Context

Graves of Chalukyan rulers have been found in a village near Huligemmanakolla in Pattadakal of Karnataka’s district.

About

• The discovery was made by explorer Manjunath Sullolliwho says that the place has graves of the family members of Chalukyan rulers.
• There are 11 small temple-like structures in Huligemmanakolla that are believed to be the final resting place of the royal family.
• Chalukyan kings were famous for building gigantic temples with intricate architecture in places such as Aihole, Badami, and Pattadakal in Bagalkot
• Built between the sixth and eighth centuries, these monuments are examples of the best of the architecture of that era in entire South India.
• Though the Chalukyan kings built marvelous monuments and temples, there are no clear details available of the places where they lived.
• Neither they have left behind documents nor evidence of their graves; therefore, explorers are still searching for their graves.

Chaulakyas

• The Chalukya dynasty was established by Pulakeshin I in 543 AD. Pulakeshin I took Vatapi (modern Badami in Bagalkot district, Karnataka) under his control and made it his capital.
• Pulakeshin I and his descendants are referred to as "Chalukyas of Badami". 
• Pulakeshin II, the most famous ruler, extended the Chalukya Empire up to the northern extents of the Pallava kingdom and halted the southward march of Harsha, belonging to Pushyabhuti dynasty by defeating him on the banks of the river Narmada.

Architecture

Their style of architecture is called "Chalukyan architecture", "Karnata Dravida architecture" or the “Vesara Style” of architecture, which is the fusion between northern “Nagara” style and southern “Dravida” style.

Badami Cave temples

• Badami cave temples have rock-cut halls with three basic features: pillared veranda, columned hall and a sanctum cut out deep into rock.

Pattadkal temples

• Virupaksha temple
• Papanatha temple
• Mallikarjuna temple
• Sangameshwara temple

Aihole temples

• Lad khan temple
• Durga temple
• Suryanarayan temple
• Ravana Phadi temple

Contributions

• A Southern India-based kingdom took control and consolidated the entire region between the Kaveri and the Narmada rivers.
• The rise of this empire saw the birth of efficient administration, overseas trade and commerce.
• Kannada literature, which had enjoyed royal support in the 9th century Rashtrakuta court found eager patronage from the Western Chalukyas.
• The Chalukyas provided patronage to various religions and traditions such as Jainism, Veerashaiva etc and allowed them to prosper.