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History of Karnataka
The Hoysalas

Vishnuvardhana: (C. 1108 - 1152 A.D.)
Vishnuvardhana is hailed by scholars as one of the great rulers of the family, "The real maker of Hoysala Kingdom" - says Dr. S. K. Iyengar.

His rule is significant because during this period the Hoysala kingdom showed signs of having really come of age.

It felt strong enough to spurn the Chalukyan suzerainty, though not with complete success.

The vitality of the Hoysala Kingdom is further indicated by many military campaigns, which Vishnuvardhana undertook as much as by some enduring cultural contributions.

Vishnuvardhana was actively associated with his brother Ballala in all his campaigns and administration. The valuable experience he thus gained proved a great advantage when he became the ruler.

An ambitious man, Vishnuvardhana showed immense appetite for conquests. Yet, he did not throw caution to the winds.

As Dr. Derrett points out, Vishnuvardhana "did not make the mistake of provoking the detested Chalukya I, but repeated the plan employed by his great - grandfather and whetted his steel upon less formidable foes".

Vishnuvardhana's career of conquests began with an expedition against Gangavadi, which had been part of the Chola Kingdom and was being governed by Adigaiman chiefs of Tagadur. The Hoysala ruler sent his brilliant general, Gangaraja, who reached Talakad and demanded its surrender.

On the refusal to surrender the city, Gangaraja routed the Chola forces, lead by Adigaiman in the grim battle of Talakad. The Chola general with his two eminent associates, Damodara and Narasinga Verma suffered great humiliations.

One Hoysala epigraph (E. C. ¾ Vol. V. Belur 58) states that Vishnuvardhana burnt the city of Talakad and polluted the waters of Cauvery by throwing the corpses of enemies into it.

Vishnuvardhana assumed the titles of "Veera Ganga" and "Talakadu Gonda", struck coins in memory of the victory and also built the Keerthi Narayana Temple at Talakad.

After this victory, Vishnuvardhana proceeded towards Kolar, which fell into his hands. Some records claim that Vishnuvardhana captured Kanchi, and from there marched towards Rameshwaram, where he fought against the Pandyas.

He also subdued the Kongalvas and the Nidugal Cholas.

His another general Punisa Raja led successful expeditions against the Nilgiris and the Kongu country.

These victories must have injected fresh confidence in the Hoysala ruler, who now thought of throwing off the Chalukyan yoke.

In the battle of Dumme, Vishnuvardhana won a resounding victory (1117 A.D.), and took the title of "Nolambavadigonda".

This was enough of a provocation to the Chalukya ruler Vikramaditya VI, who decided to thwart the ambition of his Hoysala feudatory.

With the active assistance of his twelve sub-ordinate chiefs Gangaraja, won a sensational victory over the mighty Chalukya forces at Kannegal (1118 A. D.).

The Hoysalas captured Hangal and it appeared that the Chalukyas would suffer an eclipse.

But Vikramaditya was loyally served in hour of crisis by the Sinda chief Erambarge, Achugi II and his son Permadi who defeated the Hoysala king and forced him to accept the Chalukya suzerainty.

However, after the death of Vikramaditya, the Hoysala ruler was able to restore his position in the north by capturing Hangal, Uchchangi, Banavasi and Barkapura.

But the Kalachuri usurpation and the ensuing Cholas gave him another set back, and he lost control over certain northern regions.

The achievements of Vishnuvardhana are indeed impressive.

As pointed out by William Coelho, though Vishnuvardhana's "incessant attempts to overthrow the yoke of Chalukya suzerainty proved a failure, yet he must have be given the credit of having raised his territory to the dignity of a kingdom".

to be continued......

Arthikaje,
Mangalore