Defence Architecture in Early North Karnataka c10: Chapter - II

Defence Architecture in Early North Karnataka c10

Language: English

c10.s1 The Sātavāhanas: — 4 parts
c10.s2 The Kadambas: (c. 325-590 A.D.) — 3 parts
c10.s3 The Early Chālukyas: (C.500-757 A.D.) — 3 parts
c10.s4 The Rāṣṭrakūṭas: (C.756-973 A.D.) — 8 parts
c10.s5 The Period of Disorder: (C. 1198-1336 A.D.) — 1 part
c10.s6 The Vijayanagara Rulers: (C.1336-1681 A.D.) — 9 parts
c10.s7 The Genealogy of the Royal Dynasties in the North-Karnāṭaka — 7 parts

Chapter - II

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A brief outline of the political history of North Karṇaṭaka with particular reference to the rise of capitals and sub-capitals - the forts in the capitals Beginning in the prehistoric past and moving forward in glory and greatness through several long centuries, Karṇāṭaka in the national life of India has occupied a distinct place of honour. The amazing and inspiring accomplishments achieved by her people in the field of art, architecture, literature, language and religion, that have become proud part of their life, are in no way less important than those in the contemporary neighbouring kingdoms around her in the past. Moreover, of all the provinces of India, Karṇāṭaka, especially North Karṇāṭaka (Fig. 1) was one of the few regions which produced the highest number of rulers and governors, who even penetrated into and settled down in other regions as the governors of provinces or founders of new political dynasties. From 325 A.D. to late 1686 A.D. the galaxy of kings of the dynasties of the Kadambas, the Early Chālukyas, the Rāṣṭrakūṭas, the Later Chālukyas, the Vijayanagara rulers and their contemporaries - the Ādil Shahŝ of Bijāpur, was responsible to create the strong holds i.e. forts with well fortified walls around their capital cities and sub-capital cities (Fig.2) keeping in view of the arms and armours and the then prevalent science of wars.

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The people of this region known in the annals of Indian history as the 'Surabhaṭaḥ Karnātakh', had proved themselves as gallant warriors by winning many decisive battles in the neighbouring region with the result that they created rather bitter envy, naturally, all around; and therefore, it came to their lot to be well equipped and vigilant to defend their capital cities from the unexpected attacks at any time by the enemies. The defence architectural creations within and without their capital places came up during the course of such political movements. It was a necessity.

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The Mauryas:

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¹"Now coming to the definite beginning of the history of Karnāṭaka, same can be traced back to the period of Mauryas or precisely to the third century B.C., when Maurya emperor 'Dēvānaṁ Priya Prîya Darsini - Asóka was ruling all most all

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¹ Since the History of Karnāṭaka by Dr.Desai,P.B. et al.,is the latest and most authentic, it has been followed for reviewing the political history of ancient Karnāṭaka.

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over India including northern part of Karṇāṭaka", (Desai, P.B. *et al* 1970, P.45). During this period, the places of Aśokan rock edicts at Siddapur, Brahmagiri, Jaṭṭingarāmēśvara, Maski, Koppal, Nittūr (Shettar, S. and Rajshekhar, S. 1977, PP.139-149), Udegolam (Nagaraj Rao, M.S. and Patil, C.S. 1978) form the dotted boundary of his great empire extended in the South. But we have no evidence to show that these places in the south were fortified with defence walls before or immediately after Aśōka. In the period from the Mauryas to the Sātavāhanas, i.e. 300 B.C. to the beginning of the Christian era, in Karṇāṭaka practically there appears to be no fortificational activity as evidently seen.

The Sātavāhanas:

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"After the disintegration of the Mauryan empire, the Sātavāhanas rose to power in the Deccan and their rule extended" (Ibid, pp.46-47) in Dakshina-Patha comprising Karṇāṭaka, Mahārāṣṭra and Andhra Pradesh, almost all the table land below the Vindhyas. This period of Satavahanas witnessed the gradual growth of strogholds in and around their territories for the first time, (Desai, P.B. *et al*., 1970, PP. 48-49). Pliny mentions of a powerful king of Andhra country in Eastern Deccan possessing 30 walled cities with very big army. Vāsiṣṭhiputra Sri Pulumāvi son of Gautamiputra Śātakarṇi in

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the second century A.D. appears to be the ruler of western Deccan in the region around Pratiṣṭhānapura i.e. Paithan, (pp.48-49). Probably, this is the first attempt by the Śātavāhanas to build walled curtains around their capitals and important cities.

