HOYSALA DYNASTY

HOYSALA DYNASTY

Hoysala dynasty (hoysaLa dynasty) (ಹೊಯ್ಸಳ ರಾಜವಂಶ) is one of the premiere ruling families of Karnataka. These rulers have contributed hugely to the cultural wealth of the state, particularly in the fields of architecture and sculpture. This dynasty was based in South Karnataka, even though the Hoysala ruled over vast regions of North Karnataka and made occasional forays in to non-Kannada areas also. A number of inscriptions, some literary texts and accounts penned by travelers from abroad have provided abundant information about their rule.

As usual, legendary accounts try to link the Hoysalas with the Yadava Vamsha of the North. This argument, which gained ground during the rule of Ereyanga does not really hold water. Similarly, the story of saLa the founder of the dynasty killing a tiger at the behest of his teacher Sudattacharya does not pass muster with the historians. It is universally accepted that Hoysalas were indigenous to Karnataka and their dynasty had its origin in the hilly regions of the state, (malenADu) specifically in a place called ‘angaDi’ (sosevUru) in mUDigere talluk of cikkamagaLUru district. It is rightly speculated that Hoysalas had intimate relations/connections with Gangas who ruled in the same region from earlier times. The Hoysala dynasty came intio being approximately in the beginning of the eleventh century and flourished till the middle decades of the fourteenth century. Some of the important rulers of the dynasty are listed below.

saLa

NrupakAma

nrupakAma-2 1000-1045 A.D.

vinayAditya-2 1045-1098 A.D.

ereyanga 1098-1100A.D.

ballALa-1 1100-1108 A.D

vishNuvardhana (biTTidEva) 1108-1142 A.D.

narasimha-1 1142-1173 A.D.

ballALa-2 1173-1220 A.D.

narasimha-2 1220-1235 A.D.

sOmEShvara 1235-1253 A.D.

narasimha-3 (at dvArasamudra) 1253-1292 A.D.

rAmnAtha (at kaNNAnUru) 1253-1295 A.D.

ballALa-3 1292-1343 A.D.

(virUpAksha) ballALa 1343-1346 A.D.

It is to be noted here, that sOmEshvara divided his kingdom between his two children, narasimha-3 and rAmanAtha who ruled from dvArasamdra and kaNNAnUru respectively. The later branch of rAmanAtha is known as Hoysalas of TamilnADu and that did not have much longevity. However, there was a lot of infighting between them particularly during the later days. The achievement of reuniting these two branches is attributed to the credit of ballAla-3.

The history of the Hoysala dynasty in inextricably linked with the events that were enacted in the other important dynasties of the South such as the Chalukyas, The Cholas and the Pandyas. Vishnuvardhana, ballALa-2 and ballALa-3 are distinguished for their remarkable victories over these adversaries and the consequent expansion of the kingdom.

Vishnuvardhana is one of the most renowned monarchs of Karnataka. His victories over the Cholas of Talakadu and the Cholas of Kanchi as also his declaration of independence from the Chalukyas after the death of Vikramaditya-6 are well documented. His catholic nature demonstrated by the encouragement given by him to the Srivaishnavas as well as Jainas is appreciated by one and all. His contribution the sculpture and architecture of Karnataka is documented separately. (For some more details click the entry on Vishnuvardhana.

BallALa-2 is another important king who ruled for almost fifty years. His victories over kongALvAs and cengALvAs and his conquering of the fort of uccangidurga (1177 A.D.) are worthy of mention. His itinerant battles with the ‘sEVuNas (yAdavas) of the North were settled conclusively in a battle that took place at soraTUru, a village near gadugu (1190A.D.). Bhillama, the sEvuNa king had to eat the humble pie and shift his Capital to lokkigunDi. BallALa was ruling over many regions of North Karnataka such as Hanagallu, beLavola, puligere, halasi, noLambavADi, keLavaDi, bAgaDagi (bAgalakOTe) etc. His victories in TamilnADu and his diplomatic handling of the squabbles between the Cholas and Pandyas got him a lot of wealth and reputation.

