Akkadevi (ಆಕ್ಕದೀವಿ in

Kannada Kannada (; ಕನ್ನಡ, ), originally romanised Canarese, is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by the people of Karnataka in southwestern India, with minorities in all neighbouring states. It has around 47 million native s ...

, also Akkādēvi, Akkā-dēvi), 1010-1064 CE was a princess of the

Chalukya The Chalukya dynasty () was a Classical Indian dynasty that ruled large parts of southern and central India between the 6th and the 12th centuries. During this period, they ruled as three related yet individual dynasties. The earliest dynasty ...

dynasty of

Karnataka Karnataka (; ISO: , , also known as Karunāḍu) is a state in the southwestern region of India. It was formed on 1 November 1956, with the passage of the States Reorganisation Act. Originally known as Mysore State , it was renamed ''Karnat ...

and governor of an area known as Kishukādu, situated in the present day districts of

Bidar Bidar (/ biːd̪ər/) is a city in the north-eastern part of Karnataka state in India. It is the headquarters of Bidar district, which borders Maharashtra and Telangana. It is a rapidly urbanising city in the wider ''Bidar Metropolitan area ...

, Bagalkot and Bijapur. She was the sister of King Jayasimha II of the

Western Chalukyas The Western Chalukya Empire ruled most of the western Deccan, South India, between the 10th and 12th centuries. This Kannadiga dynasty is sometimes called the ''Kalyani Chalukya'' after its regal capital at Kalyani, today's Basavakalyan in th ...

, and aunt of

Someshvara I Someshvara I (; ) was a king of the Western Chalukyas. Also known as "Ahavamalla" or "Trilokamalla", Someshvara succeeded his father Jayasimha II to the throne. His several military successes in Central India made him a formidable ruler of ...

. Akkadevi was well known for being an able administrator and capable general. She was also called Gunadabedangi, meaning "beauty of virtues". The rule of the Chalukyas marks an important milestone in the history of South India and a golden age in the history of Karnataka. The Chalukyas ruled over the

Deccan The large Deccan Plateau in southern India is located between the Western Ghats and the Eastern Ghats, and is loosely defined as the peninsular region between these ranges that is south of the Narmada river. To the north, it is bounded by the ...

plateau in India for over 600 years. Akkadevi was part of the

Western Chalukya Empire The Western Chalukya Empire ruled most of the Deccan Plateau, western Deccan, South India, between the 10th and 12th centuries. This Kannada people, Kannadiga dynasty is sometimes called the ''Kalyani Chalukya'' after its regal capital at Kalya ...

, who was in constant conflict with the Cholas, and with their distant cousins, the Eastern Chalukyas of Vengi. In the course of Akkadevi's rule, she expanded her province, encouraged education through grants, and gave liberally to

Jaina JAINA is an acronym for the Federation of Jain Associations in North America, an umbrella organizations to preserve, practice, and promote Jainism in USA and Canada. It was founded in 1981 and formalized in 1983. Among Jain organization it is ...

and

Hindu Hindus (; ) are people who religiously adhere to Hinduism. Jeffery D. Long (2007), A Vision for Hinduism, IB Tauris, , pages 35–37 Historically, the term has also been used as a geographical, cultural, and later religious identifier for ...

temples. Akkadevi was said to be "a personage of great reputation and consequence". An inscription dated 1022 calls her as courageous as

Bhairavi Bhairavi ( sa, भैरवी) is a Hindu goddess, described as one of the Mahāvidyas, the ten avatars of the mother goddess. She is the consort of Bhairava. Etymology The name ''Bhairavi'' means "terror" or "awe-inspiring". She is th ...

in war. She laid siege to the fort of Gōkāge or Gōkāk to quell a local rebellion, and is said to have encouraged education by giving grants to

Brahmin Brahmin (; sa, ब्राह्मण, brāhmaṇa) is a varna as well as a caste within Hindu society. The Brahmins are designated as the priestly class as they serve as priests (purohit, pandit, or pujari) and religious teachers (gur ...

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Akkadevi 1010 births 1064 deaths 11th-century women rulers Chalukya dynasty Indian generals History of Karnataka Indian princesses Indian women in war People from Bidar district Women in 11th-century warfare 11th-century Indian women 11th-century Indian people