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Kalchuris of Chhattisgarh

There were tow dynasties named kalchuris. The first rules central and western India. They are called Chedi or Haihay or Northern Kalchuris. The second rules South India in the present day karnataka. Chedi was one of the ancient 16 Mahajanpads of India.

The word Kalchuri has been used in different forms as Katchhuri, Kaltsuri, Kalchti, Kaalchchhuri, Kalchuri etc. It may be derived from the word Kulchur in Turkish language, which means – having a high title. They started the Kalchuri era in 248-49 AD. They originally lived in Malwa region of Madhya Pradesh, but were pushed out by battles and settled in Tripuri near Jabalpur in the sixth century. Here they established a kingdom. Kokalla First of the Tripuri Kalchuris was very brave. He defeated the Pratihara king Bhoj. His 18 sons are mentioned in history.

In the latter part of 9th Century Shankargan, the son of Kokalla occupied Pali near Korba after defeating Bana dynasty king Vikramaditya the First. He established the Kalchuri dynasty in Chhattisgarh and made Tumman his capital. However he could not continue for a long time and was defeated by Somvanshi King of Odisha. Around 1000 AD Kalingaraja, the son of Kokalla Second, conquered Tumman again and re-established the Kalchuri dynasty in Chhattisgarh.

Haihayvanshi Kalchuris ruled Ratanpur and Raipur from 10th to 18th Century. Kokalla was a glorious king. Among his successors, Jajalladev (First) extended his dominance till Vidarbha, Bengal, Odisha and Andhra Pradesh. He constructed many temples and tanks. Gold coins were used during his time. He loved art and education. he was a disciple of Gorakhnath. Bhrithari and Gopichand were among the disciples of Gorakhnath, whose story is still sung in Chhattisgarh.

Ratandev established the new capital in Ratanpur in 1050 AD. He constructed many temples and tanks. The Mahamaya temple of Ratanpur was constructed by him in the 11th century. Prithvidev Second was also a warrior. He issued gold and bronze coins. He constructed a big tank in Ratanpur and the Prithvideveshwar temple in Tumman.

Towards the end of the 14th century the Kalchuris of Ratanpur were divided into two branches. The minor branch was established at Raipur. Laxmidev who was a relative of the king was sent as a representative of the King to Khalwatika. His son Singhan conquered 18 Garhs from enemies. Singhan did not accept the suzerainty of Ratanpur and declared his independence. The city of Raipur was established by Ramchandra the son of Singhan in1409 AD.

In the latter part of their rule the Haihayvanshi kings became week and the condition of the kingdom deteriorated. Finally in the year 1741, the Bhonsla commander Bhaskar Pant attacked Chhattisgarh and ended the rule of Kalchuris.

Main rulers of Ratanpur branch:

1. Kokalla First (850 AD – 890 AD)
2. Kalingaraj (1000 AD - 1020 AD)
3. Ratnaraj (1045 AD - 1065 AD)
4. Prithvidev First (1065 AD - )
5. Jajalladev First (1090 AD – 1120 AD)
6. Ratnadev Second (1120 AD – 1135 AD)
7. Prithvidev Second ( 1135 AD – 1165 AD)
8. Jajalladev Second (1165 AD – 1168 AD)
9. Jagatdev (1168 AD – 1178 AD)
10. Ratnadev Third (1178 AD – 1198 AD)
11. Raghunath Singh (last king) (1732 AD – 1741 AD)

Last King of Raipur Branch was Shivraj Singh (1750 AD – 1757 AD)

Important Temples –

Shiva Temples –

1. Ratneswara Mahadev Temple - Ratanpur
2. Bankeswara Temple – Tumman
3. Shiva Temple of Malhar
4. Shiva Idols found in Malhar, Pali, Narayanpur, Kharod and Janjgir.

Vishnu Temples:

1. Partially constructed Vishnu temple of Janjgir
2. Sheorinarayan
3. Narayan temple – Khallari

Devi Temples – Mahamaya Temple in Ratanpur, The Laxmi Idol found in Ratanpur

Society in Kalchuri Period

During Kalchuri period Chhattisgarh was divided into 36 Garhs. There were 7 Barah in one Garh, and 12 villages in one Barah. The administration of the village was under a Diwan, Dau or Gontia. After the king, the crown prince was the most important in the kingdom. Queens also participated in governance. Ministers were very important and some times they decided the proper person to be made the king from the royal family. Rajguru was also important. The head of the army was the Mahasenapati and the head of the cavalry was the Mahashvasadhanik. Head of the city was called Pur Pradhan. The posts were not hereditary by law but in practice if mostly they were. Savarna marriage was the rule in Brahmans but Anulom marriages also were not unknown. Some Vaishyas also did the work of Khstriyas. Kayasthas were also important in society. Women enjoyed a high position in society. They also participated in administration, e.g. Jajalladev first released The king of Bastar Someshwar Dev from prison on advice of his mother. Polygamy was practiced in important families. Sati was parctices but women were not forced into it. There is evidence of joint family system. Trade and industry was organised into Shrenis of guilds. The measurement units were Khari, Khandi, Goni, Ghati, Bharak etc. Rajshekhar was a famous poet of that time. he had gone to Kannoj for higher studies. Even before going to Kannauj he had written 6 books for which he was given the title of Balkavi. He returned during the reign of Yuvarajdev first and wrote Vidhshalbhanjika and kavya Mimansa. Karpurmanjari is his famous play. Gold coins were used during the reign of Jajalladev one. He constructed tanks and temples. He was a deciple of Gorakhnath. Bhrithari and Gopichand are famous disciples of Gorakhnath, whose story can still be heard in folk songs of Chhattisgarh. Gold and copper coins were issued during the reign of Prithvidev one. Ratandev shifted the capital to Ratanpur. He also constructed many temples. Kalchuris were followers of Shaivism. There Tamprapatras always begin with “Om Namah Shivay”. However they did not discourage other religions. Budhism spread in Chhattisgarh during their time.

