Indian Antiquary Vol 57

Author(s): Richard Carnac Temple, Charles E A W Oldham, Krishnaswami Aiyangar
Publisher: Swati Publications

Page 95

MAY, 1928
DEVA RAYA I
DEVA RAYA II.
BY S. SRIKANTA SASTRI, MA. (Saka dates from inscriptions are well for the sake of greater accuracy.) The greatest Emperor of the first dynasty of Vijayanagara, Déva Raya II, was the son of Vijaya Raya and Narayani Devi.! Vijaya is mentioned in inscriptions as Vijayadeva Raya, Vira Vijaya, and Vira Vijaya Bukka (or Bukka III). He was a staunch disciple of the hereditary Gurus of the first dynasty, the Kriyâsaktis. A grant of his, dated S. 1332 Vikriti, tells us that he founded in Hulinádu a village called Kriyasaktipura, near Dandapalli, in memory of Kasi Vilâsa Kriyâsakti. This is attested by a seal of Triyambaka Kriyâsakti. Vijaya's inscriptions begin as early as Saka 1331 Virôdhi, three years after the accession of Dêva Râya 1. Nuniz tells us that "Visa Rao .... lived six years; he left a son Deo Rao who reigned twenty-five years." Since Déva Raya II died in 1368 Kshaya3, he must have ascended the throne in 1342. From 1336 to 1342-a space of six years--Vijaya Raya seems to have been the ruler. Whether he was only the Vicegerent of the Emperor at Muļuvâyil, or himself Emperor, we do not know; but in support of the latter supposition it may be noted that Dêva Râya is mentioned in inscriptions as having got the reins of power from his father (pitryam simhasanam prâpya). 4
Déva Raya had numerous titles, some handed down from his forbears, others which he assumed. Chief among them are --Paraméśvara, Vira pralapa, Mahamandalesvara, Basage tappuva Rayara Ganda, Múru Rayara Ganda, Ashtadigrûya Manobhayankara, Gajavênţegdra, Apratima birudánka, etc. Much confusion has been caused by the fact that Deva Raya's son Mallikarjuna is also known as Immadi Dêva Raya. To make confusion worse confounded, the brother of Deva Raya II is also termed Pratâpa Deva Raya. Thus Immadi Dêva Raya had once been assigned a long reign of forty-three years. Pratâpa Deva Raya, the younger brother of Deva Raya II, had a wife Sinhala Devi, who bore him Virû påksha II, the successor of Mallikarjuna. This Pratâpa was also known as Vijaya.6
Déva Raya had the good fortune to possess some of the greatest ministers that would have adorned any court. To mention some of them, Timmanna Odeya (1336), Chandrapparasa Odeya (1336), Annappa Odeya (1358), Naganna Odeya (1347), Perumala Danda Nayaka (1351), Baichappa Odeya (1329), Auchappa (1347), Lakkanna Dana Nayaka, Madanna Danda Nayaka, Sankara Deva (1338), Narasimha Odeya (1347), Singanna Odeya (1358), Ballâļa Dêva (1369), Srigiri Bhupala in Marataka Rajya (1346-8), PantamailAra (1351). Vallabha Déva (1368). Kanara district was under Chandrappa Danda Nayaka from 1354 to 1384, Manga!ûra under Annappa Odeya in 1358, Gumma-Reddipálya under Dodda Vasanta Nayaka in 1358. Mâdappa Danda Nayaka and Ballâla Deva were at Tiruppattur, in 1368, Tanjore was governed by Vallabha Raya. Terkal Nadu, first under the rule of Lakkanna and Mådanna, was handed over to the representative of the new family that was already coming to the front-Sâļva Gopa Tippa. Talakad from A.D. 1428 to 1440 was under Lakkanna, and then it was ruled by Rayanna and Peruma! Danda Nayaka. Barakor in 1338 was ruled by Sankara Dêva, in 1347 by Narasimha Danda Nayaka, in 1353 by Chandra Raya, in 1372 by Rêyarasa, and in 1380 by Guruvappa Danda Natha.
Lakkanna Danda Nayaka was perhaps the greatest of Dêva Raya's ministers. He belonged to the Vishnu Vardhana Gôtra and was the son of Heggade Dêva and Bomma. yamma.8 His brother was Madanna Danda N&yake. In A.D. 1430-33, he was ruling at Muluviyil Nadu. In A.D. 1434 he was asked to hand over the viceroyalty of Térkal Nadu
1 Mysore Arch. Rep., 1923, P. 91. 9 Madras Epigraphist's Report of 1912-13, C. P. grant No. 6. 3 Sr. Be, 328 (125) Epi. Car., vol. II.
• I'm. 11. Epi. Car. vol. XII. 6 Mysore Arch. Rep., 1921, para. 62.
& Epi Ind., p. 307. Inscriptions of Madras Presidency, vol. I, p. 1051. 8 Mb., 2, 96, Epi. Car., vol. X.
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