Bijjala

Kalachuri ruler

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

June 22, 2026

Quick Summary

Bijjala was a ruler of the Kalachuri dynasty who rose to power in the Deccan region of India from 1156 to 1181 CE. He initially served as a feudatory of the Kalyani Chalukyas before wresting power from them. Bijjala's reign is significant because it coincided with the emergence of the Lingayat, or Virashaiva, Hindu sect. After his rule, the Kalachuri family continued to hold power in Karnataka for a brief period under his sons, but eventually surrendered authority back to the Chalukyas.12

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

2 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

India
The tripartite struggle
…12th century, however, a feudatory, Bijjala (reigned 1156–67) of the Kalachuri dynasty, usurped the throne at Kalyani. The last of the Chalukya rulers, Someshvara IV (reigned 1181–c. 1189), regained the throne for a short period, after which he was overthrown by a feudatory of the Yadava dynasty.
Read More
…12th century, however, a feudatory, Bijjala (reigned 1156–67) of the Kalachuri dynasty, usurped the throne at Kalyani. The last of the Chalukya rulers, Someshvara IV (reigned 1181–c. 1189), regained the throne for a short period, after which he was overthrown by a feudatory of the Yadava dynasty.
Read More

Kalachuri dynasty
Early history
…in Karnataka was established by Bijjala, who originally served as a feudatory of the Kalyani Chalukyas at Banavasi, Nolambapadi, and Tarddevadi and wrested power from Chalukya Taila III. The Kalachuris held power in Karnataka during the reigns of Bijjala’s sons Someshvara and Sankama, but after 1181 Ahavamalla and Singhana, two…
Read More
…in Karnataka was established by Bijjala, who originally served as a feudatory of the Kalyani Chalukyas at Banavasi, Nolambapadi, and Tarddevadi and wrested power from Chalukya Taila III. The Kalachuris held power in Karnataka during the reigns of Bijjala’s sons Someshvara and Sankama, but after 1181 Ahavamalla and Singhana, two…
Read More