Chapter 2 - Antecedents (India in the 14th century)

India in the 14th century witnessed the fall of big empires and the rise, on their ruins, of small independent principalities. The great Empire of Muhammad Bin Tughluq was dismembered, partly because of his own 'ferocious tyranny' and partly because of the weakness of his successors. He was destined to see in his own life time the signs of the coming deluge. Bengal revolted in A.D. 1338 and the Deccan in A.D. 1347. Firuz, his successor, had some success in Bengal, but failed to recover the province and its independence was recognised in December A.D. 1356. The death of Firuz and the invasions of Timur destroyed the central authority, and facilitated the establishment of independent principalities in Sindh, Khandesh, Gujrat and Malwa. The history of the Deccan ran almost on parallel lines. The first quarter of the 14th century witnessed the collapse of all Hindu kingdoms-the Yadavas, the Kakatiyas, the Pandyas, and the Hoysalas - and the Sultans of Delhi became practically the masters of their lands. But soon reaction set in. Revolts broke out in several places in the time of Muhammad Bin Tughluq himself. The authority of Delhi Sultan was overthrown and in the territories of former Hindu kings numerous independent kingdoms were founded the Bahmany Sultans of Gulbarga, the Velama chiefs of Racakonda, the Reddi rulers of Kondavidu, and the Rayas of Vijayanagara, one fighting with the other for the domination of the east coast. A similar fate of disruption overtook- the empire of Kalinga ruled by the Ganga Vamsi princes. This Eastern Ganga dynasty 1 1. The Ganga Copper Plates supply us the following genealogy of the Later Gangas. Kamarnava Vajrahasta Raja Raja I I Codaganga (ac. $ 999) Kamarnava (ac. §. 1068-69) Raghava (ac. §. 1077-78) Rajaraja II (ac. §. 1091-92) Anangabhima II (ac. §. 1112) (Continued on p. 16)

16 GAJAPATIS OF ORISSA ruled Kalinga for about a thousand years and they were strong enough to maintain the independence and the integrity of their empire throughout. But in the 14th century the Later Eastern Ganga rulers became weak and their empire showed signs of decline. " The decline of the dynasty began actually with the accession of Bhanudeva II (A.D. 1306-1326-27), son of Narasimha II. His reign was marked by the invasions of Muslim rulers. Ulugh Khan, the later Muhammad Bin Tughluq, having captured Warangal in A.D. 1323 invaded Jajnagar. Barani writes, "The name of Arangal was changed to Sultanpur and all the country of Tilang was conquered......The prince then marched towards Jajnagar and there took forty elephants with which he returned to Tilang". 2 About this time complaints came from Lakhnauti against its cruel ruler; so Sultan Ghiyas-ud-Din summoned Ulugh Khan from Warangal, made him Viceregent and himself marched against Lakhnauti. Nasir-ud-Din, the ruler of Lakhnauti, met him and paid homage. Narasimhadeva III (A.D. 1326-27-1352-53), son of Bhanudeva succeeded to the throne and had an uneventful reign of twentyfour years. His son Bhanudeva III (A.D. 1352-3-1377-78) ascended the throne and ruled over Kalinga for nearly twenty-six years. With his reign the decline became marked. The kingdom fell a Anangabhima II Raja Raja III 1 Narasimhadeva I 1 Bhanudeva I 1 Narasimhadeva II Bhanudeva II Narasimhadeva III Bhanudeva III 1 Narasimhadeva IV 2. Tarikh-i-Firuz Shahi, Eng. Trans., Elliot and Dowson, Hist. of Ind., Vol. III, p. 233-34.

