The history of Andhra country (1000 AD - 1500 AD)

by Yashoda Devi | 1933 | 138,355 words

This book recounts the History of the Andhra Pradesh Country from 1000 to 1500 A.D. including many dynasties (for example. the Reddis of Korukonda and the Eruva Chola of Rajahmundry)....

Part 1 - The Haihayas of Konamandala (A.D. 1073—1364)

The Kona Haihayas held sway over Konamandala—the Godavari deltaic area-for over three centuries—from the 11th to the 14th century A.D. They were never a great power and their sporadic attempts at aggrandisement and expansion met but with temporary success in the midst of powerful kmgdoms-the Chalukyas, the Kakatiyas, the Cholas and the Velanandu Chodas. Joint rule was a regular feature of the dynasty and not less than few generations of rulers ruled Konamandala. The Kona Haihayas owed allegiance to the Cholas and their representatives, the Velanandu Chodas throughout, though occasionally they were compelled to acknowledge Chalukya and Kakatiya suzereinty.

The political contains of South Indian and Vengi in the 11th century

In the secand half of the 11th century A.D. South India was divided between the Gangas in the east, the Chalukyas in the north and the Cholas in the south. The Ganga rulers were Vajrahasta V (A.D. 1038-1070) Devendravarman Rajaraja I (A.D. 1070-1078) and Anantavarman Choda Ganga (A D. 1078-1146); and the Chalukyas of Kalyani were Somesvara I (A.D. 1042-1068), Somesvara II (1068-1076 A.D.) and Vikramaditya VI (A.D. 1076-1126). The Chola and Chalukya Kingdoms were united in A.D. 1070 when Rajendra II of the Chalukyas of Vengi, succeeded to the Chola throne on the 'death of Adhirajendra I, under the name of Kulottunga I.

With Kulottunga’s accession, Vengi was naturally included in the Chola empire and remained an important viceroyalty throughout his reign. While Kulottunga was busy in the south, the kindom of Vengi was invaded by Yasah Karnadeva of the Haihayas of Tnpun and Vijayaditya VII was defeated by him. On the death of Vijayaditya after ruling for fifteen years, Kulottunga appointed his own sons one after another as Viceroys of Vengi-Rajaraja Mummadichoda (A.D. 1076-1077) Virachoda (1078-1088), Rajarajachoda Ganga (1084-1089), Virachoda for second time (1089-1093) and Vikrama Chola (A.D.1093-1118)

Origin and rise of the dynasity

According to the Pithapur Pillar inscription of Mallideva and Manmasatya II, in the race of Yadu was born to Lord Hari a king named Haihaya. To Haihaya was born Kritavirya to whom was Dorn Kartavirya. Arjuna Kartavirya and his capital Mahishmati are mentioned in many records of the Kona Hihaya dynastry and the two epithets, mentioning them formed part of the prasasti of the Kona Haihayas.

The earliest historical person of the Kona dynasty was Kirtiraja of Haihayavamsa. The Pithapur pillar inscription does not mention him and his relationship to Sahasrajuna is not known. Kirtiraja’s only inscription is from Draksharama. dated A.D. 1073 and the 13th year of Sarvalokasraya Srivishnuvardhana maharaja Rakuduni prefixed to Kirtiraja’s name and Kirtiraja’s queen (mahishi) was Rekidevi. From the inscription it is evident that Kirtiraja owed allegiance to the Chola throne. For vishnuvardhana, undoubtedly refers to Kulottunga I mentioned by his Eastern Chalukya name and epithets: and 13th year must be taken to be an error for the 3rd year which corresponds to A D. 1373. The mention of Tnbhuvanamkusa measure at the end of the record supports Kirtiraja’s loyalty to Kulottunga I. Perhaps Knti-raja’s came with Yasahkorna of Tripuri by AD. 1072-73' and stayed back in Vengi He appears to have been a general' and chieftain of some importance like Gonka I serving Kulottunga by A.D. 1073. Probably Kulottunga conferred on him a small principality round about Rakuduru as a record for his services and this explains Rekame being called a mahishi. Probably Rakuduru was his capital.

The next Kona Haihaya ruler and the first after Kartaivivya, according to the Pithapur pillar inscription was Mummadi Bhima I, Mummadi Bhima I’s relationship to Kirtiraja is not known. His only record is from Draksharama dated A.D 1082 and C.V. 6 in which he is mentioned as Kona Mummadi raju. Mummadi Bhima received the insignia of sovereignty from. Rajadhiraja Rajendra choda and became the lord of VengF. The date of this conferment is not specified anywhere: Rajendra Choda II is Kulottunga I and the conferment must have taken place after A D. 1073 the date of Kirtiraja and before A.D. 1082—the year by which Mummadi Bhima acknowledged Western Chalukyan suzerainty. Consequently the statement that the conferment took place about A.D. 1038 becomes worthless for it is not based on any evidence and Rajendra II need not have made this confirmation in the year of his accession to the Chalukya throne in A.D. 1063.

By A.D. 1082 Mummadi Bhima of Draksharama recognised Chalukyan suzerainty under Vikramaditya VI. Mummadi Bhima, as the saka and Vikrama years show was one of the their lord Vikramaditya were awaiting to overthrow the Chalukyan sway in Vengi. The opportunity came when Vikramaditya died in A.D. 1136. And soon after “the restoration of Chola supremacy in the North” was affected. Undoubtedly in bringing about this desired result, Rajendra Choda I must have assisted the Cholas in fighting Somesvara III and his generals in Vengi and acquired the above mentioned titles indicating his valour and consequent defeat of the enemies. So Rajendra Choda I by A.D. 1128 by fighting on the side of the Cholas had some successes over the Chalukyas alike Velananti Choda I and other minor rulers in Vengi.

Rajendra Choda I and the Cholas

Rajendra Choda was loyal to the Cholas as his name itself shows for he was named after Rajendra Kulottunga, the suzerain of his grandfather Mummadi Bhima I. As seen above, Rajendra Choda had a share in preparing the ground for the departure of the Chalukyas and the gradual restoration of the Chola power in Vengi.

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