CHAPTER - II

POLITICAL HISTORY

THE PROBLEM OF ORIGIN

It was B.L. Rice who brought to the fore the existence of a

_ /
family of chieftains in Maddagiri, Pavugada and Sira taluks of Tumkur

district in Karnataka, who claimed descent from the Chola dynasty of the

Sangam Age.1 He noticed that the earliest of their inscriptions were

found in Madhugiri taluk, dating from about c 7S0 A.D. Chola

Dhananjaya Eriga, according to B.L.Rice was administering Alvidi-600

as a subordinate of Gangal Pallava Raja. Chola Dhananjaya Eriga and

Cholika Muttarasa, the latter ruling Kandakotta, together made a grant.

» *•
I *
These inscrpitons come from a single place, i.e., Sravanagudi along

with another of Sripurusha, a king of the Ganga family. The next series
_ i
of inscriptions were concentrated in Pavugada and Sira taluks. They

opened with the mention of Chola Iruiigola. A genealogy of his line

could be reconstructed up to 1337 A.D.3 Rice, however, does not seem

to have attempted at identifying the origin or homeland of these Chola

chiefs.
 7

In Karnataka Through the Ages, a brief note describing these

chiefs appeared under the head "The Cholas of Nidugal".4 The author of

this note expressed the view that the Nidugal Chola chiefs ruled between

8th and 12th century A.D. as subordinates of the Ganga? earlier, and of

the Chilukyas of Kalyana later. However, so far no evidence has

appefed to show that the Chola chiefs were subordinate to the Gaiigas

any time. The reference to a Gangul Pallava Raja3 in one of the

inscriptions has probably prompted them to pass this remark.

While editing certain Telugu records from Anantapur and

Cuddapah districts of Andhra Pradesh, K.A.Nilakantasastri made certain

observations on the so-called Cholas of Nidugal.6 He felt that the Chola

• • •

chiefs ruling from Renadu and Tumkur regions assumed similar epithets

like Erigal Mutturaja, Erigal Dhananjaya, Erigal Dugaraju, etc., and as

such both these families were to be regarded as identical. Further, he

was inclined to believe that Erigalvadi and Erigal were place names and

should be identified with Nidugal in Pavugada taluk of Tumkur district.

Also, according to him, it was from the Nidugal region that they

expanded eastward in the neighbouring tracts of Anantapur-Cuddapah

districts in Andhra Pradesh. However, this last opinion of the learned

scholar is difficult to accept because of the following reasons :

 8

1. The identity of Erigal with Nidugal is not established. No

inscription from Nidugal ever mentions it as Erigal.

2. The early inscriptions of this Chola family do not come from

Nidugal or its surrounding areas in Tumkur district. On the other hand,

a few of them have been reported from Cuddapah district in Andhra

Pradesh.57 *

3. Even in the later days of Chola Chieftains of this region, it was

not Nidugal which served as their capital. It was first Govitidavadi,8

then Henjeru or Hemavati,9 and still later, Nidugal.10

4. The inscriptions mentioning Chola Dhananjaya found in

Sravanagudi in Madhugiri taluk, Tumkur district, are all hero-stone

records11 and imply intrigues taking place in the region about the middle

of the 8th century A.D. As such, the area of eastern part of Madhugiri

may at best have been western peripheral region of the Telugu Cholas of

Renadu.

5. The places which served as headquarters for the Telugu Chola

rulers of Renadu were located in Cuddapah district and its

neighbourhood.12
 9

6. The Gangas were considerably formidable in this region and

would not have allowed the independent rule of another dynasty in

/

Pavugada, Sira, Madhugiri areas. In fact, certain Ganga inscriptions are

found in eastern parts of Tumkur district (including Pavugada taluk) and

the western parts of Anantapur district between 5th and 8th centuries

A.D. These are as follows : Pura inscription,13 Gubbi taluk, Tumkur

disctict (c. 5th c. A.D.); Melekote inscription,14 Tumkur taluk, Tumkur

district (c. 5th c. A.D.); Kadagattur inscription13, Maddagiri taluk,

Tumkur district (c. 6th c. A.D.); Chikkasarangi inscription,16 Tumkur

taluk, Tumkur disctrict (748 A.D.); Jangamarahalli inscription,17 Tumkur

district (c. 8th c.A.D.); Honnudike inscription,18 Tumkur taluk, Tumkur

district (c. 8th c. A.D.); Penukonda inscription,19 Penukonda taluk,

Anantapur district (5th c. A.D.); Sasanakota inscription,20 Hindupur

taluk, Anantapur district, Andhra Pradesh. None of these alludes to a

family of Cholas in the region.

There is not the slightest indication of any Chola chieftains

ruling the region with Nidugal as the centre, during 5th-8th centuries

A.D. Therefore, the views of Nilakantasastri (1956)21 and M. Rama Rao

(19 7 4)22 that Erigal was Nidugal and that the Renidu Cholas began their

rule from Nidugal does not stand scrutiny.

 10

Whatever the controversy regarding the connection or otherwise

of Renadu Cholas and Dhananjaya of Sravanagudi inscriptions, it

remains a fact that the family claimed descent from Karikala Chola,23
*

apparently the famous king Karikala of the Sangam age. It is possible

x
that a prince of the Sangam Chola family migrated northwards into

central eastern and southern parts of southern Andhra in early times and

established himself as chieftain. His successors continued for a couple

of centuries against heavy odds from the other minor chieftaincies like

those of the Banas, the Vaidumbas, the Gangas and the Nolamba

Pallavas, and in all probability established branches as petty

chieftaincies in the southern half of Andhra Pradesh and adjoining ai§pas

of Karnataka. As will be shown later, one of these branches probably

took service as subordinates of the Nolamba-Pallavas24 when the latter

assumed importance in Nolambavadi-32000 with Henjeru as capital.

