Vishnuvardhana

Vishnuvardhana (Kannada: ವಿಷ್ಣುವರ್ಧನ) (1108-1152 CE), was a king of the Hoysala Empire in present day Indian state of Karnataka. Vishnuvardhana took the first step in consolidating the Hoysala Empire in South India through a series of battles against the Cholas and is overlords, the Western Chalukya empire. It is said that The Hoysala feudatory gained the dignity of a Kingdom starting from his rule onwards.

Conquests

Vishnuvardhana worked closely with his elder brother Veera Ballala I in matters of administration and military campaigns. Vishnuvardhana's first major conquest was the Cholan territory of Gangavadi in 1116, which is now a major portion of south Karnataka. Vishnuvardhana's general Gangaraja wrested the territory from the Cholas.

Vishnuvardhana now assumed the title "Talakadugonda" and "Veera Ganga", minted coins with these legends and in celebration built the Kirthinarayana temple at Talakad. Chola commanders like Adigaiman may have helped Vishnuvardhana in his conquest. Being Vaishnava Hindu by faith, the Chola commander may not have been treated well by Kulothunga Chola I.It has been noted by Dr. Suryanath U. Kamat, "A Concise History of Karnataka", Bangalore, 2001.] One Hoysalan epitaph notes that Vishnuvardhana burned the Gangavadi city of Talakad and polluted the waters of river Kaveri by throwing the corpses of his enemies into it.In the opinion of Arthikaje, "History of Karnataka".]

After his victory against the Cholas, Vishnuvardhana proceeded southeast to Kolar and captured the town. Some records indicate that he travelled further east into Tamil territory defeating the Kongalvas, the Chengalvas and the Nidugal Chola ruler Irungola. He married the Kongalva princes ChandaladeviAccording to Dr. Barrett, "A Concise History of Karnataka", Dr. S.U. Kamath ] and conquered Kanchi and Rameshwaram from the Pandyas in the battle of Dumme. He now assumed the title "Nolambavadigonda" in 1117 and minted coins with his title.

The Hoysalas defeated Chalukyan king Vikramaditya VI at Kennagala in 1118, and at Hallur in 1120. Vishnuvardhana captured the fort of Hanagal, subdued the Kadambas of Banavasi. However Vishnuvardhana suffered reversals at the hands of Chalukya commander Achugi of Gulbarga and had to submit to the Chalukya overlordship. After the death of Vikramaditya VI in 1126 Vishnuvardhana recaptured Hanagal, Uchchangi, Bankapura and Banavasi-12000 province and marched up to Lakkundi in Gadag district.

Towards the end of his life, Vishnuvardhana had wrested many territories that were hitherto under the control of other ruling dynasties. Though not fully able to conquer South India from the Chalukyas, Vishnuvardhana was able to rise the territory to the dignity of a real kingdom and laid the foundations for the conquests that were to follow by his successors Veera Ballala II and III.According to Prof William Coelho, ("The Hoysala Vamsa", 1950), "A Concise History of Karnataka", Dr. S.U. Kamath ]

There is controversy regarding the year in which Vishnuvardhana died. Though some historians claim he lived up to 1152.Dr. P.B. Desai, Prof. K.A. Nilakanta Sastri and Prof. S.K. Aiyangar claim this in their research, "A Concise History of Karnataka", Dr. S.U. Kamath ] the proof from Yalladahalli inscription shows that his younger son Narasimha I was already the king in 1145. The demise of Vishnuvardhana is fixed at 1141 by other scholars.

Art & Religion

Scholars believe that Vishnuvardhana was originally a Jain known as Bittideva. Under the influence of the Hindu philosopher Ramanujacharya, Vishnuvardhana converted to Hinduism [Rice (1895), p295] and practiced Vaishnavism. Numerous Vishnu temples were built during his reign at Belur, Talakad and Melkote. However, Vishnuvardhana's chief queen, Shantala Devi remained a devout Jain, and set a precedent of religious tolerance in the kingdom. Many of Vishnuvardhana's generals, including Gangaraja, were Jains. The Famous Chennakesava Temple at Belur is attributed to him. He built this temple to commemorate his victory against the Cholas of Tamil country. The famous Hoysaleswara temple at Halebidu was also built during his time.

Upon Vishnuvardhana's death in 1152, his son Narasimha I ascended to the Hoysala throne.

Notes

See also

* Hoysala Empire
* Chalukyan Empire
* Vijayanagara Empire
* Veera Ballala II

References

* Dr. Suryanath U. Kamat, A Concise history of Karnataka from pre-historic times to the present, Jupiter books, MCC, Bangalore, 2001 (Reprinted 2002) OCLC: 7796041
* K.A. Nilakanta Sastri, History of South India, From Prehistoric times to fall of Vijayanagar, 1955, OUP, New Delhi (Reprinted 2002), ISBN 019560686-8
* Rice, Benjamin Lewis. "Mysore: A Gazetteer Compiled for Government". 1895, A. Constable.

###@@@KEYEND@@@###

External links

* [http://www.ourkarnataka.com/history.htm History of Karnataka, Mr. Arthikaje]
* [http://www.boloji.com/places/0018a.htm Tulu Nadu – 2 The Land and its People] Boloji