The
Kalachuri Empire was the name used by two kingdoms who had a succession of dynasties from the 10th-12th centuries, one ruling over areas in Central India (west
Madhya Pradesh,
Rajasthan) and were called
Chedi or
Haihaya (
Heyheya) (northern branch-Kalchuri Rajput Clan) and the other the southern Kalachuri who ruled over parts of
Karnataka. They are supposed to be offshoot of
Abhira of
Traikutakas dynasty. The earliest known Kalachuri family (CE 550–620) ruled over northern
Maharashtra, Malwa and western Deccan. Their capital Mahismati was situated in the Narmada River valley. There were three prominent members; Krishnaraja, Shankaragana and Buddharaja who distributed coins and epigraphs around the area. By religious affiliation they were usually followers of
Hinduism, specifically of the
Pasupata sect.