Indian Antiquary Vol 62

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

Page 13

JANUARY, 1933]
DYNASTIC CONTINUITY IN VIJAYANAGARA HISTORY
proved by an inscription found in the Sômanåthêsvara temple at Melpadi, Chittor district. It is dated Saka 1379, Isvara, Adi, 20 (=1457 A.D., July, Monday the 18th). Isvara Nayaka is called the dalavdyi of Saluva Narasinga Dêva.50He continued to be the general of tho game ruler till 1478 A.D. Wo infer this from a record dated Saka 1400, Vilambi (1478 A.D., April), found in the Tiruvirattånêsvara temple at Tiruvadi, Cuddalore Taluka, South Arcot district. He is also called the dalavayi of Mahamandalesvara Narasingaya Deva Maharaja 61 Perhaps he is the same Isvara Nayaka who is mentioned in a record found in the Kámêsvara temple at Aragalur, Salem district, and dated only in the cyclic year Plava (i.e.. Saka 1403 =1481 A.D.)59 As regards Narasa Nayaka we have the following records. An inscription found in the Chandramauļésvara templo at Tiruvakkarai, South Arcot district, and dated only in the cyclio year Sobhaksit, but assignable to the Saka year 1404 (1482 A.D.), informs us that Narasa Nayaka (evidently an error for Narasa Nayaka) was the agent of the king Såļuva Narasinga Dêva.53 In an age when some high offices were hereditary, it is not improbable that Narasa Nayaka should have succeeded his father as agent (for the affairs) of the king in the same district. By Saka 1420, Pingala, Chaitra, Su., Saturday (=1497 A.D., March 18th, Saturday), Narasa Nayaka seems to have risen in the estimation of the ruler. This may be inferred from an inscription of that date found in the Ramaswami temple at Ramapuram, Anantapur district, which states that Kachapa Nayaka of Adavani, son of Immadi Kachapa Nayaka, held the district of Rayadurga-chavadi as a fief from Narasinga Raya Maharaya and Narasaņa Nayaka 64 Two other records dated 1499 A.D. call him agent for the affairs of Medinimisara Gandakathari SAļuva Narasimha Raya.55 We may here note that Narasa Nayaka died in Saka 1425, Rudhirðdgarin (1503 A.D.) This is inferred from a record found in the Brihadámba temple at Dêvikápuram, North Arcot district, which informs us that his subordinates Tirumalai Nayaka and Isura Nåyaka gave a gift of land and house in the village of Kaildsa, to a certain Samarapungava Dikshita, for the merit of SvAmi Narasa Nayaka "who went to Siva-loka" (i.e., died).66
As related above, tsvara's father was called Timma. It is true that he is called Timma of the Tuluva line. The history of Tuluva (roughly modern South Kanara) does not afford any clue to the identity of this chief. The ancient dynasty that ruled over Tuluva was that of the Alupa (or Aļuva) kings of Udayavara. There was of course also that of the S&ļuvas, which ruled from Sangita pura. The later rulers, who established their principality at Kårkala, could trace their descent to the Santaras of Hombuchchhapura (modern Humcha) on the Western Ghâts.07 Whether Timma, the father of løvara, was in any way connected with these rulers or with the petty chieftains of Chandâvûru or Sêtu, I am unable to say. But it seems more probable that he was essentially SAļuva in descent, as the following considerations seem to prove.
We are told in a record assigned to 1434 A.D. that "by order of Deva Raya Maharaya. Lakkanna Odeyar and Madanna Odeyar gave Têkal" to SAļuva Gópa Raya, son of Sâļuva
30 107 of 1921 ; Swamikannu, Ind. Ephemeris, V, p. 117.
61 408 of 1921. He is not to be confounded with Isura or Távara Ndyaka, son of Ettappa Nayaka, mentioned in Saka 1422 (1520-21 A.D.) together with his brother Tirumalai Nayaka. These two brothers were officers under Narasa Nayaka. 385 of 1912 ; 401 of 1912. 62 422 of 1913.
53 198 of 1904. 84 719 of 1917; Swamikannu, Ind. Ephemeris, V, p. 196. 55 Ep. Car., IX, Cp. 52, p. 143 ; Ep. Car., X, Mr. 5, p. 158. 56 357 of 1912; see also Ep. Report for 1913, p. 121.
57 Hultzsch, Ep. India, IX, p. 15 seq.; Fleet, Dynasties of the Kanarese Districts of the Bombay Press. dency, p. 84 (1882); Rice, Mysore and Coorg from the Inscriptions, p. 137; Ep. Car., VJI, Intr., pp. 19-20.