Sambuvarayar Explained

Conventional Long Name:Sambuvaraya dynasty
Common Name:Sambuvaraya
Era:Middle Ages
Year Start:12th century CE
Year End:1375 CE
P1:Pandyan dynasty
S1:Vijayanagar Empire
Capital:Rajagambhiram, Padaveedu
Common Languages:Tamil
Religion:Hinduism
Government Type:Monarchy
Leader1:Raja Gambhira Sambhuvaraya
Year Leader1:1236 - 1268 CE
Leader2:Mankonda Sambhuvaraya
Year Leader2:1322 - 1337 CE
Leader3:Rajanarayana Sambhuvaraya
Year Leader3:1337 - 1373 CE
Leader4:Rajanarayana Sambhuvaraya II
Year Leader4:1356 - 1375 CE
Stat Year1:10th century CE

The Sambuvarayar (Tamil: சம்புவராயர்) chieftains once ruled the Tondaimandalam region of South India. Among them was Edirili Chola Sambhuvaraya, a vassal under Rajadhiraja Chola II and Kulotunga Chola III, who ruled the northern part of Tondaimandalam, now comprising the districts of Vellore, Tiruvannamalai, Kancheepuram, Cuddalore, Tiruvallur, Nellore, and Chittoor. Later during the 14th century when the Telugu Cholas, Hoysala and Pandya kingdoms went into decline, the Sambuvarayas ruled their regions independently. Two chiefs of the family namely, Venrumankonda Sambuvaraya (1322 CE) and Rajanarayana Sambuvaraya (1337 CE), issued records in their own regnal years.[1]

Origin

The Sambuvarayas were chiefs who rose to power under the imperial Cholas.[2] The Sambhuvaraya capital was at Marudaraya Padaveedu, now known as Padavedu in Polur taluk, Tiruvannamalai district, Tamil Nadu.[3] Padaveedu (also spelt Padavedu) is the site of the popular Sri Renukambal Temple.[4]

Rajagambhiram fort

The vassal had constructed a hill fort, Rajagambhiram, at present day Padaveedu, to watch and control the movements of the northern enemies. The fort has four gates in four directions. The northern gate was now called as Shanta gate. The other gates were damaged. While the eastern gate was in a dilapidated condition, the western gate on which was found the inscription has been completely damaged. This gate was named after Puvandai alias Cholakon, one of the soldier in the military service of Edhirili Chola Sambhuvaraya. One hero stone has been erected on the plains, north of the Shanta gate.

The fort was constructed with granite with a perimeter extending to 2km (01miles). This fort once had residences and `pandals' for warriors who were posted for duties. Holes had been made on the rock surface in such a way as to erect round tents. One could see nine tent areas on the top of the hill. Besides, four water tanks had been created to provide drinking water. Two natural water ponds were also available in the fort. Near the big tank a mortar with one foot depth and one foot diameter was dug and used. The area also revealed clear traces of Shiva and Vinayaka temples. Stone blocks, bricks each measuring 10 inches x 7 inches, lime mortar and sand were used in the construction of the fort walls.[5]

Decline

The Sambuvarayas lost power and went into decline with the rapid expansion of the Vijayanagar empire in the 14th century. Rajanarayana Sambuvaraya allied with the Vijayanagar ruler Harihara I against the Sultanate of Madura but was later killed by Harihara's brother Bukka Raya I who sought to bring most of South India under his rule.[6]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Book: Sri Varadarajaswami Temple, Kanchi: A Study of Its History, Art and Architecture. K.V. Raman. Abhinav Publications, 2003 - 206 pages. 25, 26.
  2. Book: The New Cambridge History of India: Vijayanagara. Burton Stein, Formerly Professor of History School of Oriental and African Studies Burton Stein. 1989. Cambridge University Press, 1989. 54. 9780521266932.
  3. Web site: Padavedu . State Department of Archaeology, Tamil Nadu . 2015-05-04.
  4. News: 'Flexitarian' diets key to feeding people in a warming world. BBC News. 10 October 2018.
  5. Book: Padavedu Excavation. State Department of Archaeology, Madras, India. 1993. Madras. http://210.212.62.26/pdf_files/books/PADAVEDU%20EXCAVATION%20part%20003.pdf.
  6. Book: A History of India . Hermann . Kulke . Hermann Kulke . Dietmar . Rothermund . Dietmar Rothermund . Reprinted . Psychology Press . 2004 . 978-0-41532-919-4 . 189.