Chitradurga Paleyagar family

The Chitradurga Paleyagar family(152) was of the Beda or Boya caste and belonged to one of the hill tribes family who subsisted by hunting and tending cattle. The accounts of their origin are somewhat confused. According to one tradition, it appeal's that three Beda families emigrated from Jadikal-durga, in the neighbourhood of Tirupati, and settled at Nirutadi near Bharamasngara about 1475. They are said to have belonged to the Kamageti family and Valmiki gotra. The son and the grand­son of one of these, named Hire Hanummappa Nayaka and Timmanna Nayaka respectively, afterwards settled at Matti in Davangere taluk. The latter, called Kamageti Timmanna Nayaka, was appointed by the Vijayanagara king, first as the Nayaka of Holalkere, then of Hiriyur and finally of Chitradurga. He fortified the hill at the last-mentioned place and conducted himself in such a manner that a force was sent by the king against him. According to another account, Timmanna Nayaka came with a small body of armed men from a place called Madakeri below the ghats near Tirupati and entered the service of the Paleyagar of Basavapattana. When later as some quarrel arose about a mistress he had kept at Matti, he left the place and took refuge at Mayakonda. Being pursued there also, he escaped to the jungle near Guntur and from there, collecting a band, started plundering on every side, and erected a small fort called Rangapatna near Haleyur. The neighbouring Paleyagars of Harapanahalli, Nidugal and Basavapattana, being annoyed by his depredations, united against him and, with the aid of some Vijayanagara troops, marched upon Rangapatna. Timmanna Nayaka was then forced to retire to Chitradurga, where he was closely besieged. At that time the following incident occurred, which led to his recognition as one of the chiefs dependent on Vijayanagara. This was in about 1562.

Timmanna Nayaka

On this occasion, Timmanna Nayaka distinguished himself as the hero of a most daring adventure. Stealing into the camp at night with the intention of carrying off the horse of Saluva Narasinga Raya, the Vijayanagara prince, who commanded the forces against him, he accidentally roused the groom. Hastily hid­ing among the litter, he lay quiet to escape observation, when the groom, driving in afresh the peg for the heel ropes, sent it right through the hand of the hiding thief! The latter bore the pain silently and without moving, and when all was again still, he released himself by cutting off the hand which was thus pinned to the ground. He ultimately succeeded in carrying off the, horse in triumph ! This unexampled proof of fortitude showed the besieg­ing army well that no intimidation would be effectual with such an opponent. A peace was, therefore, said to have been concluded. The Vijayanagara king invited the Nayaka to the capital and expressed his great admiration of his courageous exploit. At the request of the king, Timmanna Nayaka is next said to have easily taken Gulbarga , which the Vijayanagara forces had failed to take even after a siege of 6 months. The king, pleased with this is said to have invited him to his court where also the Nayaka distinguished himself and was rewarded with many honours. At a later period, however, he incurred the royal displeasure and was imprisoned at Vijayanagara, where he died.

Timmanna Nayaka was succeeded by his son Obana Nayaka. He took the name Madakeri Nayaka and within a few years of his coming to the throne, declared his independence from the Vijayanagara empire.

In 1602, Obana Nayaka was succeeded by his son Kasturi Rangappa Nayaka. His reign was full of conflicts with the neighbouring chiefs. There took place several battles with the Paleyagar of Basavapattana in connection with the possession of Mayakonda, Santebennur, Holalkere, Anaji, Jagalur and other places, which ultimately remained as parts of Chitradurga terri­tory. At the time of his death in 1652, his possessions yielded a revenue of 65,000 Durgi Pagodas.

Rangappa Nayaka was succeeded by his son Madakeri Nayaka II in 1652. He is also credited with a number of victories, particularly in the east. During his time, the kingdom was divided into four regions and the local officers in charge: of these were Hotte Gurukanna, Karanika Bhunappa, Abbigere Mallanna and Karanika Appanna. The Nayaka died in 1674, leaving a dominion yielding 100,000 Durgi Pagodas.

