History of Chalukyas of Gujarat

History of Chalukyas of Gujarat

The Chalukya dynasty ruled parts of Gujarat and Rajasthan in north-western India, between 940 AD and  1244 AD. Their capital was located at Anahilavada (modern Patan). At times, their rule extended to the Malwa region in present-day Madhya Pradesh. The medieval legends describe them as Agnivanshi Rajputs, and they are also known as the Solanki dynasty in the vernacular literature.

Mularaja, the founder of the dynasty, supplanted the last ruler of the Chapotkata (Chavda) dynasty around 940 AD. His successors fought several battles with the neighbouring rulers such as the Chudasamas, the Paramaras and the Chahamanas of Shakambhari. During the reign of Bhima I, the Ghaznavid ruler Mahmud invaded the kingdom and raided the Somnath temple during 1024-1025 CE. The Chalukyas soon recovered, 

Rana Hasti of Chalukyas of Gujarat.

and the kingdom reached its zenith under the rule of Jayasimha Siddharaja and Kumarapala in the 12th century. Several minor dynasties, such as the Chahamanas of Jalor and the Chahamanas of Naddula, served as Chaulukya vassals during this period. After Kumarapala’s death, the kingdom was gradually weakened by internal rebellions; uprisings by feudatories; and invasions by the Paramaras, the Ghurids, the Yadavas and others. Taking advantage of this, the Vaghelas, who had earlier served as Chaulukya generals, usurped the power and established a new dynasty in the 1240s.

 The dynasty ended when Alauddin Khalji conquered Gujarat.^[1]

List of Chalukyas rulers of Gujarat
1) Mularaja 940–995 AD
2) Chamundaraja 996–1008 AD
3) Vallabharaja 1008 AD
4) Durlabharaja 1008–1022 AD
5) Bhima I 1022–1064 AD
6) Karna 1064–1092 AD
7) Jayasimha Siddharaja 
     1092–1142  AD
8) Kumarapala 1142–1171 AD
9) Ajayapala 1171–1175 AD
10) Mularaja II 1175–1178 AD
11) Bhima II 1178–1240 AD
12) Tribhuvanapala 1240–1244 AD