ANTECEDENTS 17 prey to foreign invasions and internal troubles. Many subordinate chiefs openly declared their independence and began to extend their authority by annexing the neighbouring districts. Among them may be mentioned the Matsya chiefs of Oddadi, the Silavamsis of Nandapur and the Eastern Calukya chiefs, who styled themselves Visnuvardhana-Cakravartins of Yelamanci. The pressure from the newly formed neighbouring Vijayanagara, Bahmany and Reddi kingdoms increased. Prolaya Vema,³ the founder of the Reddi kingdom, is said to have defeated the Gajapati. Bukka I of Vijayanagara is said to have conquered Kalinga and defeated the Gajapati. Nuniz writes, "Bucarao inherited the kingdom, and he conquered many lands took the kingdom of Oriya, which is very great; it touches on Bemgalla."4 This is highly improbable, as it is not supported by any other evidence. ; he Sultan Firuz Tughluq (A.D. 1351 - 1388) of Delhi after his campaign against Bengal determined to proceed against Jajnagar. Leav- -ing his baggage at Kara, he proceeded by forced marches through Bihar and reached Jajnagar. Barani writes, "the Sultan rested at Banarasi, an ancient residence of the arrogant Rais ...... the Cowardly Rai of Jajnagar, when he heard of the approach of the Sultan's army, embarked on board a ship in great alarm and took refuge on the water." During his stay there the Sultan appears to have desecrated the palace idol of Jagannatha and carried it away to Delhi. The Rai sent his 'Patras' to sue for peace. He gave 'twenty mighty elephants as an offering, and agreed to furnish certain elephants yearly in payment of revenue. The Sultan then .returned home."5 Bhanudeva III, died in A.D. 1377-78. His son, Narasimha IV (A.D. 1377-78-1409) succeeded him on the throne. During the reigns of Narasimha IV and his son Bhanudeva IV (A.D. 1409-10- 1434) the empire was completely dismembered and their authority was almost confined to the capital Cuttack and the adjoining districts. This was the result of the aggression of the neighbouring states. A brief note about the history of the neighbouring kingdoms, how they hastened the downfall of the Eastern Ganga dynasty 8. Journal of Oriental Research, Vol. IV, pp. 69 ff. 4. Forgotten Empire by R. Sewell, p. 300. 5. Tarikh-i-Firuz Shahi, Eng. Trans. Elliot and Dowson, History of India Vol. III, pp. 312 ff.. G. 3

18 GAJAPATIS OF ORISSA and paved the way for the rise of Kapilendra Gajapati may not be out of place in his context. The Reddi kingdoms:-Their encroachments on the territory of Orissa:-These Reddi chiefs originally hailed from Duvvur, Gandavaram and Nellore in the Nellore district, and they claimed affiliation with Panta-kula, one of the subdivisions of the Reddi community. The territory over which they ruled, though very limited in extent, gained much importance owing to its strategic position. It comprised the region between the Gundlakamma and the Godavari.8 The seat of their government was at Kondavidu. The Rayas of Vijayanagara, the Bahmany Sultans of Gulbarga and the Eastern Gangas of Cuttack, coveted the possession of the fertile regions of the Krsna-Godavari Delta and that was why, "the Krsna-Godavari Delta became the battle ground of South India during the 15 th and 16 th centuries." Prolaya Vema, the first important ruler of this dynasty, ruled over Kondavidu kingdom which extended right up to the banks of the Godavari. He is said to have waged a war with the Gajapati of Cuttack. His son Anapota succeeded him in 1356. Immediately after his accession there were revolts against his authority in the Godavari Delta headed by the Telugu Coda chief, Bhaktiraja of Vengi. Anapota tried to check these rebels, but was defeated in the battle of Suravaram. 10 The result of this defeat was, the rise of Bhaktiraja to prominence, and the loss though temporarily of the Godavari Delta to the kingdom of Anapota. The Bahmany Sultans as well as the Rayas of Vijayanagara were ever anxious to get a slice of the Reddi territory. The disturbance in the kingdom of Anapota gave a chance for the Bahmany Sultan 'Ala-ud-Din I Hasan Gangu to attack the Reddi 7. 1 II. Anapota 1 I. Prolaya Vema Doddambika IV Kumaragiri d. Doddambika Komati III. Anavema m. Kataya Vema 1 Kumaragiri II Anitalli. 8 Cp. No. 5 of 1919-20. 9. Journal of Oriental Research, Vol. VIII, p. 149 10. Cf. 8 of 1911-12. Journal of the Andhra Historical Research Society Vol. I pp. 173-189; Rajahmundry Museum Plates of Annadeva Coda. EI. XXVI, pp. 14-48.

