CllAl’TER - II
HISTORICAL DACKGROUND
ANDHRA DESA, like many uthor parts uf lindia, has been a continuus human inhabitation since prehist(jric limes, as attested by the lithic imple ments, artefacts, utensils and the personal belongings of the deceased\ persons found in the explorations and discovered in the later megalithic burials opened at the sites like Kurnool. Yolcswaram, Nagarjunakonda, Dharanikola,
Peddabankur a n d Kondapur. Further, Andhras as a race have been found recorded, earliest in AITAREYA URAllMANA (AD-VII-8) datable to C.600 BC, followed in the works like CHANDOGYA UPANISHAD, APASTHAMBHA GRHYASUTItA,
MAHABIIARATllA. HARIVAMSA PURANA, SUTTANIPATA. SERIVANIJA JATAKA
AND THE LIKE. Megasthanese's INDICA refers to Andhra to be a territory comprising many villages, 30 fortified towns and an army consisting of
1,00,000 elephants. The 13lh Major Rock Edict of Ashoka refers to Andhra
as the bordering land of the empire. However, excluding the literary eviden
ces, in the absence of any historical data, a fair account of Andhras begins / with the emergence of Satavahanas as a distinct political dynasty, having
ruled for about two and half centuries. A brief account of the important
political dynasties referred to in the inscriptions under study, to the extent
needed for the present work, is as follows: Controversies over the chrono-
j logy and the genaeology of the dynasties and the rulers have been left
undiscussed.
SATAVAHANAS: Satavahanas rose as an independent power following
the decadence of the Sungas. Thirty rulers of the dynasty have ruled
for about 250 years, beginningC.SU HC to C. 225 AD. Simuka, the founder
of the dynasty had conquered the present Maharashtra, Nfalwa and parts
' of Madhya Pradesh. His brother Kanha, though ruled for 18 years could
2 1 22
I .. . uxlond iho Kingdoiii uplu Nasik. Kcinha was succeeded by Siri Satakarni-Ij a great conquerer. Mis coins were found at Ujjain, Vidisa and all over the Deccan. He was followed by Satakami-II, who ruled for 56 years.
Hala, the 17th ruler of the dynasty was the compiler of GATHA SAPTASATI, comprising seven hundred poems hi Maharashtri dialect of Prakrt language,
1 describing the contemporary socio-cultural life of the people. The next important ruler isGautamiputra Salakami. According to the Nasik Cave inscription (El-VIII-pp.60 ff) of Vasisthi Putra Pulumavi, he was described / as the destroyer of the Sakas, YawaTias, Pahlavas and Kshatrapas, and entitled himself as the restorer of the glory of the Satavahana dynasty,
and has been glorified as Lord of several territories in the Deccan, Dakshina-
pathapati ^ Ekabrahmana, Apratihatachakra. He, in addition to reconquering
the lost territories had extended the Kingdom from Bay of Bengal to Arabian
sea and from Mukhalingam to Cuddaore in deep south. He was succeeded
by Vasisthiputra Sri F’ulomayi. The Satavahana power seems to have come
to an end by the first quarter of the third century AD, after a short rule
by some minor ruler like Pulomayi-IV, Chanda Satakarni and Skanda Satakarni.
The recent excavations conducted by the Department of Archaeology, Govern-
ment of Andhra Pradesh, have discovered the supposed capital of Satavahanas
at Rajahmundry in the liast Godavari District.
IKSHWAKUS: The Ikshwaku dynasty which ruled over the Krisbna-
CJuntur region with Vijayapuri as (;a[)ilal during the 3rd century AD, was
founded by Vasisthiputra Sri Cantamula. His son Virapurishadatta, a great
ruler of the family had contracted matrimonial alliances with the ChutuSj
"the other rulers being Ehuvala Cantamula and his son Vasisthiputra Rudra
Purushadatta. Vii'apurusha-II, was the last ruler of the line. The rulers
and their queens as well, had contri Ijuted generously for the construction
and maintenance of the Buddhist Chaityas and Viharas. (EI-XX-pp.l6). 23
Ikshwakus were succeecibd by minor dynasties like Brhatphalayanas,
Ananda Gotrins, Salankayanas. In llu; order of sviccession the next important rlilurs belong to the Vishviukundin and Pallava dynasties.
