empire. For some years, the Chola power ceased to exist in Vengi.
Vikramaditya’s empire extended as far as Narmada in the north and Tumkur
and Cuddapah districts in the south. His long reign of 50 years was also a
period of the development of art and literature. Bilhana, the author of
Vikramankacharita and Vijnanesvara, the author of Mitaksara, enjoyed his
patronage.
Somesvara III Vikramaditya VI was succeeded by his son Somesvara III
whose reign witnessed the disintegration of the Chalukya empire. The
Hoyasala vassal Vishnuvardhana declared his independence and conquered
some parts of Western Chalukya territories. Somesvara’s interest lay more in
religion and letters than in war and politics. He was the author of the
encyclopaedic work called the Abhilashitartha-chintamani or the
Manasollasa, for which Somesvara was known as sarvajna (omniscient).
Later Rulers The reigns of Somesvara’s sons, Jagadekamalla and Taila III,
witnessed the Final fall of the dynasty due to the hostility of the Kalachuris.
Though Taila’s son, Somesvara IV, temporarily revived the Chalukya power,
the final blow was given by the Yadava, Bhillama. With the defeat of
Somesvara IV came the end of Chalukya rule in Karnataka which now came
to be ruled by two kingdoms, that of the Yadavas in the region above the
Tungabhadra and that of the Hoyasalas below the river.
Administration
The government being monarchical, all powers vested in the king. It was also
hereditary and succession went generally to the eldest son. Generally, the
yuvaraja was in charge of the administration of the central region. There
were a number of high-ranking ministers to advise the king. Most of the
officers held charge of certain departments of administration. Sandhi-
vigrahika was the officer in charge of the department of peace and war. The
antahpuradhyaksha was in charge of the management of the royal palace.
Another official designation that figures in contemporary records is
tantradhyaksha which appears to mean superintendent of administration.
Bhandari was the treasurer in charge of the royal treasury. Most of the
officers were described as dandanayakas as they were required to discharge
military service also. Sahani was   in charge of cavalry. Anayasahani was in