ANTECEDENTS 19 kingdom. He attacked Dharanikota, 11 a Reddi stronghold in A.D. 1361, but was driven away by Ketaya Vemana, the commander of Anapota's troops. In addition to these two big powers, the Reddi rulers had their enemies in the Velama chiefs of Racakonda and Devarakonda. The contemporary Velama chief of Devarakonda, Singaya Mada attacked Dharanikota 12 and inflicted a defeat on Anapota, but he too failed to capture the fort due to the prowess of the commander of the fort, namely Ketaya Vemana. Subsequent to these attacks by the Muslims and the Velamas, Anapota got some respite, and he succeeded in recovering the Godavari Delta from his enemies.13 Anapota was succeeded by his brother Anavema, a very powerful king. He put down with a strong hand all revolts and destroyed 'Rajamahendravaram, Niravadyapuram and other sthaladurgas'. 14 Though himself strong, he found it expedient to enlist the support of the rebellious Telugu Coda chief Bhaktiraja, who was a constant source of trouble to the kingdom, by means of marriage alliance. He gave his daughter in marriage 15 to Bhima one of the sons of Bhaktiraja. Anavema died and was succeeded by his nephew Kumaragiri. He was weak and incompetent and the neighbouring Vijayanagara ruler annexed much of the Reddi territory in the south. Kumaragiri entrusted the administration of the Rajahmundry province to his brother-in-law, Kataya Vema and his advent marks an epoch in the history of Rajahmundry. After consolidating his position at Rajahmundry by bringing all the recalcitrant chiefs under his control, he contemplated the conquest of the north. The conditions in the kingdom of Orissa gave him a good opportunity. Taking advantage of the weakness of the ruler, Bhanudeva III, several chiefs declared their independence and Orissa became a happy hunting ground for ambitious adventurers. Kataya 11. Burhan-i-Ma'asir, Indian Antiquary XXVIII, p. 152, SII. Vol. VI. No. 226, Annual Report on South Indian Epigraphy No. 258 of 1897. 12. Velugotivari Vamsavali, p. 51. Singaya Mada's attack on Dharanikota was not perhaps an independent enterprise. It is not unlikely that he accompanied the Bahmany Sultan, when the latter laid siege to the fort. 13. Uppugallu grant of Anavema, CP. No. 9 of 1922-23, Andhra Patrika Annual for Durmati (1922), pp. 165-68. 14. Annual Report on South Indian Epigraphy No. 20 of 1915. 15. Kommana: Sivalilavilasam.

