The Permadi Chiefs of Koraprolu (Medak) : The Medieval Legacy of the Andhol Rajya
The Permadi Chiefs (c. 973 – 1158 CE) were a resilient feudatory lineage governing the Methuku-70 region (modern-day Medak). Operating from their capital at Koraprolu, they served as the strategic backbone of the Western Chalukyan administration within the vast Savalakha-Mandala province.
Key Historical Significance: They oversaw the profound transformation of the Medak region from a military fodder station into a prosperous "rice bowl." Their 180+ years of rule provided the administrative continuity necessary for the agricultural revolution that defined central Telangana.
1. Origins and Rise
Following the collapse of the Rashtrakuta Empire in 973 CE, the Western Chalukya King Tailapa II appointed the Permadi family as Mahamandaleshvaras. They were tasked with securing the Kasavula-70 (a 70-village cluster), which served as a vital buffer zone for the Chalukyan heartland.
They were not merely local officials but belonged to the illustrious Ganga Vamsha (Western Gangas)The Strategic Enclave: Vikarabad (979 – 1028 CE)
In the early Chalukyan era, the region was split by administrative rank. The Permadis held the agricultural heartland, while the Imperial Maṭura Vamsha (Royal Line) held the southern heights.
- The Royal Enclave: Members of the imperial family like Revarasa (979 CE) and Prince Kundamarasa (1028 CE) directly governed Lambhulikinadu (Vikarabad) to secure the southern frontier.
- The Feudatory Base: Soma Permadi I governed the Kasavula-70 from the north, focusing on building institutions like the Jaina Basadi in Medak (987 CE).
The Great Merger (c. 1050 CE)
The 1050 CE Turning Point: Under Pampa Permadi, the dual administration ended. The royal enclave of Vikarabad was merged into the Permadi domain. This transition was marked by the Pattoddhati (Investiture) of Yuvaraja Bijjarasa, signaling that the Permadis were now the sole "Sub-Royal" authority of the expanded Kasavulanadu Savalakkebada.
The Golden Age of Pampa Permadi
Administrative Infrastructure
With the merger complete, the Permadis deployed a massive bureaucratic machinery to manage the new territory:
- 150 Prabhugamundus: Local lords and village heads who acted as the "Executive Board" of the province.
- 122 Panditas: A scholarly council led by Chakrapani Pandita, establishing Nagulapalli as a premier university site (Vidyadana).
- Hydraulic Engineering: Construction of the Hiriyakalwa (Great Canal) to link the northern river revenue to southern lands.
Late Consolidation (1131 CE)
The records from Kankal show the final evolution of the Rajya. The administration was now handled by Pramukh Karanas (Chief Accountants) and Saudares (Revenue Officers), proving that the merger of 1050 CE had created a stable, sophisticated state that lasted for generations.
2. Rulers - Titles and Achievements
1. Bijjarasa (c. 960 CE - 973 CE)
Ruler: Bijjarasa of Kasugula
Donation: 12 Marttars + Siddhaya (Tax) to Adithya Deva.
Context: Proves the family held power in the Kasavula region even before the rise of the Western Chalukya Empire.
2. Soma Permadi I (c. 973 CE - 1014 CE)
The founding patriarch who established the administrative seat at Koraprolu. He was responsible for the initial military organization of the 70-village division during the Rashtrakuta-Chalukya transition.
This 979 CE record from Sitarampalli is a monumental piece of evidence. It reveals that while the Permadi family was governing Kasavula-70 (the Sangareddy/Koraprola axis), the Maṭura Vamsha (the Royal/Imperial line) was directly managing the Medaku-300 (Medak) district.
The Maṭura Vamsha: The Imperial Family
The record explicitly identifies Revarasa as a member of the Maṭura Vamsha.
The Connection: This is the same lineage as Prince Kundamarasa (the 1028 CE ruler). This proves that the Western Chalukya kings (Ahavamalla/Tailapa II) placed their own kinsmen in charge of Medaku-300 from the very beginning.
Dual Administration: You now have a clear picture of two neighboring dynasties:
Maṭura Vamsha (Royals): Governed Medaku-300 (Headquarters: Balia Ravipol).
Permadi Lineage (Feudatories): Governed Kasavula-70 (Headquarters: Koraprola).