From the beginning of the 11th century a connected history of

the Cholas of Chitradurga-Tumkur-Anantapur belt is traceable. Before

we take up this case, it will be appropriate to recount the evidence

!■ |

relating to the Cholas of Erigal. The IbelowJchart) speaks of various rulers

of Cholas of Erigal.
 CHART ON CHOLAS OP ERIGAL

P lace/T alu k /D istrict/S tate C ontents R eference

1. Kalaraalle/Kam alapuram /Cuddapah/A.P. (Eri) Kal[ M uturaju D hananjaya EC XXVII, 42, p p . 221-225
ruling R enadu, c. 575 A.D.

2. Indukuru/K am alapuram /Cuddapah/A .P. Erigal Dugarja made grant to Ins. of A.P. cd. 3
a certain Braham ana, c. 75th
cent. A.D.
3. Tippaluru/K am alapuram /C uddapah/A .P . Punyakum ira ruling Renadu with Ins. of A.P. cd. 11
C herpalli as capital,
c. 7th c. A.D.

4. V eldurti/K am alapauram /Cuddapah/A .P. Refers to Erkal M utturaju Ins. of A.P. cd. 13
(Pn^nya Kumara, 7th cent.
Telugu characterx

5. N allacheruvu/Pulivendala/C uddapah/ Erigallu M utturaju ruling Ins. of A.P. cd. 9

A.P. K anguluru, c. 7th cent. A.D.

6. Erragudipadu/K am alapuram /Cuddapah/ R efer to Erikal M utturaju of Ins. o f A.P. cd. 10

A.P. K undikallu 7th cent. Telugu
character^
7. Naguru Pulivendala/C uddapah/A .P. Refew to E rikal M utturaju Ins. o f A.P.
ruling from residence Palviri
Telugu characterxof 8th c.
EC XII, MI 95

00
. iSravanagudi/M addagiri/Tum kur/Karnataka Refersto dealing Cholika
M uttarasa, c. 750 A.D.
(continued)
11
(C ontinued chart)

P lace/T alu k /D istrict/S tate C ontents R eference

9 . Sravanagudi/M addagiri/Tum knr/K arnataka Refers to Cholika M uttarasa EC XII, MI 96

and death o f Alva, c. 750 A.D.
/
10. Sravanagudi/M addagiri/Tum kur/K arnataka Refers to Chola Dhlananjaya EC XII, MI 92

11. Sravanagudi/M addagiri/Tum kur/K arnataka Refers to death of Keregale EC XII, MI 97

M uttarasa when Ch51a Dhananjaya
was ruling Erikalvadi-600
c. 750 A.D.

12. Sravanagudi/M addagiri/Tum kur/K arnataka Refers to death of A ditya's son EC XII, MI 101
in the battle of Tiruvur A ditya's
son was servant of Chola
D hananjaya, c. 750 A.D.
13. Sravanagudi/M addagiri/Tum kur/K arnataka Refers to Chola Dhananjaya ruling EC XII, MI 93
Erigalv5di-600, mentions three
’
p f4 i 8~8ana P^ 4*> kottavallipadi and
vallabhapadi, who lifted their
pride against volavarm a-kandakotta-
sriman, smote through m ultidue of
men, elephants and horses entered
the Svarga o f heroes, c. 750 A.D.

4
00
M
•4-»

U)
00
u

k
0
0
u
000

H
E
M

2
no
00
00

00>
- rt

•to0
000

>00
00
EC XII, MI 94

'&

m
Refers to rule of Gangul and
grant made by Chola Dhananjaya
and M uttarasa.
12
 13

There are various branches of Chola chiefs who ruled over the
0

regions of Kurnool and Anantapur district of Andhra Pradesh.

Although, the origin and fall of the Cho]a dynasties is not yet traced,

some of the rulers called themselves descendents of Karikala Chola of

Sangam fame. The following are the various Chola chiefs who ruled

over these regions : Bijjana Chola Maharaja the ruler of Kanne-300,

Pedakal-300 and Naravadi-500; Mahamandalesvara Ballaya Chola

Maharaja who ruled over Siiidavadi-1000 and Kanne-300; Kandur

Tondarasa Chbla Maharaja who ruled over Kollipakc-7000. Similarly,

Kondaya Chola Maharaja, Udayaditya Chola Maharaja and Chidanna

Chola Maharaja ruled over these regions.23

It was pointed out above that one of the branches of the Cholas

established itself in the Chitradurga-Tumkur-Anantapur belt. Hitherto

scholars have generally described this family of Chola chiefs as the

Cholas of Nidugal. But it will be shown below that this designation is

« «
only partially valid in view of the fact that before Nidugal became their

capital, for nearly two centuries they had ruled from Govitidavadi and

Henjeru as successive capitals. (Beginning of 11th century to 1196

A.D.).