20 GAJAPATIS OF ORISSA Vema invaded Orissa and captured several important forts including 'Bendapudi, Vajrakutam, Ramagiri and Viraghottam'.16 The only son of Kumaragiri predeceased his father, and PedaKomati Vema, one of his distant cousins became the heir to the throne; but Kataya Vema, his brother-in-law and the ruler of Rajamahendravara-rajya, who had done so much for the kingdom was against his succession. Kumaragiri to avoid trouble divided the kingdom between Kataya Vema and Peda Komati Vema. Kondavidu with its dependencies he allotted to Peda Komati Vema, while Kataya Vema got Rajahmundry region and the newly conquered portion of the Oriya territory. Kumaragiri died in A.D. 1403 and Peda Komati Vema and Kataya Vema assumed independent charge of their respective dominions. Neither the death of Kumaragiri nor the division of the kingdom could put an end to the rivalry between Peda Komati Vema and Kataya Vema. The rivalry between these two gave opportunities for the Bahmany Sultan and the Vijayanagara king Devaraya I to increase their influence in the coastal Telugu districts. To fight against Kataya Vema of Rajahmundry, Peda Komati Vema sought the assistance of the Bahmany Sultan, Firuz Shah, who gladly offered him help; for, that gave him a chance to expand into Telingana. 17 Annadeva Coda, 18 son and successor of Bhaktiraja, also made common cause with Peda Komati Vema against Kataya Vema. Kataya Vema had no other option than to appeal to Devaraya I of Vijayanagara for help. The Vijayanagara rulers had been encroaching on the territory of the Reddis since the time of Bukka I and had already occupied the southern portions of the Reddi kingdom as early as Anapota's reign; and Devaraya I in pursuance of the policy of his predecessors welcomed this opportunity for further expansion. He offered his full support. In addition to this there were matrimonial connections 19 between the two rul- 16. Kataya Vema: Commentary on Kalidasa's Sakuntalam. 17. Velugotivari Vamsavali. 18. Journal of the Andhra Historical Research Society Vol. I. p. 173-189. 19. Epigraphia Indica XII. p. 237-250-Vemavaram grant of Allaya Vema Reddi, verse 21. "Paum (pau) trim Kataya Vemaya-ksitipateh putrim ca kataPrabhor dauhitrim Caturarnnavim Harihara-ksonipateh sasituh, tan-namna vidit-ahvayam Hariharambam carum = agrahayat = panau Vema-mahisam=Alla-nrpatis=samrajya-laksmya=samam."

ANTECEDENTS 21 ing families. The rivalry between the two Reddi houses divided South India into two warring camps. Rajahmundry, supported by Vijayanagara, and Kondavidu, assisted by the Telugu Coda chiefs and the Bahmany Sultan, began to fight with each other. The struggle commenced immediately after the visit of Kataya Vema to Ahobalam 20 in A.D. 1410, probably to secure the help of Devaraya I. Vijayanagara armies moved north and by A.D. 1411 occupied the territory as far as Bapatla. 21 Since they were on terms of enmity with Peda Komati Vema, the Velama chiefs of Racakonda attacked Dharanikota and killed Maca, 22 the commander of that fort and a brother of Peda Komati Vema. But the timely arrival of Muslim armies to support Peda Komati Vema saved the situation. The Velama attack was repulsed. In the Godavari Delta, Annadeva Coda headed a revolt against Kataya Vema and the latter finding it impossible to check the rebels single-handed appealed to Devaraya I to despatch armies. Vijayanagara armies marched into the Godavari Delta to help Kataya Vema. Firuz Shah Bahmany, who promised help, sent armies towards Rajahmundry to support Annadeva Coda and at the same time to divert the attention of Devaraya I, he attacked the fortress of Panugal.* In the battles of Attili and Kankaraparti, according to the Rajahmundry Museum Plates 23 of Annadeva Coda, the Vijayanagara forces were completely defeated and Kataya Vema appears to have lost his life in one of these battles. Kumaragiri II,24 son of Kataya Vema, succeeded to the throne, but he too died after a short rule, leaving behind his only sister, Anitalli, helpless. Allada, a supporter of Kataya Vema and a relation of Prolaya Vema, the founder of the Reddi kingdom of Kondavidu, went to the rescue of Anitalli. Allada was a great warrior and statesman. He successfully brought under his control 20. AR. No. 84 of 1915. 21. Ibid., 798 of 1922. 22. Velugotivari Vamsavali, p. 39.-Kumara Vedagiri, the contemporary Velama chief, it appears, killed Maca and made a spittoon out of his skull. This irritated Peda Komati Vema so much that he immediately marched against the Velama chiefs and avenged the insult in the same manner. 23. Journal of the Andhra Historical Research Society Vol. I, pp. 173-189. 24. Andhra Sahitya Parishat Patrika Vol. II, pp. 99-112. South Indian Inscriptions AR. No. 467 of 1893, Vol. V. No. 43.

