The Early History of the Deccan (Parts I–XI) v2.c15.s2.t3.59.2

v2.c15.s2.t3.59.2

Sōmēśvara must have welcomed the proferred alliance with Vijaya-Gaṇḍagōpāla, since it gave him an opportunity to re-establish his hegemony over Conjeevaram and its neighbourhood. Having thus strengthened himself, Vijaya-Gaṇḍagōpāla appears to have made an attempt to extend his authority northwards into the Nellore district.¹ At the same time a rebellion, headed by Padihāris Bayyana and Tikkana, broke out in Nellore against Manuma Siddhi II, who was, as a consequence, driven from his capital.² Takkarasa Gaṅga, better known by his title Rakkasa Gaṅga, a scion of the Kalukaḍa branch of the Vaidumba family, attacked Manuma Siddhi’s territory in the Cuddapah district and having defeated Gaṅgaya Sāhiṇi, the commander of Manuma’s forces, and ousted him from his governorship, annexed his territories.³ Manuma Siddhi II thus became, as a consequence of a combination of circumstances which he could not control, a king without a kingdom; he therefore appealed to Gaṇapati for help. In his loyal minister, the famous Telugu poet, Tikkana, he had an able advocate. Tikkana’s fame as the greatest Telugu poet of the age had already spread to the most remote corners of the Āndhra country. When, therefore, he visited Warangal, he was warmly received by Gaṇapati, who on hearing the errand on which the poet came, readily agreed to help his master Manuma Siddhi and sent a powerful army under his general Sāmanta Bhōja to the south to implement his promise.