KALACURI DYNASTY

any of several dynasties in Indian history, disparately placed in time and space. Apart from the dynastic name and perhaps a belief in common ancestry, there is little in known sources to connect them. The earliest known Kalacuri family (c. AD 550620) ruled in northern Maharashtra, Gujarat, Malwa (Malava), and parts of the western Deccan and probably had their capital at Mahismati in the Narmada River valley. Three members of the familyKrsnaraja, Sankaragana, and Buddharajaare known from epigraphs and coins distributed over a wide area. Although the rise of the Badami Calukyas (Chalukyas) ended Kalacuri power in the early 7th century, the dynasty seems to have lingered in the Malwa region until a late date. Another Kalacuri dynasty rose to power in the Deccan and spanned the period 115681. This family traced its origin to Krsna, conqueror of Kalajara and Dahala in Madhya Pradesh, but its authority in Karnataka was established by Bijjala, who originally served as a feudatory of the Kalyani Calukyas at Banavasi, Nolambapadi, and Tarddevadi and wrested power from Calukya Taila III. The Kalacuris held power in Karnataka during the reigns of Bijjala's sons Somesvara and Sankama, but after 1181 Ahavamalla and Singhana, two other sons of Bijjala, gradually surrendered authority back to the Calukyas. Despite its brevity, the Kalacuri period in Karnataka is historically important because it coincides with the rise of the Lingayat, or Virasaiva, Hindu sect.