22 GAJAPATIS OF ORISSA the rebellious chiefs of the Godavari Delta. Annadeva Coda 25 was crushed and probably lost his life in action. In this task Allada was greatly helped by his sons Vema, Virabhadra and Dodda. During these troubled conditions, Bhanudeva IV, the Eastern Ganga king from the north and Peda Komati Vema from the south attacked Rajahmundry. Bhanudeva IV tried to recover the forts formerly conquered by Kataya Vema. But he was completely defeated by Allada, who then assumed the title 'Gajapati-dalavibala" (i.e., who broke up the Gajapati battalions). A treaty was concluded by which the boundaries between the two kingdoms were delimited, and ever since that time the Eastern Ganga king remained a friend of Allada. Allada's services to the Reddi kingdom of Rajahmundry are aptly described in the Kaluvaceru grant of Anitalli. He is said to have 'raised with ease like Visnu (Varaha) the earth which was submerged in waters, viz., the wicked chiefs who turned traitors to their masters."28 To safe-guard his position in the state and to have all power in his own hands he performed the marriage of his own son Virabhadra with Anitalli, daughter of Kataya Vema and the sole heiress to the kingdom. Through the good offices of his minister, Bendapudi Annaya, he secured the friendship of Ahmad Shah Bahmany of Gulbarga, and continued the friendly relations with Vijayanagara. At the time of his death in A.D. 1423 he left a wealthy kingdom extending upto Vajraghatta and Oddadi in the north, and friendly neighbours around. . King Virabhadra of Rajahmundry and Bhanudeva IV : - On the death of Allada in A.D. 1423, his son Virabhadra succeeded him as the ruler of Rajahmundry in virtue of his marriage with Anitalli, the daughter of Kataya Vema. He was assisted in the government of the kingdom by his elder brother, Allaya Vema, whom he appointed as his saciva or-minister. Their authority was however repudiated by their cousins Annavota III and Kumaragiri III, sons of Annavrola, the eldest of Allada's brothers, 29 who seem to have seized a part, if not the whole, of the kingdom, and appeal- 25. Srinatha-Bhimesvara-Puranam. 1; 62. 26. Kommana-Sivalilavilasam, Introduction. 27. Ibid. 28. Andhra Sahitya Parishat Patrika II, pp. 93-112. 29. South Indian Inscriptions, Vol. V. No. 129, Annual Report on South Indian Epigraphy No. 514 of 1893, Journal of the Andhra Historical Research Society Vol. III, p. 223. T

ANTECEDENTS 23 ed to the Gajapati Bhanudeva IV for help. The Gajapati readily responded to their call; for, it gave him an opportunity not only to recover the territory which the Reddis had taken formerly from his predecessors but also to conquer fresh dominion in the Coastal Andhra Country. Raca Vema who succeeded his father Peda Komati Vema at Kondavidu in A.D. 1419, fell a victim to the knife of an assassin after a rule of four years. With his death the Reddi dynasty of Kondavidu came to an end. The country fell into anarchy and invited foreign invaders from the neighbouring states. As both the Vijayanagara and the Bahmany kingdoms, the most powerful of the southern states, were engaged in a fierce war at this time, they were hardly in a position to pay heed to the affairs of Kondavidu. Bhanudeva IV saw that he could easily overrun the country and bring it under his control. To ensure the success of his enterprise, Bhanudeva invited the. Velama chiefs of Racakonda and Devarakonda to join him and invaded the kingdom of Rajahmundry at the head of a strong army. The events that had taken place during this invasion are not definitely known; but the Velugotivari Vamsavali refers to the exploits of Madaya Linga, the leader of the Velama expeditionary force. He is said to have attacked and plundered Rajamahendravaram, the capital of the Reddis and subdued the territory as far as Simhacalam; defeated Allaya Vema and his two younger brothers Virabhadra and Dodda in battle, but re-instated them in the kingdom after they bowed to him in submission.30 This seems to gain indirect support from epigraphical evidence. Though Anitalli and her husband Virbhadra assumed power, as shown by the Kaluvaceru grant, as early as A.D. 1423,31 there is absolutely no indication of their rule during the succeeding five years. Between the years A.D. 1423 and 1428, the history of Rajahmundry is a total blank. From A.D. 1428 onwards, however, they 30. Velugotivari Vamsavali: Gamgasaksiga miri kadisi Rajamahendravaramu curalu-goni vaccinadu Catul = ogragati Raya-sarabhamai = yavalila diruga Simhadri sadhim cinadu Virabhadruni Dodda-Vibhu Vema-nrpatula rattadai kal = ande bet- tinadu (126) Aji-mukhatibhitul = agun = Allaya Vemana Virabhadrudun Rajakul = abhirama rana-Raghava Linga-nrpala ni mahaRajata-patra damma-dini rajyamu-nilpiri-imkan = emanan Rajamahendra-durgamulu rajulu-gaikonak unda = juture (116) 31.° Andhra Sahitya Parishat Patrika II, pp. 104-112. =

