Editing History of India (section)

== Early medieval period (c. 650 – 1200) ==
{{Main|Medieval India|Decline of Buddhism in the Indian subcontinent|Tripartite Struggle}}
Early [[medieval India]] began after the end of the [[Gupta Empire]] in the 6th century&nbsp;CE.<ref name="stein" /> This period also covers the "Late Classical Age" of Hinduism, which began after the collapse of the [[Empire of Harsha]] in the 7th century,{{sfn|Michaels|2004|p=41}} and ended in the 13th century with the rise of the [[Delhi Sultanate]] in Northern India;{{sfn|Michaels|2004|p=43}} the beginning of Imperial [[Kannauj]], leading to the [[Tripartite struggle]]; and the end of the [[Later Cholas]] with the death of [[Rajendra Chola III]] in 1279 in Southern India; however some aspects of the Classical period continued until the fall of the [[Vijayanagara Empire]] in the south around the 17th century.

From the fifth century to the thirteenth, [[Śrauta]] sacrifices declined, and support for [[Shaivism]], [[Vaishnavism]] and [[Shaktism]] expanded in royal courts, while the support for Buddhism declined.<ref>{{cite book|last=Sanderson|first=Alexis|year=2009|chapter=The Śaiva Age: The Rise and Dominance of Śaivism during the Early Medieval Period|editor-last=Einoo|editor-first=Shingo|title=Genesis and Development of Tantrism|location=Tokyo|publisher=Institute of Oriental Culture, University of Tokyo|series=Institute of Oriental Culture Special Series|volume=23|pages=41–43|isbn=978-4-7963-0188-6}}</ref> Lack of appeal among the rural masses, who instead embraced Brahmanical [[Hinduism]] formed in the [[Hindu synthesis]], and dwindling financial support from trading communities and royal elites, were major factors in the decline of Buddhism.<ref>Sarao, ''Decline of Buddhism in India''</ref>

In the 7th century, [[Kumārila Bhaṭṭa]] formulated his school of [[Mimamsa]] philosophy and defended the position on Vedic rituals.<ref>Sheridan, Daniel P. "Kumarila Bhatta", in ''Great Thinkers of the Eastern World'', ed. Ian McGready, New York: HarperCollins, 1995, pp. 198–201. {{ISBN|0-06-270085-5}}.</ref>

From the 8th to the 10th century, three dynasties contested for control of northern India: the [[Gurjara Pratihara]]s of Malwa, the [[Pala Empire|Palas]] of Bengal, and the [[Rashtrakuta dynasty|Rashtrakutas]] of the Deccan. The [[Sena dynasty]] would later assume control of the Pala Empire; the Gurjara Pratiharas fragmented into various states, notably the Kingdom of Malwa, the [[Chandelas of Bundelkhand|Kingdom of Bundelkhand]], the [[Kalachuris of Tripuri|Kingdom of Dahala]], the [[Tomaras]] of [[Haryana]], and the [[Chahamanas of Shakambhari|Kingdom of Sambhar]], these states were some of the earliest [[List of Rajput dynasties and states|Rajput kingdoms]];<ref>{{cite book|title=India: The Ancient Past. A History of the Indian-Subcontinent from 7000 BC to AD 1200|first=Burjor|last=Avari|author-link=Burjor Avari|location=New York|publisher=Routledge|year=2007|isbn=978-0-203-08850-0|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DmB_AgAAQBAJ&pg=PT204|pages=204–205|quote=Madhyadesha became the ambition of two particular clans among a tribal people in Rajasthan, known as Gurjara and Pratihara. They were both parts of a larger federation of tribes, some of which later came to be known as the Rajputs}}</ref> while the Rashtrakutas were annexed by the [[Western Chalukyas]].{{sfn|Kamath|1980|p=93}} During this period, the [[Chaulukya dynasty]] emerged; the Chaulukyas constructed the [[Dilwara Temples]], [[Sun Temple, Modhera|Modhera Sun Temple]], [[Rani ki vav]]<ref>{{cite book|author=Vinod Chandra Srivastava|year=2008|title=History of Agriculture in India, Up to C. 1200 A.D.|publisher=Concept|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FvjZVwYVmNcC&pg=PA857|page=857|isbn=978-81-8069-521-6}}</ref> in the style of [[Māru-Gurjara architecture]], and their capital Anhilwara (modern [[Patan, Gujarat]]) was one of the largest cities in the Indian subcontinent, with the population estimated at 100,000 in {{circa}} 1000.