VISMNLfKUNDINS: Vishnukundin dynasty was founded by Govinda Varman in the last quartei'' of the 4th Century AD. Seven rulers of this dynasty have ruletl for about two centuries. Madhava Varma-I, the son and successor of Govinda VarmaTj was married to a Vakataka princess, to whom was born
Vlkramcndra Varma-I. Deva Varnia, another son of Midhava Varma succeeded to the throne. Further he was succeded by Indra Bhattaraka Varma and
by Vikramendra-II. The last ruler was dethroned by Prthivi Maharaja
of the Ranadurjaya family; who, in turn was dethroned by Chalukya Pulakesin
the Second by about 616 AD.
PAl.I.AVAS: the Pallava rule in Andhra Desa could be divided into
two parts - the early Fallavas and the later Pallavas. Of the early Pallavas, / Sivaskanda Varman, Simha Varman, Vishnugopa, Buddhavarman were some
of the important rulers. Madhava Varman-I, Narasimha Varman-I, Parameswara
Varman-If and Nandi varman-II are soincj of the notable rulers of the later
Pallavas.
EASTERN CMALUKYAS: Appointed by Pulakesin-II, Vishnuvardhana
became an independent ruler for the Eastern Chalukyan Viceroyalty by ’ 624
AD, with Vengi as the Capital. Later, he became the founder of the Eastern
Chalukyan dynasty. The later Kings of this family had strengthened their
Power through matrimonial alliances with the Cholas and also the Rashtrakutas.
The important rulers of this dynasty include Jayasimha-I. The political
enemity continued for a long time between the Pallavas S Chblas and the
Rashtrakulas Chalukyas of Kalyani. Vijayaditya-II, having driven 24 away the RashtrakDla invadnr liovinda-lll alias Narondra Raja acquired the unique title Narendra Mrgaraja i.e. the Lion to the King Narendra.
His grandson Gunaga Vijayaditya-III was the greatest among th^ Kings of the line.
Towards the last phase of the Eastern Chalukya rule and also in the subsequent periods rulers Ijolonging to the Konidena branch also known as Telugu Cliolas Viz. Pinamalli Deva, Kannara Deva, Ballaya Choda, Tribhu- vana Malla ranging from 102;i AH to 11()2 AD, have rulctJ the area under study. Following are the details;
The earliest inscription found in the temple of Lord Bhavanarayana at Bapatla, datable to 1023 AD belongsto Pinamalli Dova Choda (SIl-VI-
139). Heis referred to in the context of donating the Chengalu village
of Kammariadu for the conduct of angarangabhogalu and dhupadeepa naivedyamulu
to Lord Bhavanarayana in Prempalli of Kanunan5du.
Kannara Deva Clioda, anollior rulor of the Konidena branch of Tclugu
Cholas is referred to in an inscription dated 1116 AD (SlI-VI-155), in the
context of donating the village Madhukamballi of Kammanadu, to Lord Bhava
narayana of Prempalli in Kanirnanadu, for conducting various services to
the Lord.
BALLAYA CHODA another I'Glugu Choda ruler is rcierred to in the
context of donating Ch"amara Madalu for perpetual ghee lamp to Lord Bhava
narayana in Prempalli of Kammanadu in an inscription dated 1135 AD (SII-
I VI-170) wherein a reference has been made to the 3rd regnal year of his
overlord Kulottunga-II; and in aiiothor incomplete and mutilated inscription
dated 1162 AD (SII-VI-174) as the ruling King of the period. 25
Tribhuvana Malla Ueva ClinUa is yet another iiiiporlant and powerful ruer of the Konidena Cholas. la inscriptions , dated 1149 AD (SII-VI-128 a 131), 1150 AD ((SII-VI-IG3), and 1151 AD (SII-VI-132) r(3fer him as the ruler in the context of making donations for perpectual ghee lamps to Lord Bhavanarayana in Prempalli of Kammanadu.
By the last quarter of the eleventh Century the Eastern Chalukyan
Kingdom had been merged with the Chola Kingdom of the south. The fusion took place owing to matrimonial alliances between the Chola princess Kundavai the daughter of the Chola emperor Rajaraja-I and Chalukya Vimaladitya.
