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The
Hoysalas stepped into the area vacated by the Gangas and
ruled over the Southern part of Karnataka from the 11th
to the 14th centuries. They started as the subordinates
of the Chalukyas of Kalyana, but gained the sovereign status
when their overlords grew politically weak and ineffective.
In the heyday of their power, the Hoysalas fought against
the mighty Seunas with distinction, and extended their political
influence in the Tamil country when the formidable Chola
Empire was showing signs of disintegration. Moreover, the
Hoysalas made remarkable contributions to Karnataka culture,
particularly in the field of art and architecture.
Origin
of the Hoysalas:
The origin of the Hoysalas is a matter of much interesting
speculation and controversy. Like their distinguished contemporaries,
the Seunas, the Hoysalas too claim their descent from Yadu
and call themselves the Yadavas. The conventional titles
like, "Yadavanarayana", "Yadavakutambra - dyumani" and "Dvaravati
Puravaradhisvara" are common to both the Seunas and the
Hoysalas. The scholars, however, have not been able to accept
the Hoysala association with the legendary family nor could
they agree with the theory the Hoysalas hailed from Dwaraka
in Gujarat.
The
story relating to the founder of the kingdom named Sala,
tries to explain the family designation "Hoysala" by splitting
the term into "poy" or " hoy" and "sala".
According
to this tale Sala, a young student was directed by his teacher
Sudatta Muni, who asked him to smash tiger (poy-sala i.e.,
"smash, oh Sala), when it rushed in the precincts of the
temple of goddess Vasantika at Sosevur. Sala is said to
have hit the ferocious tiger and killed it, winning thereby
the appreciation and blessings of Guru, who commanded him
to establish a kingdom. This account became so popular that
it is narrated in all the elaborate Hoysala epigraphs, which
describe the hero sala as the originator of the family.
The event gained prominence that the figure representing
the story of Sala attacking the tiger with a dagger, became
the royal emblem of the family, and it is seen almost in
every Hoysala temple.
But
many scholars have discredited the story of Sala. C. Hayavadana
Rao regards Sala as the "mythical founder" of the Hoysala
dynasty. He was "the eponymous hero", and says Hayavadana
Rao, "As Romulus was to the Romans, so was sala to the Hoysalas".
J.
D. M. Derrett suggests "We should regretfully pass with
a smile over the charming myth…"
Mr.
B. R Joshi in his learned article in the Indian Historical
Quarterly (1946) illustrates the inconsistencies of facts
that are associated with the Sala story, and expresses his
inability to believe the historicity of Sala as the founder
of the Hoysala kingdom.
Some
scholars have tried to identify sala with Nripa Kama, an
early chief of the family who figures in the genealogical
accounts in the later Hoysala epigraphs. But it is difficult
to accept the equation, since the records do not furnish
any reliable evidence on this point.
Dr.
B. L. Rice and C. Hayavadana Rao believe that the Hoysalas
were of indigenous origin. They were a family of hill -
chiefs in the Western ghats of Karnataka - the Malepas,
over whom they rose to become prominent. In fact, the Hoysala
rulers assumed the proud title of Malaeparol - Ganda (Hero
among the Malepas).
Mr.
B. R. Joshi has argued that the Hoysalas were related to
the community of people called Hosaleru in the West coast
of North Canara district, who were said to rank below Hale
- Paikas and above the Holeyas and Madigas.
However,
as Dr. Derrett remarks, it is "useless to speculate on their
racial origin; whatever the nature of their ancestry, it
inspired no scorn among the contemporaries of their prosperity".
Prof.
N. Subrahmaniam of Madurai, in his paper read in the Seminar
on the Hoysala Dynasty conducted by the Mysore University
in 1970, argued that the Hoysalas were related to the ancient
Velir, and said that the "Hoysalas, by another name but
in the same locality, existed and flourished as early as
the days of Ashoka".
The
theory is indeed an interesting one. Most the scholars on
the subject agree that the Hoysalas were, to start with,
a tribe of hill-dwellers. From their modest beginning they
developed into a formidable political power when the opportunities
came their way and when guided by resourceful leadership
like the Mawalis in Shivaji's Maratha empire.
Political
History:
Nripa Kama or Kama Hoysala (C. 1000 - 1045. A. D.) is the
first known ruler of the Hoysala family. He is said to have
fought several encounters against the Cholas, sometimes
in association with the Kadambas and perhaps with the Gangas.
His son and successor was Vinayaditya (C. 1045 - 1098 A.
D.) and his reign, according to Derratt, constituted "period
in which the strength and resources of the Hoysala dominions
were conserved and consolidated." His policy was on friendship
and collaboration with his Chalukya overlords, whom he assisted
against the Cholas.
He
maintained matrimonial relations with the Chalukyas, and
his son Ereyanga remained in the Chalukya capital to render
his master valuable military assistance against the paramaras.
After Vinayaditya's death, his son Ereyanga ruled for a
brief, uneventful period (C. 1098 - 1100 A. D.). His eldest
son, Ballala (C.1100 -1108 A. D.) however, must have made
a bold a bid for independence by flouting the Chalukya authority;
and also by undertaking daring schemes of conquests. But
Chalukya Vikramaditya VI was able tosecure the submission
of Ballala, who was forced to abandon his bid for ilndpendence.
His younger brother Vishnuvardhana succeeded him.
Arthikaje,
Mangalore
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