Medaku-300: The Earliest Reference
The inscription mentions "Medaku-30," which the scholarship (Andhra Pradesh Archaeology Review) identifies as the earliest reference to the Medaku-300 administrative division. In the Chalukyan system, the number usually denoted the number of villages or a revenue unit.
Local Governance: The Eight Prabhus
The gift of the Veluru Agrahara (likely modern Velluru) was not just a royal decree; it required a communal consensus:
The Eight Prabhus: The hereditary local lords of the village.
One Hundred Mahajanas: The learned elders/heads of households who managed the Agrahara’s affairs.
Siddhaya: The fixed land tax. The fact that Revarasa granted the Siddhaya means the village was now exempt from paying this tax to the state, using the funds instead for the Brahmanas or the temple.
Revarasa’s Headquarters: Balia Ravipol
The identification of Balia Ravipol as the headquarters for the Medak district is a vital geographic marker. It places the early Chalukyan administrative center in the Gazvel/Medak region, likely serving as a strategic link between the capital and the eastern frontiers.
987 CE inscription from Betolu
This is a critical piece of the puzzle. It confirms that the Soma line of the Permadi family was already thriving and actively patronizing Jainism just fourteen years after the dynasty was founded.
Based on 973 CE record of Soma Permanadi (son of Bibbarasa) and this 987 CE record of Somayyarasa, we are looking at the same powerful figure.
Status: He is explicitly called a feudatory of Ahavamalladeva (Tailapa II).
The "Somayyarasa" Link: You previously saw this name mentioned in a 1006 CE grant for "merit." This 987 CE record proves he was the active ruler during the earliest decades of the Western Chalukya expansion.
The Medak Jaina Basadi & Yapaniya Sangha
This is one of the most important ecclesiastical records for the region:
The Recipient: Somanabhatta, a teacher of the Yapaniya Sangha (Mulasangha). The Yapaniyas were a unique Jaina sect, prominent in the Deccan, known for following Digambara appearances but holding some Svetambara beliefs.
Jaina Basadi in Medak: The mention of a "Jaina Basadi in Medak" in 987 CE proves that Medak was already a developed urban and religious center during the early Chalukya period.
Jinjarakonda: The location of the inscription on a hill suggests that the hill itself may have been a Jaina monastic site (Vihara or Basadi complex).
Land and Agriculture: Neerunela and Black Soil
The grant provides specific details about the 10th-century landscape of the Sangareddy/Betolu area:
Neerunela (Wetland): 2 Mattars. This refers to irrigated land, likely near a tank or stream.
Regadu (Black Soil): 30 Mattars. This was the prized, fertile "Black Cotton Soil" typical of the Deccan plateau, used for dry crops.
Economic Scale: A grant of 32 Mattars in total was a significant endowment, capable of supporting a large monastic community and their students.
1006 - 1017 CE : Maha Samantha Gangayyarasa
1006 CE record is pivotal because it shows Maha Samantha Gangayyarasa acting as the bridge between the different religious and administrative factions of the region. Most importantly, it explicitly connects the Ganga administration to the Soma (Permadi) lineage.
The Integration of Religious Centers
These two grants show that Gangayyarasa was managing a vast religious network that stretched from the imperial center to sacred water sites (tirthas):
Pottalakere (Patancheru): The gift of Koduru to the Gangesvera temple confirms that by 1006 CE, Patancheru was already the primary religious and administrative hub of the region.
Polparela-tirtha: The mention of Ramesavaradeva at a tirtha (holy bathing place) suggests a location near a major river—likely the Manjira or the Musi—where water rituals were performed.
Vendikola: The grant of land here shows the expansion of agricultural control in the Sangareddy area.
The "Merit of Somayyarasa": A Political Alliance
The second inscription contains a vital clue about the relationship between the ruling officials:
"...entrusted to the Jaina pontiff... for the merit of Somayyarasa."
Recognition of the Local Lord: Even though Gangayyarasa (the Maha Samantha) was the one issuing the grant, he did it to gain spiritual merit for Somayyarasa.
The Context: This implies that Somayyarasa (the head of the Permadi family we saw in the 973 and 987 CE records) was either the senior local authority or the original holder of the land. Gangayyarasa was likely the superior imperial officer (Maha Samantha) formally "legalizing" or confirming the Permadi family’s local patronage.