Thus a new political dynasty by name Ch~alukya-Cholas emerged witli capital at Rajamahendravarani.
CHALUKYA-CHOLAS: Following the death of Vijayaditya-VII, the last
J(jng of the Eastern Chalukyas of Vengi, Rajendra ascended the throne of
the Chola Kingdom at Ganghikonda Cholapuram under the title Kul5ttunga-I.
He preferred his maternal throne in Tamil country and appointed his sons
Rajaraja ChSda Ganga, Rajaraja Mummadi Choda, Virachoda and Vikram a
Choda to be the viceroysto Vengi Nadu. Of them Vira Choda was assisted
by Vedura-II, (a Velanati Prince], who is a nephew of Gonka-I, the Velanati
Chief. While Vikrama Choda was at the helin of affairs in the south,
the Velanati Chiefs ruled the \engi 6000 as his subordinates. However,
the northern half of the Vengi Kingdom had passed on into the hands of
Vikramaditya-VI of Western Chalukyas. Thus, the eclipse of the ChaJukya-
Chola power in Vengi Nadu began since 1118 AD and the Cholas were unable
to regain the lost territories till the death of Vikramaditya-VI in 112G
AD. Vikramachoda had tried to restore Hie Chalukya-Chola hegemyny over
the area under study, supported by tlie Telugu Chieftains. Vikrama Choda's 26 son Kul6ttunga-II succeeded to the llirono and he in turn by his son Rajaraja-II.
Rajaraja II who died in 1173 AH was succecdcd by Uajadliiraja-Ii. lie being a weak ruler could not control his vassals and the scuffle for power began soon between the Velanati Ch5das and the Western Chalukyas. The three important Chalukya-Ciiola rulers referred to in the inscriptions under study a r e Kulottunga-I, Kulottunga-II a n d Hajaraja-II. Following are the details;
Kulottunga-I (1070 - 1 1 2 2 AD) is referred to in seven inscriptions, five at Bapatla, dated HOB AD (SII-VI-200 Q 201), 1 1 1 2 A D (SlI-Vl-167 8
199) and 1119 AD (SII-VI-173); One at Ponnoor, dated 1119 AD (SlI-V-121) and one at Sarpavaram datable to 1110 AD (SII-V-3).
Kul6ttunga-II (1133-50 AD) the son and successor of Vikrama Chola is referred to in 14 inscriptions found at Bapatla dated 1135 AD (SII-VI-
170), 1 1 3 6 A D (SII-VI-142, 143 8 198), 1 1 4 1 A D (Sli-VI-159 6 187), 1 1 4 2 A D
(SIl-VI-185), 1 1 4 3 A D (SII-VI-140 6 141), 1 1 4 4 A D ( SII-VI-135), 1 1 4 5 A D (SlI-
Vl-129) and 1147 AD (SII-VI-133, 137 Q 192). ‘
I
Rajaraja-ll (1146 - 73 AD) the successor of KuI6ttunga-Il is also referred
to in 22 inscriptions, found at Bapatla dated 1149 AD (Sll-VI-28, U 3 1 , 134
q 136), 1 1 5 0 A D (SII-VI-163 8 175), 1 1 5 1 A D (SII-VI-127, 132, 172, 176 8
178), 1 1 5 2 A D (SII-VI-154), 1 1 5 4 A D (SII-VI-148, 149, 151, 152 6 156),1 1 5 6
A D (SII-VI-147 6 153), 1 1 6 7 A D (SII-VI-169 6 177) and 1173 AD (SII-VI-180).
These rulers are referred to as the overlords of the local chiefs
like Telugu Chodas and Velanati Chbdas and in most of the inscriptions
the regnal years of the Chalukya-Clfola overlords are reckoned.
