Theories of Origin - Sivatattvaratnakara

According to Sivatattvaratnakara, Chauda and Bhadra were two of the four sons of Basavappa and Basavamma. The two unnamed sons and Basavappa passed away, and a series of incidents happened in Chauda's life.

1. His mother found his asleep with a snake spreading its hood over his head


2. One of the cows of the households constantly had an empty udder, and the cow boy was suspected of theivery. When he claimed that the cow emptied its milk at a specific location, Chauda and his family went to investigate. They found a Siva Linga with the name Ramesvara on it.


3. Chauda had a dream of finding treasure and sure enough, a few days later he came across a treasure chest while ploughing his field


4. The treasure steadily increased the family's status until finally the Nayakaship came their way

Nayakas of Ikkeri - Chapter 2 - Origin and Foundation of the Nayakship of Ikkeri

The Emperor of Vijayanagar, hearing of the influence of Chauda, summoned him to his presence and appointed him Governor of Pulladesa with the title Keladi Chaudappa Nayaka.

Theories of Origin

Dr. Swaminathan acknowledges the problem of trying to write about early histories of relatively small kingdoms.

Nayakas of Ikkeri - Chapter 2 - Origin and Foundation of the Nayakship of Ikkeri

The study of the origins and early history of any kingdom bristles with many difficulties on account of their humble origin and almost unnoticeable beginnings...
There are diverse and contradictory accounts about the rise of the Nayakas of Ikkeri to power.

Previous Research Cited in Nayakas of Ikkeri

Sketch of the Dynasties of South India, Robert Sewell, 1884.

Sewell's geneology was revised by L. D. Barnett in Jornal of Asiatic Society in 1910.

Dr. Shama Sastry sketched the history of Malnad chiefs in the Quarterly Journal of the Mythic Society, Bangalore.

The same journal published a paper on Keladi dynasty by S. N. Naraharayya in 1930-31.

A 1936 paper by Lakshminarayan Rao titled "The Nayakas of Keladi" in the Vijayanagar Sexcentenary Commemoration Volume fixed the chronology of chiefs.

Father Heras in his book "Aravidu Dynasty" has given a brief account of the Ikkeri Nayakas.

Nayakas of Ikkeri - Chapter 1 - Introduction, Page 11

I have carefully studied the views of the earlier writers on the subject and discussed my differences with them regarding problems of chronology and identification in my own statements. I am however indebted to these scholars who have worked earlier in the field.

It is hoped that the present study would, for the first time, place before the public an authentic account of the Ikkeri rulers so far as it could be authentic from the source material available at persent.

References on the Nayakas

Sivatattvaratnakara is a Sanskrit (or Samskrit as the master prefers) poem written by Basavaraja in 1698-1715 period.

Keladinrpavijayam is written by a Brahmin court poyet Linganna. It details the political history of the Ikkeri kingdom, including incursion by the Bijapur kindom, and the final defeat against Hyder Ali in 1763.

Portuguese documents (Moncoes do reino, Instrucoes, Pazes-E-Tratados) are kept at Archivo Secretaria Geral do Governo, Panjim and Lisbon. Copies are available at Indian Historical Research Institute in St. Xaviers College, Bombay. Note that when the book was initially published (1957), Goa was still a Portuguese colony. For this reason, I expect that the original documents would probably not be found now in Panaji.

Dutch documents in Batavia Dagh Register deal with relations between the Dutch and the Ikkeri Nayakas.

English Factory Records and correspondance from Tellicherry, Karwar and Bombay relate to commercial relations between the English and the Nayakas.

Accounts of foreign travellers like Della Valle, Peter Mundy, Dr. Fryer, Pinkerton and Abbe Carei are also cited.

The Persian work Ferishta is a glorified account of the Bijapur kingdom's millitary campaigns.

Peshva Daftars provide details about Marathi incursions into the Carnatic.

A number of native manuscripts and chronicles are also cited, as being preserved in the Government Oriental Manuscripts Library in Madras:

Nayakas of Ikkeri - Chapter 1 - Introduction, Page 10

(a) Rajavamsavali, containing geneological accounts of the kings of Ikkeri dynasty.
(b) Tulu Konkana Rajara Sasanagalu, dealing with the wars and conquests of kings of the Tuluva and Konkana and their relations with Muslims.
(c) Biligi Arasara Vamsavali, dealing with the history of Biligi.
(d) Kanthivara Narasaraja Vijaya, Maisuru Arasugala Purvabhydyaya Kadattam and Chikkadevarayavijayam, dealing with the history of Mysory and an account of the relations of Mysore with Ikkeri kingdom.
(e) Arasugala Parampare, Gersoppa Samsthanada vishaya, containing information about Gersoppa principality.
(f) Velugotivarivamsavali, dealing with the Velugoti chiefs.
(g) Kaifiyats
(i) Ustangi Ventike Saluva Sante Bennur Kaifiyat
(ii) Kaifiyat of Udugani
(iii) Kanara Kaifiyat
(iv) Kaifiyats of Mardala Makani, Arikuthara, Basrur, Kundapur, Kabbunadu, Kadari, Halsanad, Kapi, Hosangadi and Bidarur.
(v) Hyder Kaifiyat

The word 'KAIFIYAT' is an Arabic term and it simply means a narrative. This name was given by Colonel Collins Mackenzie to history, legends and myths of villages he visited and about which he collected historical documents. In India such local tracts were generally known under the name STHALA PURANAS.
Reference http://www.sociology.ed.ac.uk/sas/conf16/panel8.htm#abstract12

The Motivation

In the very first chapter of the Nayakas of Ikkeri, Swaminathan writes:

Nayakas of Ikkeri - Chapter 1 - Introduction, Page 1

To weigh the stars, or to make ships sail in the air or below the sea, is not a more astonishing and ennobling performance on the part of the human race in these later days, than to know the course of events that had been long forgotten and the true nature of men and women who were here before us.

This blog tries to understand the nature of my ancestors.

Books written by K. D. Swaminathan

Early South Indian temple architecture: Study of Tiruvalisvaram inscriptions
K. D Swaminathan
Unknown Binding: 210 pages
Publisher: CBH Publications (1990)
Language: English
ISBN: 8185381119

Nayakas of Ikkeri
K. D Swaminathan
P. Varadachary & CO (1957)
8, Linghi Chetty Street, Madras

K. D. Swaminathan

The late Ms. Saraswathi was the younger sister of my maternal grandmother. She was also the most liberal, energetic and open minded person in my entire family.

The last I saw her was on my recent visit to India. She gave me some invaluable 11th century Chola coins collected by her husband, the late Professor K. D. Swaminathan. I talked to her at length about his work, his legacy and hers. She gave me a copy of the two books written by him. Her parting words were that her mind was in bliss, although her body was tired.

She passed away a day later. To my lasting regret, I was on my flight back to the US at this time. I was unable to pay my last respect. This blog has been created to explore and expand the legacy of these great souls. Their lives continue through those they loved and those who loved them.