Part 7 - Kama choda M and Tribhuvanamalla (C.M. A.D. 1137-1151)

Kama choda and his son Tribhuvanamalla probbaly ruled jointly as the records of both bear dates between A.D. 1137 and 1151. Kamachoda’s record dated A.D. 1137 is at Konidena. Three records of the year at Konidena dated in the 15th year of Kullottunga II record gifts by Tirbhuvanamalla choda separately, in conjunction with Gonka II of the Velanandus and with his mudiseli Gundenapreggada. The record of A.D. 1142 also at Konidena, mentions Kama and Tribhuvanamalla—father and son. In this Tribhuvanamalla is spoken of as the grandson of Raghavasvami of the solar race and of Karikalavamsa. The military officers in Kammanadu, Mottavada and Gundikarta and Ketana Preggada figure in the records of Tribhuvanamalla dated A.D. 1147 from Konidena.In A.D. 1048 Kamidevi, daughter of King Nalla and Vennamba and queen of Tribhuvanamalla, made grants at Konidena.The Velaparla record dated A.D. 1148 on the 16th year of Kulottunga II and the Kanamarlapudi epigraph also of the same date for the 4th year of Tribhuvanachakravarti Kulottunga is a mistake for the 16th year record grants by Tribhuvanamalla. In the same year, the king made further grants and his son Nannichida for the merit of parents. The next record is dated A.D. 1149, recording gifts by Konaliya Anna identical with Annayapreggada, figuring in the Draksharama inscription of A.D. 1149 and the 17th year of Kulottunga II. Tribhuvanamalla’s Bapatla record is dated A.D. 1150 and the 4th year of Rajaraja. It mentions him as the ruler of Kammanadu, Gundikarru and Mottavadi. The last inscription is from Bapatla dated A.D. 1151 mentioning Viddenamalla, his rajadhyaksha and sarvadhayaksha.

Their Political Relations

Kama cboda is mentioned as Pottapi kama and Tribhuvanamalla as Tribhuvanamalladeva Pottapi C.M. and Tribhuvanamalla deva C.M. in records. Kamachoda is not heard of after A.D. 1148, and probably from that year Tribhuvanamalla associated Nannichoda in the governance of the kingdom.

Tribhuvanamalla and the Cholas

The contemporary chola emperors were Kulottunga II and Rajaraja II, to whom the loyalty of Kama and Tribhuvanamalla is attested by their records dated in the emperor’s regnal years. Tribhuvanamalla’s records dated A.D. 1115 mention the 15th year Kulottunga II evidently a mistake for the 5th year. His Valaparla record is dated in the 16th year of Kulottunga and the 4th year in the Konamupudi inscription is a mistake for the 16th year. His Draksharama inscription of A.D. 1149 is dated in the 17th year of Kulottunga II. Two of his records at Bapatla dated A.D. 1150 and 1151 are dated in the 47th year of Rajaraja II. This series of inscriptions speaks for the complete restoration of the Chola power in Vengi. whereas th Draksharama epigraph in Kannara’s reign is dated in C.V. era, in this reign, record at Draksharama is dated in Kulottunga’s reign—a point signifying complete change of masters over Vengi.

Tribhuvanamalla and the Chalukyas of Kalyani

The contemporaries of Tribhuvanamalla at Kalyani were Somesvara III and Jagadekamalla II. About A.D. 1139 the Western Chalukyas power in Vengi suffered a final reverse with which disappeared all signs of Chalukya sway in Vengi. Probably Kama, Tribhuvanamalla and Nannichoda participated in this war on the side of the Cholas,

Tribhuvanamalla and the Velanandu Chodas

Gonka II was the contemporary of Tribhuvanamalla. Both were on terms of friendship as they together made a grant at Kondidena in A.D. 1137. Tribhuvanamalla must have helped Gonka II in his fight with the Chalukyas on the Godavari (A.D. 1139). Besides in A.D. 1149, Gundaya Amarana, all located in the Velanandu kingdoms.

Tribhuvanamalla and the other Kings

Tribhuvanamalla bore the titles—Tenkanaditya, Jagadobbaganda, destroyer of enemies and the best among kings. The great grandfather of minister Anna was a subordinate of Andhranaresvara. This Andhranaresvara probably refers to the Eastern Chalukyas Rajaraja Inarendra while Komdena was the capital, Pottapi formed part of the name of Tribhuvanamalla, perhaps a reminiscence of its former importance as the capital of these Cholas.

A record at Mannepalle dated A.D. 1145 brings to light a Telugu chola family whose relationship to Tribhuvanamalla is not known. Mahamandalesvara Ballichoda M, was the son of Kama, grandson of Venka and great grandson of Nannichoda. Kama is described as a great warrior and Ballichoda bore the usual prasasti and is described as a moon to the ocean i.e. Solar race.