Part 25 - Siddhi alias Manumasiddha I (A D. 1175-1192)

The first historical member of the Nellore Cholas line after Telugu Bijjana was king Siddhi. His earliest record is from Kalahasti dated in the 12th year of Rajadhiraja II i.e. A.D. 1175 recording a grant by his pradhani talaiyari Taminayakanpudi Bhiman. His next record is from Kovur (Kovur taluq, Nellor district) registering a royal grant in A.D. 1190 and the 14th year of Tribhuvanachakravarti Kulottunga choladeva. The editors of the Nellor inscriptions think that the regnal year must be the 12th. The name of the king in the Tamil portion is partly damaged—M P.C. alias—Ariyar. The epigraphist suggests that the king’s full name in the record was probably M.P.C. Manumasiddha and in support of it refers to an undated inscription in Nellore where M.P.C Manumasiddhirasa is mentioned as the donor giving Errampalle in Puginadu Nagarisvara at Nellore. This view has been confirmed by Professor Sastri. Siddhi’s record from Pottapi bears no data and belongs to the reign of Kulottunga III, and mentions—the king M.P.C. Sittiaraiyan. A record of his son mentions him as Chodesvara.

His Political Relations

Manmasiddha ruled for a period of eighteen years from A.D 1175 from his capital at Nellore. He is mentioned as Siddhi yaraiyar, M P.C. Sittiaraiyan and M.P.C. Manumasiddharasa—in his records. He is described as the ruler of earth, destroyer of enemies and supporter of his subordinates. The account of Kota mentions Siddhiraja among its rulers which speaks for his popularity. His younger brother Betta was a mighty warrior. The Tiruvorriapur Inscription describes his vallour in eloquent terms and calls him the crusher of thunderbolt whose flight was impelled by Sakra. Betta must have helped Siddhi in extending his kingdom.

Rajadhiraja II and Kulottunga III of the Cholas, Rudradeva I of the Kakatiyas Choda II, Gonka III and Prithvisvara of the Velanandus, Bhima II and Kota II of the Kotas, Sarngadhara I of the Yadavas, Vijayaditya and Allukikka of the Pallavas, Sattiyarasar of the Nagas. Nannichoda II and Kamana Choda and Mallidena IV of the Konidena and the Pottapi Cholas were contemporaneous with Siddha I. These is no evidence of Siddhi’s having come into conflict with the Kakatiyas, the Velanandu choda, and the Chalukyas and Kalachuris of Kalyani. His allegiance to the Cholas is attested by his records dated in the regnal years of the emperors and the location of his kingdom as specified in his records. For Siddhi’s capital Nellore is said to have been located in Pidanadu is Chedikulamanikkavalanadu, which also appears as Chadikulavalanadu, a sub-division of Jayangondacholamandalam. The comparison of Betta with Asani does not refer to any historical event and Asani does not refer to a person as mistaken by some writers. The identification of Betta with Betta of the Pottapi cholas is untenable on chronological grounds.

A Telugu cholas chief contemporary with Siddha was Kunamalaippadi Udiyan Atkondan Gangaikondan alias Pottappichchdan of Vennikkurrami n Suttamallivalanadu who made a grant in the 8th year of Rajadhiraja II at Tiruvarajuli in Tanjore district. He was holding an office in the heart of the Tamil chola country.