The Soma-Jinalaya and Jaina-Shaiva Cooperation
The record highlights the sophisticated religious overlap of the time:
Jaina Management of a Shaiva Grant: The gift was made to a Shaiva deity (Ramesavaradeva) but was entrusted to a Jaina monk (Vimalachandra Pandita) of the Soma-Jinalaya.
Soma-Jinalaya: This Basadi was almost certainly named after Somayyarasa himself. It proves that the Permadi family had established their own family temple/monastery (Jinalaya) in the region by 1006 CE.
3. Pampa Permadi (1014 CE - 1069 CE)
Prime Minster : Somarasa Punyamkora
A visionary ruler who shifted the regional focus from defense to development. Under his guidance, the first major irrigation tanks were constructed, facilitating the shift toward large-scale paddy cultivation.
23rd December 1014 CE (Kovuru, Sangareddy District)Suzerain: Vikramaditya V (reigned 1008–1015 CE).
Primary Official: Mahamandalesvara Pampa Permadi. The title "Permadi" was often used by high-ranking feudatories or members of the royal family.
Religious Hub: Kiriya Kandi. The prefix Kiriya (Small/Junior) distinguishes it from Hiriya (Great/Senior) Kandi. This confirms the long-standing significance of the Kandi region (near Sangareddy/Vikarabad) as a center for religious learning.
The Grant: * Village Gift: The entire village of Kovuru was granted to the god Namesvara.
Educational Support: Provisions were made for feeding fifty Ascetics and students, indicating that the temple functioned as a Ghatika or Matha (an educational institution).
The 1026 CE Mubarakpur Record
The inscription confirms that Pampa Permmanadi remained a dominant figure in local governance for over a decade (spanning from your previous 1014 CE record to this 1026 CE record).
Suzerain: Jayasimha II (reigned 1015–1043 CE), who was known for his extensive support of both Shaiva and Jaina institutions.
The Donor: Pampa Permmanadi. His continued presence as a Mahamandalesvara suggests a stable, long-term governorship of the Kasavula region.
Religious Affiliation: The gift was made to the Ayyana Basadi. A "Basadi" is a Jaina shrine or temple. This confirms that the elite of the Andhol Rajya practiced religious pluralism, supporting Jaina Basadis alongside Shaiva temples like the Namesvara temple in Kovuru.
The Lineage (Gana): The feet-washing ceremony involved Rama Chandra Siddhanta Bhattaraka of the Kanurgana. This was a famous sect of Digambara Jain monks. The mention of "Siddhanta" indicates the teacher was a master of Jaina philosophy and doctrine.
Kasavula and Mubarakpur
The inscription places the gift within the territory of Kasavula.
Kasavula-70 / Kasavula-nadu: This was an administrative division (likely consisting of 70 villages) that encompassed parts of modern Sangareddy and Vikarabad.
Mubarakpur: Located near the Musi River and close to the ancient site of Kandi, this village served as a fertile agrarian zone where land was measured in Mattars (a standard land unit in Chalukyan inscriptions, roughly equivalent to 4-5 acres depending on the soil type).
1050 CE inscriptions from Nagulapalli and Kolluru
Kasavulanadu Savalakkebada - Kolkuru-42 - Pattala
These capture a rare moment of imperial transition and reveal the "hidden machinery" of the Permadi administration at its zenith.
The Elevation of Bijjarasa: The "Pattoddhati"
The mention of the Pattoddhati of Yuvaraja Bijjarasa is a major political event.
The Ritual: Pattoddhati refers to the "raising of the fillet" or a coronation-like ceremony for a prince.
The Identity: This Bijjarasa is now titled Yuvaraja (Crown Prince). This confirms that the Bijjarasa you previously saw as a "chief" in 1014 AD has now been elevated to royal status or that a younger Bijjarasa of the family is being formally installed as the heir to the governorship.
The Presence: The fact that this happened while Trailokyamalla (Somesvara I) was ruling shows the high imperial favor the Permadi family enjoyed.
Bibbesvara: The "Service" of the Permadis
The Nagulapalli record mentions Bibbesvara, a name we recognize as the father of the family's founder.
The Role: This 1050 AD Bibbesvara is a descendant acting "in the service of Pampa Permanadi." He is the executor of the gift, but the authority comes from Pampa.
Bidina Vritti: Pampa is described as the holder of Bidina vritti. In the terminology of the time, a Vritti was a professional land grant or an "estate of office." This means Pampa held specific lands as his official remuneration for governing the Kasavulanadu Savalakkebada.