Velanati Cholas: As a sequence of the dowi-j fall of the Chalukya-
Chola empire, the Velanati chiefs bnh)URing to Durjaya family rose to [)owor 27 from Tsandavole as their capital. Kudyavarman an early member of the family, was a subordinate of Chalukya Vimaladitya who gifted Kudyavarman the two divisions of Gudravara, of which one corresponds to the present
Gudivada region. Vedura another notable member of the family had served
VirachlDda, the Viceroy of Vengi and obtained Sindhu Yugmantara Desa
(SII-VI-132) i.e. the Krislina-fJnriaxnri rioab. Of the eiglilnen Vclnnati (.'hoda rulers, six are important. 1 ho inscriptions under study refer to Gonka, along with his epithets. Following is the brief account of the Velan'ati rulers;
Choda-I (1109-37 AD): lie was the son of Gonka-I liy f^abbambika, and grandson of General Nanneraja, founder of the Velan'ati Kingdom. He
ascended the throne of VelanTuhJ in 1109 AD, and had ruled for 25 years.
He. from his records is variously known as Kylottunga Rajendra Chbda Deva,
Rajendra Choda, Gangaya Rajan and King Chodi, Kulottunga-1 had conferred
the title Vengivishaya Shatsahasravanl Vallabha on him. He recognised
the Chola suzerainty throughout his reign, excepting for a short period
during which he had to acknowledge the supremacy of the Western Chalukya
rule. Two inscriptions of Bapatla dated 1130 AD (SII-VI-193) and 1135 AD
(SII-Vl-185) refer to him in the context of the ruling King of the Velanadu.
Gonka-II (1137-62 AD): He was the son and successor of Choda-I,
and greatest of all the Velanati Cholas, He is said to have ruled the
country from Setu to Narmada, and his Kingdom had touched Mahendragiri
f f on North-East, Bay of Bengal on East and Srisailam on West. He was loyal
to Imperial Chalukya-Cholas and vanquished all his internal and external • •
enemies including ttie Chalukyas of Kalyani. ,He was succooded by his
son and successor Choda-II in 1163 AD. Nine inscriptions of Gonka-II dated 28
1 1 3 6 A D (SII-VI-142 Q 198), 114,^. AI) (SII-VI-140), l l 4 7 A U (SII-VI-137). 1 1 5 1
A D (SII-VI-172 6 178), 1 1 5 4 A D (SlI-Vl-135) and 1160 AD (SII-VI-181 5 183), found In the temple at Bapalla, refer to him as the ruling king of Velanadu at the time of donation.
Prthviswara (1186-1210 AD): He was the son of Gonka-Ill by Jayamaha- devi and ascended the throne in IIHG AD. The Dapatla hiscriplion dated
1 2 1 0 A D (SII-VI-144) refers to him as Mahamandaleswara Kulottunga Prthvlgonka in the context of a donation iiindn lo Lord Bhlivanaraynna for' por[)otual
ghee lamp. He being the last and unpowerful ruler could not control the
dissenssions at home and the invasions from outside powers like the Kakatee-
yas and the Telugu Chodas, which dethroned him.
The main line of the Velanadu dynasty ended witli Prtliviswara.
However the later chieftains beaiing Velanadu names, titles and Prasasties
were found exercising their, sway over parts of Andhra Desa, acknowledging
the suzerainty of Cholas. I.ater, the Kakateeyas and the Reddikings are
found to have ruled from 1210 AD to 1402 AD, as recorded in the inscriptions
under study. A brief account of tfiem is as follows:
Kotyadona Cholas (1116-53 AD): Mahamandaleswara Kannaradova (1116-
25 AD) is the first known ruler of this dynasty (SII-VI-155). lie established
control over a portion of the present Guntur district with Konidena as his
capital. Among his successors Chodi Ualli (SII-VI-170), Potlapi Kamade^va Choda
a n d Tribhuvanamalla Deva P o t t a p i (]hoda were important rulers, the last
being a powerful ruler. He ruled for eleven years (1142-53 AD) and is
said to have been defeated by c:onka-II (1137-62 AD) the Velanati Chief.
liaihayas of Konamandala: Haihayas of Konamandala were related to
the Eastern Chalukyas by maliimonial alliances and had ruled the present 29
Amalapuram area of the East Godavari district. They claim, their descent
f r o m Karta Viryarjuna and the first known member of the family was Mummadi
Bheema Deva. He received the royal insignia from the Chalukya-Chola
emperor Kupttunga-1. They, throughout their rule were subordinates to
the Chalukya-Cholas and challenged the authority of the Velaiiati rulers.
