Jinamanjari 1999 09 No 20

Author(s): Jinamanjari
Publisher: Canada Bramhi Jain Society Publication

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Jinarnañjari, Volume 20, No.2, October 1999
CHAUTA RULERS OF TULUNĀDU
M. Ganapati Rao
Tulunādu was a region that existed on the western coastal region of present-day Karnataka state in southern India. It lies between the sea of Arabia and the western Ghats that flatten to the old Mysore state on its western part. The first rulers who appear to have founded their land in the region were the Santa kings of Humcha who reigned from the early ninth century C.E. to the end of the twelfth century C.E.
According to an inscription of Halebid (1117 C.E.) the Hoysala king, Visnuvardhana, with his capital in Dwarasamudra, conquered the Tulu region. After Visnuvardhana, the Jain rulers of Tulunādu began their reign. Among these rulers, the Jaina Cauta king were one of the prominent dynasties. They began their rule from the capital of Ullala. Later, the capital was moved to Mudabidire. The following material outlines the details of the Jaina Cauta kings.
Tirumalaraya I (1160- 1179 C.E.)
King Tirumalaraya regained his kingdom in 1160 C.E. and began to re-establish the Cauta dynasty within the region. He used to reside in the village Somesvara near Ullala and therefore adopted the deity of the village, Somanatha, as the god of the family.
It is said that during the reconstruction of the palace at Ullala, Tirumalaraya had found largess which he used to reassert the Cauta rule. He convened the assembly of his former subjects from Magane, Somesvara, Talapadi Ammembala. Balapuni and Kairanga, and declared the sovereignty of his rule once again. He died in 1179 C.E.
Cennaraya I (1179-1219 C.E.)
Cennaraya was the son-in-law of Tirumalaraya after whose death he ascended the throne on Salivahana Saka 1101 Vicari samvatsara jeshtya ( fifth day). Cennaraya's son-in-law, Varadaiah, was an adroit administrator and ambitious person. While he was returning from his relatives, the Tolas of Surala, he stopped over for a rest at Puttige Magane and thought the place was a splendid place to construct a palace. Cennaraya consented to build the palace, which
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