Education as a State Priority: Vidyadana
The gift to Somesvara Pandita is specifically labeled as Gurudakshina for Vidyadana (imparting education).
The Scale: 150 marttars of Pannasa land (tax-free land).
Massive Endowment: Even more impressive is the gift of 400 marttars to 122 Panditas headed by Chakrapani Pandita. This confirms that the Sangareddy area (Kolkuru/Nagulapalli) was a massive university hub, similar to the one at Kiriya Kandi you saw in 1014 AD.
The "150 Prabhugamundugalu": The Merchant-Lords
For the first time, we see the names of the local business leaders who witnessed the grant:
Kondisetti and Kammakallasetti: These were prominent merchants (Settis).
The Witness Body: 150 Prabhugamundus (Lords and Village Heads) stood as witnesses. This shows that the Permadi family didn't rule alone; they ruled through a massive council of local elders and merchant guilds.
1057 CE Ramesvaram Record
Suzerain: Somesvara I (Trailokyamalla), who ruled from Pottalakeri (modern Patancheru) as his secondary capital.
The Donor: Mahamandalesvara Pamparasar. This is a later member of the same Pampa Permadi family seen in your 1014 and 1026 records. It shows this family held local power for at least three generations.
The Recipient: Somesvara Pandita of Pottalakeri. He was likely a high-ranking Shaiva priest (Kalamukha sect) stationed at the imperial center of Patancheru.
This record identifies two distinct "Nadus" (districts) in the Vikarabad-Sangareddy region:
Migalanadu:
Contains the village of Mirdol.
This district likely covered the eastern portions of the Sangareddy-Vikarabad axis, closer to the capital at Patancheru.
Lambhulikinadu (Lombaliki-70):
Contains the village of Pampana-palli (likely named after the Pampa governors themselves).
This is the same district governed by Kundamarasa in 1028 CE.
Hiriyakalwa: The mention of a "Great Canal" (Hiriyakalwa) indicates a sophisticated irrigation system in the Lambhuliki-70 region during the 11th century.
1046 CE Gorrekal Record
- Suzerain: Trailokyamalladeva (Somesvara I). This record, dated 18th June, A.D. 1046, belongs to the early years of this Western Chalukya sovereign's reign.
- The Feudatory: Pampa Permanadi. A high-ranking official whose authority in the Medak region is documented across several decades. The record highlights his administrative influence through his subordinates.
- The Donor: Vema Permanadi. Identified as being in the service of Pampa Permanadi, he acted as the primary benefactor for the land gift mentioned in the record.
- The Location: Bhojanadendi. The gift was situated in this village, located within the modern-day Andole region. The record was found on three pillar pieces in Gorrekal.
- Condition: Fragmentary. Because the inscription is broken into pieces, the full details of the grant portion are missing, but it clearly preserves the names of the Permanadi family members in service to the King.
1069 CE Kohir Record
- Suzerain: Bhuvanaikamalla (Somesvara II). This 1069 CE record marks the transition of power from the long reign of his father to his own.
- The Official: Mahapradhana Pampa-permanadi. His career spans an incredible 55 years (starting from 1014 CE). This record also mentions his wife, Jakkaladevi, showcasing the involvement of noble families in local patronage.
- The Benefactor: Padavala Chavundamayya, a military officer and disciple of the Jain scholar Subhachandra-siddhantadeva.
- Geographic Reach: The presence of this official in Kohir, Nandikandi, and Kolkur defines a large administrative block in the southern and western parts of the Medak district, distinct from the Narayankhed block held by Somapermanadi.
- Religious Endowment: The grant supported a Basadi (Jain temple). The repeated mention of Jain teachers like Subhachandra suggests that under Pampapermanadi’s long tenure, this region became a major stronghold for the Digambara or Yapaniya sects.
4. Soma Permadi II (1052 - c. 1064 CE)
1052 CE Antwar Record
- Suzerain: Trailokyamalla (Somesvara I). This record is dated December 25, 1052 CE, placing it during the peak of Somesvara I’s expansionist phase when the Western Chalukyas were asserting dominance over the Deccan.
- The Official: Somapermanaḍi. As a feudatory to the king, he exercised administrative authority over the local region and was responsible for managing land endowments and public works.
