Jain Journal 2010 07

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

Page 23

Nadoja Prof. Hampana: The Kellas: A Profile
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the region continue to include Kella. Cālūļke, Pūñjalike, Veņūr and Vulipāḍi in Karkala vicinity were places of Kellas.
The Halmiḍi charter (C 425-30) records that Vijaya Arasu, son of Sarakella alias Arakella I, a warrior in the Alupa army, fought valiantly against the Kekaya - Pallavas. One more Arakella II, incharge of Udyavara region, figures in the Udyavara inscription of Māramma Āļuvarasa (840-70). Arakella III figures in an epigraph from Kaliyāru, dated 1006.
The Kella chiefs were initially fiefs of the Alupas who inturn were the feudal-lords of the Kadambas and Calukyas. Later they were under the sway of the Gangas and the Rāṣṭrakūtas. Siyagella served both as a general and as a Governor of Murugūrunāḍu and Kesumaṇṇunādu, as a subordinate of Śivamāra If (788-812), the Ganga chief.
The occurence of the names of Kellas mainly in the Viragallu, 'Hero-stones', validates that the Kellas were valiant fighters, the daredevil Daṇḍanayaka Siyagella being the prime pugilist. Arakella II a lion-hearted hero, is described as Samaraika-Partha ("the Arjuna in the battle'), Mārbala Rāma ('the Rama of the foe's army') and Samantacūḍāmaņi ("the crown-jewel of the feudal lords'). The Kellas were loyal to Sripuruşa (725-88), Sivamāra (788-812), Eṛeganga Nītimārga II (907-19) and Rācamalla III (925-35), the Ganga rulers. Māragan, son of ARakella II, took part in the battle pitched at Egeyūru, on the orders of his master EṚeganga Nītimärga II. Annikandarpa, son of Arakella II, and Poysaļa Māruga, grandson of Arakella II, also participated in the battle between Racamalla III and Nolamba Anniga, at Sirivur and met heroic death on the battle ground.
Mahākella alias Kella Citrasena, Siyakella alias Siyagella were two feudal chiefs who played prominent role in the age of Calukyas. Siyagella took part in the battles at Piñchanur, Kāgimogeyūr and Bageyur, fought valiantly and died a Hero's death.