Part 20 - Somisvara and Mallideva III (A.D. 1157)

Somisvara and Mallideva of the Konidena record are mentioned as Malladeva and Somadeva—as the kings of the province Pottapinadu in the Kaifiyat of Nemalladine. A record at Pattapuravi also refers to Malladeva, and Somadeva. Mallasomesvara is mentioned as the successor of Malladeva and Somadeva to the Pottapi kingdom. Probably son of Mallideva was the crown prince in this period.

Their Political Relations

Whether Somisvara and Mallideva acknowledged Chola or Chalukya suzerainty is not seen from any records. Their Velanandu choda contemporary was Choda II. What political relationship the Pottapi cholas had towards him, we do not known. But the Cholas of Nellore were the enemies of Somisvara and Mallideva III. The Nemalladinne Kaifiyat says that Malla Somesvara was defeated by Nallasiddhi of Nellore at the confluence of the rivers Penna and Bahu. This is confirmed by the Dongalasani epigraph dated A.D. 1159 in the reign of Bhujabalavira Nallasiddhanadeva C.M. of Nellore recording his victories over Mallideva and Somesvara “the rulers of Pottapi. The Pottapurarvi inscription (Siddhavatam taluq) mentions that after rule of Malladeva, and Somadeva, Nallasidha of Nellore, having conquered as stated in A.D. 1159 governed it. The Dongalasani record adds that Kumarapreggada, in the reign of Nallasiddha of Nellore, provided for festivals at Srisailam and its four entrances on the occasion of his father’s conquest of Pottapi.

Thus in A.D 1159 the armies of Nallasiddhi under the command of Kamana Peggada’s father invaded Pottapichola dominions, were opposed by Somadeva, Malladeva and Mallasomesvara at the confluence of the Penna and Bahu (i.e. Cheyyeru). The Pottapi cholas suffered a defeat and Nallasiddhi was victorious and appointed men to govern the province. Evidently Somesvara and Malladeva had to recognize Nallasiddhi’s suzerainty.