Part 3 - Lokhabhupala and Bhima III (A.D. 1150-1178)

Mummadi Bhima II had a son Rajendra Kona LokanadSatya I had two sons—Rajaparendu II and Bhima III. Of the three brothers, the first and the last succeeded their fathers as joint rulers of the Kona kingdom. However, claims of Rajaparendu II, the elder brother of Bhima III were overlooked. Loka and Bhima ruled jointly for eighteen years, and in A.D. 1168 Bhima died and was succeeded by Malli-deva.

Loka and Bhima were the greatest of the Kona Haihaya dynasty. They owed loyalty to the Cholas and started on a career of conquest and annexation and attempted to throw off allegiance to the Velanandus. But they did not assess correctly the strength of the enemy and the prevalent political situation before they decided on aggression. So they failed disastrously and consequently for the rest of the duration of the Kona, kingdom, the Haihayas never made attempts at liberation and extention.

The earliest record of Lokabhupala is from Draksharama dated A.D. 1135 and the 10 th year of C.V. era which is a mistake for 60th year. The re cord was issued before Loka assumed the scepture and he had fifteen years of experience in the arts of war and peace when he became the ruler in A.D. 1150, Lonka’s earliest record after he became rules in the reign of Tribhuvana chakrava rti Rajaraja deva is from Bapatla dated A.D, 1150 and the 4th year of Rajaraja II. In the record Loka is mentioned as Rajendra Kona Lokaraja. The record at Drakaharama, dated A.D. 1153 and the 9th year of Rajaraja II belongs to Bhima III. The last date for Loka is A D. 1175 from a Velanandu inscription of that year of Choda II. Bhima’silast inscription bears the date A.D. 1168 and is at Draksharama. The only Kona record at Bapatla probably indicates Loka’s westward expension.

Loka and Bhima III and their political relations

In their political career Loka and Bhima III came into touch with the Cholas, the Chalukyas, the Velanandus and other local powers. Loka lost his life in his attempts to extend the Kona kingdom unwisely when the time was not propitious for it.

Loka and Bhima and the Cholas

Rajaraja was the Chola emperor A.D. (1150-1163). His suzerainty in the Telugu country is attested by his inscriptions in Vengi country up to Draksharama.

Loka and Bhima began their rule by acknowledging Rajaraja’s overlordship in their inscriptions dated A.D. 1150-1153 in the 4th and 9th regnal years of the emperor from Bapatla and Draksharama respectively.

Loka and Bhima and the Chalukyas

Jagadekamalla II was succeeded by Tail a III and Taila III by Jagadekamalla III. The Kalachurya yusurpation was complete by A.D. 1163 and Bijjala and his sons ruled till A.D. 1184.

Loka and Bhima do not appear to have come into conflict with the Chalukyas of Kalyani or the Kalachuris who were Iso of Haihaya descent.

Loka and Bhima and the Velanandu chodas

Gonka II and Choda II were the rulers at Tsandavole. The location of Loka’s inscription at Bopatla with date A.D. 1150 probably indicates his advance so far. Though there is no evidence of his having come into conflict with Gonka II, it is probable that he was checked by Gonka II and his armies, and this accounts for his not embarking on any conquests into Velanandu territory, so long as Gonka lived.

Soon after Gonka’s death Loka seems to have started cut an aggressive warfare into the Velanandu kingdom and attempted to throw off allegiance to Choda II. This venture on Loka’s part cost him his life in the end. For Choda II sent a punitive expedition into the Kona territory under Devana-pregadda in A.D. 1164 and 1165 which was a success for the Velanandus. Konamandala was subjugated and consequently Loka and Bhima continued their loyalty to the Velanandus Loka made another attempt to throw off the Velanandu yoke some time about A.D. 1175. Thus Loka brought on himself and the kingdom the wrath of the Velanandus. For Prolayanayaka, a subordinate of Choda II claimed to have killed Kona Loka obviously Lokabhupala.

Thus in this period the Kona rulers-especially Loka bhupala harassed the Velanandu kingdom frequently and were subdued thoroughly by A D. 1175 as a result of two Velanandu expeditions in A.D. 1165 and 1175 respectively. Much fighting would have taken place between the Konas and the Velanandu chodas, though no information bearing on the matter is available.

Loka and Bhima and other rulers

The Konas and the Chalukyas were perhaps on friendly terms in this period. Perhaps’ Loka contracted alliances with small pbwers-Iike the many branches of the Chalukyas in Vengi, the Kolanus, the Haihayas of Palnad and Panchadharala prior to his opposition to the Velanandus.