Polavasa Dynasty (Polasa Chiefs / Lengonda Dynasty)
Brief Introduction: The Polavasa Dynasty (1076 - 1160 A.D.) was a prominent medieval power in Telangana. They were subordinates of the Western Chalukyas who later revolted to assert independence in the early 12th century.
Key Historical Significance: Descendants of the Rashtrakutas, they ruled the territories immediately north of the Kakatiyas. Their kingdom bordered the River Godavari and stretched from Polavasa to Narsampet.
Capital: Polavasa (Current Polasa, Jagitial District, Telangana State, India)
1. Origins and Rise
The dynasty was founded by Madhava Varma, a ruler noted in inscriptions for possessing a crore of horses. They belonged to the Venugontukula (Ugravadiya) lineage and claimed the title Lattaluru-Puravaradhisvara. They rose to prominence as Mahamandaleshvaras under Western Chalukya King Vikramaditya VI during the reorganization of the Sabbimandala-1000 province.
2. Rulers - Titles and Achievements
Madhava Varman & Durgaraja
Founding figures of the dynasty. Madhava Varman is traditionally credited with establishing the family's military prestige with a vast cavalry and foot soldiers.
1076 - 1110 CE: Medaraja I
A major feudatory of Vikramaditya VI. He held the title Maninagapuradhiraja. Ruling from Polavasa, he extended the kingdom's reach to the Narsampet region of Warangal. He is associated with the 1082 CE Banajipet inscription and the 1108 CE Pulateswara pillar inscription, which displays the Golden Eagle Flag.
1110 AD - 1116 CE: Jaggabhupala
Son of Medaraja I and father to Medaraja II and Gundaraja. Historians believe Jagityal was named in his honor. He commissioned the trilingual Medapally inscription (1112 AD), recording land grants to the Achesvara and Vishnudeva temples.
The Polavasa Confederation (1116-1138/1159 AD): Following Jaggabhupala, the kingdom was managed as a confederation of three brothers/contemporary rulers ruling from different strategic seats while bearing the same titles.
1116 - 1138 CE: Gundaraja of Mantrakuta
Ruled Mantrakuta (Modern Manthani), Mulugu, and Narasannapeta independently. In 1138 AD, he was defeated by Kama (general of Kakatiya Prola II). He was pursued to his capital, where he had his head shaved and was branded on the breast. He shared control of Ramagiri Fort with Edaraja.
1116 - 1138 CE: Edaraja of Vemnoor/Ramagundam
Served as Mahamandaleshvara under the Chalukyas. He ruled from Ramagundam and held strategic command over Ramagiri Fort. His territories were annexed by the Kakatiyas between 1138 and 1140 AD.
1116 - 1160 CE: Medaraja II of Polavasa
A contemporary of Kakatiya Prola II and Rudradeva. He declared independence from the Chalukyas, issuing inscriptions without naming sovereigns. Key details include:
- Religious Patronage: Donated to the Kadalaya Basadi (Hanumakonda) in 1117 AD alongside the Kakatiya minister's wife, Mylama.
- Final Conflict: Allied with Dommaraja of Nagunur and Myligideva against Kakatiya Rudradeva. His son, Jaggadeva II, was killed in this battle.
- Medaram Connection: Gave his daughter Sammakka in marriage to the tribal king Pagididdaraju. Following his final defeat, he fled to the forests of Medaram.
3. Administration
The dynasty was organized as a military confederation to protect the Godavari frontier. They utilized strategic forts, most notably Nagunur and Ramagiri. Administrative records were maintained in multiple languages (Kannada, Sanskrit, and Telugu), showing a sophisticated bureaucratic structure under ministers like Achana Peggada and Nagaraja.
4. Economy and Trade
The economy was supported by agriculture and land grants. The Medapally inscription registers gifts of land to temples and Brahmins in nivartanas and martars, including a specific grant of two martars to the mason Parvatoju. Trade routes were protected by the Nagunur garrison.
Irrigation and Economic Impact
Inscriptional Proof: The 1112 CE Medapally Inscription is located specifically on a tank bund, recording the creation of the Acha-samudra tank. This reflects their commitment to large-scale irrigation projects, such as the "Chain of Tanks" system, which significantly boosted the local economy before the Kakatiyas expanded upon these techniques.
5. Society
Society was pluralistic, with high religious tolerance for Shaivism, Vaishnavism, and Jainism. The marriage of Medaraja II’s daughter to a tribal chief indicates strong socio-political links between the Polavasa rulers and the local tribal populations.
6. Art and Culture
Notable for the Trikuta Temple architecture, particularly the ruins at Jangoan (Godavarikhani). The Poulastheswara and Venugopala temples in Polasa stand as symbols of their cultural peak. They were also major patrons of Jainism, supporting various Basadis and the Parsavanatha Jana Deva temple.
7. Foreign Relations
Transitioned from being loyal Western Chalukya vassals to independent rebels. They maintained a complex rivalry with the Kakatiyas, oscillating between shared religious patronage and fierce military conflict over the control of Sabbimandala.
8. Achievements and Legacy
Their legacy is preserved in the Sammakka Saralamma Jatara, rooted in the dynasty's retreat to Medaram. The Nagunur Fort remains a significant archaeological site, representing their military architectural prowess.
9. Chronology, Dating and Inscriptions
10. Successor States/Vassals
Following the defeats of Gundaraja (1138 AD) and Medaraja II (1160 AD), the Polavasa territories—including Manthani, Ramagundam, and Nagunur—were annexed by the Kakatiya Empire under Rudradeva. The dynasty effectively declined by 1160 A.D.
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