Kalachuri dynasty
The Kalachuris (IAST: Kalacuri), also known as Kalachuris of Mahishmati, were an Indian dynasty that ruled in west-central India between 6th and 7th centuries. They are also known as the Early Kalachuris to distinguish them from their later namesakes, especially the Kalachuris of Tripuri. Their territory included parts of present-day Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra. Their capital was located at Mahishmati. Epigraphic and numismatic evidence suggests that the earliest of the Ellora and Elephanta cave monuments were built during the Kalachuri rule.
Kalachuris of Mahishmati | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| c. 550 CE–c. 625 CE | |||||||||||||||||||||
Silver coin of king Krishnaraja (r. c. 550-575) of the Kalachuri dynasty, on the model of the Western Satraps.
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MORIS South-Asia 600 CE PRATIHARAS PANDYAS SAMATATAS VARMANS PALLAVAS NEZAKS NALAS GONANDAS MAUKHARIS TAANK WESTERN TURKS TOCHARIANS MAITRAKAS RAIS PUSHYA- BHUTIS SASANIAN EMPIRE MAPS -500 -150 120 350 500 600 800 1000 1175 1250 1400 1500 Map of the Early Kalachuris and neighbouring polities circa 600 CE. | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Capital | Mahishmati | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Common languages | Sanskrit | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Religion | Shaivism | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Government | Monarchy | ||||||||||||||||||||
| History | |||||||||||||||||||||
• Established | c. 550 CE | ||||||||||||||||||||
• Disestablished | c. 625 CE | ||||||||||||||||||||
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| Today part of | India | ||||||||||||||||||||
The origin of the dynasty is uncertain. In the 6th century, the Kalachuris gained control of the territories formerly ruled by the Guptas, the Vakatakas and the Vishnukundinas. Only three Kalachuri kings are known from inscriptional evidence: Shankaragana, Krishnaraja, and Buddharaja. The Kalachuris lost their power to the Chalukyas of Vatapi in the 7th century. One theory connects the later Kalachuri dynasties of Tripuri and Kalyani to the Kalachuris of Mahishmati.