View source for Vikramaditya VI

{{pp-semi-indef}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2019}}
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2019}}
{{Short description| Western Chalukya Emperor from 1076 to 1126}}
{{Infobox royalty
| image = File:Old Kannada inscription (1077 AD) of Kalyani Chalukya King Tribhuvanamalla Vikramaditya VI in Panchabasti temple at Humcha.jpg
| alt = Vikramaditya VI
| caption = [[Old Kannada]] inscription (1077 AD) of Vikramaditya VI in Panchabasti temple at [[Humcha]]
| succession = Western Chalukya King
| reign = 1076–1126
| predecessor = [[Someshvara II]]
| successor = [[Someshvara III]]
| death_date = 1126
| father = [[Someshvara I]]
| spouse = Chandala Devi<br/>Kethala Devi<br/>Savala Devi
| issue = [[Someshvara III]]
| house = [[Chalukya dynasty]]
}}

[[File:Rear view showing lateral entrances of the Mahadeva Temple at Itagi in the Koppal district.JPG|thumb|upright|[[Mahadeva Temple, Itagi|Mahadeva temple]] at Itagi (c.1112)]]
[[File:Kalleshvara temple (1083 AD) at Ambali.JPG|thumb|upright|[[Kalleshvara Temple, Ambali|Kalleshvara temple]] (c.1083) at Ambali]]
[[File:Rear view of the Bhimeshvara temple at Nilagunda.JPG|thumb|upright|[[Bhimeshvara Temple, Nilagunda|Bhimeshvara temple]] at Nilagunda (c.1075-1100)]]
[[File:Profile of Mallikarjuna temple at Kuruvatti.JPG|thumb|upright|[[Mallikarjuna Temple, Kuruvatti|Mallikarjuna temple]] at Kuruvatti temple (c.1070-1100)]]
'''Vikramaditya VI''' (r. 1076–1126) became the [[Western Chalukya]] King after deposing his elder brother [[Someshvara II]], a political move he made by gaining the support of Chalukya vassals during the Chola invasion of Chalukya territory.<ref name="sen2">Sen (2013), pp.52–53</ref><ref name="trouble">Sastri (1955), p.170</ref> Vikramaditya's reign is marked with the abolishment of the ''[[Saka era]]'' and the start of the ''Chalukya-Vikrama era''. He was the greatest of the Western Chalukya kings and had the longest reign in the dynasty. He earned the title ''Permadideva'' and ''Tribhuvanamalla'' (''lit'' "lord of three worlds").<ref name="tribhu">Chopra, Ravindran and Subrahmanian, (2003), p.139, part 1</ref><ref name="inscribe"/><ref name="varsha"/>  He had several queens who ably assisted him in administration. One of his queens, Chandala Devi, a princess from the [[Shilahara]] ruling family of [[Karad]] was called ''Abhinava Saraswati'' for her skills as an artist. Queen Kethala Devi administered the [[Siruguppa]] region and Savala Devi was in charge of an [[Agrahara]] in [[Naregal, Gadag|Naregal]].<ref name="art">Kamath (1980), pp.105–106</ref> According to the historian Kamath, Vikramaditya VI was a "great king who ruled over South India" and he finds a "pride of place in Karnataka history". More inscriptions in Kannada are attributed to Vikramaditya VI than any other king prior to the Vijayanagara era.<ref name="inscribe">Kamath (1980), p.105</ref><ref name="sources1">{{cite web|title=Chalukyas of Kalyana |url=http://www.kamat.com/kalranga/deccan/chalukya/kalyani.htm|author=Kamat, Jyotsna|publisher=1996-2006 Kamat's Potpourri|access-date=2006-12-24}}</ref>