With regard to the origin of this family some scholars have

proposed certain suggestions. Yasodadcvi considered that this was a

 14

branch of the Telugu Chola family,26 in which case one has to trace the

inception of this family to Cuddapah region. Kuppuram on the other

hand considered them as feudatories of imperial Cholas who owing to

commercial contact migrated from Tamil country to Nidugal.27

Chaluvarajan expressed a similar opinion when he stated that, these

Chola chicls were migrants from Tamilnad, who came on Jaitrayatra

and settled in Nidugal.2*

Similarly, Chetty is of the opinion that because these Cholas

ruled over Telugu regions they are called Telugu Chola and probably
«

were the off-shoot of the Rehadu Cholas. An attempt has also been

made by the author to give political history, genealogy and chronology

of these Chola chiefs, which are studied, analysed and revised in the

present work. At the same time the tracing of the origin of these Chola

chiefs to Renadu Cholas or calling them Telugu Chola is not acceptable

because of lack of authentic sources.29

It should be noted that the inscriptions of this Chola family right

from the beginning indirectly reveal the principal homeland of their early

activities. A point that has been missed by previous scholars is the fact

that the chiefs are given the epithet Roddada-gova30 which term means

"protector of Rodda". An administrative division named Rodda-300 is

frequently referred to in the inscriptions31 and it comprised the southern

 15

parts of Anantapur district in Andhra Pradesh. Its headquarters was

Roddam about 10 kms west of Penukonda, the taluk headquarters. On

this ground, it may be suggested that the early activities of these Chola

chiefs were centred in Rodda-300 region. This is further strengthened

by the fact that Mangarasa, the third important ruler of the dynasty, is

stated in his inscriptions as ruling over Rodda-300 and Kaniyakal-300.32

It will be of interest to note that the modern Jangamarahalli in the

southern part of Pavugada taluk is called in their inscription Voreyur33,

obviously after IJraiyur, the ancient capital of Cholas in Tamilnad.

Since nothing is known about the connections of Jata, the

earliest known member of the family,34 with the Cholas of Erigal, it will

be futile to trace their descent from the latter. It can only be stated that

the family began to assume prominence in the region of Rodda from the

time of Jata, about the beginning of 11th century.

The chiefs of this family had such titles as Oreyur-

puravaresvara,3i (Lord of the city of Oreyur) Kasyapa-kula-pavitra36

(born in the pure Kasyapa lineage), Simha-lanchhana37 (bearing the

insignia of lion), belonging to the family of Karikala Chola,3*

Cholesvaradeva-labdha-vara-prasada39 (born of the boon of God

Chdles'vara), Kichaka-vrikodara40 (Bhima to Kichaka), protector of

Rodda,41 Sahaaeva in wielding the sword,42 worshipper of feet of Hara

 16
/

(Siva)43, Karncitaka-karna-ratna-mekhal-'alahkara,** K&nchipura-

tankara,45 Aiyyanakakara of a Mahamandalesvara,46 Aruvattunalku-

mandalikara-talegonda-ganda, 47 etc.

Political History

The Chiefs Ruling from Govindavadi

Jata

The earliest known member of the Chola family is Jata. Though

he does not figure in the inscriptions of his early successors, he is

mentioned in the record of Irungola III (c. 1232-1280 A.D.) from

Nidugal.48 The inscription does not reveal the specific political

achievement of this ruler. But it may be surmised that he ruled about

the beginning of the 11th century and that he was probably serving as a

petty chief in the Tumkur region, as a subordinate of the Nolamba rulers

of Hcnjeru.
 17

Brahmadeva (c. 1040)

Jata was succeeded by his son Brahmadeva. He was also known

«
by other names like Bhogendra**, and Bhoga30. In the genealogical

account of later chiefs, he figures in only one inscription, i.e., the

Nidugal record of Irungola III31, wherein he is mentioned as the son of

Jata. There is at least one inscription that can be ascribed to his reign.
_ t
It comes from Kvarya32 in Sira taluk of Tumkur district. It is dated in

the reign of Kalyana Chalukya king Jagadekamalla I (c. 1015-1040

A.D.). In this inscription, the Chola chief Bommadeva is mentioned as

_ / _ — -
Mahamandalesvara Bommadeva Chola Maharaja. He is stated to have

been ruling over Govindavadi.

The record further describes him as a Kshatriya belonging to the

Kasyapa gotra, having such titles as Oreyurapura-varadhisvara (Lord of

the city or Oreyur), Roddada-gova (protetor of Rodda), Khadga-

sahadeva (a Sahadeva in wielding the sword). Hara-padaradhaka

(worshipper of the feet of God Hara),33 etc. Another title of his

occurring in this record was Nolambaridlim munnijriva54 (foremost among

the servants of the Nolamba chief). This suggests that he was a

subordinate of the Nolambas of Hcnjcru. The Nolamba ruler at this time

was Narr.i Nolamba33 (c. 1044-1052 A.D.).

 18

The Kvarya record56 of Bommadeva reveals that these Chola

chiefs rose to the prominence under this chief to the status of

_ _ I
Mahamandalesvaras, whence records were begun to be issued by them.

It is also clear that the area ruled over by them was the Govindavadi

region.

Mangarasa (c. 1079-1083)

According to inscriptions of Irungola III37 and Ganesvara,58 the

m

line of Chola chiefs begins with Mangaras? However, in the Nidugal

inserpition of Irungola III59, he figures as the son and successor of

Bommadeva. He was also known by other names, such as Iriva

Mangarasa60 and Kalimangi.61 Nidugalbetta epigraph dated 1292 A.D.

states that he acquired the name 'destroyer of the Matangas' by

destroying the elephants, his enemies, but who those enemies were is not

known. There are two inscriptions ascribable to the period of his reign.

