A History of South India from Prehistoric Times to the Fall of Vijayanagar c17.102

c17.102

With no son or brother, Rāma had nominated his cousin, Peda Venkata, a grandson of the great Rāma Rāya, to succeed to the throne; but Timma Rāja, a paternal uncle of Rāma, thought he had a better claim, and seized the government, compelling Venkata III to remain at his native place Anegondi. Gingee, Tanjore and Madura declared for Venkata, and Timma got no support and was generally looked upon as a usurper. He was nevertheless able to make trouble, and civil strife continued till his death in 1635. In the early stages he gained some successes, but prince Śrīranga, son of Chenna Venkata, the younger brother of Venkata III, took the field on behalf of his uncle. With help from the Dutch at Pulicat, he beat Timma and compelled him to accept Venkata's claim to the throne. He was, however, allowed to retain some of the places he had captured; but when he again stirred up trouble, the Nāyak of Gingee defeated and slew him in 1635. Peace was thus restored. Venkata went and lived in Vellore, entrusting the defence of Penugonda (once again threatened by the sultan of Bijapur) to Kondi Nāyaka who managed to keep it secure till the dissolution of the empire some fifteen years later.