The [[Chola Empire]] emerged as a major power during the reign of [[Raja Raja Chola I]] and [[Rajendra Chola I]] who successfully [[South-East Asia campaign of Rajendra Chola I|invaded parts of Southeast Asia]] and [[Chola occupation of Sri Lanka (993-1077)|Sri Lanka]] in the 11th century.<ref name="The Dancing Girl p. 129">''The Dancing Girl: A History of Early India'' by Balaji Sadasivan p. 129</ref> [[Lalitaditya Muktapida]] (r. 724–760) was an emperor of the Kashmiri [[Karkoṭa dynasty]], which exercised influence in northwestern India from 625 until 1003, and was followed by [[Lohara dynasty]]. [[Kalhana]] in his [[Rajatarangini]] credits king Lalitaditya with leading an aggressive military campaign in Northern India and Central Asia.<ref>{{cite book|last=Pollock|first=Sheldon|year=2006|title=The Language of the Gods in the World of Men: Sanskrit, Culture, and Power in Premodern India|publisher=University of California Press|pages=241–242|isbn=978-0-520-93202-9}}</ref><ref>Sunil Fotedar (June 1984). [http://www.ikashmir.net/glimpses/doc/glimpses.pdf ''The Kashmir Series: Glimpses of Kashmiri Culture – Vivekananda Kendra, Kanyakumari'' (p. 57).]</ref><ref>R. C. Mazumdar, ''Ancient India'', p. 383</ref>

The [[Hindu Shahi]] dynasty ruled portions of eastern Afghanistan, northern Pakistan, and Kashmir from the mid-7th century to the early 11th century. While in Odisha, the [[Eastern Ganga dynasty|Eastern Ganga Empire]] rose to power; noted for the advancement of [[Hindu architecture]], most notable being [[Jagannath Temple, Puri|Jagannath Temple]] and [[Konark Sun Temple]], as well as being patrons of art and literature.
{{Gallery|align=center
|width=180|File:Martand Sun Temple Central shrine (6133772365).jpg|[[Martand Sun Temple]] Central shrine, dedicated to the deity [[Surya]], and built by the third ruler of the [[Karkoṭa Empire|Karkota dynasty]], [[Lalitaditya Muktapida]], in the 8th century
|File:Konark Temple Panorama2.jpg|[[Konark Sun Temple]] at [[Konark]], [[Orissa, India|Orissa]], built by [[Narasimhadeva I]] (1238–1264) of the Eastern Ganga dynasty
|File:Khajuraho - Kandariya Mahadeo Temple.jpg|[[Kandariya Mahadeva Temple]] in the [[Khajuraho Group of Monuments|Khajuraho complex]] was built by the [[Chandela]]s
|File:PURI JAGANATHA TEMPLE, PURI, ORISSA, INDIA, ASIA.jpg|[[Jagannath Temple, Puri|Jagannath Temple]] at [[Puri]], built by [[Anantavarman Chodaganga Deva]] of the Eastern Ganga dynasty
}}

===Later Gupta dynasty===
{{Main|Later Gupta dynasty}}
[[File:Map of the Later Guptas.jpg|thumb|Map of the Later Guptas]]
The Later Gupta dynasty ruled the [[Magadha (Mahajanapada)|Magadha]] region in eastern India between the 6th and 7th centuries AD. The Later Guptas succeeded the [[Gupta Empire|imperial Guptas]] as the rulers of Magadha, but there is no evidence connecting the two dynasties; these appear to be two distinct families.<ref>{{cite book|author=Karl J. Schmidt|title=An Atlas and Survey of South Asian History|publisher=Routledge|year=2015|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BqdzCQAAQBAJ|isbn=9781317476818|page=26}}</ref> The Later Guptas are so-called because the names of their rulers ended with the suffix "-gupta", which they might have adopted to portray themselves as the legitimate successors of the imperial Guptas.<ref>{{cite book|author=Sailendra Nath Sen|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Wk4_ICH_g1EC&pg=PA246|title=Ancient Indian History and Civilization|publisher=New Age|year=1999|isbn=9788122411980|page=246}}</ref>

