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Mudigonda Chalukyas

The Mudigonda Chalukyas (c. 845 CE - 1200 CE), also known as the Bottu Chiefs in their later phase, were a minor but significant Chalukya dynasty that ruled a strategic region in modern-day Khammam district and eastern Warangal, Telangana, between the 8th and 12th centuries. They hailed from the village of Mudigonda, which served as their initial capital.  The Mudigonda Chalukyas are distinguished in history for their exceptional political endurance, serving as feudatories across five centuries to nearly every major Deccan empire. Their period of subordinate rule began when they accepted the suzerainty of the Badami Chalukyas after Pulakeshin II's conquest of the eastern Deccan in 611 CE. Demonstrating remarkable political adaptability, they subsequently transferred their allegiance seamlessly through the rise and fall of empires: first to the Eastern Chalukyas of Vengi, then to the Rashtrakutas, later to the Western Chalukyas of Kalyani, and ultimately to the Kakatiyas. This abili...
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Alampur Inscriptions of Badami Chalukyas

Alampur Inscription - Arka Brahma Temple Dynasty: Western Chalukyas of Badami King: Vikramaditya I Date: 7th Century A.D. Language: Sanskrit Engraved on a pillar in the Arka Brahma temple. It records the installation of a Linga in the temple of Mahadeva by the queen Mahadevi. Registers a gift of land (50 nivartanas) in the village of Vaddamanu to the Brahmana Pishti Sarma of Bharadvaja gotra. Alampur Inscription - Svarga Brahma Temple Dynasty: Western Chalukyas of Badami King: Vinayaditya Official: Lokaditya Ela-Arasa Found above the Dwarapalaka image. It brings to light Lokaditya, a son of Vinayaditya and brother of Vijayaditya, styled as 'Yuvaraja'. It records the construction of the temple (devakula) by Lokaditya in memory of the emperor's queen. Alampur Inscription - Prakara Bandha Dynasty: Western Chalukyas King: Vijayaditya Date: A.D. 704 (Sa...

Gadwal Copper Plates of Badami Chalukya Vikramaditya I

The Gadwal Copper Plates: A Chalukya Decree from 674 CE 📍 Discovery: Gadwal, Jogulamba Gadwal. 👑 King: Vikramaditya I of the Western Chalukyas of Badami. 🗓️ Date: 25th April 674 CE (Full moon of Vaisakha, 20th regnal year). 📜 Language/Script: Sanskrit, in Telugu-Kannada script. 🏛️ The Artifact Three copper plates, strung on a ring, sealed with a running boar (Varaha) emblem. Weight: 160 tolas. Excellent preservation. ⚔️ The Historical Punch Issued from Uragapura on the banks of the Kaveri River , during a military campaign in the Chola province. The inscription boasts of Vikramaditya I's victories: ✅ Defeat of the Pallava kings Narasimhavarman I, Mahendravarman II & Paramesvaravarman I. ✅ Capture of Kanchi (Kanchipuram), the Pallava capital. ✅ Titles claimed: Anivarita (Unopposed), Rajamalla (Kings' Wrestler). 🎁 The Grant Requested by: Queen Ganga-Mahadevi . Given to: Three Brahmins (Kanha Sarman, Padammasvamin, Konnasarman). Gift: 5...

Kollapur Copper Plates of Chalukya Vikramaditya I

Kollapur Plates of Vikramaditya I 7th Century Chalukyan Copper Plate Inscription A.D. 672 17th Regnal Year Location & Provenance Modern District: Nagarkurnool, Telangana Old Region: Kottatta-sima Discovery: Copper Plate Inscription Historical Context Dynasty: Chalukyas of Badami Language: Sanskrit Script: Telugu-Kannada Alphabet Genealogy (Prasasti) The record traces the royal lineage from the great-grandfather Pulakesin I through Kirtivarman I and Pulakesin II. The family belongs to the Manavyasa-gotra and are descendants of Hariti. Pulakesin I (Polikesi) Performed the Asvamedha sacrifice and purified himself with the Avabhritha-snana . Established the Chalukya dynasty's sovereignty. Kirtivarman I The Prithvi-Vallabha Maharaja who conquered Vanavasi and ex...

Amudalapadu Inscription of Badami Chalukya Vikramaditya I

Vikramaditya I: Amudalapadu Grant Date: 30th April A.D. 660 (Vaisakha Purnima) Dynasty: Western Chalukya Language: Sanskrit Script: Old Telugu-Kannada Vanguruvati vishaya Historical Profile: Amudalapadu 4 Copper Plates Varaha (Boar) Seal Weight: 91.5 Tolas Find-spot near Alampur; Year 5 of Vikramaditya I. Primary Significance: Records the Sivamandaladiksha (Saivite initiation) of the King, performed by Sudarsanacharya . This marks the formal royal patronage of Saivism in the Badami line. The Preceptor's Gift: The village Iparumkal was given as guru-dakshina . The grant was distributed among 27 Brahmanas, including Rudrasivacharya . The Royal Camp & Context While camping at Marrura , King Anivarita-Vikramaditya (Vikramaditya I) restored endowments to gods and Brahmans that had been confiscated dur...

Vishnukundin Tummalagudem Inscriptions

The Vishnukundi Chronicles: Indrapura & Sakrapura A Comprehensive Reconstruction from the Tummalagudem Inscriptions 📍 Location & Chronology Findspot: Tummalagudem, Ramannapeta Taluk, Yadadri Bhuvanagiri, Telangana. Ancient Capital: Indrapura (Sakrapura) / Indrapalagutta. Language/Script: Sanskrit in "Southern Characters." 📜 The Sacred Edicts Inscription Set I: Year 37 of Govindavarman Issued on Vaisakha Purnima by Govindavarman. Beneficiary: The Arya-Sangha of the four quarters. The Vihara: Built by the Chief Queen Parama-mahadevi . The Gift: Villages of Ermadala and Penkaparu given for food, lamps, incense, and medicine for the monks. Inscription Set II: Saka 488 Issued from Sakrapura by Vikramendravarman II. The Event: Issued immediately after return from a military campaign against the Pallavas. The Gift: Vill...

Phanigiri or Dharmachakrapuram of Ikshvakus

Phanigiri: The Final Records of the Ikshvakus Dynasty: Ikshvaku | Location: Tirumalagiri, Suryapet I. The 3rd Century Foundation Source: Indian Archaeology 2010-2011 (Page 117) Excavations at Phanigiri (historically known as Dharmachakrapuram ) have yielded a fragmentary Prakrit record in Brahmi characters. Dating to the reign of Chamtamula Maharaja , the text mentions Siritagissa and concludes with the date: divasam 6 (Day 6). II. Administration and Sacred Works A limestone slab found at the site refers to the Navakaammika (Superintendent of Works). This official oversaw the construction of the Stupa and monastic structures on the "Hill of the Snake Hood." While historically part of Nalgonda, the site is now situated in the Tirumalagiri Mandal of the modern Suryapet District , Telangana. ...