Part 18 - The Gona (Kona) Haihayas of Vardhamanapura (A.D. 1190-1294)

The Gonas or Konas, also of Haihaya descent, flourished in the 12th and 13th centuries, ruling over the tracts about Raichur, (Nizam’s dominions), with capital at Vardhamanapura(i.e. Vaddumam). This family of local rulers owed fealty to the Kakatiya emperors which is evident from their inscriptions and the location of their territories. In common with the haihayas of Konamandala, Panchadharala and Palnad, the haihayas of Vardhamanapura claimed descent from Karta-viryarjuna and as in the case of the first two dynasties, had the prefix Gona or Kona prefixed to their names. Gona or Kona is the family name of these Haihayas as in the case of the Panchadharala Haihayas. Their name ended with Reddi or Nay am. The relationship of these Gona Haihayas to other Haihaya dynasties is not known. The Gonas had some political achievement to their credit and contracted matrimonial alliances with the Malyala family, another powerful fundatory family in the Kakatiya dominions.

Sources and Genealogy

Material is scanty for the history of the Gonas. The inscriptions of this and Malyala family and Ranganatha Ramayana-Purva and Uttara-form the sources of the period.

As for the origin of these Haihayas, they were of the Gona or Kona stock claiming descent from Kartaviryarjuna, and perhaps also lordship over Mahishmati. The earliest known historical member of the family was Gona Kataphupati, Kata’s son was Buddha I whose son was Vittala or Ganna. Vithala’s son was Buddha II and his sons were Kacha and Vithala. Such is the genealogy given in Ranganatha Ramayana.

According to two inscriptions of Gonapati of the Kakatiyas, at Budapur (Mahboobnagar district) with dates A.D. 1259 and 1263 respectively, Gona Buddha had a daughter Kuppamambika alias Kuppasanamma and her husband Malyala Gunda was a general of Ganapati. Gunda had remarkable political achievements to his credit and was dead by A.D. 1276. Incidentally it may be mentioned that from two records of Ganapati at Kondiparti (Warangal district) dated A.D. 1191 and 1240 respectively, Malayala Chaundasenani" and Malyala Kata Chamupati with their respective pedigrees are known. Thus Gunda, Chaunda and Kata were all of the Kalyala family and the first ancestor Ganna was common to the families of all the three generals.

Whether Kuppama was the daughter of Buddha I or II is not clear. If she was the daughter of Buddha I, Buddha I’s grandson Buddha II must have been born about A.D. 1260 and 1295. On the other hand, if she was the daughter of Buddha II, Buddha II, must have been born about A.D. 1216 and composed Ranganatha Ramayana about A.D. 1240. Most probably she was the daughter of Buddha II.

In the Uttara Ramayana, the authors Kacha aud Vithala, sons of Buddha II mention their grand father Vithala as Ganna Reddi or Ganna Kohitmdra. As has been suggested, either Vithala had a second name Ganna as is common among rich Reddi families to have two names—one at home and the other outside, or Buddha had two fathers-Vithala and Ganna—one real and the other adopted; and the first view is more probable.

From the Raichur inscription dated A.D. 1294 Ganna, entitled Kakatiya Sannaharudradeva and Vithala—his inscription with those of Uttara Ramayana is baseless and as they were grandfather and grandson according to Ranganatha Ramayana, grandson could never have been rajyarakshamuni and so even if the two Vithalas were identical, Ganna could never have been so. But, it may be pointed out that both Ganna and Vithala could have been the grandsons of Vithala alias Ganna named after the two names of the grand father. Proceeding further on this assumption, we may say that Buddha wrote Ranganatha Ramayana after the name perhaps,,Panduranga Vithalanatha,” contracted into Ranganatha. Accepting this, Buddha had three sons—Ganna, Vithala and Kacha and the daughter Kuppambika.