The Bapatla inscription dated 1150 AD (SII-VI-175) records the donation
of Birudu Madalu for perpetual ghee lamp to Lord' Bhavanarayana by Mummadi
Bheema Deva. <
Chalukyas of Pithapuram: The next important ruler found in the
/ - _ _ _ inscriptions is Sri Veerapermidi Dcvara of Chalukya-Chola dynasty of IMthapur. / _ According to the opinion of the scholars Sri Veerapermadi Devara is identified
t o b e Virachoda, one of the four sons of Kulottunga-I who were sent to Andhra
Desa, as Viceroys. (RCCAD-MKK-1985). He bore ,the usual Chalukya-Chola
/ _ t i t l e Sarvalokasraya (SII-V-8, 12, 13, 15 etc). The rule of Sri Veerapermadi / Devara is reckoned in the' regnal years of Sri Vishiju Vardhana Maharaja
(SII-V-8, 9, 12 etc) i . e . , Kulotlunga-I, himself. The references to Sri
Veerapermlidi Devara were made in the Sarpavaram inscriptions in the context
of making donations for perpetual ghee lamps anfi other services of worship
by his wives Minava Mahadevi in his 3rd regnal year (SII-V-12); b y Chodava
Mahadevi, in his 37th regnal year (SII-V-15); b y Anda^ru Chembiyamgrahadiu,
in his 27th regnal year (SII-V-16); b y Viraja Mahadevi in his 37th regnal
y e a r (SII-V-18); b y Andaru Vallavam Granadlu in his 23rd regnal year and
by the village gentlemen, to Lord Bhavanarayana of Sarpavaram. ■I
Kakateeyas: Kakalccyas rulod Andhra Dilsa for about one and half ^ _ / centuries. During the wars with Vcngi rulers they came to Andlira Desa.
i. Betaraja-I (995-1052 AD), who was a subordinate under western Chalukya ii'i 30
King Tailapa-Il, founded Ihc Kingdom, lie was succeeded by Prolaraja-I
(1053-75 AD) and further by Detaraja-II (1076-1108 AD) and by Prolaraja-II
(1116-55 AD). The next important ruler was Rudra Deva (1158-95 AD) who
was an able administrator. Later Mahadeva (1195-98 AD) and Ganapatidevcx.
(1198-1262 AD) ascended the throne. Ganapatideva was the greatest of the
Kakateeya Kings and raised the status of the Kingdom to an Imperial power.
Since Ganapatideva was not tiaving 'sons', the throne went to his daughter
Rudramadevi (1262-89 AD) who is also known as Rudradeva Maharaja. S h e
repulsed the attacks of the Yadavas, Cholas aiid Pandyas defending the
frontiers. The Bapatla inscription dated 1277 AD (AR.Ep.No.13 of 1986:
Ep.Br.ASI-Mysore) refers to Kakati F^udradeva and his subordinate Mandadi
Muthi Nayudu, the ruler of Bhavapuri.
Following the downfall of tlie Kakateeya empire in 1323 AD the area
under study went into the hands of the Reddi Kings. An inscription dated
1 3 9 9 A D (SII-V-1) found in the temple of Lord Bhavanarayana at Sarpavaram,
E a s t G5davari District refers to Dovaraya s o n o f (jogga Raja, w h o g o t a
tank called Komaragiri Samudram, excavated in the name of his Overlord
I ^ Sivakrishnaraya. The area during theperiod understudy was ruled by
Kumaragiri Reddi (C1386-1402 AD; HRK-MSS-1948), , and the same is attested
by the name given to the tank excavated as recorded in the inscription.
f 1 Vijayanagara Rulers: The Vijayanagara empire was established by
' Harihara and Bukkaraya in 1336 AD at Vijayanagara with the sole aim of
I arresting the Islamic invasions and protecting the Arya Dharraa i n S o u t h
India. The empire was ruled by four dynasties viz., Sangama (1336-1485AD),
Saluva (1405-1506 AD), Tuluva (1506-70 AD) and Aravldu (1570-1664 AD) I •
for more than three centuries, thougli there was,, a fatal blow in 1565 AD
a t the battle of Rakshasi Tangadi. Harihara-1 (1336-56 AD), the founder 31 of the Sangama dynasty, named fiflor his father, 'A/as succeeded by Bukka-I
(1356-77 AD). Harihara-ll (1377-1404 AD), Devaraja-I (1406-22 AD), Devaraja-II
(1422-46 A D), Mallikarjuna and Virupaksha (1446-85 AD). Saluva dynasty followed the Sangama. The one important ruler of this dynasty was Saluva
Narasimha alias Immadi Narasimha. Since he was a minor, his general Tuluva
Narasanayaka, became th defacto ruler, who established the Tuluva dynasty.