Vikramaditya VI is noted for his patronage of art and letters. His court was adorned with famous [[Kannada]] and [[Sanskrit]] poets.<ref name="chakra">Sastri (1955), p. 174; Kamath (2001), p. 104–106</ref> In Kannada, his brother prince Kirtivarma wrote ''Govaidya'' on veterinary science and the poet Brahmashiva wrote ''Samayaparikshe'' ("Analysis of the doctrine", c. 1125) and received the title ''Kavi Chakravarti'' (''lit'', "Emperor among poets")<ref name="go">Kamath (1980), p. 115; Sastri (1955), p. 358</ref>  Noted Sanskrit scholars such as [[Bilhana]] who earned the title ''Vidyapati'' ("[[pundit]]") came to his court from faraway [[Kashmir]] and wrote a [[panegyric]] on the life of his patron king in ''Vikramankadevacharita''. The poet compared his rule to ''Ramarajya'' ("[[Rama]]'s Kingdom"). [[Vijnaneshwara]] the noted jurist in his court wrote ''[[Mitakshara]]'', a commentary on ''Yagnavalkya Smriti'' (on Hindu family law). Of the king he wrote "A King like Vikramarka is neither to be seen nor heard of".<ref name="smriti">Cousens (1921), p.12</ref> Vikramaditya VI is known to be a [[Shaiva]] by faith.<ref name="tribhu"/> His rule saw prolific temple building activity. Notable constructions include the [[Mallikarjuna Temple, Kuruvatti|Mallikarjuna temple]],<ref name="malli">Sinha (2000), p.142</ref> the [[Mahadeva Temple, Itagi|Mahadeva temple]]<ref name="mahadeva">Cousens (1921), p.101</ref> the [[Kaitabheshvara Temple, Kubatur|Kaitabheshvara temple]]<ref name="kaitaba">Hardy (1995), p335</ref> and the [[Kalleshvara Temple, Ambali|Kalleshvara temple]].<ref name="ambali">{{cite web|url=http://asibengalurucircle.org/bellary-1.html|title=Kallesvara Swamy Temple|work=Archaeological Survey of India, Bengaluru Circle|publisher=ASI Bengaluru Circle|access-date=10 July 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140917034319/http://asibengalurucircle.org/bellary-1.html|archive-date=17 September 2014}}</ref> According to historian Sen, the 50-year reign of Vikramaditya VI was overall a peaceful and prosperous one. Sen estimates at his peak Vikramaditya VI controlled a vast empire stretching from the [[Tumkur district]] and [[Kadapa district|Cuddapah]] in the south to the [[Narmada River]] in the north, and up to the [[Khammam district]] and the Godavari district in the east and south-east.<ref name="kadapa">Sen (1999), p.387</ref>
[[File:Rear profile of Kaitabheshvara temple (1100 AD) at Kubatur.JPG|thumb|[[Kaitabheshvara Temple, Kubatur|Kaitabheshvara temple]] (c.1100) at Kubatur]]
==Vikramaditya's rebellion, rise to power and Chola relations==
Vikramaditya displayed his military ambitions even as a prince, prior to 1068, during the rule of his father Someshvara I when he led successful military campaigns as far east as modern [[Bihar]] and [[Bengal]].<ref name="prince">B.P. Sinha in George E. Somers (1977), p.214</ref><ref name="prince1">Sen (1999), p.282</ref><ref name="prince2">Majumdar, R. C. (1952), p.320</ref> After his father's death, as soon as his elder brother prince Someshvara II who administered the Belavola-300 and Puligere-300 provinces came to the throne, Vikramaditya VI started to plan to overthrow him and contend with the growing Chola power. He achieved his ends with skillful opportunism and diplomacy: by making use of the Chola invasion of [[Gooty|Gutti]] and [[Kampili Chiefdom|Kampili]] and striking diplomatic relations with Virarajendra Chola, gaining the support his younger brother Jayasimha and of the Chalukya feudatories, the Pandyas of Ucchangi, the [[Seuna (Yadava) dynasty|Seuna]], the Hoysalas of Malnad, the [[Kadamba dynasty|Kadambas]] of Konkan and Hangal. Someshvara II had the support of the [[Kulothunga Chola I]] (also called Rajendra II of the Eastern Chalukya-Chola royal family of Vengi) and the Kadambas of Goa. This sudden change in diplomatic relations practically bifurcated the Chalukya kingdom into two halves, giving Vikramaditya VI independent rule over the southern half (Gangavadi). Vikramaditya married one of Virarajendra Chola's daughters bringing an age-old feud between the two kingdoms to a temporary end.<ref name="feud">Sastri (1955), p.171-172</ref><ref name="tunga">Kamath (1980), p.104</ref>

The balance of power changed again in 1069 with the death of Virarajendra Chola. Vikramaditya VI proceeded via Kanchi where he quelled a rebellion and installed his younger brother-in-law [[Athirajendra Chola]] on the throne at [[Gangaikonda Cholapuram]]. But this went against the designs of Kulottunga Chola I who had plans of his own. Kulothunga expelled the Vengi ruler Vijayaditya. In a civil uprising in the Chola capital, Athirajendra was killed making way for Kulothunga Chola I to crown himself the monarch of the Chola empire.<ref name="crown">Sastri (1955), pp.181–182</ref><ref name="tunga"/> In 1070-72, when Vijayabahu revolted to rid [[Ceylon]] of the Chola rule and succeeded, Vikramaditya VI wasted no time in declaring the new king of Ceylon his "natural ally". By 1076, despite being surrounded by enemies at home (Someshvara II) and in Vengi and Chola country (Kulothunga Chola I), Vikramaditya VI successfully defeated his elder brother and took him captive. He then crowned himself the Chalukya monarch and began a new era, the ''Vikrama Varsha''.<ref name="era">Sastri (1955)</ref><ref name="varsha">Cousens (1926), p.11</ref><ref name="tribhu"/>

