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Kallakelagu Nadu

Kallakelagu-500 (Kelagu-500) in Mahabubnagar

Administrative and Religious Profile of Medieval Telangana

Territorial Framework

Division: A "500" administrative unit under the Western Chalukyas of Kalyana.
Capital: Ujjivolal (Modern Ujjili, Mahabubnagar District).

Primary Overlap (Core Area)

  • Mahabubnagar District: This is the heart of the division. The capital, Ujjivolal (modern Ujjili), is located here in the Tharoor Mandal.

  • Jogulamba Gadwal District: Many inscriptions associated with this division, including those at Appanapalli, are located in areas that were part of the original Mahabubnagar district but now fall within the boundaries of Jogulamba Gadwal.

Secondary Overlap (Extended Territory)

Given that medieval divisions were based on revenue units or clusters of villages (the "500" designation), the territory likely extends into:

  • Wanaparthy District: Positioned between Mahabubnagar and Jogulamba Gadwal, it historically shared the same administrative landscape under the Western Chalukyas.

  • Narayanpet District: Bordering to the west, this district contains several historical sites linked to the same period and administrative hierarchy.

Jaina Religious Centers

The region was a vital hub for the Dravila Sangha and Sena Gana. Key establishments included:
Baddijinalaya: Located in the Ujjivolal fort.
Kadamburu Basadi: Recipient of land grants for the worship of Parsva Nandadeva.

Key Inscriptions
A.D. 966 (Saka 888)

Sri Vallabha Chola Maharaja registered land and a flower garden to god Chennaparsva at the Baddijinalaya in Ujjivolal.

31st October A.D. 1118

Appanapalli Inscription: During the reign of Tribhuvanamalla Vikramaditya VI, Pidiya Sankara Setti granted 12 marttars of black land (kari) to the Kadamburu Basadi for Parsva Nandadeva, with permission from Munniya Brahmesvaradeva of Kelagu-500.

A.D. 1136 (March)

Vankasamudram Inscription: Saudare Marayya Nayaka, subordinate of Brahmarasa (uncle of Kumara Permadi), issued a grant from the capital Ujjali, noting the village lay within Kallekalagu-500.

A.D. 1156 (Saka 1078)

Bhanudevarasa (Dandanayaka), serving under Nurmmadi Trailokyamalla, granted land to the Baddijinalaya into the hands of the acharya Indresvara Pandita.

A.D. 1167 (Saka 1089)

Jagadekamalla III: Mahapradhani Bhanudevarasa, with the consent of Saudhare Kesavayyanayaka, registered gifts of Vaddaravula tax income and a tank with land to the god in Baddijinalaya. The gift was entrusted to Indresvara Pandita Deva.

A.D. 1185 (Saka 1107)

Somesvara IV: Located near a village well, this inscription records extensive gifts from the mercantile community. It registers land and flower gardens for the Baddijinalaya (dedicated to Parsvanatha) in the capital Ujjivola. The grant supported temple repairs and the feeding of visiting ascetics, entrusted to Indrasena Pandita, a disciple of the famous Vadiraja.

11th-12th Century (Saka 888*)

Western Chalukya (King's name lost): A damaged record from the capital Kalyanapura. It mentions the Chenna Parsva temple (Baddi Jinalaya) of the Dravila Sangha. It registers gifts of land and flower gardens for feeding male and female ascetics. The grant was entrusted to Indrasena Pandita, following the lineage of the illustrious Vadiraja, in the capital Ujjivolal.

Source: Epigraphia Telanganica | Inscriptions of A.P., Mahabubnagar Vol-I (233-234)

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