Somesvara III

Who was Somesvara III?

Somesvara III was a Western Chalukya king and son of Vikramaditya VI and Queen Chandaladevi. A monarch more inclined towards literature, Someshvara III had to face the invasion of the Hoysala ruler Vishnuvardhana, but was able to suppress him. He lost some territory as the Vengi Chalukyas tried to gain freedom, but was able to maintain most of the vast empire left behind by his famous father. He was a scholar of merit and wrote the Sanskrit classic Manasollasa. He held titles like Tribhuvannamalla, Bhulokamalla and Sarvanjyabhupa.