A History of South India from Prehistoric Times to the Fall of Vijayanagar c17.96

c17.96

His accession brought about no change in the quarrelsome ways of the nobles, and much of his time and energy was taken up with calling them to order. For instance, Tammaya Gauda rebelled in the Kolar region; he was soon quelled and tribute levied from him. A more serious revolt, however, occurred in Rāyalasīma, or the Ceded Districts, to give them their modern name. In 1597-8, Nandela Krishnamarāya and a number of other chieftains defied imperial authority; Krishnama was defeated in a battle at Jambulamadugu and shut himself in the fort of Nandela (Nandyal). Venkata invested it for three months, after which Krishnama surrendered, to spend the rest of his life in prison in Chandragiri. Kandanavōlu Gōpālarāju, the grandson of Venkatapati, the brother of Rāma Rāya, and other rebels, were dealt with suitably at the same time with the aid of loyal lieutenants who were adequately rewarded from the rebels' estates after they had been put down. There were troubles also in the Tamil country where Lingama Nāyaka of Vellore headed the revolt. Yāchama Nāyudu, son of Velugōti Kastūri Rangappa, was set up in the *amaram* (fief) of Perumbedu *sīma* (Chingleput and Madurantakam taluqs) to act as a check on Lingama. Yāchama took the important stronghold of Uttiramerur from Nāga, a subordinate of Linga, who now summoned to his aid not only his own subordinates from the neighbouring fortresses, but the Nāyaks of Gingee, Tanjore and Madura. They were not loath to aid in curbing the reviving power of the emperor. A huge army was collected and sent in May 1601 against Uttiramerur under the lead of Dāvula Pāpa Nāyudu, brother-in-law of Nāga. Nothing daunted, Yāchama took up the challenge, ably seconded by his younger brother Singa; in the battle that followed Pāpa was slain and the others fled or became captives. Yāchama’s success was complete and was warmly recognized by the emperor. But Linga and his allies did not give in. Venkata defeated Linga near Vellore, advanced into the Chola country where he inflicted another defeat on the rebels, and crossing the Kaveri laid waste the lands of the Madura Nāyak. This series of victories broke the back of the Tamil rebellion, and all the rebels submitted, except Linga, who trusted to the strength of the fortress of Vellore. In due course this fortress also was taken and thereafter made the seat of the empire, while Linga was deprived of his estate.