=== Chalukya Empire ===
{{Main|Chalukya dynasty}}
The [[Chalukya dynasty|Chalukya Empire]] ruled large parts of southern and [[central India]] between the 6th and the 12th centuries, as three related yet individual dynasties. The earliest dynasty, known as the "Badami Chalukyas", ruled from Vatapi (modern [[Badami]]) from the middle of the 6th century. The Badami Chalukyas began to assert their independence at the decline of the [[Kadamba Dynasty|Kadamba]] kingdom of [[Banavasi]] and rapidly rose to prominence during the reign of [[Pulakeshin&nbsp;II]]. The rule of the Chalukyas marks an important milestone in the history of South India and a golden age in the history of [[Karnataka]]. The political atmosphere in South India shifted from smaller kingdoms to large empires with the ascendancy of Badami Chalukyas. A Southern India-based kingdom took control and consolidated the entire region between the [[Kaveri]] and the [[Narmada River]]s. The rise of this empire saw the birth of efficient administration, overseas trade and commerce and the development of new style of architecture called "Chalukyan architecture". The Chalukya dynasty ruled parts of southern and central India from Badami in Karnataka between 550 and 750, and then again from [[Basavakalyan|Kalyani]] between 970 and 1190.

{{Gallery|align=center
|width=180|File:Galaganatha Temple, Pattadakal, Karnataka.jpg|Galaganatha Temple at [[Pattadakal|Pattadakal complex]] ([[UNESCO World Heritage]]) is an example of [[Badami Chalukya architecture]]
|File:View of Bhutanatha temple in Badami during monsoon.jpg|[[Bhutanatha group of temples, Badami|Bhutanatha temple complex]] at [[Badami]], next to a [[waterfall]], during the monsoon.
|File:Vishnu image inside cave number 3 in Badami.jpg|[[Vishnu]] image inside the [[Badami cave temples|Badami Cave Temple Complex]]. Example of [[Indian rock-cut architecture]]
|File:Aihole Temple Karnataka.JPG|8th century Durga temple exterior view at [[Aihole|Aihole complex]]. It includes Hindu, Buddhist and Jain temples and monuments
}}

=== Rashtrakuta Empire ===
{{Main|Rashtrakuta Empire}}
Founded by [[Dantidurga]] around 753,{{sfn|Thapar|2003|p=334}} the Rashtrakuta Empire ruled from its capital at [[Manyakheta]] for almost two centuries.<ref name="Chandra">{{cite book|last1=Chandra|first1=Satish|title=History of Medieval India|date=2009|publisher=Orient Blackswan|location=New Delhi|isbn=978-81-250-3226-7|pages=19–20}}</ref> At its peak, the Rashtrakutas ruled from the [[Ganges-Yamuna Doab]] in the north to [[Cape Comorin]] in the south, a fruitful time of architectural and literary achievements.{{sfn|Kamath|1980|pp=83, 85, 97}}<ref>{{cite book|title=Mathematical Achievements of Pre-modern Indian Mathematicians|last=Puttaswamy|first=T.K.|year=2012|chapter=Mahavira|pages=231|publisher=Elsevier Publications|place=London|isbn=978-0-12-397913-1}}</ref>

The early rulers of this dynasty were Hindu, but the later rulers were strongly influenced by Jainism.{{sfn|Sen|1999|p=380}} [[Govinda III]] and [[Amoghavarsha]] were the most famous of the long line of able administrators produced by the dynasty. Amoghavarsha was also an author and wrote [[Kavirajamarga]], the earliest known Kannada work on poetics.<ref name="Chandra" />{{sfn|Sen|1999|pp=380–381}} Architecture reached a milestone in the Dravidian style, the finest example of which is seen in the Kailasanath Temple at Ellora. Other important contributions are the Kashivishvanatha temple and the Jain Narayana temple at [[Pattadakal]] in Karnataka.