24 GAJAPATIS OF ORISSA ruled the kingdom continuously until A.D. 1438 as shown by a series of their inscriptions. 32 It is evident that during this period of five years, the rule of Anitalli and her husband suffered an eclipse which was due in all likelihood to the invasion of Bhanudeva IV and his Velama allies. After the subjugation of the kingdom of Rajahmundry Bhanudeva IV seems to have crossed the Krsna and taken possession of the territories of Kondavidu. Though not borne out by the evidence of epigraphy, Bhanudeva's conquest of Kondavidu after S. 1342 (A.D. 1420), is referred to in the kaifiyats of several villages in the Guntur district. They invariably place the advent of the Oddes, that is the Oriyas, between the extinction of the Reddi dynasty of Kondavidu and the conquest of the district by Praudha Devaraya, that is, Devaraya II, of Vijayanagara. The history of Kondavidu like that of Rajahmundry during this period is totally obscure. What happened there between Peda Komati Vema's death in A.D. 1419 and the subjugation of the country by Devaraya II cannot be ascertained. However, as Raca Vema's assassination and the outbreak of anarchy at Kondavidu coincided with the date of the death of Allada and the consequent disorders in the kingdom of Rajahmundry, it is not improbable that Bhanudeva IV also invaded Kondavidu and effected its conquest even as stated in the village kaifiyats.33 Bhanudeva was not, however, allowed to rule over the conquerred territories long. His authority was soon challenged by Vijayanagara. The war between Devaraya II and Sultan Ahmad Shah Bahmany came to an end in A.D. 1425. As the latter launched immediately an attack upon Telingana to chastise the Velama chiefs of Racakonda and Devarakonda, Devaraya was free to turn his attention to the affairs of the Coastal Andhra country. He sent his armies to the east and expelled the Gajapati from the Reddi dominions, annexed Kondavidu to his empire and reinstated Anitalli and her husband Virabhadra in the kingdom of Rajahmundry. These events took place before S. 1351 Saumya (A.D. 1429); for, in an inscription at Mudubidare in the South Kanara district dated in that year, it is stated that Devaraya II, besides vanquishing a large and powerful body of Muslim cavalry, 32. Annual Report on South Indian Epigraphy Nos. 447 of 1893, 224, 225 and 226 of 1899; Epigraphia Indica Vol. V. pp. 53-69; Annual Report on South Indian Epigraphy Nos. 423 of 1893 and 223 of 1899; E.E. Vol. XIII, pp. 237-250; Annual Report on South Indian Epigraphy Nos. 424, 426 and 461 of 1893. 83. History of the Reddi Kingdoms p. 189; Journal of Oriental Research Vol. XIX. pp. 132- 143.

