Madakari Nayaka

Madakari Nayaka was the last ruler of Chitradurga. From the south, Hyder Ali of Mysore pretended friendship with Madakari Nayaka and won the Nijagal fort from Marathas, but later Hyder-Ali's eyes fell on Chitraduraga. Hyder-Ali's son Tipu Sultan made it possible by defeating Madakari Nayaka.

During the reign of Madakari Nayaka, the city of Chitradurga was besieged by the troops of Hyder Ali. Hyder Ali spotted a woman entering Chitradurga through a gap in the rocks and sent his soldiers through the crack hole. The guard on duty of the port near the gap had gone home for lunch, leaving his wife to guard the gap. Obavva noticed the soldiers emerging out of this crack, but used her onake (flail for rice) to kill the soldiers. The guard, Obavva's husband, upon his return from his lunch was shocked to see Obavva, with a blood stained Onake and hundreds of soldiers lying dead about her. The passage remains as a historical witness for the story, beside the Tanniru DoNi -a small water source which holds cold water all round the year. Hyder Ali attacked again in 1799 and took the fort.

The place is renowned for its Kallina Kote ("the place of the stone fort"), and is home to the "Fort of Seven Rounds", built with large stones.

Chitradurga Paleyagar family History

The Chitradurga Paleyagar family was of the Beda or Boyar (caste), one of the hill tribes who subsisted by hunting and tending cattle. The accounts of their origin are somewhat confused. According to one tradition, three Beda families emigrated from Jadikal-durga, in Tirupati, and settled at Nirutadi near Bharamasngara about 1475. They are said to have belonged to the Kamageti family and Valmiki gotra. The son and the grand­son of one of these, Hire Hanummappa Nayaka and Timmanna Nayaka, settled at Matti in Davangere taluk. The latter, called Kamageti Timmanna Nayaka, was appointed by the Vijayanagara king, first as the Nayaka of Holalkere, then of Hiriyur and finally of Chitradurga. He fortified the hill at the last-mentioned place and conducted himself in such a manner that a force was sent by the king against him. According to another account, Timmanna Nayaka came with a small body of armed men from a place called Madakeri below the ghats near Tirupati and entered the service of the Paleyagar of Basavapattana. When later as some quarrel arose about a mistress he had kept at Matti, he left the place and took refuge at Mayakonda. Being pursued there also, he escaped to the jungle near Guntur and from there, collecting a band, started plundering on every side, and erected a small fort called Rangapatna near Haleyur. The neighbouring Paleyagars of Harapanahalli, Nidugal and Basavapattana, being annoyed by his depredations, united against him and, with the aid of some Vijayanagara troops, marched upon Rangapatna. Timmanna Nayaka was then forced to retire to Chitradurga, where he was closely besieged. At that time the following incident occurred, which led to his recognition as one of the chiefs dependent on Vijayanagara. This was in about 1562.

Timmanna Nayaka

Timmanna Nayaka distinguished himself by stealing into the camp at night with the intention of carrying off the horse of Saluva Narasinga Raya, the Vijayanagara prince, who commanded the forces against him. The groom awoke, and Timmanna hid in the straw to escape observation, when the groom, driving in afresh the peg for the heel ropes, sent it right through the hand of the hiding thief! The latter bore the pain silently and without moving, and when all was again still, he released himself by cutting off the hand which remained pinned to the ground, and made off with the horse This unexampled proof of fortitude showed the besieg­ing army well that no intimidation would be effectual with such an opponent. A peace was, therefore, said to have been concluded. The Vijayanagara king invited the Nayaka to the capital and expressed his great admiration of his courageous exploit. At the request of the king, Timmanna Nayaka next took Gulbarga, which the Vijayanagara forces had failed to take even after a siege of 6 months. The king, pleased with this invited him to court. At a later period, however, he incurred the royal displeasure and was imprisoned at Vijayanagara, where he died.

Timmanna Nayaka was succeeded by his son Obana Nayaka. He took the name Madakeri Nayaka and within a few years of his coming to the throne, declared his independence from the Vijayanagara empire.

In 1602, Obana Nayaka was succeeded by his son Kasturi Rangappa Nayaka. His reign was full of conflicts with the neighbouring chiefs. There took place several battles with the Paleyagar of Basavapattana in connection with the possession of Mayakonda, Santebennur, Holalkere, Anaji, Jagalur and other places, which ultimately remained as parts of Chitradurga terri­tory. At the time of his death in 1652, his possessions yielded a revenue of 65,000 Durgi Pagodas.

