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DECEMBER, 1914.) THE HISTORY OF THE NAIK KINGDOM OF MADURA
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THE HISTORY OF THE NAIK KINGDOM OF MADURA. BY V. RANGACHARI, M.A., L. T., MADRAS.
(Continued from p. 202.)
Nagama's Expedition and Defection. Evidently & man of energy and ambition, Vîra-Sekhara desired to extend his kingdom at the expense of the Pandyan. The weakness and incompetence of ChandraSekhara stimulated his ambition and inspired his confidence. The result was, Chandra Sêkhara was soon deprived of his crown and kingdom.81 Overcome by this misfortune, he proceeded, with his son, to the imperial court, and appealed to the emperor. Sadasiva Raya was highly indignant. He despatched, we are informed, Nagama Naik, "in whose charge was the southern part of the Empire," to chastise the ambition of the Chola and restore the dignity of his victim. Nâgama accordingly invaded the dominions of the aggressor, traced a line of devastations therein, vanquished him in battle, and compelled him to abandon the lands which he had so unlawfully seized. The object of the expedition was thus accomplished and the formal restoration of Chandra-Sekhara remained. But at this crisis, the sight of the weak and renowned city of Madura, the tempting prospect of an easy acqnisition of spoils, and the distance of the scene of war from Vijayanagar, apparently had the effect of turning the victor into a traitor. Taking advantage of the large army which was under his command, of his probable hold on its affections, and of the difficulties which the emperor had with his turbulent noblemen at home. Någama renounced his allegiance to his suzerain, seized the crown of Madura. threw the helpless Pândyan king into captivity, garrisoned the different parts of the realm with his men,82 and awaited with calm resolution the attack of the emperor's punitive legions.
Visvanatha's Punitive Expedition. When Sadasiva was informed of the success, the treason and revolt of his aspiring general, he was affected by a deep sense of injury as well as insult at the ingratitude with which Nâgama repaid the favours he had enjoyed at his hands. He wrote a letter of threat and remonstrance to the unruly commander, but could not make him renounce his acquisitions or designs. Anxious that such a dangerous example should not be imitated by similarly inflamed minds, he summoned hastily an assembly of his ministers, feudatories and generals, expatiated upon the danger which threatened the peace and perhaps the existence of the Empire, and asked in words of fire who, among the many that had assembled there, would undertake to punish the rebel's insolence and bring his head in triumph to the imperial court. The response of the assembly to the emperor's appeal was feeble, as it was well-known that the ability and resources of Nagama Naik were great enough to offer a valiant and protracted resistance to the forces of the State.
#1 The account of Ramabadra Ndik, the Polygar of Periakulam (800 Appendix IV) says that Chandra Békhara was actually restored by Nagama Ndik; but as the former was unable to maintain his power against the Five Påndyas" of Kayattår and its neighbourhood, he voluntarily renounced his crown and kingdom in favour of Nagama, on condition that he was to be given pension for maintenance. NAgama accordingly took possession of the country. But Chandra Sekhara repented, and resorting to treachery, went to the Rays and complained that Nagama had usurped his throne. This version is unique and not supported by any other M8. It is, as Mr. Taylor says, an ex parte statement. See Rais. Oatal. III, 377 and Appendix IV.
92 The chronicles do not mention the R&ya's name, but are almost unanimous in this adoount.
