Jinamanjari 2000 04 No 21

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

Page 56

The political history of the dynasty becomes clear from Haivarasa in the fourteenth C.E. He was undoubtedly the greatest of the early rulers. His kingdom extended over a wide area comprising Hāduvaļļi, Nagire, Hõnnāvara, Candāvara and Gokarna.” After his rule, the kingdom was divided with two distinct capitals - one at Nagire and another at Hāduvalļi. The Ilāduvalli chiefs were descendants of Sangirāya, the son-in-law of Haivarasa,* and by virtue of the aliya-santāna, he became the ruler of Hāduvaļļi.' Keśavadēva who came to power by C.E. 1422 engaged himself in incessant war with Hãduvalli chiefs. He was succeeded by Sangama. The Gerusoppa chiefs by this time had become powerful enough to question the acts of the imperial officers. Sangama or Sangirāya was succeeded by Bhairava. He performed pañca-kalyāņa in the hosabasadi of Mūdabidre and had its roof covered with copper plates and made grants for the daily services of the deity. He was succeeded by Immadi Bhairaveśvara-II. The next ruler was Mallirāya who had the title of Arirāyāgajagadaberunda.
There was a civil war between Bhairava-II and Mallirāya in the middle of the fifteenth C.E. which led to the division of the Gerūsoppa kingdom between two camps. Mallirāya emerged victorious and Bhairav-II might have died in the war. Mallirāya's successor was Devarasa Odeya, who faced the attacks of Sultan of Bidar. The strong army of the Sultan was repulsed back in a fierce battle by the generals of Devarasa." The victorious king bore the titles like the lord of the three rājyas, the destroyer of the enemies, etc. The culmination of his power reached in the year 1494 C.E. when it seems to have been given the additional imperial epithets of maharajadhiraja and rajaparameswara which testifies to his independent position. He also made an attempt to annex parts of Goa, but did not succeed in his attempt." Devarasa's successor Bhairavendra performed the mahāmastkābhiseka of Gommata" His successor Immadi Devarāya Odeya was referred as Lord of Nagire rājya and Haiva, Tuļu, Kinkana and other.'s. He also led invasion on Goa. His successor Krišnadevarāja was also a great warrior. Inscriptions praise him as Lord of Nagire, kaļigaļa mukhada kai, Saļuva, vibhāndha, ripukala sürekara." He defeated Gururāya Odeya ruler of Hāduvaļļi in a battle near Nagire. He was also referred as Lord of Nagire, Tuļu, Konkaņa and other rājyas. 18
There was an interesting turn in the history of Gerüsoppa at this stage. Cennabhairādēvi who succeeded to the throne of Gerūsoppa combined in her the dual ruling authority of Hāduvalli and Nagire. Inscriptions refer to her as the queen of Nagire, Haiva, Tuļu and Konkaņa rājya" She ruled from Hāduvalli and was a patron of Jainism. She made liberal grants to several basadis. and mathas. The Sāntisvara basadi at Gerüsoppa was caused to be made by her.20 The Vijayanagara rulers sought her help to import horse through the ports of Bhatkal and Honnāvara which were under her jurisdiction.?! Her reign (1533-98 C.E.) was the longest and the most eventful in the history of Gerūsoppa. During her time, Gerusoppa's fame spread to Europe and other countries. The Portuguese had trade relations with queen Cennabhairädēvi.
The Ikkēri kings who had become powerful by this time decided to conquer Gerūsoppa. Venkatappa Nāyaka-I invaded Gerüsoppa and destroyed the capital. It was absorbed in the Ikkēri kingdom in the sixteenth C.E.
The Gerūsoppa rulers were brave warriors and great conquerors. They were feared by Governors of Vijayanagara Empire. Their sovereignty was Jain Education International For Private 53ersonal Use Only