- Geographic Reach: The inscription is located in Antwar (Narayanpet Taluk/Narayankhed area). It identifies a specific local landmark, the Bhupathi kereya (Bhupathi tank). This highlights the importance of tank-based irrigation systems in the Medak region during the 11th century.
- Religious Endowment: The gift consisted of Keraya land (land associated with the tank) and 120 marttars of Gadde (dry land). Although the name of the donee is lost to time due to the damaged state of the pillar, the record stands as a testament to the systematic land measurements and agricultural grants of the era.
- Script & Language: The record utilizes the Kannada language written in the Telugu-Kannada script, typical of the transitional cultural zone between the western and eastern Deccan.
1064 CE Antwar Record
- Suzerain: Trailokyamalla (Somesvara I). This record is dated December 20, 1064 CE, occurring just four years before the end of his reign. It features the standard Prasasti (eulogy) of the Western Chalukyas of Kalyana.
- The Official: Mahamandalesvara Somapermanadi. Identified as a high-ranking feudatory, his presence in multiple records from this region confirms his long-standing administrative role in the western belt of Medak.
- Geographic Reach: The location in Antwar (Narayankhed) emphasizes that the "Permanadi" governors maintained a consistent presence in this northwestern frontier of the Medak region, managing the lands between the Manjira and Musi river systems.
- Historical Significance: While the specific details of the grant are no longer clear due to the condition of the stone, the bilingual nature of the inscription in Telugu and Kannada highlights the administrative need to communicate with a diverse local population during the mid-11th century.
5. Ahavamalla Permadi (1064 - c. 1100 CE)
1064 CE Ramachendrapur Record
- Suzerain: Trailokyamalladeva. Dated June 24, 1064 CE, this record belongs to the stable period of Western Chalukya rule over the Deccan.
- The Official: Mahamandalesvara Ahavamalla Permanadi, who governed from the seat of Simgavikrama.
- Geographic Reach: The mention of Benginadu and a river confluence in Narasapur indicates the administrative density of the Chalukya frontier in the heart of the Medak region.Benginadu (also spelled Venginadu or Vengisahasra) refers to a specific administrative territorial division that covered parts of the modern Medak and Sangareddy districts in Telangana. This likely refers to the junction where the Haridra (Haldi) river meets the Manjira river, or where local tributaries join in the Narasapur forested belt.
- Faith & Lineage: The gift supported the Yapaniaysamgha, specifically the Vaviyurggana lineage under Maunichandra Siddhanta, showcasing the prominence of Jain institutions in 11th-century Andhra.
1098 CE Gadi Peddapur Record
- Suzerain: Tribhuvanamalladeva (Vikramaditya VI). Dated December 24, 1098 CE, this record falls within the peak of the Western Chalukya "Vikramavarsha" era.
- The Donor: Mailaladevi (Melalad). As the wife of the chief Ahavamalla Permanadi, she is specifically lauded for her noble qualities and virtues, highlighting the high status and religious patronage of royal women in the 11th century.
- The Official: Mahamandalesvara Ahavamalla Permanadi, who is also referred to in this record by the title Valakkamalla.
- Geographic Reach: The record mentions Maridige grama (likely modern Mardigi) which was included in the administrative unit of Srivardhana-24. This confirms that the Andole region was organized into traditional numerical territorial divisions under the Chalukyan system.
- Religious Endowment: The gift of land was dedicated to the deity Blibbesvara of Billa Kallu. The use of both Kannada and Telugu in the inscription reflects the bilingual cultural landscape of the Medak district during this era.
6. Soma Permadi III (1100 - c. 1140 CE)
1131 CE Kankal Inscription
This pillar contains two distinct records that highlight the transition of local administration and the diverse religious patronage of the era.
Record A: The Civil and Military Administration
Cyclic Year: Sadharana (corresponds to late 1130 or early 1131 CE).
Primary Donor: Mahamandalesvara Soma Permanadi.
Administrative Officers: * Heggade Dandanayaka of Kankalla: A "Heggade" was a local superintendent or headman, while "Dandanayaka" denotes a military commander. This suggests Kankal was a fortified administrative hub.
Pramukh Karanas: The chief accountants or clerks of the district.
Purpose: Gift of land to the God Bijjesvara (a Shaiva temple named after a local chief, likely Bijjarasa mentioned in other records).
Record B: The Revenue and Local Governance
Cyclic Year: Virodhi Krit (corresponds to late 1131 CE).
Primary Donor: Soma Permanadi.