Political History

Vithala alias Ganna, father of Buddha II is said to have been bright like the s,un, a moon to the ocean i.e. Konavamsa and a lion in destroying elephants i.e. enemies. His wife was Anyamamba. He bore the epithets—Misara Ganda and Arigandabhairava.

About Buddha II, we have no details. He may be identified with Buddhinayinimgaru of the Kunkalagunta inscription—unfinished and undated. Some titles show that Buddha was valiant, destroyed his enemies and was like a right arm to Velungu bhupala which must be Telugubhupala and may refer to Ganapati of the Kakatiyas. Buddha bore the epithets—Samastalakshmi sampurna, pratapalankasvara, vainnadehagaja—panchanana and samarashadanana.

Among Buddha’s sons, from the Raichur inscriptions dated A D. 1294, Ganna seems to have been the eldest and successor of his father. Ganna’s many titles speak of his valour and political successes.

Ganna and the Kakatiyas

Ganna bore the epithets—Kakatiya Katakasannaha and Rudradeva dakshma bhujadanda. At this time, the Kakatiya king was Prataparudra. But mostly, Ganna’s political victories were achieved during the closing years of Rudrama’s reign when Prataparudra was the crown prince and was mentioned as Kumara Rudradeva in inscriptions. Ganna was a great general of Rudradeva as indicated by the epithets.

Ganna’s other Successes

His title—Hadapivarakundara indicates some victory of his over hada. Ganna seem to have come into conflict with the Telugu Cholas, won a victory and assumed the titles—cholajagajalavirai. Ganna claims to have taken the heads of Kosagi Maili, Uppula Manni, Akkinayaka, Madipali Kachayanayaka, Kanduri Kesinayaka; vanquished Rapaka Bhima, Korala Kata, Eruva Tonda, and Choda chelukinayaka. Further he claims to have stolen the necklace of Keta, Permadiraya and the horses and Odayapatta of Bodda and vanquished the lord of Kudupupunpura. Of these Kanduri Kesinayaka probably belonged to the Telugu Cholas of Kanduru, Eruva Tonda to the Eruva branch of the Telugu cholas, Kota permadiraya was perhaps a member of the later Kota chiefs and Bodda was probably a Telugu Pallava. Ganna must have achieved all these victories during the Kakatiya expansion in the reigns of Rudradeva and Pralapa rudra

Ganna’s general is said to have conquered the forts of Adavani, Tumbulam, Maluva, Haluva, entered Raichur and built a fort for the protection of the people. All these forts taken by Vithala were situated in Kunkaladesa under the rule of the Seunas or Yadavas of Devagiri. So Vithala, the Younger brother of Ganna, secured these forts from the Yadava officers of Ramachandra.

Gundaya’s Political Relations

Gundaya, son-m-law of Buddha II, was a good horseman, an expert handler of several weapons—asi, musala, Karmuka etc. His title Peda mudduganda indicates some victory of his by A.D. 1269. By A.D. 1272, Gundaya claims to have defeated the Scvuna king i.e. Yadava ruler in the battlefield. Thus in the conflicts between the Yadavas and the Kakatiyas in this period, Gundaya won a victory over the luler—either Mahadeva (A.D. 1259—60-71 A.D.) or his successor Ramachandra or Ramadeva (1271—1309 A.D.) - probably the foimer for during the early part of his reign, he extended his rule in greater part of the Telugu Country. Malayala Gunda chums a victory over the ruler of Sankisapura, which victory is claimed by Malayala Kata also.

End of the Gona Family

No sons and successors of Gonka, misaraganda Kacha and Vithala are heard of. But Bachaya, Boppadu, and Ganapatideva sons of Kuppambika, sister of Kancc and Vithala are heard of from records. Thus no doubt belong to the Malayala family.lt appears that, so long the Kakatiya kingdom prospered the Gonas also prospered and ruled at Raichur till the end of Prataparudra’s rule. With the decline and fall of the Kakatiya kingdom the Gona Kaihayas also declined and are not known the time of Prataparudra.