Later Gangas Mandali Thousand

Author(s): Nagarajaiah Hampa
Publisher: Ankita Pustak

Page 89

46 / The Later Gangas : Mandali-Thousand
good number of epigraphs [El. XIX. 230. 1179, EC. VIII. (BLR) Sāgara 109, 1042. SII. XI-i. 148. 1099. El. XVIII. 200.1107, Kl. i. 24, 1148 etc). Members of the Torapa (ha)- kula are known for their bravery and participation in battles. Torapa families existed in the Mandalinād is reported from an inscription cited above.
Members of the goldsmith family were skilled architects. Cattoja's younger brother Malloja constructed the tank and erected the temple [Sh. 43. 1172]. Erecting the temples of various castes and creeds was the popular form of identifying with the religious persuasion. As a consequence there were a large number of temples, either newly constructed or the old ones renovated, enjoying very many tax-free endowments, some being renewed from time to time; this subject will be dealt with all necessary details, in the chapter on religion.
Constructing the tanks (Sh. 10. 1085, and 43. 1172] was considered an act of religious merit. A ruined family, a breached tank or pond, a fallen kingdom, who so restores or repairs a damaged temple, acquires merit fourfold of that which accrued from them at first - was the divine influence to infuse the donars to indulge more and more in those acts of glory. Acts of digging wells (Sh. 99. 1127], establishing places for the free distribution of water and food to the needy (Sh. 10. 1085), forming paddyfields (ibid) are reported. Important persons who are indulged and dedicated to the cause of merits were amply rewarded by the Mandalinād chief. Perggade Nokkayya who had acquired such greatness was granted the royal insignia of two horns, a conopy, camaras and big drums by the chief of the näd, Ganga Permmādi deva, in addition to the headship of eight villages including the modern Shimoga (Simoge), a district head-quarters, 20 horses and 500 servants.
One of the measuring rods in the Mandalinād had the name 'Gangana gaļe' [HI. 8. 1228. Kuruvadagadde, p. 368 line: 13).
In concluding the political history of the Mandalinad, we may note that it was throughout under the rule of the line of the western Gangas. They built up a remarkably efficient administrative