Indian Antiquary Vol 46

SR No.: 032538
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Richard Carnac Temple, Devadatta Ramkrishna Bhandarkar
Publisher: Swati Publications
Publication Year: 1984
Total Pages: 508
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 20 MB

Page 87

APRIL, 1917)
THE HISTORY OF THE NAIK KINGDOM OF MADURA
75
Kumbacôņam, Papanasam and Mannārguļi, to meet the expenses of the Bijapur army, he gave a reward of 15 lakhs of pagodas o to Ekoji and an equal amount to his followers.
Ekoji's usurpation. Unfortunately for Sengamala Das, he had to do at the outset of his reign an act which undid the position he had attained with so muoh difficulty. A dispute arose as to who should be his minister. Venkanna claimed the dignity as a reward for his past service, but the foster-mother of the prince urged the claims of the merchant who had been a second father to him. Sengamala Dâs, much indebted to both, preferred the latter, and so invested him with the dignity and robes of the Daļavâi. Veikanna was indignant, and with characteristic vindictiveness of temper, vowed to cut down the tree which he himself had reared. He proceeded to the Maratha camp at Kumbakonam, and commenced to sow treason in the honest mind of Ekoji.05 Why could not Ekoji, the brother of the illustrious Sivaji, imitate his brother, depose Sengamala Dâs, seize the crown and at the same time cease to pay tribute to his Muhammadan suzerain ? Why could he not thus obtain two victories at one stroke? The one was a weak stripling, already grown, like his father, too religious and unworldly to present a stout opposition. The other was an infidel who lived hundreds of miles off and whose enmity was an honour to the Bhonsle family. When the circumstances were so favourable, when providence had smoothed the way to power and to greatness, would it not be folly, would it not be cowardice, to kick the fortune that came voluntarily in his way? Ekoji struggled with his conscience, and resisted the dictates of self-interest for a space of six months. But some time in 1675, the Sultan died, and all fear from above vanished. He therefore succumbed to the counsels of Venkaņga, promptly marched to Tanjore, and seized the crown. The unfortunate son of Vijaya Raghava had already abandoned the throne on which he had mounted only a few months back and had gone for refuge to the Polygar of Ariyalur. With the help of the Setupati he then tried to win back his crown by force of arms, but failed 0 and lived the rest of his life in obsourity.
94 From the money and jewels which his father had buried and which his foster-mother now secured.
95 According to Wilks, the views of ambition which Vonkanpa placed before Ekoji had not been entirely abront from the latter's mind. He points out that the very object of Ekoji's expedition was "& conquest on his own account, but under the ostensible authority of the Government of Vijayapoor." After the dofoat of Madura, continues Wilks, Ekoji demanded an extravagant war indemnity from Tanjore, quarrelled with its king on that account, accused him of treachery and seized the kingdom. See Wilks I, 49.
* The story is that he took refuge with the Topdaman of Pudukkottai, and lived there. He had later on the satisfaction to see his grand-daughters by his son (Vijaya Mannaru Naidu) married to the king of Ceylon and his grandson Vijaya Raghavulu adopted by that king, as he wa childless. Soo Tanj-Raj. Chari. for details. The Singaladvipakatha also mentions these marriages. After the fall of the dynasty the Madura dynasty, besides others, gave some grants for the maintenance of the unfortunate family. At the time when the Tanjavurvaru Charitram was written, a member was living at Jawabukeivaram, See Tanjore Manual, p. 768.