Introduction (Saluva dynasty)

In the 14th and the 15th centuries A.D. several petty dynasties of the Saluvas were ruling in different parts of South-India—towards the end of which period the Saluva Narasimha usurped the Vijayanagar throne and thus founded the Saluva dynasty. Three Saluva dynasties ruled in the districts of Nellore, Guntur and Chittoor, besides the Saluva princes governing Srisailam, Anbil etc. Except in the case of the Saluvas in the Chittoor district, who were related to the main line of the Saluvas, the relationship of the Saluvas in the Telugu country to the main branch is not known. The epithets, Saluva, Kathari, Misaraganda were common to all the Saluvas. The Saluvas are well known for their political achievements and acts of charity.

The Saluvas of Podila

The Saluvas ruled in the 15th century A.D. in the Podila division (Nellore district) with Capital at Podile. A few inscriptions and the Kaifiyat of Podile from the sources for their history. The Saluvas are known as Samburayas and are frequently confused in recorded } tradition, epigraphy reports, and by previous writers with the Saluvas of Guntur—a branch more distinguished than this celebrated in Srinatha’s verses.

Origin and rise

The Saluvas were of Somavamsa and Atreyagotra. The Dandakavile of Podilesima traces their genealogy thus—Salva Kamparaja’s son was Iyangaraju. His son was Kumara Mangaraju whose son was Purushottama. Purushottama’s son was Chinakamparaju. Hts son was Sambhuraju whose son was Telugu. rajudu. But from inscriptions, the earliest member known so far is Rajaviabhaladeva Maharaju.