Part 7 - Bhimaraja (A.D. 1161)

The relationship of Bhimaraja to his predecessor or Trailokyamalla is unknown. His earliest inscription is from Garnapudi dated A.D. 1161 mentioning him as mahamanda-lesvara Paribhchedi Tammu Bhimaraja and his commander Gandaya. An inscription at Ellore dated Kaliyuga (4) 1925 (evidently 4295) mentions Bhima as Panchchedi Chikkabhimaraja of Verur. Tammubhima and Chikkabhima are evidently identical, the terms chikka and tammu in Kannada and Telugu respectively indicating younger (brother) Another record of Bhima at Ellore, with date last mentions him as Mahamandalesvara Parichchedi Bhimaraja. The opigraphist remarked “The genealogy in this record is complete but supplies the names Ganda and his sons Rama and Bhima of whom the latter is very likely the Panchchedi Chikka Bhimaraja.”

So Bhima had an elder brother Rama and his father was Ganda. Probably he had his capital at Verur. Bhima’s inscriptions do not shed any light on his political relations. Nevertheless he must have been a subordinate of the Chola emperor Rajaraja II (A.D. 1150-1163) and Velanandu choda II. Bhima was perhaps a lover of peace as no signs of his having fought any battles are available.