Permadi Chiefs of Koraprolu (Medak)

Last updated: June 05, 2026

The Medieval Legacy of the Andhol Rajya | c. 973 – 1158 CE

180+ Years of Rule | Kasavula-70 | Savalakha-Mandala | Jain & Shaiva Patrons | Chain of Tanks Irrigation

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.

Savalakkebada or Savalaka Mandala consists of:
Lombalikanadu: Potlalakere, Patancheru / Sangareddy
Kasavulanadu: Nagulapalli, Jogipet / Andole / Tekmal (Bommadri-300)
Migalanadu: Mirdol, Zaheerabad / Narayankhed
Kolkurunadu / Kolkuru-42: Kolkuru, Narsapur / Kowdipally

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.

Pampana-palli The renaming of villages in the Vikarabad area after the Permadi rulers confirms their absolute hereditary control post‑1050 CE.

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.

From 70 Villages to a Lakh‑Division: The Legacy of Andhol Rajya.

2. Rulers – Titles and Achievements

1. Bijjarasa (c. 960 CE – 973 CE)

Territory: Kasugula / Kasavula-70

Vendikole Record (967 CE) – the earliest known record of the lineage in Medak. Bijjarasa of Kasugula donated 12 Marttars + Siddhaya (Tax) to Adithya Deva. This 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 – 1006 CE)

Capital: Koraprolu | Jurisdiction: Kasavula-70

Son of Bijjarasa. 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.

987 CE Betolu inscription – identifies Somayyarsar (also called Somayyarasa or Soma Permanadi) as a feudatory of Ahavamalladeva (Tailapa II). He belonged to a minor branch of the Chalukya lineage serving as high‑ranking officers in the Medak region. He worked alongside local figures Thippaiah and Gundaiah. The gift was made to teacher Somanabhatta of the Mulasangha and Yapaniya Gachcha (a unique Jain sect). The record also mentions a Jaina Basadi in Medak, proving Medak was already a developed urban and religious center in 987 CE.

979 CE Sitarampalli record – reveals dual administration: the Maṭura Vamsha (Royal line) governed Medaku-300 (Medak) while the Permadis governed Kasavula-70. Revarasa of Maṭura Vamsha confirmed an earlier grant by Sankaraganda. The gift was made to Veluru Agrahara, witnessed by eight Prabhus and one hundred Mahajanas.

987 CE Jinjarakonda inscription – Somayyarasar, feudatory of Tailapa II, continued earlier administrative structures.

3. Pampa Permadi (1014 CE – 1072 CE)

Primary Seat: Potlalakere (modern Patancheru)

Pampa Permadi was the dominant local sovereign of the central Telangana belt. His rule was characterized by the consolidation of the Savalakkebada province. A visionary ruler who shifted the regional focus from defense to development. He commissioned the Hiriyakalwa (The Great Canal), which irrigated the lands from the Manjira river intake (Kolkuru) down through the Andole and Patancheru regions. Prime Minister: Somarasa Punyamkora.

23 December 1014 CE, Kovuru (Sangareddy) – under suzerain Vikramaditya V, Mahamandalesvara Pampa Permadi granted the entire village of Kovuru to god Namesvara, with provisions for feeding fifty ascetics and students.

1024 CE – Revaraja, lord of Komdukambru (modern Kondapur in Medak), while Pampa Permmanadi administered from Morakhandi (Bidar district).

1026 CE Mubarakpur Record – grant to Ayyana Basadi; feet‑washing ceremony involved Rama Chandra Siddhanta Bhattaraka of the Kanurgana (Digambara Jain monks). The gift was placed within Kasavula territory.

24 February 1045 CE – Vema Permmanadi, in service of Pampa Pernmadi, gifted 60 marttars of black land under Baliya Kavi Cheruvu in Komara-56, handed over to Kumarakirtti Siddhanta Bhattaraka of Mulagana.

18 June 1046 CE – Vema Permanadi gifted land in Bhojanadendi while in service of Pampa Pernmadi.

1048 CE Gorrekal (Hussaini Nagar) – Nagadevayya, Lord of Budapura agrahara in Kasavula-70, gifted 20 marttars of gadde to Kanaka-Prithvi Deva for the maintenance of a Basadi.

1050 CE Velupugonda – Govinda, the Perggeda, gifted 12 marttars for daily offerings to god Siva of Velupugonda.

1050 CE Nagulapalli and Kolluru inscriptions – in Kasavulanadu Savalakkebada – Kolkuru-42 – Pattala: 150 marttars of Pannasa land given to Somesvara Pandita as Gurudakshina for Vidyadana (education); 400 marttars granted to 122 Panditas led by Chakrapani Pandita; 150 Prabhugamundugalu (merchant‑lords) witnessed the grant, including Kondisetti and Kammakallasetti. The Kolkuru inscription records the elevation of Bijjarasa (Pattoddhati).

1057 CE Ramesvaram Record – under Somesvara I (Trailokyamalla) ruling from Pottalakeri (Patancheru), Mahamandalesvara Pamparasar (later member of Pampa Permadi family) granted land to Somesvara Pandita of Pottalakeri. Identifies two nadus: Migalanadu (village Mirdol) and Lambhulikinadu (Lombaliki-70, containing Pampana‑palli). Mention of Hiriyakalwa (Great Canal) indicates sophisticated irrigation.

1051‑1052 CE – Mahamandaleshwar Gonka Permanadi (Medaku-300). 1051 CE Rayipalli inscription (25 December) contains eulogy of Trailokyamalla and his feudatory Gonka Permanadi. 1052 CE Gonka Permanadi was on the Narmada fighting the Malwa war.

