The Chalukyas ruled the Deccan as three separate, yet related dynasties, the earliest of them being the Badami Chalukyas. Also known as early Chalukyas, the Badami Chalukyas ruled from Vatapi (modern Badami) from the mid-6th century. They were followed by Chalukyas of Vengi or Eastern Chalukyas and were later succeeded by Chalukyas of Kalyani or Western Chalukyas. The Chalukyas rose to power supplanting Vakatakas and their rule lasted till the 12th century.
Pulakeshin I founded the empire of the Chalukyas of Vatapi; he built a fort at Vatapi, on a hill not far from the Mahaprabha river and ruled over the area between the Vindhya Mountains and river Krishna. The king later adopted the title Vallabheshvara.
History credits him with the ashvamedha yaga that he conducted. Kirtivarman, who succeeded him, extended the kingdom further by defeating the Mauryas of North-Konkana, the Nalas of Nalavadi (Bellari) and the Kadambas of Vanavasi.
However, Kirtivarman II, the last Chalukyan ruler was defeated by one of their feudatories, Dantidurga. Dantidurga founded the Rashtrakuta dynasty and thus, ended the Chalukya rule.
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