ANTECEDENTS 25 destroyed the elephant forces of the Gajapati and the vast army of the king of the Andhras.34 The victories of Devaraya II referred to in this inscription were, of course, won by him before that date. The Muslim cavalry no doubt belonged to the Bahmany Sultan; the Gajapati was Bhanudeva IV, and the king of the Andhras was the Velama ruler of Racakonda. An epigraph at Simhacalam dated S. 1350 (A.D. 1428) which registers a gift to the temple of God Narasimha of the place by Telungaraya, one of the generals in the service of Devaraya II,35 confirms the evidence of the Mudubidare record and shows that Vijayanagara armies pursued the Gajapati as far as Simhacalam in the north. } The victory of Vijayanagara army naturally resulted in the restoration of the Reddi power. Virabhadra and his brothers took advantage of the presence of Vijayanagara forces in their country and invaded the territories of the Gajapati. Bhanudeva IV was not able to resist their attack. No detailed account of this invasion has come down to us except the list of places conquered by them given by Srinatha in his works. Virabhadra and his brothers subjugated the local chiefs round about Simhacalam bringing under their sway 'Saptamades, Cidikada, Lotagadda, Srngaramkota, Kancukamulu, Kasimkota, Venkatayi, Kappakonda Palakonda Potnuru, Oddadi, 35 a etc. The exact date of their conquest is not known. But an inscription dated July A.D. 1434 from Simhacalam records the conquest of 'Potnuru, Oddadi and Kaluvalapalli' in that year.36 Since these places have appeared in the list given by Srinatha, it may not be improbable that they were taken in the same campaign. Virabhadra, assisted by his brothers Vema and Dodda, ruled at Rajahmundry for at least another decade if not longer; but they. became subordinate allies of Vijayanagara. In spite of the revolution and the consequent change of the ruling dynasty in Orissa, the Oriya menace continued to threaten the very existence of their kingdom. They had to depend on Vijayanagara more and more for the maintenance of their authority. When, after the death of Devaraya II, Vijayanagara failed to lend them sup- 34. South Indian Inscriptions Vol. VII. No. 202, Annual Report on South Indian Epigraphy No. 33 of 1901. 35. AR. No. 293 of 1899. 1: 33-34; 4: 304-306. 35 a. Catupadyamanimanjari. 36. South Indian Inscriptions Vol. VI. No. 1168, Annual Report on South Indian Epigraphy No.-365-I of 1899, §. 1356, Ananda Bravana, su. 14. G. 4

26 GAJAPATIS OF ORISSA port, they became the victims of Oriya aggression, and were overthrown by Kapilendra about A.D. 1448. Orissa and Vijayanagara: The Gajapatis of Orissa and the Rayas of Vijayanagara did not come into contact with each other until the close of the first quarter of the 15 th century A.D. Nuniz, no doubt, declares that Bukka I (A.D. 1344-1378) 'took the kingdom of Oriya'. 37 But this, as pointed out earlier, is utterly unlikely. It was, as a matter of fact, the rivalry of the Gajapatis and the Rayas for the possession of the Coastal Andhra districts that precipitated a conflict between them; but, so long as the power of the Reddis remained intact, they could not come into contact with each other, much less engage themselves in hostilities. The Rayas of Vijayanagara were first in the field. They made * themselves, very early in their history, masters of the whole of the western and southern parts of the Telugu country. The territory comprising the present Anantapur, Bellary, Cuddapah, Chittoor and Nellore districts, as well as the bulk of the Kurnool district passed into their hands some time before A.D. 1343. They had been striving ever since to reduce the Reddi kingdom of Kondavidu to subjection, and round off their dominion by extending it up to the river Krsna, its natural frontier in the north-east. In pursuit of their object they adopted a policy of continuous aggression against the Reddis and by frequent encroachments on their territory annexed a large part of it by the end of the 14th century A.D. They welcomed the division of the Reddi kingdom after the death of Kumaragiri in A.D. 1403, and espoused with enthusiasm the cause of Kataya Vema as against their immediate neighbour Peda Komati Vema, because it afforded them an excellent pretext to attack the latter and appropriate his territory. However, when the circumstances seemed quite favourable to them, after Raca Vema's assassination and the consequent prevalence of anarchy, to accomplish their purpose, they failed to take advantage of them, owing to the invasion of their kingdom by the Bahmany sultan Ahmad Shah. Vijayaraya I and Devaraya II, who succeeded Devaraya I, in A.D. 1422, were hard put to defend their territories, and under the circumstances, they could scarcely bestow any attention on the affairs of the Coastal Andhra country. The death of Allada in A.D. 1423 and the outbreak of dissensions among the Reddis of Rajahmundry complicated the political 37. Forgotten Empire by R. Sewell p. 300.

