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Eastern Chalukyas, Rashtrakutas and Renati Cholas (c. 550–1100 CE)
3.1 Background
- After the Vishnukundins, Pulakeshin II of Badami took coastal Andhra, and his brother Kubja Vishnuvardhana began the Eastern Chalukya line at Vengi.
- Copper-plate grants and stone inscriptions are the main sources for these dynasties.
3.2–3.3 Eastern Chalukyas of Vengi
- They ruled coastal Andhra from 624 for about 450 years, with capitals at Pishtapura, Vengi and later Rajamahendravaram.
- Rajaraja Narendra patronised Nannaya, and his son became the Chola emperor Kulottunga I in 1070.
3.4 Rashtrakutas
- This Deccan power ruled from Manyakheta and fought Vengi for about two centuries (c. 753–973).
- Their feudatories in the Telugu country included the Vemulavada Chalukyas, patrons of the poet Pampa.
3.5–3.6 Renati Cholas and other families
- The Renati Cholas ruled Renadu (mainly present Kadapa) in the 6th–8th centuries.
- Their Kalamalla inscription (c. 575) is the earliest long inscription written wholly in Telugu.
- Vaidumbas, Banas and Nolambas held parts of Rayalaseema; the Eastern Gangas ruled north coastal Andhra.
3.7–3.8 Telugu and comparison
- Telugu grew from prose inscriptions (Renati Cholas) to verse inscriptions (Eastern Chalukyas) to literature (Nannaya).
- The three dynasties are compared on territory, rulers, religion, records and legacy.
Don't confuse
- The Renati Cholas of Kadapa are a small Telugu-country dynasty; they are not the imperial Cholas of Thanjavur who later married into the Eastern Chalukya family.
- Eastern Chalukyas (Vengi) and Western Chalukyas of Kalyani (from 973) are different branches and were often enemies.
Notice how the chapter moves from politics to culture, ending with Telugu and a comparison; the confusion branch separates names that sound alike.