The Arab traveller Suleiman described the Rashtrakuta Empire as one of the four great Empires of the world.{{sfn|Daniélou|2003|p=170}} The Rashtrakuta period marked the beginning of the golden age of southern Indian mathematics. The great south Indian mathematician [[Mahāvīra (mathematician)|Mahāvīra]] had a huge impact on medieval south Indian mathematicians.<ref>''The Britannica Guide to Algebra and Trigonometry'' by William L. Hosch p. 105</ref> The Rashtrakuta rulers also patronised men of letters in a variety of languages.<ref name="Chandra" />
{{Gallery|align=center
|width=180|File:Ellora Cave 16 si0308.jpg|[[Kailasa Temple, Ellora|Kailasa temple]], is one of the largest [[Indian rock-cut architecture|rock-cut]] ancient [[Hindu temple]]s located in [[Ellora Caves|Ellora]]
|File:Indra Sabha Ellora Temple Maharashtra India.jpg|[[Shikhara]] of Indra Sabha at Ellora Caves
|File:Ellora cave10 002.jpg|Statue of the [[Buddha]] seated. A part of the Carpenter's cave (Buddhist Cave 10).
|File:Ellora Caves 86.jpg|[[Jain]] [[Tirthankara]] [[Mahavira]] with [[Yaksha]] Matanga and [[Yakshi]] Siddhaiki at Ellora Caves
}}

=== Gurjara-Pratihara Empire ===
{{Main|Gurjara-Pratihara Empire}}
The Gurjara-Pratiharas were instrumental in containing Arab armies moving east of the [[Indus River]]. [[Nagabhata I]] defeated the Arab army under Junaid and Tamin during the [[Umayyad campaigns in India]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Wink|first=André|author-link=André Wink|year=2002|orig-year=First published 1990|title=Al-Hind: The making of the Indo-Islamic World|volume=I|publisher=Brill Academic Publishers|isbn=978-0-391-04173-8|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=g2m7_R5P2oAC&pg=PA283|pages=283–284}}</ref> Under [[Nagabhata II]], the Gurjara-Pratiharas became the most powerful dynasty in northern India. He was succeeded by his son [[Ramabhadra]], who ruled briefly before being succeeded by his son, [[Mihira Bhoja]]. Under Bhoja and his successor [[Mahendrapala I]], the Pratihara Empire reached its peak of prosperity and power. By the time of Mahendrapala, its territory stretched from the border of [[Sindh]] in the west to Bihar in the east and from the Himalayas in the north to around the [[Narmada River]] in the south.{{sfn|Avari|2007|p=204}} The expansion triggered a [[Tripartite Struggle|tripartite power struggle]] with the [[Rashtrakuta]] and [[Pala Empire|Pala]] empires for control of the Indian subcontinent.

By the end of the 10th century, several feudatories of the empire took advantage of the temporary weakness of the Gurjara-Pratiharas to declare their independence, notably the Kingdom of Malwa, the [[Chandelas of Bundelkhand|Kingdom of Bundelkhand]], the [[Tomaras]] of [[Haryana]], and the [[Chahamanas of Shakambhari|Kingdom of Sambhar]]<ref>{{cite book|last=Wink|first=André|author-link=André Wink|year=2002|orig-year=First published 1990|title=Al-Hind: The making of the Indo-Islamic World|volume=I|publisher=Brill Academic Publishers|isbn=978-0-391-04173-8|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=g2m7_R5P2oAC&pg=PA283|pages=285–286}}</ref> and the [[Kalachuris of Tripuri|Kingdom of Dahala]].{{citation needed|date=February 2023}}

{{Gallery|align=center
|width=180|File:Teli ka Mandir (15702266503).jpg|One of the four entrances of the [[Teli ka Mandir]], built by the Pratihara emperor [[Mihira Bhoja]].<ref>{{cite book|author=K.D. Bajpai|title=History of Gopāchala|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Q3KcwLKuRnYC&pg=PA31|year=2006|publisher=Bharatiya Jnanpith|isbn=978-81-263-1155-2|page=31}}</ref>
|File:Sculptures near Teli Mandir, Gwalior Fort.jpg|Sculptures near Teli ka Mandir, [[Gwalior Fort]]
|File:Jain statues, Gwalior.jpg|Jainism-related cave monuments and statues carved into the rock face inside [[Siddhachal Caves]], Gwalior Fort
|File:Baroli Temple Complex1.jpg|Ghateshwara Mahadeva temple at [[Baroli Temples|Baroli Temples complex]]. Complex of eight temples, built by the Gurjara-Pratiharas, within a walled enclosure
}}

