Part 12 - The Haihayas of Panchadharala (A.D. 1200-1403)

The Haihayas of Panchadharala ruled as a defecto independent power during the 13th and 14th centuries over the Simhachalam and Panchadharala regions in South Kahnga. The dynasty consisted of five kings who called themselves lords of Mahishmati and claimed descent from Arjuna Kartavirya. The name Kona is refixed to the names of its rulers, but the connection between these Haihayas and those of Konamandala is not known. Dr. Nobel prefers to call this “the second Kona dyansty.” In the midst of powerful kingdoms both in the north and in the south the Haihayas of Pancha-dharalsa, played a rather significant role in the history of south India for one and a half centuries. The political achievements of these rulers were remarkable and at one time their kingdom extended over the entire Madhyadesa from the Vindhyas to the ocean i.e. Bay of Bengal.

South India and Vengi In the 13th Century

Muslim rule in India became a permanent feature with the establishment of the Slave dynasty under Kutbbudin Ibek in A D. 1206 at Delhi. Gradually the independent Hindu kingdoms in the north were replaced by Muslim viceroyalties owing nominal allegiance to the Sultanate of Delhi. South India was divided between the Gangas of Kalinga, the Yadavas of Devagiri, the Hoysalas, the Cholas and the Pandyas. Their rulers were Rajaraja III (1219-1235 A.D.), and Ananga Bhima (A.D. 1246-1260), Yadava Singana (1210-1247 A.D.) and Krishna (A.D. 1246-1260), Hoysala Ballah II (1173-1220 A.D.), Narasi II (1220-1235 A.D.), and Somesvara (A.D. 1234-1254), Chola Kulottunga (A.D. 1178-1216), Rajaraja III (1216-1246 A.D.) and Rajendra III (A.D. 1246-1277) and Maravarman Sundara Pandya I and II in their respecive kingdoms.

In Vengi in this period, the chola suzerainty had declined. The Velanandu choda kingdom was in decadent stages. The Telugu chodas were powerful, and the Kakatiyas under Ganapati (A.D. 1198-1260) were making attempts to establish supremacy in the entire Telugu land. Southern Kahnga formed a part of the Kalingan empire and was ruled over by a cluster of small dynasties bearing South Indian names and tracing descent from dynasties in the south and owing nominal allegiance to the Eastern Ganga emperors.

Rise of the Haihayas

The mythical part of the Kona Haihaya genealogy is as follows: From Vishnu’s navel-lotus was born Brahma. Brahma’s son was Marichi whose son was Kasyapa. Kasyapa’s son was Bhanu and Bhanu’s son was Manu and in Manuvamsa was born Arjuna Kartavirya. In the race of Arjuna Kartivirya was born king Choda with whom begins the historical part of the Haihaya genealogy.