A Crossroads of Empires

The early medieval period in South Karnataka was a time of vigorous cultural change. Between the 10th and 13th centuries CE, it became a frontier region between the sprawling Chola and Chalukya empires, allowing for migration, the development of new trade networks, and the rise of innovative temple cultures. Tamil peasant-warriors and traders settled in South Karnataka, significantly contributing to the region’s already cosmopolitan character—an influence still visible in the temple architecture of Bengaluru and its vicinity. The Chola presence also introduced new models of royal power that shaped the emerging Hoysala dynasty. Drawing on architectural, art historical, and epigraphical material, Anirudh Kanisetti examines the Chola impact on South Karnataka and how it continues to shape Bengaluru’s urbanism today. A Q&A with the audience will follow.

Presented by the International Music and Arts Society