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)....

Part 4 - Arjuna I (A.D. 1252-1292)

The son and successor of Jayanta, Arjuna was the first Matsya king to have issued inscriptions. His earliest inscription is from Draksharama dated A.D. 1252 and the 36th year of Tribhuvanachakravarti Rajadhiraja registering the regrant of Sankubhimapuram in Alikattananti in Oddadi. The next record also from Draksharama is dated A.D. 1253 and the 59th year of Tribhuvana chakravarti Rajadhirajadeva. In A.D. 1269 Arjuna made gifts at Simbachalam, for the increase of his family fame and valour. Kula, Kirti and pratapa. On the 6th April 1269 A D. he granted Drubbidi named Jayantanarayana after his father to Brahmins. The next record, dated A.D. 1281 is from Simhachalam, mentioning his minister Srirangapreggada. In A.D. 1286 Annamaraju, the younger brother of Arjuna made grants at Simbachalam. Arjuna’s records dated A.D. 1287 are at Draksharma and Simbachalam. In the latter, figures his minister Tallepreggada. In A.D. 1289, Oddadi Srirangavardhana alias Mankaditya Maharaja, the younger brother of Arjuna made gifts at Simhachalam. The last date for Arjuna is A.D. 1292, in which year he made grants at Simhachalam for the merit of his deceased younger brother Annamaraja entitled Gopalavardbana. In the same year, Jayanta son of Arjuna by Lakshmidevi, made donations at Simhachalam.

This series of inscriptions at Dralcstarrma, Sjmhachahm and Drubbudi indicates the extent to which the Matsya arms under Arjuna reached In extending and consolidating the kingdom, Arjuna came into contact wiih the Gangas, the Cholas and the minor dynasties in South Kalinga.

His Political Relations

In his records Arjuna is mentioned as Arjunadeva, Matsyavamsadhbhava Srinarasimhavardhana. Oddavadi Arjuna dava Maharaja, Oddavadi Matsyakulatilaka Arjunadevaraju and Oddavadi Srinarasimhavardhana Arjunadevamaharaju. His epithet—aganda to the snakes i.e. enemy kings, attests his capacity in fighting. His son Jayanta bore the titles—Khanderaya and Dohattamalla.

Arjuna and the Gangas

The Ganga emperors in this period were—Narasimha I (A.D. 1238-1264) his son Bhanudeva I (A.D. 1264-1278) and his son Narasimha II (A.D. 1278-1305).

Arjuna did not acknowledge Ganga suzerainty in his records. Perhaps this suggests his independent altitude towards the suzerain lord. But nevertheless he was not hostile to the Gangas, for a Simhachalam record of A.D. 1274 mentions Anantajiyyana, a prince of the Matsyas of Oddadi the bearer of the title Gangavamsa Nidrohadhavala mandalika meaning—the governor who is pure by his non-treachery to the Ganga emperors.

Arjuna and the Cholas

The contemporary chola emperor f was Rajendra III (A.D. 1246-1279). Arj una’s inscription from Draksharama is dated in the 35th year of Rajadhiraja II and A.D. 1252. But the year A.D. 1252 corresponds to the 36th year of Rajaraja HI and the 6th year of Rajendra IH. So the Chola emperor referred to in the Matsya record, Rajadhiraja, is an error for Rajaraja HI whose records are available up to his 41st year i.e. A.D. 1257 though Rajendra III was the heir apparent and actual ruler from A D. 1246. Probably on an expedition of conquest, Arjuna advanced as fas as Draksharama and acknowledged there the suzerainty of the Cholas. One more of Atjuna’s records is dated A.D. 1275 and the 59th year of Rajadhiraja. Calculating on the basis of the previous record, as the 36th year of Rajadhiraja is A.D. 1252, his 59th year rightly corresponds to A.D. 1275. But in this instance, Rajadhiraja does not refer to Rajaraja HI whose records after Siis 4lst year are not found. Here Rajadhiraja is Rajendra III whose 29th year corresponds to A.D. 1275. Thus perhaps 59 is a mistake for 29 and the record proves the continuity of the Matsya loyalty to the Chola emperors and the prevalence of Chola supremacy in Vengi so late as A.D. 1275.

Arjuna and other Kings

Mallideva II and Bhima IV, Bhima Vallabha and Ganapati in Konamandala, Choda I at Panchadharala, Mangaya deva and Yeragayadeva in Kolanu, Vijayaditya IV at Pithapur, Upendra I and Mallapal at Elamanchili, Rajaraja I, Vijayaditya II and Purushottama at Srikurmam, Narasimha and Gangaraja in Jataranadu, Bayyaraju, at Virakuta, were some of the contemporaries of Arjuna. In his southward expansion. Arjuna most haye come into contact with the Kona Haihayas,’the Chalukyas of Pithapur etc. probably as a friend as there is mo evidence of conflicts with them.

Peda munnuti Prekati Virapanayaka, father-in-law of Arjuna was a local chief in the Draksharama area. Prince Kumara Anantajiyana was governing Chikati in this period. His titles are—Matsyakulatilaka, ripudarpamardana, Chalamartiganda, aruhutudimandalika, besides Gangavamsanidrohadhavalamandalika which is noted already. Probably Chikati constituted part of the Matsya kingdom in this period. Ananta, and the brothers of Arjuna—Mankaditya and Annama must have fought for the Matsyas in their wars against their enemies.

Like what you read? Consider supporting this website: