Solankis of Gujarat

The Solankis of Gujarat, also known as the Chaulukyas, were one of the most powerful and influential dynasties of western India during the medieval period (10th–13th centuries CE). They ruled large parts of present-day Gujarat and Kathiawar, extending their influence into Rajasthan and Malwa, and are celebrated for their political achievements, architectural patronage, and promotion of trade, literature, and religion.
Their capital at Anahilapataka (modern Patan) became a major centre of art, learning, and commerce under their reign, marking the Solanki era as a golden age in Gujarat’s history.

Origin and Early History

The Solankis claimed descent from the ancient Chaulukya dynasty, which originally ruled in Rajasthan and later established itself in Gujarat. The term Chaulukya is Sanskrit, and Solanki is its vernacular form used in western India.
According to inscriptions and literary traditions, the founder of the Solanki rule in Gujarat was Mularaja I (c. 942–996 CE). He is believed to have been a descendant of the earlier Chalukyas of Kalyani or possibly a local chief who rose to power after the decline of the Gurjara-Pratihara Empire.
Mularaja consolidated his control over northern Gujarat and laid the foundation of an independent Solanki kingdom with Anahilapataka (Patan) as its capital.

Political History

The Solanki period marked Gujarat’s transformation into one of the most prosperous and culturally vibrant regions of India.

Mularaja I (c. 942–996 CE)

• Founder of the Solanki dynasty of Gujarat.
• Expanded his kingdom by subduing neighbouring rulers of Kutch, Malwa, and Rajasthan.
• Patron of both Shaivism and Jainism, reflecting the religious tolerance of the dynasty.

Chamundaraja (c. 996–1008 CE)

• Succeeded Mularaja and maintained the kingdom’s stability.
• Faced early conflicts with the Paramaras of Malwa.

Bhimadeva I (Bhimdev I) (c. 1022–1064 CE)

• One of the most notable Solanki rulers.
• Defeated the Paramara king Bhoja of Malwa and extended his influence across western India.
• During his reign, Mahmud of Ghazni invaded Gujarat in 1026 CE, sacking the famous Somnath Temple.
• Although Bhimadeva retreated temporarily, he later re-established order and reconstructed temples destroyed in the invasion.

Karnadeva I (c. 1064–1093 CE)

• Son of Bhimadeva I, known for administrative reforms and religious patronage.
• Founded the city of Karnavati, the site of modern Ahmedabad.
• Patronised temples, trade, and literature, fostering a prosperous era.

Siddharaja Jayasimha (c. 1094–1143 CE)

• The most illustrious Solanki ruler, whose reign marked the zenith of Solanki power.
• Expanded the kingdom to include Malwa, Rajasthan, and parts of Kathiawar and Central India.
• Built the magnificent Sahasralinga Tank at Patan and several Jain temples.
• Known for his intellectual pursuits and patronage of scholars such as Hemachandra, the great Jain polymath.
• Promoted peace, cultural prosperity, and religious harmony.

Kumarapala (c. 1143–1172 CE)

• One of the greatest Solanki kings and a disciple of Acharya Hemachandra.
• Initially a Shaiva, he later embraced Jainism, making it the state’s dominant faith.
• Prohibited animal sacrifice and promoted non-violence, reflecting Jain influence.
• Reconstructed and repaired many temples, including the Somnath Temple.
• Patron of art and learning; under his reign, Gujarat became a hub of trade, wealth, and scholarship.

Bhimadeva II (c. 1172–1244 CE)

• The last powerful ruler of the Solanki dynasty.
• His reign witnessed repeated invasions by foreign powers, including the Ghurids and Delhi Sultanate forces.
• The Battle of Kasahrada (1178 CE) during his reign is significant, where the Solanki army defeated Muhammad of Ghor, halting Muslim expansion into Gujarat for nearly a century.
• After Bhimadeva II’s death, the Solanki dynasty declined, and Gujarat eventually fell under the control of the Vaghelas, their feudatories.

Administration and Governance

The Solankis ruled with a highly organised and decentralised administrative system:

• The kingdom was divided into mandalas (provinces) and vishayas (districts), governed by officials and local chieftains.
• Revenue was collected primarily from land taxes, trade, and tolls.
• The Solanki rulers maintained a strong army and a network of fortified towns to secure trade routes and borders.
• Village assemblies (panchayats) had considerable autonomy in local governance.

Trade flourished under the Solankis, as Gujarat’s coastal cities like Cambay (Khambhat) and Bharuch became major ports linking India with Arabia, Persia, and East Africa.

Religion and Culture

The Solankis were patrons of multiple faiths — Hinduism, Jainism, and Shaivism in particular — reflecting Gujarat’s syncretic culture.

• Siddharaja Jayasimha and Kumarapala notably supported Jain scholars and constructed grand temples.
• The dynasty’s religious tolerance led to the coexistence of temples and shrines of various faiths across their realm.

Art and Architecture

The Solankis are renowned for their distinct architectural style, often described as the Maru-Gurjara or Solanki style, which blended decorative elegance with engineering precision.
Key features of Solanki architecture include:

• Intricate carvings on pillars, ceilings, and walls.
• Ornate toranas (arched gateways).
• Use of multi-storeyed mandapas and stepwells with elaborate sculptures.

Notable architectural achievements:

• Modhera Sun Temple (11th century CE): Built during Bhimadeva I’s reign, dedicated to the Sun God. It exemplifies the grandeur of Solanki architecture with exquisite carvings and a stepped water tank.
• Rani ki Vav (Queen’s Stepwell), Patan: Constructed by Queen Udayamati in memory of King Bhimadeva I, this monumental stepwell is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, noted for its sculptural precision and artistic splendour.
• Temples at Taranga, Kiradu, and Somnath: Reflect the dynasty’s devotion and artistic excellence.

Literature and Learning

The Solanki era was marked by a flourishing of Sanskrit, Prakrit, and Old Gujarati literature.

• Acharya Hemachandra (1089–1172 CE): The greatest scholar of the age, who wrote on grammar (Siddha-Hemavyakarana), lexicography, prosody, and philosophy.
• Jain scholars received royal patronage, leading to the compilation of religious and philosophical texts.
• The period also saw the early evolution of Gujarati as a literary language.

Decline and Legacy

After the death of Bhimadeva II, the Solanki power weakened. Internal strife, overextension, and invasions by the Ghurids and later the Delhi Sultanate hastened the decline. The Vaghelas of Dholka, once Solanki feudatories, rose to prominence and ruled Gujarat briefly before the region was annexed by Alauddin Khalji in the early 14th century.
Despite their political fall, the Solankis left an enduring legacy in Gujarat’s culture, architecture, and society. Their patronage of Jainism and temple building shaped the region’s artistic identity, and their architectural innovations influenced later Rajput and Maru-Gurjara styles seen in Rajasthan and western India.