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THE
SUCCESSORS OF DURVINITA:
Durvinita
was succeeded by his son Mushkara (BC.535-585 A. D.), during
whose rule his younger brother Polavira acted as the Viceroy
of a province. Mushkara was followed by Srivikrama ( C.
585-635 A. D.) and Bhuvikarma (C.635-679 A. D.). The latter
fought protracted war against the Pallavas who were defeated
at Vilande and snatched a valuable necklace, Ugrodaya, from
the Pallava ruler.
He
actively assisted the Chalukya ruler Vikramaditya I in his
wars against the Pallavas and enabled him to recover his
capital, Badami. Bhuvikarma was succeeded by his younger
brother Shivamara I (C.679-725 A. D.), who was followed
by his grandson Sripurusha (C.725-788 A.D.), who fought
against the Pallavas with distinction and collaborated with
the Chalukya Vikramaditya II. However, he had to bear the
brunt of the Rashtrakuta invasions under the leadership
of Krishna I. In fact, a number of encounters took place
between the two armies, and Sripurusha was even forced to
shift his capital to Manne for a while. He was ably assisted
in war and administration by his son Siyagella. Despite
his military preoccupation, Sripurusha must have looked
well after his Kingdom, and in fact, it carried the title
of Srirajya or wealthy Kingdom.
Sripurusha's
son and successor, Shivamara II (C.788-816 A. D.) was unlucky
to face the full fury of the Rashtrakuta aggression. Twice
he was routed by the Rashtrakutas-once by Dhruva and again
by Govinda III- and was taken prisoner. Parts of Gangavadi
were incorporated into the Rashtrakuta empire. His successor,
Rajamalla I (C.817-853 A. D) too fought against the Rashtrakutas;
but it was during the reign of his successor, Nitimarga
Ereganga (C.853-869 A. D) that the relation between the
two dynasties was normalised.
The
Rashtrakuta ruler Amoghavarsha I gave his daughter Chandrabalabbe
in marriage to Nitimarga's son Butuga I. Nitimarga was succeeded
by Rajamalla II (C. 870-907 A. D), who was followed by Ereyappa
Nitimarga II (C.907-919 A. D), after whom Narasimhadeva
(C.919-925 A. D) ruled. His successor was Rajamalla III
(C.925-935 A. D) who was overthrown by his ambitious brother
Butuga II (C.935-960 A. D). He had the advantage of being
the brother-in-law of the powerful Rashtrakuta ruler Krishna
III. This alliance proved disastrous to the Chola ruler
Parantaka I, who was comprehensively routed at Takkolam
(C.949 A. D). Butuga II thus earned a remarkable military
laurel for his dynasty by lending his sword to his Rashtrakuta
ally.
Butuga's
successor was Maruladeva (C. 960-963 A. D) and he was succeeded
by Marasimha III (C. 963-974 A. D), who remained an active
ally of the Rashtrakutas. When the latter suffered from
the attacks of the Northern enemies, Marasimha rushed to
their assistance. He also took up the cause of Indra IV,
although the Rashtrakuta dynasty had already been pulled
down by the Chalukya feudatory, Taila II. The death of Marasimha
was a prelude to the decline and fall of the Ganga Kingdom.
The rule of Rajamalla IV (C. 974-985 A. D) which began with
a discordant note of a civil war, was noted only for the
distinguished services of the minister Chavundaraya, who
in fact wielded the real political authority. Rajamalla's
brother Rakkasa Ganga (C.985-1024 A. D), despite his formidable
name, ended up as a feudatory of the Cholas, and with it,
the political sovereignty of the Gangas was lost.
ADMINISTRATION:
The Ganga administration was built on the bed-rock of tradition.
The ideal of Kingship was one based on the eternal foundation
of Dharma, the rulers called themselves 'Dharma-maharajas'
and the custodians of social order. The ancient texts like
the treatise of Manu or of Kautilya or the Sukraniti were
regarded as authorities on administration. The power of
the King, was, in effect tempered by the ideals of Dharma
which he was called upon to respect, as much as by the traditions,
customs, usages and other moral forces. Many reputed thinkers
and Savants like Simhanandi, Pujyapada, Vijayakirti, Pushpadanta
and others must have had great moral influence on the Ganga
rulers, and checked any tendency towards Royal absolutism.
The Rajadharma consisted in protecting the good, punishing
the wicked, preserving the social order and in exerting,
on the whole, for the promotion of the material and spiritual
well-being of the people.
The
King was assisted in administration by the Yuvaraja, who,
however tended to grow powerful when the ruler lacked vigour
and enterprise. Sometimes, the Yuvarajas acted as provincial
governors. Some of the Ganga queens also exercised considerable
influence in administration, gave grants, participated in
public functions and even dared to go to the battlefield.
The King was also assisted by a Council of Ministers which
consisted of Sarvadhikari or the Prime Minister, the Sandhivigrahi
or the Minister for war and peace, the Dandanayaka, the
Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces, Srikaranadhikari
or the minister of Finance and Revenue, Manemagatine or
Manevergade who was the Steward of the Royal household,
and Hiriyabhandari who was in charge of accounts and keeping
of records. Sometimes, the Purohita too found a place in
the Council of Ministers, and he advised the King in matters
of religion. There were also officials like Rajasutradhari
or the King's Personal Secretary, Rahasyadhikari or the
Private Secretary, Nidikara or the Treasurer and so on.
The
Kingdom was divided into provinces or Nadus, Vishayas or
districts and Khetas which resembled taluks. The Village
administration was the responsibility of the Gauda, the
Senabhova and the Mahajana Assembly, the latter providing
it a strong democratic element. The revenue administration
was based on proper measurement and classification of lands,
which were taxed on the principles laid down by the Smritis.
There were also many professional taxes which swelled the
coffers of the State. The collection of taxes, which was
made both in cash and in kind, was basically a local responsibility.
The Gangas organized their armies efficiently and due care
was bestowed on the problems of transport, supplies and
intelligence. Forts were developed and the Beda forces were
drafted into service in times of need. The administration
of justice was mostly a matter of local concern, with provision
for appeal to the King. Ordeals were resorted to in trials,
but the punishments were generally mild.
to
be continued...
Arthikaje
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