=== Gahadavala dynasty ===
{{Main|Gahadavala dynasty}}
Gahadavala dynasty ruled parts of the present-day [[Indian states]] of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, during 11th and 12th centuries. Their capital was located at [[Varanasi]].{{sfn|Niyogi|1959|p=38}}

===Karnat dynasty===
{{Main|Karnat dynasty}}
[[File:Pillar at Simroungarh.jpg|thumb|Pillar from the Karnat capital of [[Simraungadh (medieval city)|Simraungadh]]]]
In 1097 AD, the Karnat dynasty of Mithila emerged on the Bihar/Nepal border area and maintained capitals in [[Darbhanga]] and [[Simraungadh|Simraongadh]]. The dynasty was established by [[Nanyadeva]], a military commander of Karnataka origin. Under this dynasty, the [[Maithili language|Maithili]] language started to develop with the first piece of Maithili literature, the [[Varna Ratnakara]] being produced in the 14th century by Jyotirishwar Thakur. The Karnats also carried out raids into [[Nepal]]. They fell in 1324 following the invasion of [[Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq]].<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Sinha|first1=CPN|title=Origin of the Karnatas of Mithila - A Fresh Appraisal|journal=Proceedings of the Indian History Congress|date=1969|volume=31|pages=66–72|jstor=44138330}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last1=Chakrabarty|first1=Dilip|title=The Geopolitical Orbits of Ancient India: The Geographical Frames of the Ancient Indian Dynasties|date=2010|publisher=Oxford University Press|pages=47–48|isbn=978-0-19-908832-4|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EIAyDwAAQBAJ&dq=the+focus+of+the+history+of+bihar+in+the+eleventh+and+twelfth+century+is+on+Mithila&pg=PT115}}</ref>

=== Pala Empire ===
[[File:Nalanda University India ruins.jpg|thumb|right|Excavated ruins of [[Nalanda]], a centre of Buddhist learning from 450 to 1193]]

{{Main|Pala Empire}}
The Pala Empire was founded by [[Gopala I]].<ref>''[[Epigraphia Indica]]'', XXIV, p. 43, Dr N.G. Majumdar</ref><ref>{{cite book|author=Nitish K. Sengupta|title=Land of Two Rivers: A History of Bengal from the Mahabharata to Mujib|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kVSh_TyJ0YoC&pg=PA40|date=2011|publisher=Penguin Books India|isbn=978-0-14-341678-4|pages=43–45}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author=Biplab Dasgupta|title=European Trade and Colonial Conquest|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YRRnRK8lEYEC&pg=PA341|date=2005|publisher=Anthem Press|isbn=978-1-84331-029-7|pages=341–}}</ref> It was ruled by a Buddhist dynasty from Bengal. The Palas reunified Bengal after the fall of [[Shashanka]]'s [[Gauda Kingdom]].{{sfn|Kulke|Rothermund|2004|pp=112, 119}}

The Palas were followers of the [[Mahayana]] and [[Tantric Buddhism|Tantric]] schools of Buddhism,<ref>''History of Buddhism in India'', Translation by A Shiefner</ref> they also patronised [[Shaivism]] and [[Vaishnavism]].<ref name="ChandraPala">{{cite book|last1=Chandra|first1=Satish|title=History of Medieval India|date=2009|publisher=Orient Blackswan|location=New Delhi|isbn=978-81-250-3226-7|pages=13–15}}</ref> The empire reached its peak under [[Dharmapala (emperor)|Dharmapala]] and [[Devapala (Pala dynasty)|Devapala]]. Dharmapala is believed to have conquered Kanauj and extended his sway up to the farthest limits of India in the north-west.<ref name="ChandraPala" />

