Many of us have seen Beluru and Halebidu and they have own of the most beautiful art showcase in Karnataka. The artists behind these arts are the Hoysala Kingdom. Yes the Hoysala Kingdom is one of the greatest dynasty which ruled Kannada land over 400 years.
There is an interesting story associated with how the Hoysala dynasty was named. It is said that a young boy named Sala and his teacher were in a temple in Angadi when a tiger approached them menacingly. The teacher handed Sala an iron rod and said “Poy Sala” which translates to ‘strike Sala’. Sala took the rod and kill the Tiger with a single blow. Sala went on to set up a vast kingdom and took his teacher’s cry as his family name.
Origin of the Hoysala Empire
The Hoysalas ruled a large part of modern day Karnataka and parts of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu from the 10th to the 14th century. Historians consider them to have been natives of the Malnad Region in Karnataka but inscriptions also point towards connections with the Yadavas from North India.
The Hoysala Empire was founded by King Nripa Kama II who is remembered to having built an alliance with the Western Ganga dynasty. He was succeeded by his son Vinayaditya who was followed by his son and their sons until Veera Ballala I who died childless and was succeeded by his younger brother Vishnuvardhana Raya.
“The Hoysalas were an important dynasty who ruled more or less effectively over the whole of the Southern Karnataka region and at the zenith of their power over the whole of Karnataka they are heard of from the middle of the 10th century. There are different theories regarding origin of Hoysalas. Mostly all the scholars including J. D. M. Derrett have accepted that Sala was the founder of the dynasty. They ruled from 973 A.D. to 1342 A.D. Vishnuvardhana, Ballala II and Ballala III are the important rulers. The Hoysala polity was monoarchical like all other states of South India in those times. As Derrett says it was a “tyranny modified by expediency”. The king was the unifying factor in the polity. The loyalty of the officers and the subjects made the king’s continuance in office possible. The period of the Hoysalas witnessed substantial literary activity both in Kannada and Sanskrit. They also built beautiful temples which spread across the length and breadth of their kingdom. They developed independent Hoysala school of architecture. The Belur Chennakeshava Temple, Hoysaleshwara Temple Halebidu, Keshava Temple at Somanathapura are best specimen of Hoysala architecture. The temples constructed in soft soap stone, the Hoysala temples and the sculptures therein are highly ornate and of finer finish. Hoysalas are remembered in the History of Karnataka for their all round progress in all the fields of activity. Percy Brown rightly says that Hoysala rule added effect on South Indian rule and blossomed the distinguish character in their dynastic history,” said Dr. Sanmathi Kumar, HOD & Assistant Professor, Department of History, SDM College (Autonomous), Ujire.
Hoysala Emblem
The figure representing Sala attacking the tiger became the emblem of this royal family and can be seen in almost every temple built by the Hoysalas. However, the story has a number of discrepancies and is considered folklore by many historians.
Another interpretation of this emblem is that it represents the victory of King Vishnuvardhana over the Cholas as the tiger was the emblem of the Chola dynasty. Here is a sneak peek into the rich history of Hoysalas.
Famous rulers of Hoysala Dynasty:
Vishnuvardhana: 1108-1152
Veera Ballala: 1173- 1220
Art and architecture of Hoysala Empire:
Today, the empire is remembered mainly for its temple architecture rather than its military conquests. There are over a hundred temples from this era still standing in various parts of Karnataka. Three of the most well-known Hoysala Temples are the Keshava Temple at Somanathapura, Chennakeshava Temple at Belur and Hoysaleshwara Temple at Halebidu.
Keshava Temple, Somanathapura
The Chennakesava Temple or Keshava Temple at Somanathapura was built under King Narasimha III in 1268 C.E. This is considered a Vaishnava Temple and has three shrines devoted to the different avatars of Lord Vishnu. The temple is built from soapstone and is known for its lathe turned pillars, symmetrical architecture and intricate sculptures.
Chennakesava Temple, Belur
Belur was originally the capital of the Hoysala Kingdom. In 1117 AD King Vishnuvardhana commissioned the building of this temple which was originally named the Vijayanarayana Temple. Scholars stand divided on whether it was built to celebrate his victory over the Cholas in the battle of Talakad or to commemorate his conversion from Jainism to Hinduism.
The temple itself marks the development of a new architectural style. It is also renowned for the 48 unique pillars inside the main hall. Of these the Narasimha pillar and Mohini Pillar are the most well-known.
Hoysaleswara Temple, Halebidu
In the 12th Century, the Hoysala capital shifted to Halebidu under the rule of King Vishnuvardhana. It is said that the rich an influential Shaiva followers of the city initiated the construction of this temple in competition with the Chennakesava Temple in Belur. This temple is best known for its intricately carved sculptures.