KADAMBA DYNASTY- HANGAL

Kadamba dynasty had its origin in the region of Banavasi. However, it had a number of branches in various places such as Hangal, Goa, Bankapura etc. Some of them were concurrent and others made their appearance much later. Kadambas of Hangal (kadambas of hAnagallu) (ಹಾನಗಲ್ಲು ಕದಂಬರು) is one such minor branch that ruled between 972 A.D. and 1252 A.D. However they started ruling from Hangal much later. Their little kingdom consisted of the eastern part of the North Canara district and the Western part of Dharwada district. They were feudatories of the Chaukyas of Kalyani through most their existence. Occasionally these loyalties were shifted forcefully towards Kalachuris and Yadavas.

ChaTTadEva (Chattayyadeva, cahTTiga) was the valiant general who started this dynasty. Immadi Tailapa sought the assistance of this warrior who belonged to the erstwhile Kadamba family in his confrontations with the Rashtrakuutas. He was ruling the region in and around Banavasi. He supported Jayasimha-2 in his battles with Cholas and Kalachuris. CaTta, (972-1015 A.D.) KIrtivarma, (1068-1071 A.D.) ShAntivarma, (1075-1089 A.D.) Taila-2, 1090-1130 A.D.) Mallikarjuna, 1132-1146 A.D.) kIrtivarma-2,(1161-1175 A.D. kAmadEva (1180-1217 A.D.) and malla (1217-1252 A.D.) are some of the important kings who formed this dynasty. As a matter of fact the first Kadamba king who assumed powers at Hangal was Mayuravarma who belonged to another branch of Kadambas. Mallikarjuna, KIrtivarma-2 and Kamadeva were successful in extending their borders to some extent. There were times when they controlled the Konkan regions and Goa.

Hangal Kadambas are known for the coins minted and circulated by them. These coins are made of very pure gold and they are quite heavy. Shantivarma issued Punch-marked gold coins during 1075-1089. They contain a central punch mark of hanumAn and four lions. Another contains a punch mark of Goddess Lakshmi and Toyimadeva issued Die struck gold coins called pagodas in 1165 A.D. This gold coin depicts god Hanuman, inside lined circle and dotted circles, flanked by two chouries and conch. It also includes the figures of sun and moon.

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