Epigraphia Indica Vol 26

SR No.: 032580
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Hirananda Shastri
Publisher: Archaeological Survey of India
Publication Year: 1945
Total Pages: 448
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 24 MB

Page 37

EPIGRAPHIA INDICA.
[Vol. XXVI.
this time two kings of this name. One of them was the Velama ruler of Răchakonda in the present Nalgonda District of the Nizam's State, who was assassinated at the siege of Jallipallis in Saka 1283, Sárvari, (A.D. 1361-62) by Tambala Bommajiyya'; the other was a brother of Mummadi. Nāyaka, the ruler of Körukonda in the neighbourhood of Rajahmundry. According to the Srirangam plates dated A.D. 1358-59, Mummadi-Nayaka who conquered the countries of Pānāra, Kõna, Kuravāța, Chengara and others lying on either bank of the river Gödāvari, allowed his younger brother Singaya' to govern the principality of Kötyapuri. Now, the king Singa whom Bhaktirāja vanquished must have been one of these two chiefs. It may be noted that most of Bhaktiraja's activities were confined to the valley of the Godavari, and he does not appear to have had any connection with Telingana where Singa of Rachakonda was ruling. Moreover, the Velugățivārivamsāralia which enumerates the enemies of the Velama king does not mention Bhaktirāja among his foes. Therefore, it is unlikely that he should have come into conflict with Bhaktiraja. There is, on the other hand, much presumptive evidence for believing that Singa mentioned in the present charter is identical with Singa, one of Mummadi-Nayaka's younger brothers. It may be noted that Mummadi who conquered the territory on both the banks of the Gödāvari entrusted the government of Kötyapuri and Tādipaka to his younger brothers Singa and Ganna respectively. Kötyapuri is identical with Kottham in the Tuni division and Tädipāka with Tātipäka in the Razole taluk of the East Godavari District. This territory originally belonged to the Koppula chiefs. According to the Dönepündi grant of A.D. 1338, Koppula Nämaya-Nayaka was ruling at that time the Andhrakhanda-mandala' extending from the banks of the Gautami river i.e., the Godavari) to Kalinga' with the city of Pithāpuri as bis capital. Now, in the Srirangam plates of Mummadi-Nayaka dated A.D. 1358, it is stated. as noted already, that he conquered the country on both the banks of the Gõdāvari. It follows from this that Mummadi-Nayaka wrested this territory from Nämaya-Nayaka between A.D. 1338 and 1358. As Mummadi married a niece of the famous Andhra-Suratrāra Kāpaya-Nayaka, a fact which is particularly mentioned in the records of Mummadi and his brothers, it is not unlikely that he should have received the help of his powerful relative in effecting the con quest. If Bhaktirāja, as stated in the present grant, had restored the Koppula chief to his kingdom, be could not have accomplished the task without coming into conflict with Mummadi-Nayaka and his brothers. Therefore the Singa who sustained a defeat at Bharanipadu at the hands of Bhaktirāja has to be identified with Singa, the younger brother of Mummadi-Nāyaka of the Körukonda family.
iv. The victory at Pedakonda :-The town Pedakonda, where Bhaktirāja won a victory over the Muhammadans under Daburu-Khānu, is identical with Pedakonda in the Bhadrachalam taluk of the East Godavari District. The original form of Daburu-Khānu which is but a Telugu corruption of the name of the chief, cannot be definitely restored, as it may stand for Dabir Khan or Zafar Khan. In any case, his identity cannot be established with certainty, though it may be yurmised that he must have been connected with one of the Muslim sovereigns who invaded Tilang at this time.
1 The Velugõivari-zan cavali, p. 23. * Above, Vol. XIV, p. 96. * The Velugöfiväri-vam savaļi, pp. 17-18.
.K. Rama Sastri and T. A. Gopinatha Rao have suggested different identifications for Kotyapuri. The former identifies it with Köțipalli on the Vriddha Gautami (above, Vol. XIII, p. 261); and the latter with a place called Koti in the Rajahmundry taluk of the East Godavari District (ibid., Vol. XIV, p. 89).
. Above, Vol. IV, p. 371. • Ibid., Vol. XIII, p. 272; Vol. XIV, p. 95.