Kolanupaka (Kollipaka) History and Significance

Kolanupaka, also known as Kollipaka, Bimbavatipuram, Kottiyapaka, Kollihaka, Kollipaka, Kolanpak, and Kollipakanadu, is located in Yadadri Bhuvanagiri district.

Kollipaka served as an important administrative and military center under the Rashtrakutas (753 AD – 982 AD) and the Kalyani Chalukyas (973 AD – 1163 AD). The Rashtrakutas had their main capital at Manyakheta (Malkhed), while the Western Chalukyas ruled from Kalyani (Basavakalyan). Kollipaka functioned as a regional center governed by Mahamandalesvaras and feudatories.

Rashtrakuta Period

The Ratta Dynasty (875-1250), a branch of the Rashtrakutas ruling over Belagavi (modern Karnataka), administered parts of this region. They are believed to descend from Hem Ratti and spoke Kannada, with some using Telugu.

• 846–888 AD: Sankarganda I administered areas including Jaffarghad, Warangal.
• 25th September, 846 AD: Land grants at Mallikarjuna Palli, Medak.
• 888 AD: Jain inscription at Mettugutta hillock, Kazipet.

Many ruined Jain temples, shrines, and sculptures exist in Warangal, Hanmakonda, Kazipet, and Madikonda, reflecting the influence of Jainism. The Jain temple/shrine known as Jaina Basadi at Mettugutta was attributed to Mahamandaleshwarudu Shankaragandaras during the Rashtrakuta period.

Chalukyas of Kalyani (Western Chalukyas)

The Kalyani Chalukyas ruled from 973 AD to 1163 AD with their main capital at Kalyani (Basavakalyan). Kollipaka became a significant administrative and military center governed by feudatories and Mahamandalesvaras.

Key Historical Events and Inscriptions

• 913 AD: Kollipaka administered by Gommarasa I and Ayyanayya under Rashtrakuta king Nityavarsha.
• 972 AD: Santivarmarasa ruled Kollipaka as Ratta feudatory under Tailapa II.
• 979 AD: Korapara Revarasa grants land to Brahmanas in Medak.
• 1015 AD: Rajendra Chola occupies Kollipaka; Jayasimha II recaptures it.
• 1027–1032 AD: Revarasa and Nannapaya administer Kollipaka-7000 division.
• 1033 AD: Nanni Kamiyavve gifts land to Chandikamba temple.
• 1040–1054 AD: Mahasamantas Bikkarasa, Kommanayya govern Kollipaka.
• 1064 AD: Buddharasa, subordinate of Trailokyamalladeva, governs Kollipaka-7000.
• 1065–1077 AD: Asagarasa, Aggalarasa, Koteya Bhimarasa, and Sangamarasa rule under Chalukya overlord.
• 1077–1081 AD: Sankaragandarasa governs Kollipaka; Eruva Tondaya records gifts.
• 1081–1088 AD: Kamarasar and Gundamayya administer Kollipaka-7000.
• 1088–1097 AD: Tondaya II Chola Maharaja rules Kollipaka-7000 under Chalukya overlord.
• 1097–1098 AD: Kalachuri Chiddarasa governs Kollipaka-7000.
• 1104 AD: Kanduru Bhimana Choda Maharaja grants lands; Paramara Jagaddeva serves under Tribhuvanamalla Vikramaditya VI.
• 1107–1126 AD: Kumara Somesvara administers Kollipaka; major land grants and temple donations recorded.
• 1125 AD: Mahamandalesvara Chalukya Ganga-permadi Kumara Somesvara gifts village Panupura to goddess Ambika (Jaina deity).
• 1136–1178 AD: Udayachoda II and Muppana Nayaka govern Kollipaka; gifts for perpetual lamps recorded.
• 12th century: Varmayya under Jagadekamalla II grants land to Pampa Permanadigalu.

Paricchedis

The Paricchedis were vassals of the Chalukyas with capitals at Kollipaka and Bezawada (Vijayawada). They were patrons of Hindu Dharma, in contrast to the Jain-supporting Chalukyas. They were ancestors of the Pusapati royal family and ruled Kollipaka for nine centuries.

1279 AD

27th December 1279 AD: Nissamka Poti Nayaka, a subordinate of Indusekhara of the Durjaya line, dug the Vamsavardhana canal and made land gifts for worship at Somanatha temple. He and Proli Nayaka defeated Kalinga Vira Bhanudeva I and allies.

Religious Significance

Kolanupaka has been a prominent Jain center since the Rashtrakuta period, with numerous Jaina Basadis and temples, including the Parshwanath and Ambika shrines. It was also a hub for Hindu religious activity under later Chalukya and Paricchedis rule.

Old Divisions

• Kollipaka-9000: Administrative division comprising 9,000 villages under Kollipaka region.
• Kollipaka-7000: Administrative division comprising 7,000 villages under Kollipaka region.
• Pembarthi: Part of the Kollipaka administrative region.

Overall, Kolanupaka (Kollipaka) was a strategic administrative, military, and religious center for centuries under multiple dynasties, with rich evidence from inscriptions, temples, and land grants.