Chalukya

Chalukya (chä`lkyə), several S Indian dynasties that ruled in the Deccan. They claimed descent from Pulakesin I (reigned 543–566), who established himself at Badami (in Bijapur). The Early Chalukyas held power in northern Karnataka from the 6th cent. until 757, and were rivals to the Palavas. Vengi (in E Andhra Pradesh) became the center of the Eastern Chalukya dynasty, which ruled there from 624 until the 11th cent., surviving the fall of the Early Chalukyas in Badami. The Late Chalukyas gained ascendancy in the Deccan c.973, centered at Kalyani. The history of the Kalyani Chalukya kingdom was largely one of war with the Cholas and defense against the incursions of the Turks and Arabs who were plundering N India. The kingdom broke up in 1189.

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Chalukya 

the name of several medieval dynasties and the states they ruled in the Deccan (southern India).

The first of the dynasties was the Early Chalukyas, who ruled from about A.D. 550 to A.D. 642 over an area that lay mainly in the western Deccan. The Chalukyas from Vatapi (now Badami) ruled the same area from about 655 to 753. The Chalukyas of Vengi (the Eastern Chalukyas) ruled the eastern Deccan (eastern Andhra Pradesh) from 615 to 1070. The Chalukyas of Kalyani, who ruled from 973 to 1187, laid claim to the entire Deccan.

The name “Chalukya” was also borne by a number of minor princely states ruled by families related to the Chalukya dynasties mentioned above.