Gunaga Vijayaditya III (848 – 892 AD) was the most powerful king of the Vengi kingdom.[1] His military victories brought a large portion of the Deccan under his control. He was a valuable ally of the Rashtrakuta emperor Amoghavarsha I, and after Amoghavarsha's death, he proclaimed independence. He took several titles like Gunaga, Gunage-Nallata, Parachakra Rama, Vallabha, etc.[2][3]
Vijayaditya III | |
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Gunaga Gunage-Nallata Parachakra Rama Vallabha | |
![]() Map of India c. 753 CE. The Eastern Chalukya kingdom is shown on the eastern coast. | |
Eastern Chalukya Emperor | |
Reign | 848 – 892 AD[1] |
Predecessor | Kali Vishnuvardhana V (847– 848 AD) |
Successor | Bhima I Dronarjuna (892 – 921 AD) |
Dynasty | Eastern Chalukyas |
Religion | Hinduism |
Reign
editHis reign began with an expedition under his talented general Pandaranga to crush the Boya-Kottamas, a sturdy race of warriors who inhabited the northern borders of the Pallava kingdom (present-day Nellore district). His army captured the rebel strongholds of Kottama and Nellore. General Pandaranga was made governor of the annexed territory with his headquarters at Kandukur. They also captured the territory of a chief named Rahana.[3][1]
Gunaga Vijayaditya III, unlike his predecessors, maintained friendly relations with the Rashtrakuta emperor Amoghavarsha I and was sent to Gangavadi to crush the rebellion of the Western Gangas and other rebellious vassals.[4][3][1] Vijayaditya bided his time until Amoghavarsha's death, and established independence. He defeated and pursued Krishna II, the successor of Amoghavarsha, till Chedi in central India.[5] He defeated the Chedis of Tripuri, who had allied themselves with the Rashtrakutas. This caused a big setback for the Chedi king Shankaragana II (890-910 CE).[6] Vijayaditya III patronised Jainism, which was popular among the masses.[3]
References
edit- ^ a b c d Sen, Sailendra Nath (1999). Ancient Indian History and Civilization. New Age International. ISBN 978-81-224-1198-0.
- ^ Nagabhusanasarma (2008). History and culture of the Andhras. Komarraju Venkata Lakshmana Rau Vijnana Sarvaswa Sakha, Telugu University, 1995. ISBN 9788186073070.
- ^ a b c d Mani, Chandra Mauli (2009). A Journey through India's Past (Great Hindu Kings after Harshavardhana). Northern Book Centre. ISBN 978-81-7211-256-1.
- ^ Ramesan, N. (1975). The Eastern Chalukyas of Vengi. Andhra Pradesh Sahithya Akademi.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Das, Sudarshan (2021). History of Kalchuri Dynasty up to Laksmikarna. Academia. p. 2-3.