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The Śātavāhana history is scanty and factual historical records are very rare. Based on the small pieces of historical events we will have to create a linking chain of the whole dynasty. The rulers of Śātavāhanas were 31 as per one stock of records while the other mentions that they were 17 only. Simuka, Pulumāvi, Gautamiputra Śātakarṇi, and Hāla are important kings. These noted kings and their feudatories were very active in building up the Sātavāhana empire, including Ujjaini, Vidiśhā, Nāsik, Pratiṣṭhānapura, Bodhan, Kalyāṇa, Sōpāra, Junnar, Dhānyakaṭaka, Sannati, Banavāsi of (Chūṭus) Viṇhukaḍa Chuṭukulānanda Śātakarṇi in the III century A.D. (Ibid, p.55). In a few of these cities e.g. Ujjain which are spread within and without Karṇāṭaka, the fort walls of bricks of the standard size of 50 cms x 30 cms x 10 cms may be seen in their extant remains.

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At Vaḍagāon - Mādhavāpura - a suburb of Belgaum, a Śātavāhana site was discovered first by Panchamukhi, R.S., (1945-46, pp. 1-2) and subsequently excavated by the Karṇāṭaka University, Dharwad. During the seasons of 1972-78, 1978-79, the excavation has yielded an impressive part of a town with wide street and bylanes, well designed houses on either sides of granaries, ring-wells etc. of standard bricks of the usual size (Sundara,A., 1981, pp.87-98). But the site has not yielded any sort of fortificational wall. However, it may be inferred on the basis of the well planned township, now unearthed, that it must have had a protective wall alround its habitational site. This aspect of fort wall now is overlain by the modern structural development in the proximity of the site, perhaps.

The Kadambas: (c. 325-590 A.D.)

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As the Satavahana rule receded back, the first and foremost kingdom in the history of Karnāṭaka under the name Kadambas arose at Vaijayanti i.e. the modern Banavāsi in North Kanara district, on the left bank of the river Varadā.

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"The Tāḷagunda inscription of Śāntivarma elucidates the circumstances that led to the founding of the kingdom of the Kadambas at Vaijayanti, by Mayūra Varma (c.325-335 A.D.)" (Desai, P.B. *et al*., p.56). Following the division of political power of the kingdom during the time of Ravivarma (c.485-519 A.D.), the Sub-capitals at Palāśika and Uchchasṛingi were established, together with another at Hāngal.

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^ The Kadamba capitals and sub-capitals founded at Vaijayanti (Banavāsi), Palāsika (Halsi in Belgaum district) and Uchchāśriṅgi (Uchchangi in Bellary district) known as the political centres of the time, had been fortified with strong-holds around them.

The Early Chālukyas: (C.500-757 A.D.)

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The Chālukyas of Bādāmi, (Vātāpi of the inscriptions) of all the royal dynasties of Karṇāṭaka in particular and of South India in general, by their valour and adventure made themselves known to the North India, as early as the 7th century A.D. in the decisive encounter with Harshavardhana of Kanauj on the banks of the river Narmadā.

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The royal capital of Bādāmi fortified by Pulakēśi I, in 543 A.D. as stated in his inscription on the cliff of the North-hill, was not only the place of martial spirit but also the cradle of Indian Art and Architecture. Other than Bādāmi Aihole, the place of the celebrated "Ayyāvoḷe Ainūrvaru" had a form of defence architecture encircling the whole habitation and the structural temples thereat that began to come up gradually. The extant remains of the fort now dotted here and there in semi-circular form, at Aihoḷe, reveal the rectangular bastions connected with screen wall crowned by battlements of round top (obviously a late feature added subsequently).

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Under Kīrtivarma II (C.745-757 A.D.) the empire of Chālukyas came to an end at the hands of Dantidurga of the Rāṣṭrakūṭa dynasty.

The Rāṣṭrakūṭas: (C.756-973 A.D.)

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The Rāṣṭrakūṭas, who succeeded by overthrowing the political yoke of the early Chālukyas of Bādāmi, established their capital initially at Pratiṣṭhānapura (Paithan, now in Mahārāṣhtra) and subsequently at Mānyakhēṭa (i.e. probably Malkhēḍ, Chitāpur Taluka, Gulbarga District, Karnāṭaka). Perhaps, their history unfortunately has not received deserving concern and place by the historians of India in spite of their strongest control over thousands of square kilometres covering the vast planes of the Gaṅgā and the Yamunā in the Northern India, and up to the Kāverī in the South. The horses of the Rastrakuta warriors usually used to drink the waters of the Gaṅgā and the Yamunā. This shows their gallantry and glory. In the preceding ages in the ancient Indian history, though India did witness the role of great many empires, it is only the Rastrakutas who undoubtedly officially declared their empire as ‘Rāṣṭrakūṭa’ i.e. the comity of Nations - the historical fact of the conception of nation or Rāṣtra. (Discussion with Dr.Bendre,D.R.).

