Introduction (Natavadi Dynasty)

The Natavadis or Natavatis ruled over Natavadi vishaya for a century and a half—from A.D. 1104, with capital at Madapalli. The dynasty consisted of five kings who played not an insignificant role in the history of south India of the period. The Natavadi records are at Nidikonda, Tripurantakam, Draksharama and Simhachalam. The rulers owed allegiance to the Chalukyas of Kalyani in the beginning and the Kakatiyas towards the close of the chalukyan power. The Natavadis never seem to have enjoyed independence, though their marriage alliances with the Kakatiyas on the one hand and the Kotas on the other attest their importance.

Sources, location of the kingdom and the capital

The Natavadi inscriptions—all stone records which are not numerous, and references, in the Kakatiya, the Kota and the Kona Kandravadi inscriptions form the sources for the history of the Natavadis.

About the 6th Century A.D. Netrapativishaya on the southern bank of the Krishna finds mention in the Vishnu-kundin records. The records of the Chalukyas of Vengi mention Tonkanatavadivishaya. Pennatavadivishaya, and Natavadi vishaya, where as Natavadi records mention Natavadi vishaya. As has been suggested already, Yetrapati vishaya and Natavadivishaya are identical and correspond to.the modem Nandigama taluq of the Kistna district, where as Pennatavadi refers to a bigger Natavadi and Tonkanatavadi to a part of it towards one end, One may agree with the statement “probably the Natavadnvishaya extended in the west as far as Nidikonda, although in the time of Kakatiya Ganapati the Natavadu chiefs ruled only the eastern part of it.” Madapalli has been identified with the village Madapalle near Madhira, the head quarters of the Madhira Taluq in the Warangal district, which gains support from the Nidikonda inscription. So there is no probability of its identity with the village Madepalle near Ellore.

Origin

The fourth caste i.e. chaturthakula was born from the feet of Creator. In it in Madapalli in Natavadi vishaya, was born Durga. No mythical ancestors of the Natavadis are known. Beta Kshanipalaka figuring in the Inugurti inscription was probably the earliest Natavadi chief known so far and father of Durgaraja. He does not find mention in other Natavadi records and some of his records are available. Tentatively he may be placed about A.D. 1050. The records do not say that they were Durjayas born from the arms of Brahma, as has been supposed by some writers.