The earlier of these is from Haulagi62 (Gooty taluk, Anantapur district)

dated 1079 A.D. in the reign of Chalukya emperor Vikramaditya VI. It

_ - f
contains a long list of epithets of Mahamandalesvara Mangarasa, which

include in addition to those of Bommarasa, Kichaka Vrikodara (Bhima

to Kichaka), Simhalancltana (bearing the insignia of lion) and

Cholesvaradeva-labdha-varaprasada (born of the boon of God

Cholesvara). He was ruling over Rodda-300 and Kaniyakal-300. The

 19

other inscription of his reign is from Undabanda63 also in the Gooty

taluk of Anantapur district. Here he is mentioned as Mahamandalesvara

Iriva Mangarasa Chola belonging to the family of Karikala Chola. The

M * * •

record is dated c. 1082-83 A.D. in the reign of Chalukya Vikramaditya

VI.

From the above two inscriptions it can be made out that

Mangarasa’s authority extended over the two administrative divisions,

namely, Kaniyakal-300 with its capital at Govindavadi and Rodda-300

with its capital at Rodda.64 These two divisions comprised parts of

Rayadurga, Kalyanadurga, Gooty, Hindupur and Penukohda taluks of

Anantapur district and parts of Chitradurga district. They were

subdivisions of Nolambavadi-32000. When exactly did Mangarasa's

reign come to an end is not clear.

Bichi

According to Nidugal inscription of Irungola III63 Mangarasa was

# *

succeeded by his son Bichi. The same chief is mentioned as Babbi66 in

the Nidugal record of Ganesvara, which eulogises him by stating that the

world became the Mdntapa (pavilion) for the dance of his fame and that

in the blazing fire' of his valour an enemy of Sagaramasva was sacrificed

 20

so that he obtained happiness Svarga. However, no records of this

chief have come to light so far.

Govindarasa

The son and successor of Bichi according to the above records67

was Govindarasa. No record of this chief has been found. That his wife

was Mahadevi is known from Nidugal inscription6* of his grandson

Mallideva. Irungola I was their son.

Irungola I (c. 1107-1143 A.D.)

From the time of Irungola I, the inscriptions of the Chola chiefs

• •

begin to occur more or less regularly. As many as eight inscriptions of

this chief are known. They are found in Challakere69 taluk of

Chitradurga district, Sira70 taluk of Tumkur district, Kalyanadurga,71

Gooty72 and Madaksira73 taluks of Anantapur district. They range from

1107 to 1142 A.D. Thus, Mahamandalesvara Irungola Chola Maharaja

served under three Chalukya emperors, viz., Vikramaditya VI,

Somesvara III and Jagadekamalla II. The geographical distribution of

his inscriptions shows that he was a more important chief than his

predecessors. In the reign of Vikramaditya VI, he seems to have held

control of Kaniyakal-300 division from its capital Goviridavadi.73 But,

 21

under Somesvara III Irungola extended his authority further, as indicated

by Doddabahltgere inscription of 1127 A.D.76 This record states that he

was ruling over Kaniyakal-300, Rodda-300, Haruve-300 and Sindavadi-

1000.

His subordinate officers like Aiharasa77 of Bangicheru-30,

Mahaprabhu Eraka-maragamuhda78 of Suliyanur-70, Mahapradhana and

military officer Ketanavergayya79 are known from his records. The

- _ _ /
Doddabanagere inscription*0 describes him as Mahamandalesvara

Virapandya Irungola Chola. It is possible that he assumed fhis title

*• • %
Virapandya because his mother Mahadevi probably belonged to the
* 0

Pandya family of Uchchangi.

Although Irungola's inscriptions do not make any reference to his

conflict with the Hoysalas, the inscriptions of Hoysala Vishnuvardhana

reveal that Irungola was at daggers drawn against the Hoysala king.

Vishnuavardhana fancied such titles as "Kumbha-Sambhava (Agastya) to

the ocean of Irungol^s army',81 "a thunder to the conceited goose pride

Irungola",82 a mighty elephant in breaking through the forest of the

* AA

plantain stems the spear of Irungola", "a sun in piercing the dense

darkness the Irungola's arm", and claimed to have captured Irungola's

• *

fort.84 As none of the inscriptions refers to Irungola as subordinate of

the Hoysalas, it can be surmised that he stood by the Chalukyas of

 22

Kalyana and remained a formidable foe of Vishnuvardhana, though he

might have suffered some temporary setbacks now and then.

In 1131 A.D. Vishnuvardhana boasted of overpowering Hcnjeru

*

and of having been a terror to Govindavadi. It probably refers to the

conflict that took place in 1128. A record adds that Rodda was in the

list of territories conqured by Vishnuavardhana.

A record from Govindavadi refers to the conflict of Irungola

with another Telugu Chola subordinate of Vikramaditya VI namely,

Ballideva Chola Maharaja. The battle was fought at Kaniyak^lu, in

which certain Masavi Mayindaya died by the sword of Irungola.

The Nidugal83 inscription of Mallideva’s time informs that

Nidugal was given to Tantrapala Namana for protecting it by Irungola I.

# ' «

This place was destined to play an important role in the future history of

the Chola chiefs.

Some of the epithets like Karnata-Karnaratna-mekhalala-

ahkara, Kanchi-nupura-ratnakara, etc., mentioned in the Hemivati

86
inscription of his time appear to have been applied to him. The same

record mentions Alpadevi as his queen. She was a follower of Jaina

 23

religion and lay disciple of the Kranurgana of Kuridakundanvaya. She

seems to have renovated a Jaina temple at Kottasivarama.87

• «

The Chiefs Ruling from Heiijeru

Mallideva (c. 1143-1196)

Irungoja I was succeeded by his son Jagadekamalla Mallideva.