1069 CE Kohir Record – under Bhuvanaikamalla (Somesvara II), Mahapradhana Pampa‑permanadi (career spanning 55 years) and his wife Jakkaladevi. The grant supported a Basadi (Jain temple) under Jain scholar Subhachandra‑siddhantadeva.

23 May 1072 CE, Bejagaon, Gazvel Taluk, Medak – Pampa Permmanandi, bearing the title Kosavalakkemallam, gifted land to the god of Baliya Bejagaon in Ravipola‑30.

4. Soma Permadi II (c. 1052 – c. 1064 CE)

Primary Seat: Koraprola | Jurisdiction: Kasavula-70

Soma Permadi II ruled concurrently with the later years of Pampa Permadi’s long reign, likely as a junior partner, family member, or governor of a specific sub‑division.

1052 CE Antwar Record (25 December) – under Trailokyamalla (Somesvara I), Somapermanaḍi as feudatory. Gift of Keraya land and 120 marttars of Gadde. Highlights tank‑based irrigation (Bhupathi kereya).

1064 CE Antwar Record (20 December) – under Trailokyamalla, Mahamandalesvara Somapermanadi. Bilingual Telugu‑Kannada inscription showing administrative diversity.

5. Ahavamalla Permadi (1084 – 1098 CE)

Ruler of Ksasavula Savalakka

1098 CE Gadi Peddapur Record (24 December) – under Tribhuvanamalladeva (Vikramaditya VI). The donor was Mailaladevi (Melalad), wife of chief Ahavamalla Permanadi. He is also titled Valakkamalla. The gift to deity Blibbesvara of Billa Kallu in Maridige grama (Mardigi) within Srivardhana‑24. Bilingual Kannada‑Telugu inscription.

6. Soma Permadi III (1100 – c. 1140 CE)

Capital: Ujjali / Dakur

1131 CE Kankal Inscription – two records: Record A (cyclic year Sadharana) – Mahamandalesvara Soma Permanadi, with Heggade Dandanayaka and Pramukh Karanas, gifted land to God Bijjesvara (Shaiva). Record B (cyclic year Virodhi Krit) – Soma Permanadi, with Saudare Govindarasa (toll officer) and Prabhus/Gavundas of Kankalla‑nadu, gifted land to Sri Nemibhattarakadeva (Jain ascetic) for rituals of God Kesavadeva (Vishnu) – demonstrating Sarva‑dharma patronage.

1126‑1138 CE Desaipet Record – under Somesvara III (Bhulokamalla). Soma Permanadi titled Savalakkamalla, Sanivara Siddhi, Pampana Gandha Varana, Lord of Banavasavadi‑70 – earliest epigraphical mention of Banswada (Nizamabad).

1137 CE (Desaipet) – Soma Permadi II still titled Mahamandalesvara, possibly moved to Banswada frontier while heir (Kumara) managed Ujjali.

1140 CE Siripuram Record (18 March) – under Jagadekamalla deva II. Soma Permmanadi, ruler of Medaki‑12. Subordinate officers Dandanayaka Nagarasa, Mailarasa, Govimdamarasa, Apparasar as Prabhus of Mahagrahara Sripura. Gift to god Malagesvara and Ramesvara, land yielding two crops (Vaisakha and Karttika). Part of gift formalized on a solar eclipse.

7. Pampa Permadi II (c. 1140 – c. 1145 CE)

Capital: Ujjali

1136 CE (Vankasamudram) – younger generation, Kumara Permadi, ruling from Ujjali, identified as "nephew of General Brahmarasa" and son of Soma Permadi.

1145 CE Neradigunta Record – under Jagadekamalla II. Pamparasa (son of Kasula Soma Permmaḍiyarasa) and Gundamanika Ahavamallaraja, along with Prabhus of Neradugumte, registered gifts to god Somanathadevara and for feeding mendicants. Management entrusted to Sthanapati and Nakhara (merchant guild). Pochisetti and Potisetti (merchants) donated additional land and cash.

8. Soma Permadi III (c. 1145 – 1152 CE)

Focus: Andole / Medak area

1152 CE Dakur Record (4 August) – under Nurmmadi Trailokyamalla (Somesvara III’s successor/Taila III). Somapermmanadi and the Prabhus of Dakuru jointly endowed deities. To God Mayilalesvara: Prabhus gifted Gadde (wet land) in Appakabbe Kereya tank area, two‑crop land. To God Bijjesvara: Somapermmanadi gifted 20+12 marttars of Karamba (waste land) in Rodanahalu, plus 1 Mattar flower garden and 15 house plots – indicating a structured temple complex.

This record is the final signature of the Permadi lineage, confirming 180 years of administrative continuity.

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 Economic Evolution: Kasavula to Methuku
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.

References & Further Reading

Annual Reports on Indian Epigraphy (ARIE) – Permadi inscriptions (Vendikole, Betolu, Sitarampalli, Jinjarakonda, Kovuru, Mubarakpur, Gorrekal, Nagulapalli, Kolluru, Ramesvaram, Rayipalli, Antwar, Kohir, Bejagaon, Gadi Peddapur, Kankal, Desaipet, Siripuram, Neradigunta, Dakur).
South Indian Inscriptions (SII) – Western Chalukya volumes.
Andhra Pradesh Archaeology Review – earliest reference to Medaku-300.
Telangana State Archaeology Department – Medak and Sangareddy district explorations.

The Permadi Chiefs transformed a military buffer zone into a prosperous agricultural heartland. Their dual patronage of Jain and Shaiva institutions, their pioneering irrigation works, and their 180‑year administrative continuity laid the foundation for the medieval glory of the Medak region.