Revenue Officers:
Saudare Govindarasa: The "Saudare" (or Sunkadaveru) were officials responsible for collecting tolls and customs duties.
Prabhus and Gavundas: The hereditary local lords and village headmen of Kankalla-nadu.
Purpose: Gift of land to Sri Nemibhattarakadeva (a Jain ascetic/teacher) for the rituals of God Kesavadeva (Vishnu). This demonstrates "Sarva-dharma" patronage, supporting Jaina, Shaiva, and Vaishnava institutions simultaneously.
1126-1138 CE Desaipet Record
- Suzerain: Somesvara III (Bhulokamalla). Although the specific date is worn, the record belongs to the reign of this Western Chalukya monarch, known for his scholarly pursuits and maintaining the empire's integrity.
- The Official: Soma Permanadi. He is described with several high-ranking titles: Savalakkamalla, Sanivara Siddhi, and Pampana Gandha Varana. He is explicitly identified as the Lord of Banavasavadi-70.
- Geographic Reach: This inscription is historically significant as it provides the earliest known epigraphical mention of Bansavada (identifiable with modern Banswada in Nizamabad). It confirms that this region was an integral part of the Chalukyan administrative map under the Banavasavadi-70 division.
- Religious Endowment: The record registers a grant of land intended for the daily rituals of a local deity. The bilingual nature of the text in Telugu and Kannada highlights the cultural and linguistic overlap in the northern frontier of the Western Chalukya domain.
1140 CE Siripuram Record
- Suzerain: Jagadekamalla deva II. Dated March 18, 1140 CE, this record belongs to the later period of Western Chalukya rule, showing the continued stability of their administrative systems in the Medak region.
- The Official: Soma Permmanadi, the ruler of Medaki-12. The record mentions his subordinate officers—Dandanayaka Nagarasa, Mailarasa, Govimdamarasa, and Apparasar—who served as the Prabhus (lords/heads) of the Mahagrahara Sripura.
- Geographic Reach: The inscription defines the administrative hierarchy of the time: Sripura (modern Siripuram) was a Mahagrahara located within the Medaki-12 unit (a circle of 12 villages), which itself fell under the larger territorial division known as Kasula Savalakke.
- Religious Endowment: The gift involved lands for the daily rites of the god Malagesvara and the god Ramesvara. Notably, the land was specified as yielding two seasonal crops—one in Vaisakha and one in Karttika—indicating the presence of advanced irrigation or perennial water sources in 12th-century Narasapur.
- Occasion: A portion of the gift was specifically formalized on the occasion of a Solar Eclipse, a traditional time for making "Sarvabhadha-parihara" (free from all obstacles/hindrances) grants to religious institutions.
7. Pampa Permadi II (c. 1140 - c. 1145 CE)
1136 CE (Vankasamudram): The younger generation, Kumara Permadi, is introduced. He is ruling from the capital Ujjali. He is identified as the "nephew of General Brahmarasa," and son Soma Permadi linking the family to the highest military elite of the Empire.
1145 CE Neradigunta Record
- Suzerain: Jagadekamalla II. Dated to A.D. 1145, this record reflects the late Western Chalukya administration in the Medak region during the mid-12th century.
- The Officials: Pamparasa, who was the son of Kasula Soma Permmaḍiyarasa, and Gundamanika Ahavamallaraja. These individuals acted alongside the Prabhus (local lords) of Neradugumte to formalize the grants.
- Geographic Reach: Located in Neradigunta (Andole Taluk), this inscription highlights the local governance of the Neradugumte village and its connection to the broader Kasula family, who held significant administrative power in the region.
- Religious Endowment: The record registers gifts of land and cash for the daily rites of the god Somanathadevara and for the feeding of mendicants. The management of these gifts was entrusted to the Sthanapati (temple manager) and the Nakhara (local merchant guild).
- Private Contributions: In addition to the official grants, the record notes individual piety: Pochisetti and Potisetti (members of the merchant community) donated land measuring one Marttar as well as cash, demonstrating the economic support of the merchant class for local religious institutions.
6. Soma Permadi III (c. 1145 CE - 1152 CE)
This 1152 CE Dakur record is the "final signature" of the Permadi lineage in your collection. It confirms the existence of a Soma Permadi III and shows how the family maintained their identity even as the Western Chalukya Empire was beginning to fracture.
