Epigraphia Indica Vol 29

SR No.: 032583
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Hirananda Shastri
Publisher: Archaeological Survey of India
Publication Year: 1951
Total Pages: 432
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 21 MB

Page 385

236
EPIGRAPHIA INDICA
(VOL. XXIX
The successor of Goñkarāja II in the rulership of the Andhra country was his son prince Rājēndra-Chōda II, the donor of the present plates. In the records of the family as well as in the present inscription (lines 102 ff.) it is stated that emperor Rajaraja II was pleased to appoint him ruler of the Andhra country which is said to have extended at this time from Mahendragiri on the north to Kālahasti on the south. It would appear that Rājēndra-Choda's accession took place towards the end of Saka 1082 or the beginning of 1161 A.C. For, the last known date on which Godkarāja II is said to be alive was the Ullarāyaṇa-samkrānti, Saka 1082, corresponding to the 25th December, 1160 A. C., according to a stone record of his minister at Bāpatla, Guntur District. It would appear that Rājēndra-Choda II was associated with his father in the administration of the kingdom from about Saka 1058 corresponding to 1136-37 A. C. The subordinates and other Vassals of the Chālukya-Chõļas in the Andhra country would soem to have recognised RājēndraChoda as their future sovereign even during the rule of Goåkarāja II and frequently made grants to the temples in the country for his merit as well as for the merit of his father. A stone record from Pamidipadu-agrahāra, Narasaraopeta taluk, Guntur District, dated Jyoshtha, su. 5, Saka 1077 expired, corresponding to 8th May, 1155 A.C., records the grant of a piece of land for the temple of Chennakēšava at the village for the merit of the kings Gonkarāja II and his son Rājēndra-Choda, and incidentally states that the latter granted the tolls of the village Pahindipadu (Pamidipadu) and the tax on marriages for the benefit of the temple.
Though the reign of Rajendra-Choda II appears to have commenced in peace, within a short time it soon became troubled and engulfed in internecine wars among his feudatories and wanton incursions by hostile neighbours. About the beginning of Saka 1085, i.e., about March 1163 A.C., it would appear, & civil war broke out in Kõna-mandala, between the two rival branches of the ruling family, which soon threatened to assume large proportions. Köna-mandala is the ancient name for the region of the lower branches of the Gödāvari, comprising the taluks of Amalapuram and Razole, in the East Godavari District. At the time of the civil war, Kona-mandala was ruled by A powerful clan of Haihayas of the Atreya gotra. After the death of Köna Rajendra-Choda I which would seem to have occurred shortly after 1137 A. C., his elder brother Kõna MummadiBhima II and his younger step-brother Köna Satyasraya I, according to the Pithapuram inscription of Mallidēva and Manma-Satya II, divided the principality among themselves but ruled it conjointly in peace for a long time. Mummadi-Bhima II was succeeded by his son Lõka-Bhūpa, who died apparently without leaving an heir to succeed him. Lõka-Bhūpa's death would seem to have taken place just about the same time as the accession of Rajendra-Choda II. There are reasons to believe that Bhima (III) the younger son of Kõna Satyarāja I occupied the whole of Kõna-mandala to the exclusion of his cousins Bēta and Mallidēva, sons of Köna Rājēndra-Choda 1, who would seem to have succeeded to or claimed the principality held by Loka-Bhüpa. This led to a civil war which necessitated the intervention of Rajendra-Choda II. A large army was despatched undur the command of the Brāhmana general Dēvana-preggada of Amritalūru, early in Saka 1085 corresponding to 1163 A. C., with instructions to put down the insurrection and . SI1, Vol VI, No. 181. The earliest known date for Gonka II is Saka 1029 according to a record at Tri. purāntakam. Ibid., Vol. X, No. 63.
*Ibid., Vol. V. No. 160. See also ibid., Vol. IV, No. 1137 (Saka 1064 or 1142-43 A.C., and ibid., Vol. X, No. 109 (Saka 1063 or 1141-42 A. C.), No. 112 (Saka 1064 or 1142-43 A.C.), No. 118 (Saka 1068 or 1146-47 A.C.) Am No. 135 (Saka 1077 or 1185-56 A. C.)
• ARSIE, 1916, para 49, page 124. . Above, Vol. IV, pp. 83 ff. The inscription ontains a detailed account of the Haibaya chiots of Kona-manlala.
SII, Vol. IV, No. 1145 dated Saka 2059 (1137 A. C.) sooms to be the last kau date of the prince, . Above, Vol. IV, p. 83, verses 18 ff. Ibid., page 85 (for the pedigroe).