Epigraphia Indica Vol 05

SR No.: 032559
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: E Hultzsch
Publisher: Archaeological Survey of India
Publication Year: 1998
Total Pages: 458
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 22 MB

Page 79

56
EPIGRAPHIA INDICA.
[VOL. V.
of Barahadonti-manne and Saptamadiya. The titles by which he was well known areRayavêgyábhajanga, Samgråmapártba, Karpûravasantariya and Jaganobbaganda. The second chief, Virabhadra, is described as even more powerful than his brother. The chiefs of Kasimikota, Venkatayi, Kappakonda, Killeda and others are said to have been subdued by him. He was crowned during the life-time of V&mâreddi. Virabhadra married Anitalli, the daughter of Vema, the son of king Kata. He was a votary of Siva and a great warrior. The third chief, Doddaya,' is also reported to have made many conquests. He led an expedition to the north and reduced Oddådi, Śsingåramkota and Lôtagedda. He was & very skilful horseman. On the race-courses be made his horse jump over
space of twenty-four cubits in one bound. After briefly describing the virtues of the youngest, Annaya, the poet expresses the wish that his patron might rule the whole country including Chikati, Kalinga, Chilkasamudra and Simha fails from his capital Rajamahendra.7
As regards the connection between the Reddis of Kondavidus and those of Rajamahendra nothing definite is known. The Bhimakhandam states that the chief Allada became the ruler of a kingdom extending as far as Simhadri, with his capital at Bajamahendra, by the influence of his relationship with Prolays, Anatôma, Anapota, Alavêma, Kumâragiri and others, who were the rulers of Pakanadu. It is probable that the Anavêma whose grand-danghter, Vem&mba, according to the Kafkhandam, was married to Alladabbupati, is the Anavêma of Kondavida.10 But the present inscription says that Vêmâmbika was the daughter of Bhima of the Chôda family. To reconcile these two statements, it may be conjectured that Vêmâmbika was the daughter of Anavêma's daughter and that Bhima was his son-in-law. We learn from the Tottaramtidi plates that Kataya-V&ma's wife and mother were, respectively, the daughter and sister of Anavota, the elder brother of Anavêma ;" and the Kafikhandam tells us that this Kitaya-Váma's daughter was married to Virabhadra, the socond son of Vémámbika. Thoagh the relationship between these two Reddi dynasties is thus established, it is not easy to explain how the kingdom of Rajamahendra came into the hands of Véma and Virsbhadra. Kataya-Váma is said to have received it as a gift from Kamaragiri of Kondavidu ; and he must have possessed it until at least A.D. 1416, the date of the latest inscription
1 Sapta-mddiga probably means even hills' and Barahadonti-manne twelve hill states' (?). Oddadi is in the Vizaga patam district and Kataks in Orissa. There is a village called Paduva in the Godavari district. Tbe Yavanas are the Muhammadans.
* This is the Reddi chief Katay-Vems of Rajamahendra, on whom se above, Vol. IV. Nos. 46 and 47. • This is the Beddi chief who issued the present grant. • These places are in the Vizagapatam district. . Compare verse 19 of the inscription.
• Chikați is at prerenta Zamiodart in the Ganjam district. The extent of Kalinga was perhaps at this time much reduced. Chilkssamudrs is the lake Chilka to the north of Ganjam. Simbasaila is a bill with a temple in Vizagapatam.
The position of Rajamahendra is described in the Kanthandam as follows: The river (God vari) along the western city wall, the temple of Srt-Mullagari-Sakti in the N.B. corner, and the temple of Madana-Gopala in the fort.
Regarding the Reddis of Kondavida Mr. Sewell mago in bis List of Antiquities, Vol. II. p. 187 :- "After the unbversion of the Gajapati Bajas of Orangal by the Muhammadans in A.D. 1323, the Reddi chiefe in different parts of the eastern coast rose to power. Amongst these the Kopdavidu chiefs were for century so important that their government rines to the dignity of a kingdom, and their family to that of dynasty." Then he gives a list of six chiefs with dates wbich do not tally with those given at p. 53 ff. Kumfragiri-Reddi is said to have ruled from A.D. 1881 to 1895 (p. 187), but on p. 58 two inscriptions referring to bim are recorded. which are dated in A.D. 1405 and 1407.
• The tract of country from Kondavida in the Kistna district to Kandukuru in the Nellore district is said to be called Pakankda. Compare above, Vol. III. p. 24
10 No. 4 in the genealogical Table of the Reddis of Kondavida ; above, Vol. IV. p. 321. 1 Above, Vol. IV. p. 321.
Ibid. p. 311.