The history of Andhra country (1000 AD - 1500 AD)

by Yashoda Devi | 1933 | 138,355 words

This book recounts the History of the Andhra Pradesh Country from 1000 to 1500 A.D. including many dynasties (for example. the Reddis of Korukonda and the Eruva Chola of Rajahmundry)....

Introduction (Saronatha Dynasty)

The Saronathas or Kolanu mand a Iikas ruled over Kolanu vishaya with capital at Sarasipura ie modern Ellore (in West Godavari district) for three centuries. The dynasty consisted of more than ten kings who were distinguished warriors and administrators and the kingdom had a long ftenure of life like the Kona Haihaya kingdom of Konamandala. Generally Kolani or Kolani mandalika is prefixed to the names of the rulers. The Saronathas owed allegiance to the Vengi Chalukyas, the Chalukya-cholas, the Chalukyas of Kalyani and the Kakatiyas at different times, nevertheless were independent for all internal purposes. They are referred to as Telungunayakulu or Telugu-nayakulu by some writers, probably after Telugu Bhima. Their kingdom fell a prey to the Kakatiyas under Ganapati and they were replaced by the second Kolanu dynasty-thelnduluri family. The second Kolame kingdom loyal to the Kakatiyas lasted till the fall of the Kakatiya kingdom in the 14th century A.D. and its rulers acquired important political victories.

South India and Vengi in the first half of the 10th century A.D.

The major powers in South India in this period were-the-Kalinga Gangas, the Vengi Chalukyas, and the Cholas. The Ganga kings were Gungarava I (951-958 A D); the Chalukyas were Bhima I (858-918 A.D.), Vijayaditya IV (A.D. 918). Ammal (918-925 A.D.), Beta Vijayaditya V (925 A.D.), Bhima II (926-927 A.D,) Yuddhamalla II (927-934 A.D.), Chalukya Bhima III (934-945 A.D.), and AmmaII(A.D. 945-970); and the Chola emperors were Aditya I (871-917 A.D.) and Parantaka I (907-953 A.D.)

Sources and Early history

A few stone records and a single copper plate grant form the sources for the history of the Saronathas. The inscriptions of the chalukya cholas, the Velanand u cholas and stray verses in Telugu supply additional and corrobaratory information.

The earliest known member of the Kolanu dynasty was Baladityaz or Choladitya or Bhataditya. He was a great archer and an equal of Rama and Arjuna. As his son Nripakama was in the service of Amma II, Baladitya may be placed provisionally between A.D. 900 and 945, Probably he was in the service of the Vengi Chalukyas. Nripakama, was a great archer and fighter. He is said to have slain five heroes at one time with his sword. He, in Chalukya records, is specifically mentioned as Saronatha—the lord of the lake district. Nripakama lived in the second half of the 10th Century A.D. and his son was Gandanarayana, and daughter was the queen of Amma II. How he came in possession of Kolanu vishaya is not known. Perhaps he secured it in return for his services to Chalukyas in their wars. On the request of Nripakama, and queen Nayammamba, king Amma II granted Gundugolam in Venginaduvishaya to the Brahmins.

Gandanarayana

Gandanarayana bore the title Satya bhallata. He was skilled in riding horses and elephants. He proved a traitor to Amma II Vijayaditya (945-970 A D.), his brother-in-law for reasons not known to us, and sided Badapa and Talapa against him.Thus Gandanarayana Bhima was in the service of King Badapa of the Chalukyas of Vengi whom he pleased by his help in wars and in return received from him Arumbaka in the Velanandu vishaya and regranted it to Chandenarya, son of Samakamba, a sister of Nayamamba, the mother of Gandanarayana. It may be noted have that the statement that he was a Niyogi Brahmin of Pattavardhani lineage is baseless.

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