Part 1 - Durga (A.D. 1104-1157)

Durga was the founder of the kingdom of the Natavadis and its first ruler. He issued records of him own. His earliest inscription is from Nidikonda in Nalgonda district (Nizam’s dominions) dated in the cyclic year Tarana and the 29th year of C.V. era. Corresponding to December 24, 1104 A.D. Durga is mentioned as Dugga and Duggarasa in the record and as Duggabhupathi in the Inugurti record of his son Buddha. He bore the epithets—Mandalika and Nathavatidhatnnatha. In A.D. 1157 as seen from a record at Navepotavaram (Bezvada taluq) Prodamadevi made grants for the merit of her deceased husband—Durgaraja. This Durgaraja, was probably Natavadi Durga and consequently his reign lasted up to A.D. 1157.

His political relations

The Nidikonda inscription definitely shows that Dugga was a subordinate of Vikramaditya VI of the Chalukyas of Kalyani, spoken of, as a greater warrior and conqueror of many fortresses, Durga must have served Tribhuvanamallavikramaditya VI in his wars faithfully and was bestowed with the rulership over Natavadivishaya with its capital at Madapalle. It has been said that “this (Nidikonda) inscription is the only definite evidence of the actual extent of the Western chalukya kingdom about this time. “Durgaraja’s loyalty to the Chalukyas might have continued throughout the reigns of Vikramaditya VI and Somesvara III till about AD. 1140 as the chalukyan power prevailed in Vengi up to that date.

Probably Dugga was on friendly relations with Dora I (A.D. 1118-1161) of the Chagis, Bhima I, Bhnna II (A.D. (1149-1195) of the Konakandravadis and Pota of whom may be identified with mahamandalesvara Potaraja, father of queen Prolamadevi. In extending his kingdom and fighting on behalf of the Chalukyas, Dugga must have come into conflict with some of the neighbouring kingdoms. For instance, the Natavadis and the Konakandravadis during the latter part of the reign were enemies and Dugga seems to have lost his life in the hands of a Konakandravadi ruler. In an inscription dated A.D. 1213 Konakandravadi Bhima bears the title—Satrundripala dugganarendrachura. Here Bhima probably is Bhima II, the joint ruler with Dugga Pota and Dugga may refer to Natavadi Durgaraja. If so, a battle must have been fought between the Natavadis and the Konakandravadis, some time prior to A.D. 1157 in which Durgaraja was vanquished and probably lost his life.