Part 4 - Mallideva and Vallabha (A.D. 1175-1182)

No sons of Loka and Bhima are known. On Bhima Ill’s death in A.D. 1168, Vallabha, son of Rajaparendu II, the elder brother of Bhima III by Parvati succeeded to the throne and ruled jointly with Loka till 1175 A.D. and on Loka’s death in that year, his place was taken by Mallideva second son of Rajendra Choda I. Mallideva and Vallabha ruled jointly till A.D. 1182 when Vallabha—after reigning for fourteen years died and was succeeded by Manmasatya II.

No inscriptions of the period of rule of Loka and Vallabha—A.D. 1168 to 1175 have come to light. Undoubtedly Loka and Vallabha acted together in their wars of aggression and defence which as pointed out already resulted in the death of Loka and subjugation of the kingdom by the Velanandus. These seven years till A.D 1175 mark the last phase of Loka’s rule and the first half of Vallabha’s reign. No inscriptions of Vallabha are known and he was overshadowed by Lokabhupala.

Mallideva joined Vallabha in A.D. 1175. His earliest record is dated 1135 from Draksharama wherein he is mentioned as Kona Malleraja. No inscriptions of his while ruling with Vallabha are available. Mallideva and Vallabha enjoyed a peaceful reign as the Pithapur pillar inscription says that they ruled earth undisturbed. Vallabha’s sons by Achamamba were Manmasatya II and Mahipalarendu.

Their Political Relations

Mallideva and Vallabha from the experience of Loka must have learnt the futility of aggressive warfare and preferred a reign of peace. They contracted alliances of marriage with the local rulers. For the first time in this period, we hear of the Undi principality and its ruler Kama. Located in the west Godavari District, the Undi principality and its rulers played an important role in the politics of the Telugu country in the 14th Century A.D. helping Annadeva of the Telugu Chodas against the Reddis. Probably this Undi prince Kama was a precussor of the later chiefs and his alliance was sought by the Kona Haihayas, for Achamamba, queen of Vallabha, was the daughter of Kama.

The Chola emperors in this period were Rajadhiraja II and Kulottunga III and the Velanandu ruler was Choda II. Mallideva and Vallabha must have continued their loyalty to the Cholas and the Velanandu Chodas which must have contributed for their enjoyment of a peaceful reign.