The Chalukya dynasty ruled large parts of southern and central India between the 6th and 12th centuries.
This dynasty was divided into three branches.
The earliest dynasty, known as the “Badami Chalukyas”, ruled from Vatapi (modern Badami).
Eastern Chalukyas ruled from Vengi until about the 11th century.
These Western Chalukyas ruled from Kalyani (modern Basavakalyan) until the end of the 12th century.
The building of large empires from smaller kingdoms started in south India.
They developed a new style of architecture called “Chalukyan architecture”.
Kannada literature got patronage from the Western Chalukyas.