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With the stronghold strengthened by Amōghavarsha I (C.814-878 A.D.) at Maḻkhēḍ, on the left bank of the river Kāginā, the Rāshtrakūta masons and craftsmen not only were experienced in defence architectural style as seen in the fort of Maḻkhēḍ but also were well versed in carving out the colossal rock cut temples like Kailāsanāth temple at Ellora and the splendid and Serene statues like the Mahēsha (C.856-866 A.D.) at Elephanta near Bombay in the waves of the Arabian sea.

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The Rāshtrakūta kings noteworthy, among others, are Krishṇa I (756-774 A.D.); Dhruva (C.780-793 A.D.); Gōvinda-III (793-814 A.D.), Amōghavarsha-I (814-878 A.D.); Indra-III (914-929 A.D.); Krishṇa-III (C.939-967 A.D.) etc., and the latter kings administered their empire from the seat of Maḻkhēḍ fort. Amōghavarsha-I was especially responsible for enlarging beautifying and modifying substantially the fort of Maḻkhēḍ.

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The empire ended at the time of Karka-II (C.972-973 A.D.) as the Later Chālukyas headed by Taila-I (C.973-997 A.D.) became powerful and the administration fell into their hands further.

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The Later Chālukyas: (C.973-1198 A.D.)

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The Later Chālukyas (C.973-1198 A.D.) recaptured the lost power from the hands of the Rāshtrakūtas, under Tailapa-I (C.973-997 A.D.). With their capital at Kalyāṇa (now renamed officially as Basava Kalyāṇa in Bīdar District), they had a sway over the parts of the western, middle and the South India upto the river Tungabhadra. During a long span of time over two centuries, the Later Chalukyas controlled over this region from the capital forts and sub-capital forts like Kalyāṇa, Mōrkhind, Mangalavīdu (both now in Mahārāṣṭra) and Lakkuṇḍi of District Dharwad. These forts, on the unexpected attacks on the onset of Muslims from the North, were so well modified that they could absorb the shocks of the Persian style of wars.

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The Later Chālukyas enriched the art, architecture and literature of Karṇāṭaka. Especially during the reign of Jayasimha-II or Jagadēkamalla, (C.1015-1044 A.D.), Somēshwara-I (in the Tungabhadra, drowned near Kuruvatti Fort) ( 1044-1068 A.D.), Vikramaditya-VI (C.1079-1127 A.D.) and Someshwara IV (C.1158-1198 A.D.), for a span of almost 200 years, Kalyāṇa was the centre in the political activities of South India.

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During the time of Jagadēkamalla-III, around 1210 A.D. the Kalyāṇa fort was invaded by Malik-Kafur and thus the Later Chālukyan dynasty began to fade away before the powerful onslaughts of the Muslims from the North.

The Period of Disorder: (C. 1198-1336 A.D.)

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The period from C.1198-A.D. to C.1336 A.D., almost a century and a quarter of years, was the period of uneasiness in Karṇāṭaka, in particular and South India in general. The fall of the Later Chālukyas paved the way to the gradual rise of the Deccan Sultanates, as there was no centralised power of Hindu order to control the affairs of this part of the country. It is only with the founding of the Vijayanagara empire in C.1336 A.D., the political, social and religious affairs of this region were brought effectively into order under the one most powerfully centralised control i.e. Vijayanagara administration.

The Vijayanagara Rulers: (C.1336-1681 A.D.)

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The Vijayanagara empire founded on the right bank of the river Tungabhadrā, under the holy guidance of Sri Vidyaraṇya, was only the empire in the medieval South India, which rose into mighty power against the Muslim pressure from the North. All the way and all in its life, Hindu in tradition to its core, the empire was the richest and the strongest in South India. Vijayanagara, Ānegundi and Penugoṇda etc., were the strong-holds in absolute Hindu order, overlooking with confidence the attacks of Muslim powers gathered around.

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The cultural contribution in the form of art, dance, music, architecture, literature etc., made by the emperors of Vijayanagara is distinct in the history of India as a whole. Had this empire not come into existence, the whole face of the South India would have been something different. The Vijayanagara rulers comprised of four powerful dynasties in its life:

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1) the Sangama (C. 1336-1465 A.D.)
2) the Sāḷuva (C.1481-1505 A.D.)
3) the Tuḷuva (C. 1505-1570 A.D.) and
4) the Aravīḍu (C. 1570-1681 A.D.). And in the Tuḷuva dynasty Kṛishṇadēvarāya (C.1509-1529 A.D.) a great emperor is far more remembered for his remarkable achievements in art, architecture and literature.