He is also described as Vira-Nolamba-Jagadekamalla-Mallideva Chola

Maharaja,88 Bhogadeva,89 Piriya Bhoga90 and Bhoga91 in various

inscriptions of his dynasty. He was believed to have performed the

duties of Bhogendra (king of serpent) by bearing the burden of the

whole earth. As many as 13 inscriptions belonging to his reign are

known. These are found in Hemavati92 (Madaksira taluk, Anantapur

district), Nagenahalli93 (Rayadurga taluk, Anantapur district),

Nidugalbetta,94 Marigalavada,93 Arasikcre96 and Racharlu97 (all

Pavugada taluk of Tumkur district), Obalapura98 and Mahadevapura"

(both in Challakere taluk of Chitradurga district). In all his inscriptions

he is stated to be ruling from Henjeru, i.e., Hemavati, as the capital.

This shows that the Cho(a chiefs shifted their headquarters from

Govindavadi to Hemavati. The reason for this is not clear. But it is

* *
possible that Mallideva was born of a princess of Nolamba family and
*
 24

there was no male heir to succeed to the Nolamba throne, thereby the
«

c
political authority became vested in Chola Chief Mallideva. The fact

that he is given the epithet Vira-Nolamba100 also points to this

possibility. The last known date of Irungola I is 1143 A.D.101

Mallideva's earliest inscription is in the reign of Chalukya

Jagadekamalla.102 Thus, c. 1143 A.D. may be regarded as his first

regnal year. His epithet Jagadekamalla also indicates that he came to the

throne in the reign of Chalukya Jagadekamalla II. Mallideva became a

temporary subordinate to the Kalachuris.

Mallideva was a prominent chief of the Chffla family. According

to Nidugal inscription of his reign,

*
Heggade Bommana103
•
was his

minister. In one of the inscriptions he is given the title Tribhuvanamalla

Mallideva,104 apart from the traditional epithets held by his predecessors.

Mallideva also had such titles as Aravattanalku-Mandalikara-tolegonda-

• * *

garida105 (one who took the heads of 64 Mandalikas) and Rodda-Malla.106

* * *
His kingdom consisted of Roddanadu, Kaniyakal-nadu, Sircnadu and

HaruvenaTdu, and these were administered from his capital Henjeru.107

An inscription from Parigi10* (Hindupur taluk, Anantapur

district) dated 1178 A.D. indicates that the authority of Hoysala Ballala * »

II had been firmly established in Nolambavadi region in that year. From

this it can be surmised that Chola Mallideva was subdued by Hoysala

 25

Ballala II at least for some time. The chiefdom of Chola Mallideva had

extended up to Parigi. It is interesting to note that in his inscriptions he

never acknowledges the supremacy of the Hoysalas over him.

From his inscriptions we come to know that he had four queens,

namely, Lakshmadevi,109 Ballidevi,110 Sitadevi111 and Bijjaladevi.112

Lakshmadevi and Ballidevi were the senior queens. In a record

Ballidevi is stated to be governing Sirivolalkere.113 He acted probably as

a subordinate of Chola Kulottunga II114 for sometime.

The earlier hostile relation of the Chola chiefs with the Hoysalas
• *

of Dorasamudra seems to have turned friendly for sometime.

Mallideva's contemporary Hoysala Narasimha I does not appear to have

been antagonistic to the Chola chief. On the other hand, an inscription

of 1160 A.D.113 refers to the marriage of Mallideva's son Irungonadeva

II with Siriyadevi who appears to have been the daughter of Bhujabala-

Vira-Gaiiga-Hoysala Narasimhadeva I.116 This matrimonial alliance

could be one of the reasons for peace between the Hoysalas and the

Chola chiefs until the advent of Ballala II. From the later inscriptions it

is known that Mallideva alias Bhogadeva had another son named

Bammideva.117 The last known date of Mallideva is 1196 A.D.118

 26

Irungola II (c. 1196-1219)

«

No inscription of this chief has come to light so far, but he must

have succeeded his father, as one of the inscriptions11’ of Hoysala

Ballala II mentions the latter as having put to flight Irungola

(Irungo lana-benkonJa-ganJa) and Pandya (probably the Pandya chief

of Uchchangi). Another record of Hoysaja Ballala dated 1218 A.D.120

refers to his camping near Nidugal. Obviously, the rivalry between the

Chola chiefs and the Hoysalas was revived in the reign of Irungola and it

is possible that control over some parts of the chiefdom was lost by the

Chola chief.

The Chiefs Ruling from Nidugal 0

Bommadeva II (c. 1219-1225 A.D.)

Bommadeva II or Brahma121 was another son of Mallideva and

succeeded the Chola throne after his brother Irungola II.

• •
Only one

inscription found in Brahmagiri hill122 (Molakalmuru taluk, Chitradurga

district) is known of his reign. It is dated 1219 A.D. According to the

genealogy given in this record he was the son of Bhogi (i.e., Mallideva)

by Bijjaladevi. The same record states that he took under his possession
 27

Rodda, Kaniyakal, Sirenad, Hombulige of Madiyammenad, Lunke,

Norumba, Nolambavadi, Ramadi (Iramadi) and many other regions and

was protecting the land guarded by the ocean. This probably indicates

that he was able to procure back certain territories lost by his

predecessor Iruhgola II. These conquests were probably achieved by

Bommadeva when Ballala II was busy interfering in the Pandya affairs in

• *

Tamilnad.

