Kalyani
This article has been extracted from THE IMPERIAL GAZETTEER OF INDIA , 1908. OXFORD, AT THE CLARENDON PRESS. |
Note: National, provincial and district boundaries have changed considerably since 1908. Typically, old states, ‘divisions’ and districts have been broken into smaller units, and many tahsils upgraded to districts. Some units have since been renamed. Therefore, this article is being posted mainly for its historical value.
Kalyani
A jagir town in Bidar District, Hyderabad State, situ- ated in 17 degree 53' N. and 76 degree 57' E., 36 miles west of Bidar town. Popu- lation (1901), 11,191. About the middle of the eleventh century Someshwar I made Kalyani the capital of the Chalukyan kingdom. A hundred years later the power was usurped by Bijjala Kalachuri, the commander-in-chief, and before the close of the twelfth century the Chalukya power was at an end. While Kalyani remained a great capital, it was noted as the residence of Vijnaneshwar, the author of the treatise on law known as the Mitakshara, and of Basava who founded the Lingayat sect. Further particulars about Basava and the Lingayats will be found in the article on Mysore State. The Kalachuris were succeeded by the Yadavas of Deogiri (Daulatabad) ; and after the establishment of the Bahmani dynasty, Kalyani passed into their possession in the fourteenth century, and subsequently into that of Bijapur. The Mughals sacked it in 1653. In 1656 Aurangzeb invested the fortress, which surrendered after an heroic defence. During the contests which followed the decline of Chalukyan power, and the struggles between various Muhammadan rulers, the magnificent temples which once adorned the place were demolished or converted into mosques.
