Akkadevi 1010-1064 CE, was a princess of the Chalukya dynasty of Karnataka

Karnataka

Karnataka , the land of the Kannadigas, is a state in South West India. It was created on 1 November 1956, with the passing of the States Reorganisation Act and this day is annually celebrated as Karnataka Rajyotsava...

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

Bidar District

Bidar is a district of Karnataka state in southern India. The historic city of Bidar is the administrative centre of the district. The district is located in the northeastern corner of the state, near the borders with Andhra Pradesh to the east and Maharashtra to the north and west...

, Bagalkot

Bagalkot district

Bāgalkot district is an administrative district in the Indian state of Karnataka. The district headquarters is located in the town of Bagalkot. The district is located in northern Karnataka and borders Belgaum, Gadag, Koppal, Raichur and Bijapur...

 and Bijapur. She was the sister of King Jayasimha II of the Western Chalukyas

Western Chalukyas

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

, and aunt of Somesvara I

Somesvara I

Somesvara I succeeded his father Jayasimha II as the Western Chalukya king. He was one of the greatest kings of the later Chalukya Dynasty. In spite of many reverses he managed to safeguard the integrity of the Chalukya kingdom. He founded the city of Kalyani, present day Basavakalyana and moved...

.

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 plateau in India for over 600 years. Akkadevi was part of the Western Chalukya Empire, who was in constant conflict with the Cholas, and with their distant cousins, the Eastern Chalukyas

Eastern Chalukyas

Eastern Chalukyas were a South Indian dynasty whose kingdom was located in the present day Andhra Pradesh. Their capital was Vengi and their dynasty lasted for around 500 years from the 7th century until c. 1130 C.E. when the Vengi kingdom merged with the Chola empire...

 of Vengi.

In the course of Akkadevi's rule, she expanded her province, encouraged education through grants, and gave liberally to Jaina

Jainism

Jainism is an Indian religion that prescribes a path of non-violence towards all living beings. Its philosophy and practice emphasize the necessity of self-effort to move the soul towards divine consciousness and liberation. Any soul that has conquered its own inner enemies and achieved the state...

 and Hindu

Hindu

Hindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...

 temples.

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

Bhairavi

Bhairavi is a fierce and terrifying aspect of the Devi virtually indistinguishable from Kali, except for her particular identification as the consort of the Bhairava.-Symbolism:...

 in war. She laid seige 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

Brahmin Brahman, Brahma and Brahmin.Brahman, Brahmin and Brahma have different meanings. Brahman refers to the Supreme Self...

s.