Part 5 - Jayanta II and Jayantikaraju (A.D. 1292-1356)

Jayanta II was the son and successor of Arjuna. Jayantikaraju son of Mankaditya was joint ruler with Jayapta II and both issued records simultaneously. In A.D. 1291, Jayantikaraju made grants at Simhachalama. The next year—A.D. 1292. King Jayanta II made gifts at Simhachalam for the increase of his life, health and prosperity. In A.D. 1298 Jantikaraju made gifts at Simhachalam for the increase of his "kingdom. In A.D. 1337 and 1339 Jayanta made gifts at Simhachalam In A.D. 1346 and 1348, Chingamadevi, Queen of Jayanta and a subordinate of Jayanta, made grants at Simhachalam. In A.D. 1349, Chingama, queen of Jayantikaraju made grants at Simhachalam for the prosperity of the kingdom of her husband. An undated record at Simhachalam mentions Bhimidevi queen of Jayanta. Though no records of Jayanta and Jayantika dated A.D. 1379 are available, their reign may have extended up to A.D. 1357. the earliest date for Arjuna, their successor. Chronology shows that Jayanta III, grandson of Jayanta II. according to one author,'is identical with Jayanta II.

Their Political Relations

Jayanta II and Jayantika had a long reign of sixty four Tears. The kingdom in this period retained the same extent as in the reign of Arjuna. Jayanta is mentioned as Oddavadi Srimanmahamandalesvara Jayantaraju, his father as Krishnavardhana and Jayantika Virajayanta as in records. Probably Arjuna was crown prince in this period.

Jayanta and Jayantika and the Gangas

The contemporary Ganga emperors were—Narasimha II (A.D. 1278-1305), Bhanudeva II (A.D. 1307-1328) Narasimha III (1328-1352) and Bhanudeva III (1353-1378). No doubt Jayanta II and Jayantika would have continued Matsya loyalty the Gangas, though no special references to that effect are available.

Jayanta and Jayantika and the Reddis

The Reddi rulers in this period were Vema and Anapota of Kondavidu. The Matsyas came into conflict with the Reddis in defensive warfare. For Vema led expeditions of conquest into south Kalinga and Vanquished some of the local rulers by A.D. 1335—the date of his Chimakurti copper plate charter registering these victories. Contemporary Reddi literature supports Vema’s achievements in Kalinga. So the Matsyas along with the Gangas of Jantarnadu etc suffered a reverse in Reddi hands, though the Matsya records are silent about it.

Jayanta II and Jayantika probably maintained friendly relations with other local dynasties in south Kainga for instance, the Silas, the Pallavas, the Haihayas, the Gangas, the Chalukyas etc. All must have joined together to oppose the invader—the Reddis—though not with any success.