It is interesting to note that this inscription gives an account of

Bicha who is described as son of Ajjana and grandson of Malligauda of

Chaturtha-varna (Sudra). Kaniyakalnadu was under the control of

Ajjana. Minister Bicha is stated to have built at the orders of king

Bamma a fort connecting Nidugal and Haniya in order to subdue the

enemies. The impregnable fort at Nidugal is eulogized as having shaken

the Pallava, blinded the Andhras, scared the Karnataka (Hoysala ?),

frightened the Anga and Vanga kings, made the Malava king to turn his

back and get into a hole, trembled the Yadava (Seuna) king.124 In a 13th

century inscription from Roppa123 (Chitradurga district), it is stated that

Roddda-gova Nigalankamalladeva Bammadeva had four sons named,

Bijjanadeva, Biradeva, Irurigona and Bavantigadeva.

 28

Irungola III (c. 1225-1280)

Bommadeva was succeeded by his son Irungola III. His earliest

record is dated 1232 A.D. and comes from Nidugal.126 It appears that he

shifted his capital to the Nidugal fort, since his inscription from

Abbinavole127 (Chitradurga district). Kambaduru128 (Anantapur district),

4 *

Nidugal129 (Tumkur district), etc., mention him ruling from that place.

As many as ten inscriptions refer to him, out of which two are from

Nidugal.130 The other inscriptions are found in Sira131 and Pavugada132

taluks of Tumkur district, Hiriyu^33 and Molakalmuru134 taluks of

Chitradurga district and Kalyanadurga133 taluk of Anantapur district in

Andhra. This shows that his authority extended over parts of

Chitradurga, Tumkur and Anantapur districts. He had a very long reign,

lasting until 1277 A.D.136 His first record137 apart from recording

donations to a Jaina temple, praises the hill-fort Kalanjana or Nidugal,

which must have indeed been a formidable fortress. The same record

also mentions one Gangeya Nayaka who is described as Irungola's

subordinate.

From an inscription of 1270 A.D.138 found in Tumkur and

belonging to the reign of Hoysala Narasimha III, it is known that

% 4 ^
Irungola’s forces under the leadership of Gulleya Nayaka raided

Anebiddasarinad (the region around Tumkur) which was under the

 29

control of Kumara-Vira-Chikka-Ketayya-Nayaka a subordinate of the

Hoysala king. It is further stated that a hero named Appayya Nayaka

died in the encounter.

Another inscription from Katikera139 near Belur dated 1276

A.D., also in the reign of Hoysala Narasimha III, states that the Seuna
*

army under the chiefs Saluva Tikkama, Jinadeva Haripalayya and

Irungana (Irungola) had marched against Dorasamudra and encamped

nearby. Nanjayya and Gullaya are stated to have pursued the Seuna at

the orders of their emperor.

These two evidences clearly show that Irungola III was not only

hostile to the Hoysalas but also gave company to the Seunas in their

efforts against the Hoysalas. The Seuna ruler about this time was

Ramachandra.

An inscription from Amarapura140 refers to the rule of

Tripurantakadeva, son of Irungola Chola Maharaja. It states that

Tripurantakadeva was ruling Haniyadurga in 1262, when certain grants

were made to Saiva temples in Tailarigere in Sirenadu. But this person

does not figure in the genealogical record^41 of Irungola's successors.

Therefore, it may be assumed that Tripurantakadeva was assisting his

 30

father Irungola in administration of a part of the chiefdom but

predeceased his father.

# -

Perumaladeva (c. 1280-1286)

Perumaladeva succeeded to the throne around 1280 A.D. The

Nidugal142 inscription of that date has been ascribed by its editor to

GanesvaradeVa Chola Maharaja. This inscription is badly damaged and

the name of the chief has been placed into brackets by the editor of the

record, thereby suggesting that the reading is open to doubt. Since in

1286 A.D. we have a clear record of Perumaladeva Chola Maharaja143 it

• *

may be suggested that the Nidugal inscription of 1280 A.D.144 also

belongs to Perumaladeva.

The Nidugal inscription145 of 1286 A.D. informs that

Perumaladeva Chola Maharaja marched upon Hullugal Kalinga

*» •
Sidiladeva-Bommarasa when in an encounter with the enemy his

Mahapradhana Kesavayana Ramayya died fighting. In the battle Sidila-

Bommarasa had represented probably the Hoysalas.

Another undated inscription145 from the same place also refers to

/ mm

the death of a person in Perumaladeva's reign. It is interesting to note

that a herostone record from Tala*ore147 (Hassan district) belonging to

 31

the reign of Hoysala Vira Narasimha III dated 1286 A.D. informs about

the march of Vira Narasimhadeva to capture Nidugal fort. Bageyakere

_
was destroyed and a person named Mayanayaka, the son of Kachiya

Nay aka and Kachigaudi, died a heroic death. A third inscription of

December 21st the same year, also of Hoysala Narasimha III, from
*

Basavapattana14* (Ilassan district) commemorates the death of one

Ramayyanayaka who died in the battle of Harigi at the time of the

capture of Nidugal fort by Narasimha III. These records leave no doubt

that the Cholas of Nidugal were clearly on the defensive and the Hoysaja

forces gained the upper hand. Since Prumaladeva is no more heard of

♦

after 1286 A.D., it is even possible that he died in the encounter.