BallALa-3, as mentioned earlier distinguished himself by putting an end to the internal strife started by earlier kings. (narasimha-3 and rAmanAtha. Hoysla kingdom was once again reunited. After that ballALa confronted the marauding army of the sEvuNAs at hoLalkere and made them beat a hasty retreat all the way to lakkunDi. He defeated the kaDava kings of TamilnADu, telugu jODas of nellOr and the Kadambas of Hangal In the same victorious march. The invasion of Malikafur, a general of Allauddin Khilji on the Hoysala bases resulted in a loss of face as well as money. BallALa died during a battle that was fought in Madurai in order to dissolve the Muslim sultanate ruling at that place. Most of the kings of South India could not come together and evolve a common strategy to handle the invasions from the North. Hoysala dynasty was no exception and it was gradually eroded making way for the Vijayanagara Empire.

Hoysalas did not bring about major reforms in the administrative systems and social-Economical practices set in motion by the Gangas and Chalukyas. Many officials like pradhAna, sandhivigrahi, mahApasAyita, bAhattara noyOgAdhipati, (person in charge of 72 various services to the king!) etc were in charge of day to day affairs of the state. Affairs of smaller units were left to the traditional powerbases and the system of chieftains (pALeyagAra) was not encouraged. Taxes and revenues were the main sources of state income. Un-inhabited houses as well as human dwellings were taxed. Trade, commerce, different professions, castes and even family functions were taxed. The caste system and religious mores and taboos were scrupulously followed. However, the Hoysala rule is to be noted for the importance given to women in administration and the catholic attitude adopted towards different religions. Education was held in high esteem and places such as sOmanAthapura, beLLUru and savajnapura agrahara were centres of education.

The contribution of Hoysala dyanasty in the fields of architecture and sculpture are unique and immense. Places such as bElUru,haLEbIDu and sOmanAthapura are household names in Karnataka. This subject is dealt with in a separate entry: Hoysala architecture and sculpture. (Please refer to Vesara Style also.)

The contribution of the Hoysala dynasty to Kannada and Sanskrit literature is quite handsome. It is speculated by some scholars that Nagachandra was a poet in the royal court of ballALa-1 or vishNuvardhana. The name of ‘kanti’ a poetess is mentioned alongside his name. Harihara and Raghavnaka the well known Shaiva poets are associated with Narasimha-1, at least for a short duration. Famous poets such as Janna, Kereya Padmarasa, Achanna and Nemichandra and well known scholars like Mallikarjuna, Keshiraja and Rajaditya were either proteges or contemporaries of Hoysala kings. They did encourage music and dance as evidenced by their sculpture and the reputation of Shantaladevi the dancer-queen.

Hoysalas have contributed precious little to the field of numismatics. There are very few coins that may be positively attributed to them. The coins circulated by the Chalukyas were either continued or replaced by similar ones. Hoysalas issued varieties of gold pagodas bearing an Elephant or ‘ShArdUla’ on the obverse and King's title on the reverse. Of the pagodas, Vishnuvardhana's issues seem to have many varieties. They were issued during different period of his reign signifying his conquest of different regions. Varieties of legends on different coins like "Sri Ganga vadha Bala", Sri Nolambavadi Gonda", "Sri Talakad Gonda", "Srimad Gangai Konda", "Sri Chalukya Gonda", "Sri Vanavadi Konda" and "Sri Valla bhana" are to be mainly noted. panams(paNam) varied from unit to quarter denomination and carried the lion (Shardhula) throughout. The mints from which they emerged are well documented on most of the Hoysala panams.

Many inscriptions and hero stones were installed during the regime of the Hoysala kings. The number of stone inscriptions found in the Hoysala kingdom far outnumber copper inscriptions. Inscriptions celebrating the sacrifices of ‘lenkas’ and ‘garuDa’s, who sacrificed their lives in the service of their kings are unique to this dynasty. Such inscriptions at haLEbIDu (kuvara lakshmana shAsana) and agrahAra bAcahaLLi are particularly well known.

Hoysala dynasty played an important role as a kingdom chronologically sandwiched between the Chalukyas and the Vijayanagara Empire maintaining a continuum of indigenous Kannada kings.