==Hoysala threat==
There was a rebellion by the emperor's younger brother Jayasimha, the viceroy of Banavasi, around c.1080-1082 which was quelled and the rebel pardoned.<ref name="jaya">Sastri (1955), p.175</ref> The real threat, however, was from the Hoysala dynasty who rose to prominence from the [[Malnad]] region in modern Karnataka. Their territory effectively acted as a [[Buffer state|buffer]] between the Chalukya and Chola kingdoms. For several decades, the Hoysalas had been faithful vassals of the Chalukyas. King Someshvara I (Vikramaditya's father) had taken a Hoysala princess as his queen. The Hoysala kings [[Vinayaditya (Hoysala dynasty)|Vinayaditya]], [[Ereyanga]] and [[Veera Ballala I]] had maintained cordial relations with Vikramaditya VI. But Ballala I's younger brother [[Vishnuvardhana]], who according to historians Sastri and Kamath was a "great warrior" and an ambitious ruler had expansionist plans. He had the support of the Pandya ruler of Ucchangi and Kadamba king Jayakesi II of Goa. The Hoysalas under Vishnuvardhana began to expand their territory initially by defeating the Cholas in the famous battle of Talakad in 1116 resulting in the Hoysala annexation of Gangavadi (part of modern Southern Karnataka).<ref name="yela">Sastri (1955), pp.174-175</ref><ref name="inscribe">Kamath (1980), p.105</ref><ref name="havidu">Sen (1999), p.386</ref><ref name="varsha">Cousens (1926), p.11</ref> It was only when Vishnuvardhana turned his attention to the north, conquered [[Nolamba dynasty|Nolambavadi]], marched beyond the [[Tungabhadra river]] and reached [[Ballary]] and [[Kummata Durga|Kummata]] that Vikramaditya VI saw an imminent threat to his power. The Chalukya emperor dispatched his trusted generals Achugi II and Permadi of the Sinda family of Yerambarge (or [[Yelburga]]) to deal with the situation. After several pitched battles in Goa, Kannegala, Halasur and Hosavidu between c.1117-1122, Vishnuvardhana and his supporters had to accept Chalukya suzerainty.<ref name="yela"/><ref name="inscribe"/><ref name="havidu"/><ref name="varsha"/>

==Success in Chola and Gurjara country==
From the beginning of his rule, Vikramaditya VI maintained the policy of interference in the affairs of Vengi and Kanchi. He invaded and captured Kanchi in 1085 and held it for a few years. He managed to conquer parts of Vengi in 1088. He held the Kollipakei-7000 province of Vengi for many years. Vengi came under his rule again from 1093 to 1099. The Cholas re-captured it in 1099. In 1115 Kulothunga Chola I recalled his son [[Vikrama Chola]] who was the viceroy of Vengi to focus on affairs in Kanchi. Encouraged by the Hoysala success against the Cholas at Talakad and utilising the vacuum in the leadership in Vengi, Vikramaditya VI sent his famous general Anantapala to invade Vengi which was duly conquered and came under his rule from 1118 to 1124. Western Chalukyan commanders are seen controlling some other parts of Telugu country also and the Chola influence over Vengi disappeared for many years. After Vikramaditya's death in 1126, the Cholas began a slow process of encroachment over Vengi. By 1133 Vikrama Chola was able to re-capture Vengi from Vikramaditya VI's mild son [[Someshvara III]].<ref name="soma">Sastri (1955), pp.175-176</ref><ref name="inscribe">Kamath (1980), p.105</ref><ref name="vengi">Sen (1999), pp.386-387</ref> Before 1088, Vikramaditya VI subdued the recalcitrant [[Shilahara]] King [[Bhoja I]] and the Seuna Yadavas of Devagiri. He invaded [[Lata (region)|Lata]] (modern Gujarat), plundered and burnt the royal capital of the [[Chaulukya dynasty|Gurjara Chalukya]] King Karna, and stopped the advances of [[Kalachuris of Ratnapura|Kalachuri]] king Jajjaladeva of Ratnapur. He dealt firmly with the revolting Kadamba feudatory of Goa but gave his daughter Maila Devi in marriage to King Jayakeshi II.<ref name="inscribe">Kamath (1980), p.105</ref><ref name="kadapa">Sen (1999), p.387</ref>

