Mysore and Coorg from the Inscriptions c8.s14.36

c8.s14.36

Sōmēśvara came to the throne in 1233, as 1254 is given as his 21st year (Sr 110). Of him it is said (Kp 12) that when he first began to walk, Chēra went before him, calling out, “Bravo! mind your steps, Dēva!” while the Chōla king and Pāṇḍya, one on each side, held his hand. The boundaries of his kingdom are given (Md 122) as Kāñchī on the east, Vēlāvura (Bēlūr) on the west, the Peddore (or Krishṇā) on the north, and Bayalnāḍ (Waināḍ) on the south. He is represented as first fighting against Krishna-Kandhara (the Sēuna king), but he was principally engaged in conquests in the north-west.¹ In 1236 he is said (Kp 63) to be living in the Pāṇḍya-maṇḍala, which he had acquired by his strength and valour. Jl 33 says he marched into the Chōla-Pāṇḍya kingdom, and Ak 123 that he had uprooted Rājēndra-Chōla on the field of battle, but when he threw himself on his mercy, gave him his protection. He now took up his residence permanently at Kannanūr or Vikramapura (north of Śrīrangam in Trichinopoly), which he had created for his pleasure in the Chōla-maṇḍala acquired by his own arm. Here, with a short interval in 1252, he remained till 1254 (Ak 108), being styled Sārvabhauma or universal emperor. In 1252 he revisited Dōrasamudra,¹ and the two Changālva kings then ruling conducted him to Rāmanāthpura (Ag 53).