Rangappa Nayaka was succeeded by his son Madakeri Nayaka II in 1652. He is also credited with a number of victories, particularly in the east. During his time, the kingdom was divided into four regions and the local officers in charge: of these were Hotte Gurukanna, Karanika Bhunappa, Abbigere Mallanna and Karanika Appanna. The Nayaka died in 1674, leaving a dominion yielding 100,000 Durgi Pagodas.

Chikkamna Nayaka

Madakeri Nayaka had no children and his adopted son, Obana Nayaka succeeded him to the throne of Chitradurga. Obana was put to death by the Dalavayis, possibly because he had failed to give them the customary gratuities. Chikkanna Nayaka, a younger brother of Madakeri Nayaka, was installed in 1676. At this time, the Harapana­halli chief laid siege to Anaji and killed the local officer Bhunappa. Chikkanna Nayaka went to Anaji and forced the opponents to ruse the siege. Immediately after this, he had to run to Harihar todefend it against the Muhammadans, who, under Shamsher Khan had attacked that place. The defence was effected by the follow­ing strategy ; On the approach of night, numerous torches were lit and fixed to the branches of trees and the horns of the cattle and the musicians were asked to play on their instruments as usual at his encampment on a hill called Baregudda. The intention was to create an impression in the enemies' camp that the army was there still. The Nayaka marched with his whole force by a circuitous route and threw himself into the fort from the west and drove off the enemies. The Chitradurga officer at Harihar at this time is said to have been a Muslim named Sher Khan who was continued in his position by the Nayaka. Chikkanna formed marriage alliances with the Rayadurga and Basavapattana chiefs. It is said that the Chitradurga family changed its religious faith twice during the reign of this Nayaka. First, the entire family em­braced Veerashaivism and the Nayaka even caused a Matha to be built in the fort and a Virakta Jangama named Ugrachannaviradeva to be appointed to act as a guru to them. But later, all are said to have returned to their original faith, except one lady named Hatti Mallavva Nagati, who wore the linga on her person and live separately from the rest of the family. Chikkanna Nayaka died in 1686.

Chikkanna Nayaka was succeeded by his elder brother Linganna Nayaka, otherwise called Madakeri Nayaka III. But at this time there arose a serious difference of opinion amongst the Dalavayis as to the rightful successor to the throne. One section of them, headed by one Panchamara Muddanna, imprisoned, and later killed, Linganna Nayaka and set up one Donne Rangappa Nayaka on the throne. For some time Muddanna remained the strongest man in Chitradurga ; but soon the other section headed by one Dalavayi Bharamappa gained the upper hand. Muddanna and his brothers were soon destroyed and Donne Rangappa imprisoned.

Bharamappa Nayaka

This Dalavayi Bharamappa was a man of forethought interested in the integrity of the State. At this moment, there being no direct heir to the throne, he, in consultation with the other elders of the court, brought a distant heir named Bharamappa Nayaka. The new Nayaka ascended the throne in about 1689. This was really a difficult time for the State ; for, it was during this period that the Mughals overran the possessions of Bijapur and established their government at Sira, of which Basavapattana and Budihal were made paraganas and to which Chitradurga and other neighbouring States of Paleyagars became tributaries. There were many battles in the reign of this Nayaka between Chitradurga and Harapanahalli, Rayadurga and Bijapur in all of which the Nayaka had splendid success. His long reign of 33 years (1689-1721) was equally remarkable for the extent of his benefactions. He is said to have built as many as 30 temples, 3 or 4 palaces, 5 strong forts and not less than 20 tanks throughout his territory. A part of the Chitradurga fort, a number of gate­ways and bastions are also attributed to him. The only thing from which people suffered during this reign was the great plague in 1703, which took a heavy toll and which caused an almost complete evacuation of the capital city for some days.

On his death in 1721, Bharamappa Nayaka was succeeded by his son Hiri Madakeri Nayaka. Within two or three years of accession, the young prince had to face the consequences of a famine and the Maratha raid under Piraji. His reign was punctuated with a number of hostilities against Harapanahalli, Savanur, Bidanur and the Marathas. He was generally successful in his engagements and, annexed a large tract of country, especially in the noth-east extending beyond Molakahnuru. There was a great battle in Mayakonda in 1747-48 between Chitradurga and the confederate forces of Bidanur, Rayadurga, Harapanahalli and Savanur. The Chitradurga army met with disaster and the Nayaka was slain by Somashekhara Nayaka of Harapanahalli. During the reign of this Nayaka, Chitratlurga rose in prosperity; State revenue reached 300,000 Durgi Pagodas. The chief is remembered for the con­struction of a number of temples, but is also said to have made arrangements for a number of worships and festivals in different temples.