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:Old Kannada inscription (1083 AD) in Kalleshvara temple at Ambali.JPG|Old Kannada inscription (c.1083) of King Vikramaditya VI, at the [[Kalleshvara Temple, Ambali]]
File:Old Kannada inscription (c.1107 AD) of Kalyani (Western) Chalukya King Tribhuvanamalla Vikramaditya VI.jpg|Old Kannada inscription (c.1107 AD) of Western Chalukya King Vikramaditya VI
File:Old Kannada inscription (c.1108 AD) of Kalyani (Western) Chalukya King Tribhuvanamalla Vikarmaditya VI.JPG|Old Kannada inscription (c.1108 AD) of Western Chalukya King Vikramaditya VI
File:Old Kannada inscription (1112 CE) of King Vikramaditya VI in the Mahadeva temple at Itagi.jpg|Old Kannada inscription (1112 CE) of King Vikramaditya VI in the Mahadeva temple at Itagi
File:Old Kannada inscription (c.1122 AD) of Kalyani (Western) Chalukya King Tribhuvanamalla Vikramaditya VI.jpg|Old Kannada inscription (c.1122 AD) of Western Chalukya King Vikramaditya VI
</gallery>

==See also==
{{Chalukyas|Kalyani}}
* [[Vikrama Chola]]
* [[Vishnuvardhana]] Hoysala
* The title [[Vikramaditya]]

==Notes==
<references/>

== References ==
*{{cite book |last1= Chopra|first1= P.N.|last2= Ravindran|first2= T.K.|last3=Subrahmanian|first3= N|title= History of South India (Ancient, Medieval and Modern) Part 1|orig-year=2003|year=2003|publisher= Chand Publications|location=New Delhi|isbn= 81-219-0153-7}}
* {{cite book |last= Kamath|first= Suryanath U.|title=   A concise history of Karnataka : from pre-historic times to the present|orig-year=1980|year= 2001|publisher= Jupiter books|location= Bangalore|oclc= 7796041 |lccn= 80905179}}
*{{cite book|last= Narasimhacharya|first= R|title= History of Kannada Literature|orig-year= 1988|year= 1988|publisher= Penguin Books|location= New Delhi|isbn= 81-206-0303-6|url-access= registration|url= https://archive.org/details/historyofkannada0000nara}}
*{{cite book |last= Sastri|first= Nilakanta K.A.|title=   A history of South India from prehistoric times to the fall of Vijayanagar|orig-year=1955|year=2002|publisher= Indian Branch, Oxford University Press|location= New Delhi|isbn= 0-19-560686-8}}
*{{cite book |last= Sen|first= Sailendra Nath |title= Ancient Indian History and Civilization |orig-year=1999|year=1999|publisher= New Age Publishers|location=New Delhi|isbn=81-224-1198-3}}
*{{cite book |last= Sen|first= Sailendra Nath |title=A Textbook of Medieval Indian History |orig-year=2013|year=2013|publisher= Primus|location=New Delhi|isbn=978-9-38060-734-4}}
* {{cite book|author=Cousens, Henry|title= The Chalukyan Architecture of Kanarese Districts|orig-year= 1926|year=1996|publisher=Archaeological Survey of India |location= New Delhi|oclc=37526233}}
* {{cite book|author=Hardy, Adam|title=Indian Temple Architecture: Form and Transformation : the Karṇāṭa Drāviḍa Tradition, 7th to 13th Centuries |orig-year= 1995|year=1995 |publisher=Abhinav|location= New Delhi|isbn=81-7017-312-4}}
* {{cite book|author=Sinha, Ajay|title= Imagining architects: creativity in the religious monuments of India|orig-year=2000 |year=2000 |publisher=Associated University Press|location= Cranbury|isbn=0-87413-684-9}}
* {{cite book|author=Majumdar, R.C.|title=Ancient India |orig-year=1952 |year=2003 |publisher=Motilal Banarsidass|location=New Delhi|isbn=81-208-0436-8}}
* {{cite book|author=Sinha, B.P. & Somers, George E|title=Dynastic History Of Magadha|orig-year=1977 |year=1977 |publisher=Abhinav|location=New Delhi|isbn=81-7017-059-1}}

{{Authority control}}

{{Karnataka topics}}

[[Category:11th-century births]]
[[Category:1126 deaths]]
[[Category:Western Chalukya kings]]
[[Category:11th-century Indian monarchs]]
[[Category:12th-century Indian monarchs]]