Hoysala Narasimha III must have conquered the Nidugal fort sometime

between May 7th to December 21st, 1286 A.D.149

Bamma III (1280)

As per the genealogy given in the inscription of Ganesvara

Chola150, Irungola had another son named Vira Bamma. It is not known
• •

whether this person actually succeeded his brother Perumaladeva or not,

through the same inscription mentions that one Baicha was the

commander-in-chief of Vira Bommarasa thereby suggesting the

possibility of his having ruled for sometime. In that case he must have

ruled only for a short while.

 32

Ganesvaradeva (c. 1286-1292)

- ' 151
In 1292 A.D. Ganesvara was on the throne at Nidugal. He

was the son of Vira Bomma and grandson of Irungola III. His

inscription132 gives the genealogy of the family right from Mangi. It also

states that Baicha-dandanayaka, the commander-in-chief of Vira

Bommarasa and of Ganesvara, conquered Nidugal and made grant of the

village Moreyur for God Somanathadeva there. His other inscriptions

from Hosur133 (Tumkur district), dated a few months after in the same

year, is a herostone inscription which states that it was the Prathama-

Rajya (1st Year of his rule). The record states that in the attack on

Hulikuftte by Rayanayaka, the son Kuduluru Mahasamanta Doddagercya

* • *
Nayaka, three persons, namely, Pemeya-nayaka, his son Abayanayaka

and his father-in-law Bommeyanayaka fought the enemies and died.

Brahmadeva IV (c. 1292-1310 A.D.)

Mopuru record refers to his rule in 1309 A.D. The chief had the
/ .
title Basava-sankara.
 33

The Chiefs Ruling from Gundanahalli

Irurigola IV (c. 1310-1320)

In spite of the successful attempts of Gapesvaradeva to keep

Nidugal under his control, it seems to have slipped from the hands of

Chola chiefs. Thus in 1320 A.D. Irungoladeva is mentioned in an

inscription as ruling from Gundanahalli134 (Gundlahalli, Pavugada taluk,

Tumkur district). The same record also informs that Borasamudra of

Harivanadahalli was gifted away by Allapanayaka, Sodayya Nayaka,

Bireyanayaka, the sons of Nachayanayaka, who in turn was the son of

Irungola IV. No event of Irungonadeva's reign is lit up by other

inscriptions.

The Chiefs Ruling from Gudiyakunte * m •

Bairarasa (c. 1337)

The next record of the Chola chiefs comes from

i
Doddabanagere133 (Sira taluk, Tumkur district) and is dated 1337 A.D.

It mentions Mahamandalesvara Bairarasa Chola Maharaja of Gudiyakunte

as a subordinate of Mahasamantadhipati Holakal Bommanlyaka. The

 34

latter was ruling from his capital Nidugal.136 Thus, under Hoysala

Ballala III, the Nidugal fort had been handed over to a Nayaka family.

It may be noted that another record of Vira Ballala III dated 1340 A.D.

from Anantapur district137 mentions Chikkabommayya Nayaka son of

Holakal Gangeyanayaka, governing Nidugal Rajya. The Doddabanagere

« • ♦*
inscription131 mentioned earlier also refers to the two sons of Bairarasa

Chola Maharaja, namely, Kesarasa and Vijayarasa. Bairasa Chola

Maharaja may, perhaps, be identified with the son of Nachayya Nayaka

and grandson of Irungunadeva (Irungola IV) mentioned in the

Gundanahalli inscription. He is the last known chief of the family.

However, in an inscription from Rantavalalu139 (Madhugiri taluk,

* * ••

Tumkur district) dated 1481 A.D. one hears of a family of Cholas,

described as a Cholara-makkalu or sons of the Cholas. Instead of Chola

* * %

Maharaja, they called themselves Chola-maha>arasu. The record refers

to two persons of this family, viz., Bayirajadcva and his son Ramapa-

deva. The former is styled as Mahamandalesvara. In the absence of

information from any other source, it is difficult to trace the connection

of this family with the earlier Nidugal Ch51a chiefs.

 35

Notes and Refereces

1. EC Vol., XII, pp. 7, 8, 14.

2. Please see the chart annexed to the chapter.
3. Ibid., No. 64.
4. Diwakar, R.R. Karnataka Through the Ages, pp. 412-413.
5. EC Vol., XII, ML 94.
6. EC Vol., XXVII, pp. 221-225.
7. Please see the chart annexed to this chapter.
8. Infra., Pt. 11, Nos. 1, 4, 7, 12.
9. Ibid., Nos. 19, 22-25, 28, 32, 35.
10. Ibid., Nos.44-48, 53-55.
11. For reference please see the chart annexed to this chapter.
12. Ibid.
13. Ramesh, K.V., Inscriptions of the Western Gangas, No.9.
14. Ibid., No. 11.
15. Ibid., No. 20.
16. Ibid., No. 42.
17. Ibid., No. 34.
18., Ibid., No. 64.
19. Ibid., No. 8.
20. Ibid., No. 1.
21. El Vol., XVII, pp. 221-225.
22. Rama Rao, M. Karnataka Andhra Relations, pp. 12-13.
23. Infra., Pt. II, Nos., 2, 59.
24. Ibid., No. 1.
25. NSgayya, Araneyavikramadityana Sasanagalu Oridu Adhyayana,
pp. 202-205.
26. J.A.H.R.S. Vol., XIV, pp. 59-60.
27. Kuppuram, G., The Nidugal Cholas - A Brief Study, p. 79.
* m
 36

