Part 10 - Bhimaraja (A.D. 1230-1268)

Bhima was the first Parichchedi ruler who had a long reign of thirty-eight years. His earliest record if from Potturu dated A.D. 1230 mentioning his parents-Mahamandalesvara Parichcheda Kommaraja and Suralamahadevi. His next inscription also from Potturu, dated A.D. 1246, mentions his younger brothers-Uttambhimaraja, Devaraju, and Ganapaddevaraju. Bhima’s next inscription is from Sekuru near Tenali. From an undated inscription of Bhima,Parichchedi Pandraju, Vallabharaju and Peda Kammaraju, bearing a long parasasti similar to that of Namba II are known. As Bhima associated Uttambhima in ruling the kingdom from A.D. 1268, that may be taken to be the last year of Bhima’s independent rule.

His Political Relations

Rajendra III (A.D. 1246-1279) the last of the Chola emperors had no control over Vengi. The Velanandu kingdom had disappeared soon after Prithvisvara and only a few princes of the line were ruling in parts of that country. The Kakatiya power was making rapid strides in Vengi under Ganapatideva and Rudrama. But there are no signs of the Panchchedis acknowledging the Kakatiya yoke and one may agree with the epigraphist when he says “It is not unlikely that these Parichchedis were among the chiefs who were opposed to and caused disturbance in the reign of Rudramba.”

One of the titles in the prasasti of the princes Pandaraju, Vallabha and Podakomma is Ratta Katakaraksha i.e. the guards of the Ratta camp. Bhima’s father Kommaraja was a Mahamandalesvara and must have ruled over the Parichchedi tracts though none of his records are available.