The Early History of the Deccan (Parts I–XI) v2.c15.s2.t3.46

v2.c15.s2.t3.46

Conquest of Kolanu. It may be noted here that Veṅgī, or at least a large part of it, remained independent until A.D. 1230 under the Kolanu chiefs who had their headquarters at Kolanu or Sarasīpurī. Mahāmaṇḍalēśvara Kolani Kēśavadēva, who came to the throne in A.D. 1192, held sway over the country for thirty-six years until A.D. 1228.⁴ It was probably after the death of that chief that Aniyaṅka Bhīma III, considering that the time was now propitious for realizing his long cherished desire, resolved to attempt the subjugation of Veṅgī. The Kākatīya armies were at that time busy in the south waging war against the Hoysalas and other southern rulers on behalf of the Telugu Chōḍa Tikka of Nellore. In order to ensure the success of his enterprise, Aniyaṅka Bhīma appears to have espoused the cause of the Velanāṭi chiefs Kulōttuṅga Rājēndra Chōḍa and Goṅka, descendants of Velanāṭi Pṛthvīśvara, and to have dispatched his army to effect the final conquest of Veṅgī. Jesrājaka, the son of Khaḍgasimha, the commander-in-chief of his forces, arrived in A.D. 1230 at Dākshārāmam, where he busied himself with carrying out repairs to the temple of the god Bhīmēśvara. His arrival at Dākshārāmam was in fact the prelude to the outbreak of the war; and during the next three years he was fully engaged in accomplishing his purpose.¹