The Generational Shift: Identifying Soma III
The transition from Pamparasa (Pampa II) to Soma Permadi III happened quickly between 1145 and 1152 CE. In South Indian dynastic traditions, families almost always alternated names between the Grandfather and Grandson.
By 1152 CE, Soma III is focused on Dakur. Unlike his grandfather, who governed the vast Kalle-Kalagu 500, Soma III appears to be consolidating the family's original local holdings in the Andole/Medak area.
1152 CE Dakur Record
- Suzerain: Nurmmadi Trailokyamalla (Somesvara III's successor/Taila III). Dated August 4, 1152 CE, this record belongs to the mid-12th century, a period when the Western Chalukya central authority was beginning to face internal challenges.
- The Officials: Somapermmanadi and the Prabhus of Dakuru. This record shows a collaborative effort where the local village heads (Prabhus) and the regional governor (Somapermmanadi) jointly endowed different deities.
- Geographic Reach: Located in Dakur (Andole Taluk). The record mentions the village Rodanahalu (likely a modern-day hamlet near Dakur) and a specific irrigation source, the Appakabbe Kereya (Appakabbe Tank).
- Religious Endowment: * To God Mayilalesvara: The Prabhus of Dakuru gifted Gadde (wet land) in the catchment area of the tank, specifically land with two-crop yielding capacity in Kartika and Vaisakha. * To God Bijjesvara: Somapermmanadi gifted 20 marttars and 12 marttars of Karamba (uncultivated/waste land) in Rodanahalu, plus one Mattar of flower garden and 15 house plots.
- Significance: The mention of 15 house plots and a flower garden indicates the development of a structured temple complex or a small settlement (Agrahara style) around the Mayilalesvara and Bijjesvara shrines.
3. Administration
The Permadis administered a compact unit of 70 villages (Nadu). This was a sub-division of the Savalakha-Mandala (the "1.25 Lakh" unit). Their governance was highly localized, allowing the region to remain stable even during imperial succession wars in the capital, Kalyani.
4. Economy and Trade
The transition between these two names defines the Permadi legacy:
- Kasavula-70: The military-pastoral phase, focused on providing fodder (Kasavu) for Chalukyan cavalry.
- Methuku-70: The agricultural phase. As irrigation matured, the region became famous for its rice (Methuku = grain of rice), eventually evolving into the modern name Medak.
The Permadis pioneered the "Chain of Tanks" irrigation system, connecting natural topography with man-made reservoirs to ensure year-round water for agriculture.
5. Society
Society was characterized by the growth of agrarian wealth and religious patronage. The Permadis followed the Saptasantana tradition, encouraging the elite to build tanks and temples as acts of social and spiritual merit.
6. Art and Culture
They were major patrons of the Kalyani Chalukya architecture. The Ramalingeswara Temple at Nandikandi is their crowning achievement, featuring a unique star-shaped (stellate) plan and intricate carvings that served as a precursor to the Thousand Pillar Temple of the Kakatiyas.
7. Foreign Relations
The Permadis were the primary "Guardians of the Savalakha-Mandala." They secured the trade corridors and metropolitan hubs like Potlacheruvu (Patancheru) against external threats, ensuring the safety of the Western Chalukya secondary capitals.
8. Achievements and Legacy
Their most enduring legacy is the creation of the agricultural infrastructure that made Medak the rice bowl of Telangana. The administrative stability they provided allowed the region to flourish during the transition between empires.
9. Chronology, Dating and Inscriptions
- 973 AD (Koraprolu): Foundation record of Soma Permanadi I under King Tailapa II; marks the start of the Kasavula-70 era.
- 1014 AD (Nandikandi): Record of Pampa Permadi; documents temple patronage and the rise of agricultural prosperity.
- 1076 AD (Patancheru): A vital record identifying the Permadis as the "Guardians of Savalakha-Mandala" during the accession of Vikramaditya VI.
- 1152 AD (Dakur): Record of Somapermmanadi III; confirms 180 years of administrative continuity for the Permadi lineage.
10. Successor States/Vassals
Following the decline of the Western Chalukyas around 1158 CE, the Kakatiya King Rudradeva annexed the Methuku-70 region. The Kakatiyas did not dismantle the Permadi system; instead, they expanded the "Chain of Tanks" irrigation model, carrying the legacy of the Permadi Chiefs into the golden age of the Kakatiya Empire.
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