IMMADI BIJJALA Written By Venkatachalapathi. P.B. Davangere.
Immadi Bijjala of Kalyana
Immadi Bijjala II was one of the most significant political figures of 12th-century South India, ruling the Kalachuri dynasty of Kalyana approximately from 1130 to 1167 CE. His reign marks a crucial transitional phase in Deccan history, characterized by political realignment, social reform movements, and religious ferment. Though his rule was relatively brief, its impact—especially in Karnataka and adjoining regions—was deep and long-lasting.
Origins of the Kalachuri Dynasty
The Kalachuris were an ancient and widespread dynasty with roots going back to at least the 6th century CE. Early Kalachuri rulers, such as King Soma I, established control over vast territories including Malava (central India), Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Konkan, Maharashtra, and parts of the Deccan. The name Kalachuri is often interpreted symbolically: kala meaning moustache or time, and churi meaning a sharp sword—together signifying valor, authority, and martial prowess.
The royal emblem of the Kalachuris was the Suvarna Vrishabha (Golden Bull), reflecting both royal power and religious symbolism. Many Kalachuri rulers patronized Jainism, while also supporting Shaivism and other traditions, indicating a pluralistic religious outlook.
Legendary Barber-Origin Narrative
One of the most intriguing legends associated with the Kalachuri lineage concerns a barber figure, which is deeply symbolic in Indian social history. According to traditional narratives, an early Kalachuri ruler named Virakshetriya, who ruled from Kalanjaradurga in northern India, was a cruel and tyrannical king. Folklore describes him as exceptionally brutal, even alleging cannibalistic tendencies. He isolated himself from society, allowing only his personal barber access to the inner palace.
This barber was no ordinary servant. He was portrayed as intelligent, politically aware, and skilled in diplomacy. Over time, he gained the king’s trust by sharing strategic information and state secrets. The queen, oppressed by the king’s cruelty, secretly allied with the barber. In a dramatic turn of events, the barber assassinated the tyrant during a haircut, buried the body, and proclaimed a new rule—thus symbolically founding a new royal line.
While historians treat this story cautiously, it holds immense socio-cultural significance. It reflects how occupational communities like barbers (Navik or Nayi) were sometimes remembered as agents of political change, courage, and liberation. The legend also highlights how skill, intellect, and opportunity could challenge rigid hierarchies.
Decline and Revival of the Kalachuris
Historically, the early Kalachuri power declined by the 7th century CE, largely due to the rise of the Chalukyas of Badami. However, the dynasty did not disappear entirely. A later branch, known as the Kalachuris of Tripuri, ruled parts of Madhya Pradesh until the 13th century. Another powerful offshoot emerged in the Deccan—the Kalachuris of Kalyana, to which Immadi Bijjala II belonged.
Rise of Immadi Bijjala II
By the mid-12th century, the Western Chalukya Empire of Kalyana was weakening. Emperor Jagadekamalla II (r. c. 1138–1151 CE) struggled to maintain control over his feudatories in Karnataka. Immadi Bijjala II, originally a high-ranking military commander and feudatory under the Chalukyas, skillfully exploited this political instability.
Around 1149–1153 CE, Bijjala declared de facto independence, gradually expanding his territory. By 1162 CE, he had established firm control over large parts of Karnataka and Maharashtra. He shifted his capital from Mangalavada to Kalyana (modern Basavakalyan), transforming it into a major political and cultural center.
Administration and Family
Immadi Bijjala II is remembered as a capable and pragmatic ruler. His administration was efficient, and he supported trade, temple construction, and local governance. His queen, Achaladevi, bore him eight children, including his successor Somadeva. Despite his strict rule, Bijjala’s reign was marked by growing social and religious tensions.
In 1167 CE, Bijjala abdicated the throne in favor of Somadeva. Shortly afterward, in 1168 CE, he was assassinated during the Nandi Revolution, a period of intense political and ideological upheaval. By 1184 CE, the Kalachuri rule in Kalyana collapsed, and remnants of the dynasty retreated toward the coastal regions of Karnataka.
Social and Religious Importance of Bijjala’s Reign
Immadi Bijjala’s era is especially important for its social and religious transformations. Most notably, Jagajyothi Basavanna, the great philosopher-saint and social reformer, served as Bijjala’s chief minister. Under Bijjala’s patronage, Basavanna initiated the Lingayat (Veerashaiva) movement, which challenged caste discrimination, ritual orthodoxy, and social inequality.
This period witnessed intense debates between Shaivites, Jains, and orthodox Brahmanical groups, making Bijjala’s court a hub of intellectual and ideological exchange.
Architectural and Epigraphic Legacy
Immadi Bijjala II also contributed to temple architecture and inscriptions:
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Kedareshwara Temple, Balligavi (Shimoga district) – associated with his reign and reflecting Chalukya-Kalachuri architectural synthesis.
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Lakkundi (Gadag district) – inscriptions dated 1172 CE at the Jain temple (Jaina Basadi) provide valuable historical evidence of his rule, administration, and religious patronage.
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Veeragallu (hero stones) from his period commemorate warriors and social events, offering insights into the era’s values.
Conclusion
Immadi Bijjala II stands as a pivotal figure in Deccan history—a ruler who rose from feudatory status to imperial power, presided over profound social change, and left a complex legacy. His association with reformers like Basavanna, the symbolic barber-origin narratives of the Kalachuris, and his role in shaping Karnataka’s medieval history make him a figure of enduring importance. His reign reflects the dynamic interplay of power, protest, faith, and social mobility in medieval India.
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