Kasturi Rangappa Nayaka II

The next Nayaka was his son Kasturi Rangappa Nayaka II, who retook Mayakonda. This he achieved with the help of the Maratha Sardar Murari Rao and the Subedar of Advani. Kasturi Rangappa Nayaka is said to have made various expeditions to the north and south, and in the latter direction gained some possessions in the Budihal region. He is also said to have kept up friendship with the Subedar of Sira. He died in 1754 without issue, and Madakeri Nayaka, called Madakeri Nayaka the last, son of one Bharamappa Nayaka of Janakal-Durga, was his successor.

Raja Veera Madakari Nayaka

At the time of his accession to the Chitradurga throne, Madakeri Nayaka, who was destined to be the last Nayaka of Nayak'a Cliitradurga, was but a boy of 12. The enemies of Chitradurga trie their hand once more on the State, but the Bedas remained faithful and defended the Nayaka. Kalyadurga made an effort alone and met with failure. Then there came in 1759-00 a united front formed by Rayadurga, Harapanahalli and Savannr. A battle took place near IHoskere in where Chilradurga got clear victory, though with some loss. This was followed by some minor disturbances owing to the activities of the chiefs of Tarikere and Jarimale in the border areas of the State.

Chitradurga had become a powerful State in the south, so powerful that even the major powers like Haidar Ali and the Peshwas sought its help against each other. This placed the Nayaka in an embarrassing position. First he helped Haidar Ali in his campaigns against Bankapur, Nijagal, Bidanur and the Marathas. But in spite of all this, the Nawab had never been straightforward with the Nayaka. He had an eye on Chitradurga and was waiting for an opportunity to attack. In 1777, Haidar was threatened with a formidable invasion by the allied armies of the Marathas and the Nizam. The Nayaka of Chitradurga changed his allegiance. Haidar marched upon Chitradurga, rejecting the offers of the Chief to pay a large fine. The siege was maintained for some months without success, when an arrangement was entered into and a fine of thirteen lakhs of pagodas levied on the Chief. The Maratha campaign over, Haidar once more approached Chitradurga. The story of this siege forms a brilliant chapter in the history of Chitradurga, which held out against Haidar for months (153). At last, only by the treachery of the Muhammadan officers in the Paleyagar's service, the place was taken in 1779. Madakeri Nayaka and his family were sent as prisoners to Srirangapattana and 20,000 Beda soldiers from Chitradurga were also sent to the island of Srirangapattana, with the sole view of breaking up their power.

This last Madakeri Nayaka was undoubtedly a remarkable man. A brave soldier, a shrewd administrator and a generous chief, he was easily the most influential and respected Paleyagar of his age. Particularly his generosity to the soldiers and generals has been described as ' beyond limits' and was wondered at by the recipients themselves. With all this, this Nayaka is said to have had a detestable trait also in him, which often made him un­popular even amongst his own men. This was his harsh treatment to the enemies. In one of his campaigns against Haidar, he is said to have caused a huge Virasana or hero-platform made of the severed heads of the enemies and requested the Peshwa Madhava-rao, on whose side he had led this campaign, to be seated on it and bathe with enemies' blood! And when the Peshwa refused to do so, the Nayaka is further said to have had the honour done to himself(l54). After the death of the Nayaka, the Chitradurga treasury is said to have yielded to Haidar, inter alia, the following numbers of various coins : 400,000 silver, 100,000 royal, 1,700,000 Ashrafi, 2,500,000 Dabolikadali and 1,000,000 Chavuri.

Thus came to an end the Chitradurga line of Paleyagars, after ruling the present district of Chitradurga together with some outlying tracts. These princes invariably valorous in battle, merciful and generous to their enemies, wise and discreet in their administration, far-sighted in their policy,religious and orthodox in their belief. These powerful chieftains had some French engineers in their service and built very strong fortresses and other works of public utility.

References & Sources

* Gazetteer of India, Chitradurga District, 1967.
* Gazetteer of Mysore By B. L. Rice