Jamabandi of Kalyan Sai – Todarmal, the courtier of Akbar is always remembered for land settlement and a scientific revenue record system. However the Jamabandi prepared during the time of Kalyan Sai (1544-81) certainly pre-dates it. The British settlement officer of Bilaspur, Chisham used this extensively during his first settlement of Bilaspur in 1861-68. Similarly this was also used for preparation of the Bilaspur district Gazettier in 1909-10.

Shivaji’s Ratanpur visit-Though there is no proof of this yet it is said that when Shivaji escaped the custody of Aurangzeb, he went to Mirzapur via Agra-Kanpur-Allahabad-Varanasi and then crossed the dense forest of Surguja and reached Raigada in Maharashtra through Ratanpur-Raipur-Chandrapur-Gulbarga.

Economy in Kalchuri Period

Main source of income of the people was agriculture, animal husbandry and trade. Collection of minor forest produce and mining were also important economic activities. Double cropped area was considered better. The measurement units of land were Hal, Nivartan and Vatak. All land belonged to the king who distributed it to the farmers for cultivation. Farmers used to give revenue to the king from the produce of the land. On the death of a farmer the land was given to his successors. Whole village also sometimes settled to one person for collection of revenue. In the Tahankapar copper plate of Pamprajdev the total amount of revenue from some villages is mentioned. The Dantewada pillar inscription of princess Maskadevi states that the princess had ordered that farmers should not be harassed before the due date for depositing the tax. Traders had to pay octroi on goods brought for trade. Other taxes like Dhanya, dardranak, toll tax, tax on ferry etc. are also mentioned. Gifts and revenue from allies and subordinate feudal lords were also sources of income of the State. Expenditure was mainly on army, religious affairs, improvement in the living conditions of the subjects etc. The kings used to issue coins to be used as currency. Gold coins were used during the reign of Jajalladev one. Gold and copper coins were issued during the reign of Prithvidev one.

Architecture of Kalchuri Period

Kalchri Kings built many temples, cities and tanks. Kalchuris made a great contribution in the filed of architecture in Chhattisgarh. King Ratandev built the city of Ratanpur. Examples of architecture of Ratanpur Kalchruis are seen from 8th Century to 14th Century. The main among then are the three pieces of sculpture found in Kanthi Deul of Ratanpur and the remaining entry gate of Ratanpur fort. In the three pieces of sculpture one is a statue of “parvati Parinay” which is now in Raipur museum, another is the statue of Shalbhanjika and the third is “Jyotirlinga-Brahma, Vishnu Pratispardha”. In the 10th Century there are Banvanshiya Mahadev temple of Pali and statues of Shiva temple of Ghatiari. There are several temples of 11th and 12th century. It begins with the temple in Tuman. Then there are temples in Janjgir and Shevrinarayan, the dual temple of Narayanpur, Bhand Deval of Arang, and temples in Ganiyari, Kikarigodhi and Malhar and some temples of Raipur. Amongthe temples of the 13th Century main are Dhumnath temple of Sargaon, remains of temple in Madanpur, and the temple in Dharhar (Rajendragram, district Shahdol). The Garbhagriha is not at the same plane as rest of the temple in Tuman and Malhar (Kedareshwar or Pataleshwar) temples. The Garbhgriha starts without a Jagti but rest of the temple is on a raised Jagti. Thus the whole structure appears to be build on a large Jagti. Similar architecture is seen in Kirorigarh as well. In the gates of Tuman there are statues of guards, river godesses etc. On the gate of Ratanpur fort there are images of creepers and snakes and on the sides there are statues depicting Ravana offering his head to Shivalinga, Nadi Pooja etc. There are inscriptions of Kalchuri King Varahsai on the gates of Mahamaya temple in Ratanpur (14th to 15th Century). Dhanad gods and goddesses and musicians are depicted on the pillars of Janjgir temples. There are also statues of Shiva worship. Diamonds and flowers are depicted in the temple in Ganiyari. Stories of Gods can be seen in statues of Tala, devrani temple and Malhar Deul. Malhar temple has Shiva Parvati gambling, Parvati Parinaya, Vareshwar Shiva, Andhkasur Vadha, Vinayak-Vainayaki etc. In Shevirnarayan temple there are 24 forms of Vishnu.