The Pala Empire can be considered as the golden era of Bengal.{{sfn|Sen|1999|p=278}} Dharmapala founded the [[Vikramashila]] and revived Nalanda,<ref name="ChandraPala" /> considered one of the first great universities in recorded history. Nalanda reached its height under the patronage of the Pala Empire.{{sfn|Sen|1999|p=278}}<ref>{{cite book|title=A Comprehensive History Of Ancient India (3 Vol. Set)|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gE7udqBkACwC&pg=PA201|year=2003|editor1=PN Chopra|editor2=BN Puri|editor3=MN Das|editor4=AC Pradhan|publisher=Sterling|isbn=978-81-207-2503-4|pages=200–202}}</ref> The Palas also built many [[vihara]]s. They maintained close cultural and commercial ties with countries of Southeast Asia and [[Tibet]]. Sea trade added greatly to the prosperity of the Pala Empire.

=== Cholas ===
{{Main|Chola dynasty|Chola Empire}}
[[File:Rajendra map new.svg|thumb|right|250px|[[Chola Empire]] under [[Rajendra Chola]], {{circa}} 1030]]
Medieval Cholas rose to prominence during the middle of the 9th century and established the greatest empire South India had seen.<ref>''History of Ancient India: Earliest Times to 1000 A.D.'' by Radhey Shyam Chaurasia p. 237</ref> They successfully united the South India under their rule and through their naval strength extended their influence in the Southeast Asian countries such as Srivijaya.<ref name="The Dancing Girl p. 129" /> Under [[Rajaraja Chola I]] and his successors [[Rajendra Chola I]], [[Rajadhiraja Chola]], [[Virarajendra Chola]] and [[Kulothunga Chola I]] the dynasty became a military, economic and cultural power in South Asia and South-East Asia.{{sfn|Kulke|Rothermund|2004|p=116}}<ref>{{harvnb|Keay|2000|p=215}}: The Cholas were in fact the most successful dynasty since the Guptas ... The classic expansion of Chola power began anew with the accession of Rajaraja I in 985.</ref> Rajendra Chola I's navies occupied the sea coasts from Burma to Vietnam,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.en.articlesgratuits.com/the-last-years-of-cholas-the-decline-and-fall-of-a-dynasty-id1804.php|title=The Last Years of Cholas: The decline and fall of a dynasty|publisher=En.articlesgratuits.com|date=22 August 2007|access-date=23 September 2009|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100120085302/http://www.en.articlesgratuits.com/the-last-years-of-cholas-the-decline-and-fall-of-a-dynasty-id1804.php|archive-date=20 January 2010}}</ref> the [[Andaman and Nicobar Islands]], the [[Lakshadweep]] (Laccadive) islands, [[Sumatra]], and the [[Malay Peninsula]]. The power of the new empire was proclaimed to the eastern world by the expedition to the [[Ganges]] which Rajendra Chola I undertook and by the occupation of cities of the maritime empire of [[Srivijaya]] in Southeast Asia, as well as by the repeated embassies to China.<ref>[[K. A. Nilakanta Sastri]], ''A History of South India'', p. 158</ref>

They dominated the political affairs of Sri Lanka for over two centuries through repeated invasions and occupation. They also had continuing trade contacts with the Arabs and the Chinese empire.<ref>''Buddhism, Diplomacy, and Trade: The Realignment of Sino-Indian Relations'' by Tansen Sen p. 229</ref> Rajaraja Chola I and his son Rajendra Chola I gave political unity to the whole of Southern India and established the Chola Empire as a respected sea power.<ref>''History of Asia'' by B.V. Rao p. 297</ref> Under the Cholas, the South India reached new heights of excellence in art, religion and literature. In all of these spheres, the Chola period marked the culmination of movements that had begun in an earlier age under the Pallavas. Monumental architecture in the form of majestic temples and sculpture in stone and bronze reached a finesse never before achieved in India.<ref>''Indian Civilization and Culture'' by Suhas Chatterjee p. 417</ref>

