State Formation in the Eastern Deccan (7th Century A.D.–13th Century A.D.)

Eastern Chalukyan dynasty was the only dynasty that had its sway over the entire Andhra region for more than five centuries, with the micro-region of Vengi as its capital. Established by Pulakesin II of the Badami Chalukyan dynasty who instated his brother Kubja Vishnuvardhana I as an independent ruler, the new ruling elites of this eastern branch had to confront various mighty local chiefs who were already well established in the region, before they could establish themselves as powerful ruling elites. Consequently, they had to evolve various mechanisms to consolidate and stabilise their power in a foreign land. This book attempts to discuss at length these various mechanisms, such as the political, economic, social and ideological processes that helped the new ruling elites not only to sustain themselves in power for a longer duration but also to evolve a powerful state structure through the process of integrating various local elements into the larger state structure.