golden bull. They must have started as modest feudatories of the Chalukyas of Kalyani. They were also referred to as Katachuris (shape of a sharp knife) and Haihaya (or Heheya). The later records of the dynasty claim that they descended from Brahma, the Creator of the universe. As feudatories of Chalukyas The early Kalachuris of the south were Jains and encouraged Jainism in their kingdom. The first notable chief of the Kalachuri family of Karnataka was Uchita. While there were several kings who followed him ruling as feudatories of the Kalyani Chalukyas, it was Jogama who became an influential vassal of Vikramaditya VI, being related to the great Chalukya king by matrimony. Decline The Southern Kaluchuri kingdom went into decline after the assassination of Bijalla. The rulers who followed were weak and incompetent, with the exception of Sovideva, who managed to maintain control over the kingdom. Western Chalukyas ended the Kalachuri Dynasty. Many Kalachuri families migrated to Kanara districts of Karnataka. The Kalachuris are the principal characters in the Andhra epic Palnati Veera Charitra, as the in-laws of the king Malidevaraju. Rulers Uchita Asaga Kannam Kiriyasaga Bijjala I Kannama Jogama Permadi Bijjala II (1130–1167): proclaimed independence in 1162. Sovideva (1168–1176) Mallugi --> overthrown by brother Sankama Sankama (1176–1180) Ahavamalla (1180–1183) Singhana (1183–1184) Inscriptions and coinage As per the 1163 CE inscription which records a religious offering (mahadana) in the presence of Hampi Lord Virupaksha by Bijjala the Kalachuri King. The Southern Kalachuri kings minted coins with Kannada inscriptions on them. Notes References Dr. Suryanath U. Kamath (2001). A Concise History of Karnataka from pre-historic times to the present, Jupiter books, MCC, Bangalore (Reprinted 2002) External links 12th Century Lingayat Religion History of Karnataka Dynasties of India Hindu dynasties