Chikkamna Nayaka

Madakeri Nayaka had no children and therefore an adopted son named Obana Nayaka succeeded him to the throne of Chitradurga. But within a few months he was put to death by the Dalavayis, who were dissatisfied with his management. It is said that the failure on the part of the Nayaka to give to the troops the customary gratuities was also one of the reasons for the mutiny of the officers. Whatever it may be, Chikkanna Nayaka, a younger brother of the late Madakeri Nayaka, who, being frightened by the rising, had run away to Harapanahalli, was next invited to the throne and installed in 1676. At about this time, the Harapana­halli chief laid siege to Anaji and killed the local officer Bhunappa. Chikkanna Nayaka went to Anaji and forced the opponents to ruse the siege. Immediately after this, he had to run to Harihar todefend it against the Muhammadans, who, under Shamsher Khan had attacked that place. The defence was effected by the follow­ing strategy ; On the approach of night, numerous torches were lit and fixed to the branches of trees and the horns of the cattle and the musicians were asked to play on their instruments as usual at his encampment on a hill called Baregudda. The intention was to create an impression in the enemies' camp that the army was there still. Meanwhile, the Nayaka marched with his whole force by a circuitous route and threw himself into the fort from the west and drove off the enemies. The Chitradurga officer at Harihar at this time is said to have been a Muslim named Sher Khan who was continued in his position by the Nayaka. Chikkanna formed marriage alliances with the Rayadurga and Basavapattana chiefs. It is said that the Chitradurga family changed its religious faith twice during the reign of this Nayaka. First, the entire family em­braced Veerashaivism and the Nayaka even caused a Matha to be built in the fort and a Virakta Jangama named Ugrachannaviradeva to be appointed to act as a guru to them. But later, all are said to have returned to their original faith, except one lady named Hatti Mallavva Nagati, who continued to wear the linga on her person and live separately from the rest of the family. Chikkanna Nayaka died in 1686.

Chikkanna Nayaka was succeeded by his elder brother Linganna Nayaka, otherwise called Madakeri Nayaka III. But at this time there arose a serious difference of opinion amongst the Dalavayis as to the rightful successor to the throne. One section of them, headed by one Panchamara Muddanna, imprisoned, and later killed, Linganna Nayaka and set up one Donne Rangappa Nayaka on the throne. For some time Muddanna remained the strongest man in Chitradurga ; but soon the other section headed by one Dalavayi Bharamappa gained the upper hand. Muddanna and his brothers were soon destroyed and Donne Rangappa imprisoned.

Bharamappa Nayaka

This Dalavayi Bharamappa was a man of forethought and was really interested in the integrity of the State. At this moment, there being no direct heir to the throne, he, in consultation with the other elders of the court, brought a distant heir named Bharamappa Nayaka. The new Nayaka ascended the throne in about 1689. This was really a difficult time for the State ; for, it was during this period that the Mughals overran the possessions of Bijapur and established their government at Sira, of which Basavapattana and Budihal were made paraganas and to which Chitradurga and other neighbouring States of Paleyagars became tributaries. There were many battles in the reign of this Nayaka between Chitradurga and Harapanahalli, Rayadurga and Bijapur in all of which the Nayaka had splendid success. His long reign of 33 years (1689-1721) was equally remarkable for the extent of his benefactions. He is said to have built as many as 30 temples, 3 or 4 palaces, 5 strong forts and not less than 20 tanks throughout his territory. A part of the Chitradurga fort, a number of gate­ways and bastions are also attributed to him. The only thing from which people suffered during this reign was the great plague in 1703, which took a heavy toll and which caused an almost complete evacuation of the capital city for some days.

On his death in 1721, Bharamappa Nayaka was succeeded by his son Madakeri Nayaka, usually called Hiri Madakeri Nayaka. Within two or three years of accession, the young prince had to face the consequences of a fierce famine and the Maratha raid under Piraji. His reign was punctuated with a number of hostilities against Harapanahalli, Savanur, Bidanur and the Marathas. He was generally successful in his engagements and, annexed a large tract of country, especially in the noth-east extending beyond Molakahnuru. There was a great battle in Mayakonda in 1747-48 between Chitradurga on one side and the confederate forces of Bidanur, Rayadurga, Harapanahalli and Savanur on the other. The Chitradurga army met with disaster and the Nayaka was slain, in the course of a single combat on elephants, by Somashekhara Nayaka of Harapanahalli. During the reign of this Nayaka, Chitratlurga rose in prosperity and at the lime of his death the lotal revenue of the State is said to have reached the figure of 300,000 Durgi Pagodas. The chief is particularly remembered for his religious-mindedness. He is not only credited with the con­struction of a number of temples, but is also said lo have made arrangementss for a number of worships and festivals in different temples.

Kasturi Rangappa Nayaka II

The next Nayaka was his son Kasturi Rangappa Nayaka II. Immediately after his accession the first task the new Nayaka addressed himself to was the retaking of Mayakonda. This he achieved with the help of the Maratha Sardar Murari Rao and the Subedar of Advani, who, however, are said to have later been bribed by the enemies and taken to their side in their siege of Santebennur. Kasturi Rangappa Nayaka is said to have made various expeditions to the north and south, and in the latter direction gained some possessions in the Budihal region. He is also said to have kept up friendship with the Subedar of Sira. He died in 1754 without issue, and Madakeri Nayaka, called Madakeri Nayaka the last, son of one Bharamappa Nayaka of Janakal-Durga, was acknowledged as his successor.

