south, Abra to the west, Isabela to the east, Cagayan to the northeast, and Apayao to the north...
.
Somesvara I was succeeded by his eldest son Somesvara II
Somesvara II
Somesvara II who was administering the area around Gadag succeeded his father Somesvara I as the Western Chalukya king. He was the eldest son of Somesvara I. During his reign Somesvara II was constantly under threat from his more ambitious younger brother Vikramaditya VI...
.