Indian Antiquary Vol 62

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

Page 10

THE INDIAX AXTIQUARY
[ JANUARY, 1933
II. Sangama-Sâļuva Continuity. (A) Winning over Vallappa to their side was a diplomatic achievement which had its effect on the rise of the sons of Sangama in the Karnataka. We shall not enter into this question, but shall now describe how by another, and an equally diplomatic stroke, these new rulers strengthened their position in the land. This was by a dynastic marriage with the ancient Saluvas, whose history we shail describe in detail in a subsequent paper. Meanwhile we may observe the source which gives us this piece of information. In a drama called Narayanavilasa, written by Prince Virupaksha, grandson of Rama and (grand)son of Bukka, we are tolil that Harihara married a princess called Malla Devi. The verse upon which this is based is the following: -
P(a)utro Buleka-narendrasya dauhitro Rama-bhupatéh
Vidyaté hi Virüpáksho rája-Harihara-átmajah 29 Rao Bahadur Venkayya identified the Rama Déva mentioned in the above drama with the Yâdava ruler Ramachandra.30 But the late Mr. T. A. Gopinatha Rao rightly disproved the contention of the late Mr. Venkayya on the ground that the disparity in the ages of the Yadava ruler Ramachandra (1271-1309 A.D.) and Harihara II (1375-1406 A.D.) made it impossible for us to accept the identification thus suggested.31 But Mr. Gôpi. nath Rao failed to tell us who this Rama Deva was. I identify him with Sâļuva Rama Déva, son of Saļuva Kâya Dêva. He is mentioned in a record dated 1384 A.D. as fighting against the Muhammadans at Warangal and losing his life, evidently in the siege of Kottakonda.32 There is nothing improbable in Harihara II having married a daughter of Såļuva Rama Deva. If this is accepted, we find that the Sangama dynasty was also connected with the Såļuva family.
Sangama-Saluva Continuity. (B) The marriage of Harihara II with Malla Dêvî marks one step in the direction of the Sangama-Saļuva alliance. When we come to the times of Deva Raya II (1419-1446 A.D.) we meet with another link which knit the ancient family of the Såļuvas with the new dynasty of Vijayanagara. A record dated 1430 A.D. tells us that "his (i.e., Déva Raya II's) elder sister Harima's husband was Såluva Tippa Déva, an ornament to the Lunar race, & royal swan at the feet of Kamsari (Křishna)." 33 Round this person of Såļuva Tippa centre certain considerations. Who was he, and what brought about this alliance between the Sangama and Saļuva houses? We can only conjecture about the latter : political necessity coupled with a desire to strengthen his Yadava descent may have induced Deva Raya II to give his sister in marriage to Såļuva Tippa Dêva. These suppositions are less interesting than those relating to the identity of Saļuva Tippa.
Bearing the above in mind, we now turn to the Telugu works entitled Vardhapuranam and Jaimini Bharatam. According to these, and also according to inscriptions, the Saluva family traced its origin to Yadu. The earliest historical personage mentioned in the Vardhapuranam is Vanki Dêva. From him descended Gunda, who had six sons, of whom Såluva Mangu was the greatest. This remarkable general needs a separate treatment for himself. Såļuva Mangu had six sons, the eldest amongst whom was Gauta. He had four sons named Gunda, Saļuva, Boppa and Tippa. The Jaimini Bharatam eulogises Tippa, whose birudas were Misaraganda, Kathari Såļuva and Panchaghantaninada.34
29 Seshagiri Sastry, Report on Sanskrit and Tamil MSS. for 1896-97, p. 90.
30 Ep. Report for the Southern Circle for 1899, p. 22 ; Ep. Ind., III, p. 225; Ep. Ind., V, Ad. Cor., p. v; Ep. Ind., VII, p. 299.
31 Ep. Ind., XV. p. 11. 22 Ep. Car., XII, Ck. 15, p. 75, Text, p. 212. 33 Ep. Car., XI, Cd. 20, p. 9. * Komuyya Pantulu, En. Ind., VII, pp. 76-77.