Raja Veera Madakari Nayaka

At the time of his accession to the Chitradurga throne, Madakeri Nayaka, who was destined to be the last Nayaka of Nayak'a Cliitradurga, was but a boy of 12. This made the enemies of Chitradurga try their hand once more on the State. But so long as there were the Bedas with their proverbially implicit and uns­werving faith in their chief, nothing was going to happen to the Nayaka, of whatever age he might be. To start with, Kalyadurga made an effort alone and met with failure. Then there came in 1759-00 a united front formed by Rayadurga, Harapanahalli and Savannr. A battle took place near IHoskere in where Chilradurga got clear victory, though with some loss. This was followed by some minor disturbances owing to the activities of the chiefs of Tarikere and Jarimale in the border areas of the State.

By this time Chitradurga had become a powerful State in the south, so powerful in fact that even the major powers like Haidar Ali and the Peshwas sought for its help against each other. Thus placed between these two powers, the Nayaka was rather in an embarrassing position. First he helped Haidar Ali in his campaigns against Bankapur, Nijagal, Bidanur and the Marathas, and had a large hand in earning him victory in all these cases. But in spite of all this, the Nawab had never been straightforward with the Nayaka. With all his outward show of friendliness, he appears to have nursed consistent jealousy towards the Nayaka. He had an eye on Chitradurga from the very beginning and he was only waiting for an opportunity to attack. Meanwhile, in 1777, Haidar was threatened with a formidable invasion by the allied armies of the Marathas and the Nizam. The Nayaka of Chitradurga perhaps studying the political powers of the Deccan closely and realizing Haidar's designs against Chitradurga, changed his allegiance and not only held back from sending the usual contin­gent of troops to Haidar's assistance, but positively promised help to his enemies. This was too much for Haidar, who immediately marched upon Chitradurga, rejecting the offers of the Chief to pay a large fine. The siege was maintained for some months without success, when an arrangement was entered into and a fine of thirteen lakhs of pagodas levied on the Chief. The Maratha campaign over, Haidar once again sat down indignant before Chitradurga. The story of this siege forms a brilliant chapter in the history of Chitradurga, which held out against Haidar for months (153). At last, only by the treachery of the Muhammadan officers in the Paleyagar's service, the place was taken in 1779. Madakeri Nayaka and his family, it is said, were sent as prisoners to Srirangapattana and 20,000 of the Bed-is of Chitradurga were also sent to people the island of Srirangapattana , with the sole view of breaking up their power.

This last Madakeri Nayaka was undoubtedly a remarkable man. A brave soldier, a shrewd administrator and a generous chief, he was easily the most influential and respected Paleyagar of his age. Particularly his generosity to the soldiers and generals has been described as ' beyond limits' and was wondered at by the recipients themselves. With all this, this Nayaka is said to have had a detestable trait also in him, which often made him un­popular even amongst his own men. This was his harsh treatment to the enemies. In one of his campaigns against Haidar, he is said to have caused a huge Virasana or hero-platform made of the severed heads of the enemies and requested the Peshwa Madhava-rao, on whose side he had led this campaign, to be seated on it and take a bath (Abhiseka) with enemies' blood ! And when the Peshwa refused to do so, the Nayaka is further said to have had the honour done to himself(l54). After the death of the Nayaka, the Chitradurga treasury is said to have yielded to Haidar, inter alia, the following numbers of various coins : 400,000 silver, 100,000 royal, 1,700,000 Ashrafi, 2,500,000 Dabolikadali and 1,000,000 Chavuri.

Thus came to an end the Chitradurga line of Paleyagars, after ruling well over two centuries over a pretty large area comprising the present district of Chitradurga together with some outlying tracts. Here is a modest appreciation of these Nayakas, in general. These princes were invariably valorous in battle, merciful and generous to their enemies, wise and discreet in their administration, far-sighted in their policy, thoroughly religious and orthodox in their belief and liberal to a fault. These powerful chieftains had some French engineers in their service and built very strong fortresses and other works of public utility as the standing monuments of their glory. Had these Palayagars routed Haidar's army and become victorious, what change there would have been in the history of Southern India , it is difficult to tell.(155)

Courtesy : Gazetteer of India, Chitradurga District, 1967.