CHIEFTAINS OF KELADI AND BIDANUR

KELADI-BIDANUR DYNASTY

Keladai dynasty, (ಕೆಳದಿ ರಾಜವಂಶ) is also known as Bidanuru dynasty and Ikkeri dynasty based on different capital cities adopted by the concerned kings at different points of time. It is an important dynasty in the Malnad and coastal regions of Karnataka. These kings ruled for about two and a half centuries starting from 1500 A.D. till 1756 A.D. The dynasty was established by Chaudagowda through his personal endeavours. These kings were subordinate to the Vijayanagara Empire till the regime of Shivappanayaka. Information about this dynasty is plentifully available in two important works called ‘Keladinrupavijaya’ by Linganna kavi and ‘Shivatatvaratnakra’ by Basavabhupala. In addition to these works, a number of inscriptions and glowing tributes paid by travelers from abroad provide supplementary material. The military exploits of the dynasty are studded with important victories over Sultans of Bijapur, queen Bhiradevi of Gerusoppe, Portuguese forces from Goa, the kings of Srirangapattana and Vellore, Madakarinayaka of Chitrdurga, Navab of Arcot etc. Many of these battles were fought, while they were feudatories of the Vijayanagara Empire. At its peak, this kingdom comprised of a major part of Shivamogga, South Canara, Chikkamagalur and Hassan districts. Some parts of Chitradurga, Dharawar and North Canara districts were also controlled by them. Keladi, Ikkeri and Bidanuru (Nagara) were their Capitals at different points of time. This was essentially a Veerashaiva kingdom.

Some of the important kings who ruled in this dynasty are listed below.

1. Chowdegowda 1498-1506 A.D.

2. Sadashivanayaka 1509-1567 A.D.

Dodda sankannanayaka 1567-1570

3. Chikkasankannanayaka 1572-1586 A.D.

4. (Ramarajayya) (parallel) 1570-1586 A.D.

5. Venkatappanayaka (hiriya) 1592-1629 A.D.

6. Veerabhadranayaka 1629-1645 A.D.

7. Shivappanayaka 1645-1660 A.D.

8. Somashekharanayaka-1 1663-1671 A.D.

9. Rani Chennammaji 1671-1697 A.D.

10. Basavappanayaka (hiriya) 1697-1714 A.D.

11. Somashekharanayaka-2 1714-1739 A.D.

12. Basavappanayaka 1739-1754 A.D.

13. Veerammaji 1758-1763 A.D.

Sadashivanayaka also known Dodda Sankannanayaka, was the first important king in the dynasty. He is renowned for defeating the Adilshahi Sultan of Bijapur and also for extending the boundaries of the kingdom by including Chandragutti, bArakUr and Mangalore. The fall of the Vijyanagara Empire took place during his regime. However, the Keladi kings continued to pay nominal homage to the small fray who succeeded the emperors.

Venkatapapanayaka was instrumental in making the Sultan of Bijapur beat a hasty treat from Keladi and a commemorative victory pillar stands at Hangal in Dharwar district. He defeated many more chieftains including the queen Bhairadevi of Gerusoppe and he showed keen interest in trade and commerce and controlled the trade of pepper.

Shivappanayaka is the most important king of this dynasty. He is as wellknown for the reforms he brought about in revenue collection and trade as his military exploits. His administration was very disciplined and it was described as “Shivappanayakana Shistu’ even to this day. (prahara paTTi or aDike hAlattu) The word ‘shistu’ also means ‘tax’. Land revenues were assessed and collected in a very scientific manner. Bidanur was an integral part of a trade route that facilitated the movement of merchandise from the hilly regions (malenaaDu) to the costal regions.

Rani Chennamma is an illustrious queen who ruled for a long tenure after the sad demise of her husband. She is known for sheltering Rajaram a son of Shivaji, inspite of an imminent threat of the wrath of Aurangzeb the mighty emperor.

The administrative patterns of these kings followed the models set the emperors of Vijayanagara. The kingdom was divided into divisions such as kampaNa, nADu, hObaLi, sIme, sthaLa, pETe etc. Local officials wielded a lot of power. The Keladi chieftains in general and Shivappanayaka in particular are famous for the land reforms brought in by them. They adopted proper methods for measuring land and then divided that in to five different categories depending on the quality of land. The exact yield was found out by actual cultivation at the cost of the government. Revenues were fixed according to this yield. These steps resulted in proper justice being meted out to the formers and also total compliance of revenue payments. Taxes were levied on imports, local produces and various activities. Transoceanic trade was encouraged and huge profits were made. Kings made bountiful donations to temples and religious institutions. These kings were by and large catholic in their attitude. However, Hindu religious practices were followed and an adherence to caste system was evident.

The architectural and sculptural activities during the regime of these kings are profuse and there is something unique about them. Keladi and Nagara (Bidanur) have a number of temples and other architectural edifices. The fort at Nagara is particularly noteworthy. This has adopted the Indo-Islamic style. However the temple architecture of this period is a synthesis of the Dravida style dominant in the Vijayanagara epoch and the Hoysala architecture. The Aghoreshvara temple at Ikkeri is an example of this style. The Neelakantheshvara temple at Nagara and Rameshvara temple at Keladi belong to the same category. The sculptural details are poor adaptations of the Hoysala mode. There is nothing remarkable about the numismatics of this dynasty. Gold ‘varaha’s minted during the regime of Sadashivanayaka (Dodda Sankanna Nayaka) are called ‘Ikkeri Varaha’s.

Keladi kings, thus constitute an important minor dynasty of Karnataka.