ANTECEDENTS 27 situation further, and presented an opportunity to the Gajapati Bhanudeva IV to invade the Reddi kingdom not only to recover the territory which the Reddis had formerly taken from his predecessors but also to bring the whole of it, if possible, under his control. Thanks to the preoccupation of the Vijayanagara rulers and the Bahmany sultan and the willing co-operation of the Velama princes of Racakonda and Devarakonda, he managed, as we had seen, to effect the conquest of the east coast and impose his authority over it. He was not however destined to rule over the conquered territory long; for, the war between the Bahmany kingdom and Vijayanagara came to an end in A.D. 1425. Ahmad Shah Bahmany immediately launched an attack on Telingana to chastise the Velamas for their treachery during his recent war with Vijayanagara. Devaraya II sent his army to the east coast to dislodge the Gajapati and occupy the country. Bhanudeva IV was not able to maintain his authority without the support of the Velamas. Unable to offer effective resistence to the Vijayanagara forces, he retreated towards his kingdom, leaving Devaraya II undisputed master of the whole of the coastal Andhra country. The retreat of Bhanudeva IV was soon followed by an invasion of his territories by the Reddis of Rajahmundry, supported obviously by the Vijayanagara forces. They carried their arms successfully into the heart of Kalinga and their northern frontier reached almost the shores of the Cilka lake. The Vijayanagara kings themselves by defeating the rulers of Orissa, and by supporting Rajahmundry virtually contributed to the decline of the kingdom of Orissa. In addition to these, the sultans of Gulburga and even of Malwa carried on predatory raids into Orissa. Sultan Firuz Bahmany raided Orissa 38 in A.D. 1412 and Nizam-ud-Din Ahmad 39 gives an elaborate description of the raid undertaken by Sultan Hushang Shah of Malwa. In the year 825 A.H. (A.D. 1421) Sultan Hushang accompanied by one thousand select horsemen, disguised as merchants, advanced towards Jajnagar carrying with him some good horses, for which he wanted to bring elephants in exchange. He encamped outside the city and invited the Raya 38. Tabaqat-i-Nasiri Eng. Trans. p. 592 note. 39. Tabagat-i-Akbari, Vol. III, Eng. Trans. p. 476-7.

28 GAJAPATIS OF ORISSA to purchase his commodities. When the Raya arrived he took him captive by surprise. Seizing the 'Raya as a hostage' he demanded and got seventy-five elephants. After crossing the borders he let the Raya of Orissa go back. All these clearly prove that the old Eastern Ganga dynasty had become weak and ineffective. The country badly needed a military leader who could bring back under control all the refractory chiefs who had declared their independence, and save the country from foreign attacks. Such a leader soon arose in the person of Kapilendradeva.

DECCAN ON THE EVE OF KAPILENDRA'S ACCESSION 1434-35 BENGAL GUJARATI ARABIAN MALWA KHANDESH BAHMANI KINGDOM WARANGAL VELAMAS BIDAR GULBURGA JAUNPUR GONDWANA REDDI ORISSA + VIJAYANAGARAM SEA 100 50 0 SCALE OF MILES 100 200 300 400 BAY OF BENGAL