The Chalukyas of Vengi

The Chalukyas of Vengi were another important branch of the Chalukya

dynasty. Because the rulers of this dynasty ruled from Vengi, they were
called Chalukyas of Vengi. Vengi kingdom was situated to the east of
Vatapi kingdom hence this dynasty is also called Eastern Chalukya
dynasty. The founder of this dynasty was Vishnuvardhana. Many rulers of
this dynasty ruled from 615 AD to 1063 AD. Of these, Vijayaditya II and
Vijayaditya III made a significant contribution to the expansion and
organization of the Chalukya Empire. The Chola ruler Kulottunga defeated
Vijayaditya VII and heralded the downfall of the Chalukyas of Vengi.

Vishnuvardhana 615-633 AD (Vishnuvardhana 615-633 A.D.) –

Vishnuvardhana was the founder of the Chalukya dynasty of Vengi.
Pulakesin II, the famous Chalukya ruler of Vatapi, conquered Vengi and
made his younger brother Vishnuvardhana its subraja. Vishnuvardhana
declared his independence in 615 AD. He was an able and powerful ruler.
He assumed the titles Makardhwaja and Vishmasiddhi (the conqueror of
obstacles). His records do not give much details of his victories and other
achievements. But there is evidence from them that the extent of his
kingdom was spread from Visakhapatnam to Nellore. He issued silver
coins. He patronized the famous Sanskrit poet Bharavi in his court. He
composed the famous book named Kiratarjuniya. Vishnuvardhana was a
worshiper of Vishnu. He got a grand Jain temple constructed at Pishtapur.
He adopted a policy of tolerance towards other religions. During his reign,
the famous Chinese traveler Hiuen Tsang visited his kingdom. Hiuen Tsang
has written that at that time there were 20 Buddhist Viharas in Vengi State
in which more than 3000 Buddhist monks lived.

Jaisingh I (Jayasimha I 633-663 A. D.) – Jayasimha I was the son of

Vishnuvardhana. He ruled from 633 AD to 663 AD. He assumed the titles
'Prithvi Vallabh', 'Prithvisingh' and 'Sarvasiddhi'. In a record of his reign, he
is said to have defeated many rulers, but no clear details of these victories
have been given. His records give a detailed description of the land grants
made by him. He was a devotee of Shiva.
Vijayaditya II (Vijayaditya II 799-847 A.D.)—– After the death of
Vishnuvardhana IV, his son Vijayaditya II sat on the throne of Vengi in 799 AD.
He ruled till 847 AD. He is counted among the great rulers of Vengi. In the early
years of his reign, his younger brother Bhimasalukki rebelled against him.
Rashtrakuta ruler Govind III helped him in this rebellion. Vijayaditya II was
defeated in this rebellion and Bhimasalukki established his rule in Vengi.
Vijayaditya II did not give up his courage and started waiting for a golden
opportunity. Soon he got this opportunity when the Rashtrakuta ruler Govind III
got busy in the wars of northern India. As a result, Vijayaditya not only got his
throne from Bhimasalukki, but also invaded the Rashtrakuta kingdom and took
many of their territories under his control. He expanded his kingdom by defeating
the rulers of Gang and Gurjar dynasty. He is said to have fought 108 battles during
his reign. He assumed the titles 'Parambhattaraka', 'Maharajadhiraja' and
'Parameshwara'. He had built many Shiva temples.

Successors of Vijayaditya III - After the death of Vijayaditya III in 892 AD,
many rulers of Vengi ruled till 1063 AD. All these successors proved
disqualified. so will power of the Chalukyas continued to decline. In 1063
AD, the Chola ruler Kulottunga defeated Vijayaditya VII, the ruler of Vengi,
and put an end to the Chalukya dynasty of Vengi.