Velanati Chodas
 | This articleneeds additional citations forverification.(October 2015) |
Velanati Durjayas | |
|---|---|
| 1076–1216 | |
| Capital | Chandole, Velanadu |
| Religion | Hinduism |
| Government | Monarchy |
| History | |
• Established | 1076 |
• Disestablished | 1216 |
TheVelanati Chodas,also known as theVelanati DurjayasandVelanadu chiefs,were aTelugudynasty that ruled parts ofAndhra Pradeshin the 12th century. They served as tributaries to theLater Cholasand theWestern Chalukyas,governing the region ofKammanaduin erstwhile Guntur district.
At the height of their power, the Velanati Chodas also ruled overVenginadu,the region between theKrishnaandGodavaririvers. They wereTeluguspeakers and claimed descent fromDurjaya,a legendary chieftain of ancient Andhra, which earned them the title Durjayas of Velanadu. Rajendra Choda II, one of their rulers, assumed the title "Durjayakulaprakasa."[1]Since they owed allegiance to the Later Cholas, they added "Choda" to their names as an honorific.[2]
History
[edit]Gonka Iruled as a vassal toKulothunga IofLater CholasofGangaikonda Cholapuram,and his son Mummadi Varma, viceroy ofVengi.He fought as general in the battles againstKalyani Chalukyasand also against refractory vassals, Kalinga and Chakrakuta, who joined with Kalyani Chalukyas. He assumed the titleChola Mula Stambha (The pillar of Chola empire).His kingdom included the region fromGundlakammain south to Tripurantakam in West.Rajendra Choda Isucceeded his father as the chieftain and continued his allegiance toLater Cholas.He was defeated by Anantapalaya, the general ofVikramaditya VIof Kalyani Chalukyas in 1115 AD. Rajendra Choda I was forced to accept the suzerainty of Kalyani Chalukyas.[citation needed]
Someswara IIIsucceeded his father Vikramaditya VI in Kalyani in 1126 AD and Rajendra Choda I continued their allegiance to Kalyani Chalukyas. Malla Bhupati of Vengi recovered some regions on the banks ofKrishna,but Velanti Chodas remained as subjects of Someswara II in these battles. However, in 1132 AD, he fought along the side ofLater Cholas.Vikrama Cholasent his army under his sonKulothunga IIto Vengi. Many chieftains including Velanadu Chodas joined hands with him and helped in driving out Kalyani Chalukyas in the battle of Manneru.
Rajendra Choda I died in the same year andGonka IIsucceeded his father. He was regarded as greatest among of all Chodas and also fought as general in earlier battles during his father reign. He accompaniedKulothunga Chola IIin many battles like famous Godavari battle that resulted in recovering all regions from Kalyani Chalukyas. He crushed many rebel chieftains like Chodas of Nellore and Konidena. His kingdom included the region betweenMahendragiriin north andSrisailamin south.Prola IIofKakatiyasattacked his kingdom in 1158 AD. Chodayaraja, chief of Gonaka II killed Prola II and annexed lost regions. Gonaka II assumed many titles likeChalukyarajya MulaStambha.
Decline
[edit]While glory of Velanati Chodas continued during the next two kingsRajendra Choda IIandGonka IIIand although they defeated all rebellions from north and west, they lost control of some regions. Many warriors were slain in the battle of Palanadu between the families of Haihayas, relatives and vassals of Velanati Chodas. The kingdom lost land from Srisailam to Tripurantakam to theKakatiyakingRudradeva.
The last great king in the dynasty isPruthviswara.He ruled from Pithapuram and made several attempts to regain land and lost prestige. When kakatiyas were fighting against the Yadavas, he recovered the Velanadu. However starting from 1201 AD, he lost to Kakatiyas and their subjects Nellore Chodas and was slain in a battle with Ganapatideva of Kakatiyas in 1207 AD. His son Rajendra Choda III made further attempts and lost entire kingdom to Ganapatideva.
Rulers
[edit]- Gonka I(1076–1108)
- Rajendra Choda I(1108–1132)
- Gonka II(1132–1161)
- Rajendra Choda I(1161–1181)
- Gonka III(1181–1186)
- Pruthviswara(1186–1207)
- Rajendra Choda III (1207–1216)
Culture
[edit]The region was between Krishna and Godavari rivers. According toKeyurabahu Charitram,the region witnessed prosperity and plenty. According to Palanati Charitra, war sports includingcockfightingwere popular. It had opulent city markets.
Nanne Choda,a famous Telugu poet from this family.
Religion
[edit]The region during this period witnessed bothSaivismandVaishnavism.Kings practiced Saivism according to books written about Velandu kings.
References
[edit]- ^Ranga, N. G. (1971).Kakatiya Nayaks: Their Contribution to Dakshinapath's Independence, 1300-1370 A.D.Indian Peasant Institute.
- ^Sanikommu Venkateswarlu; S Murali Mohan (2021)."Different political dynasties in Medieval Andhra (CA. 1000-1400 AD): A study"(PDF).International Journal of History.p. 114.
- South Indian Inscriptions -http://www.whatisindia.com/inscriptions/