Basavakalyan
| Basavakalyan ಬಸವಕಲ್ಯಾಣ | |
|---|---|
| town | |
|
World's tallest Statue of Basavanna, 108 feet (33 m) | |
  Basavakalyan Location in Karnataka, India | |
| Coordinates: 17°52′22″N 76°56′59″E / 17.87278°N 76.94972°ECoordinates: 17°52′22″N 76°56′59″E / 17.87278°N 76.94972°E | |
| Country |
 India |
| State | Karnataka |
| District | Bidar |
| Elevation | 621 m (2,037 ft) |
| Population (2006) | |
| • Total | 102,546 |
| Languages Kannada, Hindi, Marathi, Urdu | |
| • Official language | Kannada |
| Time zone | IST (UTC+5:30) |
| PIN | 585 327 |
| Telephone code | 08481 |
| Vehicle registration | KA-56 |
Basavakalyan is a town in Bidar District of the state of Karnataka, India, and was historically known as Kalyan.
History
Basavakalyan's history dates back to 3000 years with its name being mentioned in Guru Charitra.
Before India's independence, Basavakalyan was called Kalyani. After independence and division of states on linguistic basis in 1956, Kalyana was renamed as BasavaKalyana in memory of Vishwaguru Basavanna, a great revolutionary who established Anubhava Mantapa (spiritual democracy) in 12th century India.
Basavakalyana was ruled by Western Chalukyas, Kalachuris, Yadavas of Devagiri, Bahamani Sultanate (Bidar, Gulbarga), Bidar Sultanate, Bijapur Sultanate, Mughals and Hyderabad Nizams.
Western Chalukyas
It was the royal capital of the Western Chalukya (Kalyani Chalukyas) dynasty from 1050 to 1195. Someshvara I (1041-1068) made Kalyana as his capital, recognised as Kalyani Chalukyas to differentiate with Badami Chalukyas. Later ruled by Someshvara II, Vikramaditya VI, Someshvara III, Jagadhekamalla III and Tailapa III. Before this Manyakheta was their capital. During the 10th-12th centuries ruled nearly half of India,[1][2] most of the western Deccan and South India. King Vikramaditya VI had scholars in his court such as Someshwara, Bilhana (poet of Kashmir) and Vigyaneshwara (legal expert).
Kalyani Chalukya architecture
The earliest examples of the Kalyani Chalukya style are found at Kuknur. The Kalleshvara and Navalinga temples here bear resemblances to early Chalukya group of Aihole and Pattadkal. The Jaina temple at Lakkundi near Gadag forms the nest step in the improvement of this style introducing a greater ornamental effec in the treatment of the surface.
The Kalyani style of architecture reached its maturity and culmination in the 12th century. Kasi Vishveshvara at Lakkundi, Mallikarjuna at Kuruvatti and Mahadeva Temple (Itagi) are the finest examples produced by the later Chalukya architects. The Saraswathi and Someshwara temples at Gadag are in a mutilated condition. There are nearly one hundred monuments of the period, scattered all over the Deccan, giving us information about the artistic excellence attained by the later Chalukyas of Kalyani.
Kalachuris
Kalachuris succeeded Kalyani Chalukyas continued Kalyani as there capital. During the 12th century the Kalachuri King Bijjala (1156–1167) assumed the throne, and Basaveshwara was appointed as his prime minister. Basaveshwara led a social movement to stop untouchability and gender discrimination, Shivasharana revolution took place. Basaveshwara motivated many with the Vachana sahitya, and more than 600 people became writers called Vachanakaras.
Centre of social and religious movement
The centre of a great social and religious movement. In the 12th century, because of the social reformer Basava, it became a seat of learning. Basava, Akka Mahadevi, Channabasavanna, Siddarama and other Sharanas are associated with Basavakalyana. Basava, who fought against castism and orthodoxy in Hinduism.[3]
Vishwaguru Basavanna was a great revolutionary who established spiritual democracy called "Anubhava Mantapa" in the 12th century in India(Anubhava Mantapa - which is also called as the "FIRST PARLIAMENT OF THE WORLD". Its lead by Saint Allamprabhu), and gave practical solutions to all kind of problems mankind was suffering at that time. His teachings are time tested, scientific and proven. Basava-Tatva is never ending inspiration to achieve the welfare of mankind.
Tourism
At Jalasangvi, Narayanapura and Shivapura there are temples of the Chalukya dynasty. Basaveshvara temple is at the centre of Basavakalyana. There are some Islamic monuments Moti Mahal, Hydari Mahal, Peeran Durga. And other religious places such as Gachchina Matha, Kambali Matha and Sadananda Matha.
Basavakalyana Fort was constructed by Chalukyas. It includes Jain images on its walls. There is museum in a side fort and there are Jain idols of the 10th-11th century.[4]
- Shiva Temple at Narayanpura
There is a Shiva Temple at Narayanpura which dating back to Chalukya times (11th century), 4 km from Basavakalyana.
- Basaveshwara Temple and Anubhav mantap
- There is a statue of Allamaprabhu, as the guru of the Basavanna and the related photos of Basavanna which he has worked for the people.
- There is lake beside it and full of trees surrounding its Temple.
- Basava Dharma Peetha Charitable Trust with the intension of reviving Sharana cultural heritage purchased a land of 3 acres on 21-12-2001 by the side of main road nearby the entrance of Basava Kalyana town. Later on the Trust purchased 17.5 acres just adjacent to the previous land and has built a prayer hall and living rooms. Haralayya Tirtha - an attractive water reservoir is formed.
- Sri Basaveswara cave and Akkamahadevi cave have been chiselled and carved beautifully in laterite rock-soil. Sharana village formed pictures the concept of 12th century Sharanas engaged actively in their kayakas (occupations).
- The Trust is running an orphanage. There is a beautiful Hillock which is named as Sharana Shaila. Beautiful rolling land scape is the high light of the place. On Sharana Shaila is erected Lord Basavanna’s statue of 108’ height. It is structured on a pedestal of 24 feet height, 60’ x 80’ size. ruins of lord shiva temple of great architectural styles and written scripts can be found in a village soldapka, which is situated 20 km away from Basavakalyan.
Education
Basavakalyan city is renowned for its educational heritage. It hosts a big number of educational institutes. Following table names a few of them:
| Type | Names | |
|---|---|---|
| Schools | Basaveshwara primary and highschool,(kannada and english ) | |
Geography
Basavakalyan is located at 17°52′N 76°57′E / 17.87°N 76.95°E.[5] It has an average elevation of 621 metres (2037 feet).
Demographics
As of 2006 India census,[6] Basavakalyan had a population of 1,02,546. Males constitute 52% of the population and females 48%. Basavakalyan has an average literacy rate of 62%, Higher than the national average of 59.5%; with 58% of the males and 42% of females literate. 17% of the population is under 6 years of age. Urdu language is spoken by the majority of the population. Marathi , kannada & Lambani are also spoken by some.
See also
References
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Basavakalyana. |
- ↑ "Basavakalyan getting facelift". The Hindu (Chennai, India). 2007-08-08. Retrieved 2009-05-08.
- ↑ "The Chalukyas of Kalyani". Retrieved 2008-08-20.
- ↑ "Basavakalyan". Archived from the original on 27 May 2009. Retrieved 2009-05-08.
- ↑ "BASAVAKALYANA". Retrieved 2009-05-08.
- ↑ Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Basavakalyan
- ↑ "Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)". Census Commission of India. Archived from the original on 2004-06-16. Retrieved 2008-11-01.
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