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EPIGRAPHIA INDICA
[VOL. XXVII
The similarity of names and titles assumed by the three generations of these Chola kinge to those of the Pallava monarchs of this period only shows, as has been pointed out by Mr. Krishna Sastri, an undefined relationship between members of these two dynasties. If it meant any relationship of a political nature, the omission of its mention in the records of either the one or the other dynasty is very unusual. If, on the other hand, it implied any matrimonial relationship between these two families, all the records hitherto known of both these families are silent about it. It may be recalled that it was Choļa Mahēndravarman that acquired the title of Choļa-Mahārāja. The possible reason for his apparent bid for independence is perhaps to be sought for in the great political upheaval that occurred at this period on account of the wars between the Pallavas and the Chāļukyas. Or more probably it may be that Mahendravarman obtained or was bestowed with (pariprāpta) this title by the then suzerain power which wielded authority over the tract held by the Chöļa kings. Which could this power be ? By their proximity and their great strength the Pallavas must have undoubtedly made their influence felt over these Telugu Chola kings. The assumption of names or titles similar to those of the Pallava monarchs by these kings already alluded to makes this inference obvious. It is likely that the powerful king Paramēs varavarman I conferred this title of Chõla-Mahārāja on Mahendravarman whose predecessors were mere nripatis. Instances of subject or subordinate chiefs raised to a higher status or allowed to retain their royal preroga. tives and privileges by the suzerain power are not wanting in the history of the South Indian ruling families. The Penukonda plates of Madhavavarman (II) specifically state that the Pallava kings, Simhavarman and qis son Skandavarman installed the Ganga kings Āyyavarman and his son Mädhava Mahadhiraja respectively, allowing the latter to retain his royal titles. Sivamāra II, a later king of the same dynasty who is also said to have been crowned by his Rashtrakūta and Pallava suzerains bears all the paramount titles characteristic of his family. The Bâņas though figuring as a subordinate power, are invariably characterised by their titles Mahābali Bānarāja or Bāņādhirāja.
Of Guņamudita, the elder son of Mahendravarman, nothing is known. It was during the reign of Paramokvaravarman II that the power of the Pallavas was completely eclipsed by the Chāļukyan onslaught under Vijayāditya, his son Vikramaditya II and the latter's son Kirttivarman II. The reign of Punyakumara, the brother of Guņamudita, probably coincided with the fall of the Pallava power; and with the conquering power of the Chāļukyas situated far away to wield any effective authority over the conquered territory, he probably found it conducive to rule as an independent king. He now calls himself lord of the Hiranyarashtra'. His authority over this territory while issuing the Mālēpādu charter five years prior to this grant was implied as he is then said to have addressed the subjects of his territory along with those of Hiranyarashtra.
It is evident that the territorial division of Hiranyarashtra must have included in it parts at least of the present Jammalamadugu and the Prodduţūru taluks inasmuch as the villages Nandigama, Pasimdikuşu and Pudoruru mentioned in the record can all be identified as shown in the sequel, with villages bearing more or less similar names in these two taluks, though, it must be admitted, there is no definite statement in the record that the villages wherein the gift lands lay
1 Above, Vol. XIV, p. 335. * Ep. Carn., Vol. IX, N1. 60, p. 47. . Abovo, Vol. V, p. 50; ibid., Vol. XI, pp. 224. etc.
An inscription of the Western Chalukya king Vijayaditya copied recently at Ulchal in the Kurnool District by Mr. N. Lakshminarayan Rao, is dated in his 35th regnal year and refers to an expedition undertaken by Yuvarája Vikramaditya, son of Vijayaditya, against Pallava Paramé varavarman (II). This obviously is Vikramaditya's first attack on Kanchi. His two subsequent expeditions against his hereditary foes are thoso mentioned in the Vakksleri plates of his son Kirttivarman (abovo, Vol. V, pp. 200 f.).