28. Chaluvarajan, V.R., Pavugada

♦
Darsana, Itihasada
*
Svarna
Putadalli, pp. 3, 8.
29. Chetty, K., History of Tetugu Cholas in Southern India, thesis,
pp. 224-245.
30. Infra, Pt.II, Nos., 1, 20.
31. Ibid., Nos., 1, 2, 8, 20.
32. Ibid., No. 2.
33. Ibid., No. 48.
34. Ibid., No. 22.
35. Ibid., No. 2.
36. Ibid.
37. Ibid.
38. Ibid.
39. Ibid.
40. Ibid.
41. Ibid., No. 1.
42. Ibid.
43. Ibid.
44. Ibid., No. 13.
45. Ibid.
46. Ibid.
47. Ibid., No. 20.
48. Ibid., No. 46.
49. Ibid.
50. Ibid.
51. Ibid.
52. Ibid., No. 1.
53. Ibid.
54. Ibid.
55. Balambal, V., Feudatories of South India.
 37
56. Infra., Pt. II, No.l.
57. Ibid., No. 46.
58. Ibid., No. 59.
59. Ibid., No. 46.
60. Ibid., No. 3.
61. Ibid., No. 46.
62. Ibid., No. 2.
63. Ibid., No. 3.
64. Ibid., No. 1.
65. Ibid., No. 46.
66. Ibid., No. 59.
67. Ibid., Nos . 46, 59.
68. Ibid., No. 19.
69. Ibid., No. 4.
70. Ibid., No. 6.
71. Ibid., No. 7, 12.
72. Ibid., No. 11.
73. Ibid., No. 13.
74. Ibid., Nos . 7, 8, 11, 12, 13.
75. Ibid., Nos . 4, 7.
76. Ibid., No. 8.
77. Ibid., No. 7.
78. Ibid., No. 8.
79. Ibid., No. 12.
80. Ibid., No. 8.
81. E.C.V. B1 . 124.
82. Ibid., AK,. 34.
83. Ibid., Bl, 16.
84. Ibid., IV, No. 70.
85. Inira.., Pt. 11, No. 19.
 38
86. Ibid., No. 13.
00

Ibid., No. 14.

00
00

Ibid., No. 19.

89. Ibid., No. 35.
90. Ibid., No. 2.
91. Ibid., No. 37.
92. Ibid., Nos. 22,
93. Ibid., No. 37.
94. Ibid., No. 19.
95. Ibid., No. 23.
96. Ibid., No. 28.
97. Ibid., No. 32.
98. Ibid., No. 20.
99. Ibid., No. 29.
100. Ibid., No. 20.
101. Ibid., No. 15.
102. Ibid., No. 19.
103. Ibid.
104. Ibid., No. 22.
105. Ibid., No. 20.
106. Ibid.
107. Ibid., 22.
108. S.I.I. IX, Pt. I
109. Infra., Pt. II, 1
110. Ibid., No. 20.
111. Ibid., No. 27.
112. Ibid., No. 40.
113. Ibid., No. 20.
114. Ibid., No. 22.
115. Ibid., No. 23.
 39

116. Ibid.
117. Ibid., No. 40.
118. Ibid., No. 37.
119. EC XVI, TO 157.
120. EC VIII (New) HN 145.
121. Infra., Pt. II, No. 40.
122. Ibid., No. 40.
123. Ibid.
124. Ibid.
125. Ibid., No. 41.
126. Ibid., No. 43.
127. Ibid., No. 44.
128. Ibid., No. 45.
129. Ibid., No. 46.
130. Ibid., Nos. 43, 46.
131. Ibid., No. 47.
132. Ibid., Nos. 48, 49.
133. Ibid., No. 44.
134. Ibid., No. 41.
135. Ibid., No. 45.
136. Ibid., No. 53.
137. Ibid., No. 43.
u>
00

Ibid., No. 51.

139. Ibid., No. 52.
140. Ibid., No. 50.
141. Ibid., No. 59.
142. Ibid., No. 54.
143. Ibid., No. 55.
144. Ibid., No. 54.
145. Ibid., No. 55.
 40
146. Ibid., No. 58.
147. Ibid., No. 56.
148. Ibid., No. 57.
149. Ibid.
150. Ibid., No. 59.
151. Ibid.
152. Ibid.
153. Ibid., No. 60.
154. Ibid., No. 62.
155. Ibid., No. 64.
156. Ibid.
157. S.I.I. IX, Pt.l, 359.
158. Infra., Pt. II, No. 64
159. Ibid., No. 65.
 41

GENEALOGY_AND CHRONOLOGY
OF THE CHOLAS
•
OF NIDUGAL
•

lata (Beginning of the 11th c. A.D.)

I
Brahmadeva/Bhogendra/Bhogi (c. 1040 A.D.)

Mangarasa/Irivamangarasa/Kalimangi (c. 1079-10B3 A.D.)

J
Bichi

I
Govindarasa

Irungola(c. 1107-1143 A.)

I
Mallideva/Periya Bhoga/Bhogadeva (c. 1143-1196 A.D.)

IrungoJa-II Bommideva-II/Brahma
(c. 1196-12i 9 A.D. (c. 1219-1225 A.D.)

Irungola-IH (c. 1225-1280 A.D.)

r_ __ - | J— —| —n

Tripurantaka Bomma-111 Penimaladeva Nangawe

(c.1262 A.D.) (c.1280 A.D.) (c. 1280-1286 A.D.)

Ganesvara Imngoladeva-IV
(c. 1292 A.D.) (c. 1310-1320 A.D.)

Brahmadeva-IV Nachayanayaka
(c. 1292-1310 A.D.)

Allapariayaka Sadoyyanayaka (Birayya)

Bairarasa (c. 1337 A.D.)
J ' I
Kesarasa Vijayarasa