[[File:Ranganathaswamy temple tiruchirappalli.jpg|300px|thumb|centre|[[Ranganathaswamy Temple, Srirangam|Srirangam Ranganathaswamy Temple]] is the world's largest functioning Hindu temple<ref>{{cite web|url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/5894/|title=Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, Srirangam}}</ref> present in [[Tamil Nadu]], [[India]] ]]
{{Gallery|align=center
|width=180|File:Big Temple-Temple.jpg|The granite [[gopuram|gopuram (tower)]] of [[Brihadeeswarar Temple]], 1010
|File:Chariot detail, Airavatesvara, Tamil Nadu.jpg|Chariot detail at [[Airavatesvara Temple]] built by [[Rajaraja Chola II]] in the 12th century
|File:Back view of Raja gopuram.jpg|The pyramidal structure above the sanctum at [[Brihadisvara Temple, Gangaikonda Cholapuram|Brihadisvara Temple]].
|File:Brihadeeswara Temple Entrance Gopurams, Thanjavur.JPG|Brihadeeswara Temple Entrance Gopurams at [[Thanjavur]]
}}

=== Western Chalukya Empire ===
{{Main|Western Chalukya Empire}}
The Western Chalukya Empire ruled most of the [[Deccan Plateau|western Deccan]], South India, between the 10th and 12th centuries.<ref name="Medieval India p.24">A Comprehensive History of Medieval India: by Farooqui Salma Ahmed, Salma Ahmed Farooqui p. 24</ref> Vast areas between the [[Narmada River]] in the north and [[Kaveri River]] in the south came under Chalukya control.<ref name="Medieval India p.24" /> During this period the other major ruling families of the Deccan, the [[Hoysalas]], the [[Seuna Yadavas of Devagiri]], the [[Kakatiya dynasty]] and the [[Kalachuris of Kalyani|Southern Kalachuris]], were subordinates of the Western Chalukyas and gained their independence only when the power of the Chalukya waned during the latter half of the 12th century.<ref>''Ancient Indian History and Civilization'' by Sailendra Nath Sen pp. 403–405</ref>

The Western Chalukyas developed an architectural style known today as a transitional style, an architectural link between the style of the early Chalukya dynasty and that of the later Hoysala empire. Most of its monuments are in the districts bordering the Tungabhadra River in central Karnataka. Well known examples are the [[Kasivisvesvara Temple]] at [[Lakkundi]], the [[Mallikarjuna Temple, Kuruvatti|Mallikarjuna Temple]] at Kuruvatti, the [[Kalleshvara Temple, Bagali|Kallesvara Temple]] at Bagali, [[Siddhesvara Temple]] at Haveri, and the [[Mahadeva Temple (Itagi)|Mahadeva Temple]] at Itagi.<ref>''World Heritage Monuments and Related Edifices in India'', Band 1 by ʻAlī Jāvīd pp. 132–134</ref> This was an important period in the development of fine arts in Southern India, especially in literature as the Western Chalukya kings encouraged writers in the native language of [[Kannada language|Kannada]], and Sanskrit like the philosopher and statesman [[Basava]] and the great mathematician [[Bhāskara II]].<ref>''History of Kannada Literature'' by E.P. Rice p. 32</ref><ref>''Bilhana'' by Prabhakar Narayan Kawthekar, p. 29</ref>
{{Gallery|align=center
|width=180|File:Profile of the vimana (sanctum outerwall and tower) of the Siddhesvara temple at Haveri 2.JPG|Shrine outer wall and ''Dravida'' style superstructure (''[[shikhara]]'') at [[Siddhesvara Temple]] at [[Haveri]]
|File:Ornate entrance to closed mantapa in Kalleshvara temple at Bagali.JPG|Ornate entrance to the closed hall from the south at [[Kalleshvara Temple, Bagali|Kalleshvara Temple at Bagali]]
|File:Shrine wall frieze and relief in Mallikarjuna temple at Kuruvatti.JPG|Shrine wall relief, molding frieze and miniature decorative tower in [[Mallikarjuna Temple, Kuruvatti|Mallikarjuna Temple at Kuruvatti]]
|File:Rear view showing lateral entrances of the Mahadeva Temple at Itagi in the Koppal district.JPG|Rear view showing lateral entrances of the [[Mahadeva Temple, Itagi|Mahadeva Temple at Itagi]]
}}