Kalachuris of Tripuri

Kalachuris of Tripuri
possibly 7th century–c. 1212 CE
Gold coin of king Gangeyadeva (c. 1015–1041) of the Kalachuris of Tripuri. Obverse: Lakshmi seated. Reverse: "Śrimad Gangeya Devah" in three lines.
Territory of the Later Kalacuris during the reign of Lakshmikarna, circa 1050 CE.[1]
Capital	Tripuri
Religion	Hinduism
Government	Monarchy
History
• Established	possibly 7th century
• Disestablished	c. 1212 CE
Preceded by Succeeded by Gurjara-Pratiharas Kalachuri dynasty Gahadavala Chandela Paramara dynasty Seuna (Yadava) dynasty Kalachuris of Ratnapura
Today part of	India

The Kalachuris of Tripuri (IAST: Kalacuri), also known the Kalachuris of Chedi, ruled parts of central India during 7th to 13th centuries. They are also known as the Later Kalachuris to distinguish them from their earlier namesakes, especially the Kalachuris of Mahishmati. Their core territory included the historical Chedi region (also known as Dahala-mandala), and their capital was located at Tripuri (present-day Tewar near Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh).

The origin of the dynasty is uncertain, although one theory connects them to the Kalachuris of Mahishmati. By the 10th century, the Kalachuris of Tripuri had consolidated their power by raiding neighbouring territories and by fighting wars with the Gurjara-Pratiharas, the Chandelas and the Paramaras. They also had matrimonial relations with the Rashtrakutas and the Chalukyas of Kalyani.

In the 1030s, the Kalachuri king Gangeyadeva assumed imperial titles after achieving military successes at his eastern and northern frontiers. The kingdom reached its zenith during the reign of his son Lakshmikarna (1041-1073 CE), who assumed the title Chakravartin after military campaigns against several neighbouring kingdoms. He also controlled a part of the Paramara and Chandela kingdoms for a brief period.

The dynasty gradually declined after Lakshmikarna, whose successors lost control of their northern territories to the Gahadavalas. Trailokyamalla, the last known ruler of the dynasty, ruled at least until 1212 CE, but it is not certain how and when his reign ended. In the later half of the 13th century, the former Kalachuri territories came under the control of the Paramaras and the Chandelas, and ultimately under the Delhi Sultanate. A branch of the dynasty, the Kalachuris of Ratnapura, ruled at Ratnapura (now Ratanpur) in present-day Chhattisgarh.