Satyasraya

Satyasraya (r.997–1008 CE), also known as Sattiga or Irivabedanga, was a king of the Western Chalukya Empire. During a time of consolidation of the empire in the early 11th century, Satyasraya was involved in several battles with the Chola dynasty of Tanjore, the Paramara dynasty and Chedi Kingdom of central India, and the Chaulukyas of Gujarat (not to be confused with the Chalukyas of southern India). The results of these wars were mixed, with victories and defeats.^[1] Even as a prince, during the rule of his father Tailapa II, Satyasraya had established himself as an ambitious warrior.^[2] Satyasraya partonised the great Kannada poet Ranna (one among the "three gems" or ratnatraya of classical Kannada literature) who compared his patron favorably to the Pandava prince Bhima (of the epic Mahabharatha) for his strength and valor in his epic poem Sahasabhimavijaya (lit, "Daring Bhima", the epic also known as Gadayuddha).^[3][4][5] Satyasraya held such titles as Akalavarsha, Akalankacharita and Sahasabhima.^[6]

Battles in the North

During the reign of Satyasraya, the Paramaras and Chedi rulers of central India (also known as the Kalachuri dynasty) appear to have regained control over territories they had lost to the Satyasraya's father Tailapa II (on account of his victories over Munja in c.996). Satyasraya however subdued the Shilahara King Aparajita of the northern Konkan and made him a vassal. There was rebellion against chief Barapa in Lata, the capital of the Gujarat province of the Western Chalukya empire. Barapa had been ousted by Mularaja from the Chaulukya family. Satyasraya led an expedition to Gujarat, defeated Mularaja and reinstated Goggiraja, son of Barapa. Thus, he consolidated his control over the that region.^[6]

Wars with the Cholas

During the early 11th century, the Chola dynasty of Tanjavur were on the ascendant. The Chola influence in the eastern Deccan ruled by the Chalukyas of Vengi (the Eastern Chalukyas) was on the rise. With the help of the Cholas, Saktivarman had defeated Jata-Choda Bhima and gained control of the Vengi kingdom. The rise of Chola influence in the east was unacceptable to the Western Chalukyas. Satyasaraya wasted no time in sending his armies under the command of Bayalanambi around c.1006. Satyasraya's armies conquered the forts at Dhanyakataka (or Dharanikota) and Yanamandala. With these victories, Satyasraya was able to establish himself temporarily at Chebrolu in the modern Guntur district.^[7]

However, these early victories were temporary. The Chola King Rajaraja I mounted a two pronged counter-attack. A large Chola army led by prince Rajendra Chola invaded and captured Donur in the Bijapur region, Banavasi, parts of the Raichur Doab (called Iditurainnadu), Manyakheta (or Malkheda, called Mannaikkadakkam) in the modern Gulbarga district, Unkal near modern Hubli, and Kudalasangama in modern Bidar district. According to the historians Chopra et al., one inscription of c.1007 describes his attack on Rattapadi. They opine that such a simultaneous invasion on Banavasi (also spelt Vanavasi) and Manyakheta, two vastly separated regions could not have been possible with out a large army and a well planned military operation. A second thrust came from the east, from Vengi, where the Cholas successfully reduced forts at Kollipakkai (Kulpak) 45  miles north-west of modern Hyderabad. According to the historians Sastri and Sen, Satyasraya thereafter invested a great deal of effort in successfully freeing his kingdom from the Chola hold.^[7][8][9] According to historian Kamath, that Satyasraya was able to free his kingdom from the Cholas entirely, though at the cost of the life of his brother prince Dasavarman, is testified to by the Hottur inscription.^[6]

Notes

References

• Chopra, P.N.; Ravindran, T.K.; Subrahmanian, N (2003) [2003]. History of South India (Ancient, Medieval and Modern) Part 1. New Delhi: Chand Publications. ISBN 81-219-0153-7. 
• Kamath, Suryanath U. (2001) [1980]. A concise history of Karnataka : from pre-historic times to the present. Bangalore: Jupiter books. LCCN 80905179. OCLC 7796041. 
• Narasimhacharya, R (1988) [1988]. History of Kannada Literature. New Delhi: Penguin Books. ISBN 81-206-0303-6. 
• Sastri, Nilakanta K.A. (2002) [1955]. A history of South India from prehistoric times to the fall of Vijayanagar. New Delhi: Indian Branch, Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-560686-8. 
• Sen, Sailendra Nath (1999) [1999]. Ancient Indian History and Civilization. New Age Publishers. ISBN 81-224-1198-3.