Indian Antiquary Vol 57

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

Page 96

THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY
( MAY, 1928
to Sålva Gopa-Tippa. SA]va Gopa continued to hold the viceroyalty from A.D. 1453 to 1468. Lakkanna makes a grant for the merit of a brother in Saka 1360.10 In 1358, Madanna was at Tiruppatûr. Lakkanna was a staunch Vira Saiva and is recognised as one of the viraktas (renounced) of the sect. He is the author of the Kannada work Sivatatwa Chintamani, each verse of which ends with the words vimala charanánibujakke saran1.11 Therein he styles himself,
ಧರೆಗಧಿಕ ಮೂರುರಾಯರ ಗಂಡನ ಪ್ರತಿಮೆ | ಬಿರುದಾಂಕ ಗಜಬೇಂಟೆಕಾರ ದೇವೇಂದ್ರಭೋ | ವರನಮಹ ದೈಶ್ವರ್ಯ ಶರಧಿ ಚಂದ್ರೋದಯನುದಾರ ಕರುಣಾಧಾರನು || ನಿರುಪಮಿತ ಸಪ್ತಾಂಗ ರಾಜ್ಯ ವರ್ಧನಕಳಾ | ಧರನಮಲ ಕೀರ್ತಿಯುತ ಲಕ್ಕಣ್ಣ ದಂಡೇಶ |
ಕಲಿಯುಗ ದೊಳತಿ ಪ್ರೌಢಮತಿ ದೇವರಾಜೇಂದ್ರನ ಮಹಾಪ್ರಧಾನಂ ||
ಇಭವೇಂಟೇಕಾರ ದೇವೇಂದ್ರನುನ್ನತ ಕೆಳೆಯನು || The work treats of Vira Saiva hagiology and theology. The style is mellifluous, and the narrative excellent. Judging from the covert allusions in the works of other Vira Saiva writerg1% to the effect that a lakh of money was spent by him on the work, it is reasonable to suppose that he received considerable assistance in his pious undertaking from some other poets whom he patronised.
Lakkanna justly styles himself "the increaser of the wealth of Deva Raya, and saptanga rajya vardhana kaļddhara and unnata keleya (intimate friend) of Deva Raya." We know from other sources that he conquered Ceylon and Gulbarga. Nuniz says that the kings of Quiloa, Ceylon and Pegu paid tribute to Dêva Raya. Abdu'r-Razzak writes “At the time the writer was at Kalikot (A.D. 1442 June) ....The Daņaik had gone to Ceylon, .. .. when he returned, he made more than usual preparations to celebrate the festival of Mahånavami."13 Inscriptions of Saka 1362 and 1366 give him the title of dakshina samudradhipati (lord of the southern ocean).
" About this time the Daņaik or minister departed on an expedition to the kingdom of Gulbarga, the reason of which was that the Gulbarga Sultan, Alaudin Ahmad Shah, learning of the attempt to assassinate Dêva Raya, .... was exceedingly rejoiced and sent a message-Pay me 7,00,000 vardhas or I will send a world-subduing army into your country and extirpate idolatry.
It is interesting to note that Firishta, as might be expected, gives a false and distorted account of the expedition. Firishta not only lived much later, but also was a prejudiced writer. He says that Deva Raya wantonly made an unprovoked attack on Muslim territory and marched as far as Sagar and Bijapur before his progress could be checked. He also speaks of three pitched battles, in which the eldest son of Deva Raya was killed. At the close of the war Déva Raya engaged to pay the stipulated tribute, provided his territories were not harassed. He also paid arrears of tribute besides making an offer of forty elephants. Alaudin then “honoured the Rai with a handsome dress and presented him with several horbes, covered with rich furniture and set with jewels." Since contemporary, also & Muslim, gives quite a different socount, it is impossible to believe Firishta.
This expedition to Gulbarga is also referred to in the Bakhar of the Gumma Reddi PALyam chiefs.14 It says that the country was harassed by the Muslitn army of Gulbarga and a panic ensued. The Palayagar of Gummareddipura and Pemmasâni Singappa Nayaka promptly massed their forces and marched to the help of their liege-lord Dêva Raya. The army marched to Gulbarga and laid siege to the city. During the siege, four thousand men perished on either side. The Imperial army was exhausted. Then the Palayagar Dodda Vasanta Raya went to the Emperor and said " It appears that the forces of the Empire are in need of rest. Please give permission for the Palayapat army to show its strength.” Dêva Mr. 1 ; Mr. 3 ; Epi. Car., vol. X.
19 Madras Epi. Report, 141 of 1903. 11 R. Narasimhacharia Karndjala Kavi Charitre, vol. I Lakkappa DandanAtha. 13 Kardaka Kavi Charitre, vol. II-Gubbi Mallankrys. 13 Payne's Scenes from Indian History, p. 88. 14 Gummanilyakana Pdlaya Palaygdrs, by M. B. Puttanna, Mysoro University Extension lectures, 1926-6.