Jain Journal 2003 01

Author(s): Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication

Page 27

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JAIN JOURNAL : VOL-XXXVII, NO. 3 JAN 2003 The Kūdalūru charter narrates at length that Būtuga acquired abundant opulence by the strength of his strong shoulders. After vanquishing Lalleya, Būtuga extorted elephants, horses, treasury and similar valuables which in turn made over to his over lord Krsna.
Būtuga embarked on career of coquest, heralded lustrous epoch and retrived the lost glory of the Gangas. He spread carnage wherever he lead his army. He killed Kakkarāja, chief of Acalapura, and defeated Dantivarma of Banavāsi and Ajavarma of the Sāntaras. Continuing his triumphant march, he defeated Rājāditya and made Emaganduga to flee from his province. He burnt the Forts of Tañjāpuri and Nālkote, and presented the excellent elephants, horses, and abundant riches to his emperor. He had also defeated the Pāņdyas, fought against the Nolambas and against Guņaga Vijayāditya, king of the Vengi Cālukyas.
Details of the total territories held by Būtuga, mentioned earlier, require a further clarification. The Naregal epigraph states that Būtayya, as Governor, was holding charges of Gangavādi extending as far as Peldore, i.e., the river Tungabhadrā in this context (and not Krşņā). The area was further extended at the time of Ātakūr inscription, dated 949, which states that he was governing Gangavādi-96,000 and in addition to that the other provinces of Banavase-12,000, the Belvola300, the Purigere-300, the Kisukādu-70 and the Bāgenādu-70. Therefore, Krsna must have confirmed once again the above provinces, out of which on the Banavase-12,000 was added afresh. After the demise of Narasimha, the eldest of the three brothers, Rāc(j)amalla had inherited the office of the Governorship of Gangavāļi, as an hereditary rank. Būtuga, not waiting for his turn to come, hurried the process and eliminated his elder brother to become the Governor of his ancestral Gangavādi. This he achieved in C.E. 939.
How Būtuga engrafted himself on the lion throne needs additional explanation. In the changed political scenario, Būtuga, having acquired his forefather's political wisdom, pondered that he deserved a chance to get himself enthroned. Proj cting himself as the only virile heir to the coveted Ganga throne, he acted briskly. Historical documents indicating growing fissures between brothers are not lacking. Albeit, after matrimonial alliance with the imperial Rāştrakūța house, his splendour and prosperity increased by leaps and bounds. Newly crowned as emperor, Krşņa was bent on elevating the status of Būtuga, his brother-in-law. Their cordiality reached its fame and Krşņa openly