He was succeeded his son Vira Narasimha (15U5-09 AD) wlio caused the death of Saluva Narasimha-Il. Vira Narasimlia was succeeded by his half-brother
Krishna Deva Raya (1509-29 AD). Hn is considered to be the best administra
tor and had the titles of Sahiti Snmarangana Sarvabliouma, Yavanarajya Sthapa- nacharya, Andhra Bhoja etc. His court was named Bhuvana Vijayam. He
invaded coastal Andhra on his way to Kalinga and setup inscriptions at Simh'a-
chalam, Amaravati, Bapatla etc. The Bapatla inscription dated 1518 AD
(SII-VI-146) records the donation of certain land by Timmarusu to Lord
Bhavanarayana, on the occasion of i.unar eclipse, lor the merit of Krishna-
Deva Raya.
Krishnadeva Raya was succoodod by his tialf-brothor Achyuta Raya
(1530-42) and in turn by his son Venkata-1 (1542AD). The next important
ruler of the line is Veerapratapa Sadasiva Raya (1542-72 AD), and the
area under study was under his political control. The Ponnoor inscription
dated 1551 AD (SlI-Vl-122) records plantation of a garden of Rama Rajayya
son of Murthi Raju and grandson of Rama Raju of Kandanavole, during the
ruling period of Sri Veerapratapa Sri Sadasiva Deva Maharaja of Vij^yanagaram.
Following the downfall of the Vijayanagara empirn, the area under
study went into the hands of the Qutub Shahis (1512-1689 AD) of Golconda
1 and later became a part of the Mughal ciii[)iro. In 1611 AD llm l'’.nglisli 32 founded their second seltleiiiont in Masulii^alnain. Three years later the
Dutch and in 1669 AU the I'rench followed. In 1752 AU the Suhedar of
Deccan had granted the whole of the northern circars to French and finally the tract passed on into the hands of English.
At the time of their occupation the British found that the Zamindars
were no more than mere renters. Of the several Zamindars of the area under study, two families viz.. Vasircddi and Malraju have contributed
for the temples of Lord Bhavanarayana at Bapatla and Inumella.
The Vasireddi family became prominent by 1710 AU. A portion
of the Guntur District was granted to the Vasireddi family at the Instance
of the Nawab of Rajahmundry. By 1725AD, they rose to the offices of
Mannavar and Deshm ukh. In 177H AD, Vcnkatadri Naldu succeeded lo the
estate of the family. He' had the title Manne-Sultan. His philonthrophic
attitude could revive llio Vodisiii and many temples were renovated ipnd grants
were given for the maintenance of the same. e .g ., the temple of Lord Bhava
narayana at Bapatla (BNKM-NVD-1985 Q Bapatla Kaifiyat).
The Malraju family of the Vclama community came into prominence
during the period of Malraju Venkata Narasimha Hao. He was a resident
of Atluru which later was named after him as Narasaraopet. Narasimha
Rao was succeeded by Feddo.Venkata Gundarao and China Venkata Gund'a Hab.
A badly mutilated boulder inscription in the compound of the temple of
Lord Bhavan'arayana at Inumella, Tjnir Taluq, Guntur District records the
family name Malraju in connection witii some donation(INML-09). According 33 to the oral accounts pertaining to the temple of Lord Bhavanarayana at Nara- saraopet, the temple was constructed by Raja Malraju Venkata Gunda (Narayani)
Rao in 1784 AD. Finally the Zamindari came to an aid in 1832 AD.
Thus, the aforesaid are tlio important political dynastiesand rulers
who have contributed their total might for the development of the area under study, from multiple anglns, as locorded in tie inscrij)tions of Bapatla,
Ponnoor and Sarpavaram.