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The war of Taḷikōt (C.1565 A.D.) which was fought between Rāmarāya the ruler of Vijayanagara and the five Deccan Sultans combined together, was so fatal that the great city of Vijayanagara teeming with millions of people and huge riches one day, was completely annihilated the next day bringing it down to the dust. The city including its mansions, Bazars, temples, gate-ways, bastions, gardens was completely smashed. Not a single stone was left untouched by the ruthless hands of the victorious Muslims. The rulers Tirumala and Venkata ran away from the Vijayanagara city to Penugonda (now in Āndhra Pradesh), with huge wealth by leaving the great city, once full of life, to its fate once for all.

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The Ādil Shāhis of Bijāpur:(C.1490-1686 A.D.)

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Among the Deccan Sultānates, the most powerful and rich dynasty was that of the Ādil Shāhs of Bijāpur. The dynasty was founded by Yusuf Ādil Shah in C 1490 A.D. by declaring himself as an independent ruler breaking away the relations with the parental authorities of the Bhamani Sultāns of Gulbarga.

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Yusuf Ādil Shah (1480-1510 A.D.) was responsible to undertake the construction of citadel at Bijāpur. Subsequently, as the time passed by there were very strong and enlightened rulers in the dynasty. Among them were: Ibrahim Ādil-I (1535-1558 A.D.) the first builder of the outer fort wall, Ali Ādil-I (1558-1580 A.D.), Ibrahim Ādil II (1580-1627), who raised the forts of Navaraspur and Shāhapur, the suburban cities to the North-west and West of Bijāpur and also renovated the outer walls of the Bijāpur fort and built an exemplary architectural piece in Indo-Saracenic style i.e. a mausoleum for his wife and himself, now known as the Ibrāhim Rouza. Mohammad Ādil (1627-1656 A.D.), who was responsible in constructing the great tomb with whispering gallery the Gōl-Gumbaz, and finally during the reign of Sikandar Ādil, a boy king, the kingdom was annexed to the Moghul empire by the powerful Aurangzēb, while he invaded Bījāpur around 1680 A.D. Thus, ended the Ādil Shahi dynasty in the last quarter of 17th century.

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Thus, right from the Mauryas to the Ādil Shāhis of Bījāpur, i.e. from the 3rd century B.C. to the 17th century A.D., almost for two thousands years, the North-Karnāṭaka was a powerful political seat, which gave birth to many powerful and enlightened royal dynasties that made the history of Karnāṭaka in perticular and of South India in general, glorious. All the capital forts and the sub-capital forts of these dynasties are virtually located only on the soil of North-Karnāṭaka and the defence architectural study of them, therefore, is really enthralling.

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As suggested by the inscription of Pulakesi I, that speaks of the construction of a strong fort inaccessible, then in Bādāmi, in all the capital cities of these ruling dynasties and of their Mahēmaṇḍalēswaras of later periods, were constructed forts to defend their suzerainty from the attacks of enemies. In the ancient period, it is the conquest of fort walled cities by enemies that decided total success to them and their establishment of power over the kingdom of the defeated. It was therefore absolute necessity to have a very powerful fort round the capitals. We, therefore, even now find the remnants of such forts in the imperial capital cities: Banavāsi, Bādāmi, Maḷkhēd, Kalyāṇa, Hampi, Bijāpur etc., from which the Early and Later Kadambas, the Early Western Chālukyas, the Rāṣṭrakūṭas, the Later Chālukyas, the Vijayanagara Rulers, the Ādil Shāhis respectively ruled. Further, since these forts were to protect the imperial capitals, they must have been constructed with great care and highly advanced devices. They therefore represent supreme phases of defence architecture of the respective periods.

The Genealogy of the Royal Dynasties in the North-Karnāṭaka

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The Kadambas of Banavāsi The Early Chālukyas of Bādāmi The Rāṣṭrakūṭas of Mālkhēḍ The Later Chālukyas of Kalyāṇa The Rulers of Vijayanagara The Ādil Shāhis of Bijāpur

Defence Architecture in Early North Karnataka c10: Chapter - II

Contents

Chapter - II

The Sātavāhanas:

The Kadambas: (c. 325-590 A.D.)

The Early Chālukyas: (C.500-757 A.D.)

The Rāṣṭrakūṭas: (C.756-973 A.D.)

The Period of Disorder: (C. 1198-1336 A.D.)

The Vijayanagara Rulers: (C.1336-1681 A.D.)

The Genealogy of the Royal Dynasties in the North-Karnāṭaka

The Kadamba Genealogy

The Chālukya Genealogy

The Rāṣṭrakuṭa Genealogy

The Later Chālukya Genealogy

The Vijayanagara Rulers

Adil-Shahis of Bijapur

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