Many Telugu Choda kingdoms ruled over many regions including the cities on the banks of Krishna River in the period between the seventh and the thirteenth century. It is not known much about these family origins. Some of them claimed descent from the legendary Karikala Chola (reigned about 120). They began their career as local chieftains in the Kadapa region in the seventh century. They may be identified with the people referred by the Chinese traveler Yuan Chwng as 'Chuliya'. The Krishna River is one of the longest rivers of India (about 1300 km in length). ... Karikala Chola was the greatest among the Chola kings of the Sangam age in South India. ... Kadapa (à°•à°¡à°ª), formerly Cuddapah, is a city in Andhra Pradesh, India, the headquarters of Kadapa District. ...

The Telugu Chodas were a Sudra Clan from Andhra Country and Adopted the title Chola as a Honorary title and also to show the Fuedatory Status they had under the Chola-Chalukya rulers. As per Etukuri Bala Rama Murthy in "Andhrula Samkshiptha Charithra" Cholas gradually came to be called Kapu (caste)/ Telaga caste.Kasyapa was their Gothram. Kapu (Telugu:కాపు) is a community found mainly in the Southern Indian State of Andhra Pradesh. ... Telaga is a community and a Branch or a Division of the Kapu, or Naidu Community of Andhra and concentrated primarily in the Coastal Areas of Andhra. ...

- The surnames Chode,,Chodisetty,Chodasetty,Chodavarapu,Chodapaneedi,Chodapala,Sodisetty,Sodamsetti are some of the Kapu sur names to show link to the Telugu Cholas (Choda) Dynasties. Even some of their gotra [1](is a patrilineal classification and identification of a caste) is referred as "CHOLLA" or "Chola". These Kings were from the Chaturtha Kulamu (Source Palanati Veera Charitra).

Velanati Chodas

Main article: Velanati Chodas

Telugu Chodas of Velanadu (Velanati Choda) were one of the Telugu Choda families which claimed their descent from the illustrious Cholas of South India. Velanadu is located in the modern Guntur district. The chieftains who ruled over Velanadu came to be known as the Velanati Chodas. They belonged to the Durjaya family and were from the Kapu community of Andhra. One of them, Rajendra Choda II had even assumed the title Durjayakulaprakara. These Velanati chiefs were the subordinate allies of the Chalukya Cholas of the south. They were entrusted with the responsibility of the governance of the Andhra region, which formed a part of the Chola kingdom in the twelfth century. Their capital was Dhanadapura or Sanaduprolu, the modern Chandolu in the Guntur district intially then later they ruled from Vengi in West Godavari and Pithpuram in East Godavari Districts. Velanati Chodas(also known as Velanadu Chodas or Velanadu Cholas) were one of the Telugu Choda families who ruled over parts of the Andhra Pradesh in 12th century. ... Gonka I was a Telugu king and the first of Velanati Chodas who ruled from 1076 A.D. to 1108 A.D. Gonka I ruled as a vassal to Kulottunga I of Chalukya Cholas of Gangaikonda Cholapuram, and his son Mammadi Varma, viceoy of Vengi. ... Rajendra Choda I was a Telugu king and the second of Velanati Chodas who ruled from 1108 A.D. to 1132 A.D. Rajendra Choda I succeeded his father Gonka I as the chieftan and contined his alegience to Chalukya Cholas. ... Gonka II was a Telugu king and the third of Velanati Chodas who ruled from 1132 A.D. to 1161 A.D. Gonka II succeeded his father Rajendra Choda I. He was regarded as greatest among of all Chodas and also fought as general in earlier battles during his father... Rajendra Choda II was a Telugu king and the fourth of Velanati Chodas who ruled from 1161 A.D. to 1181 A.D. He succeeded his father Gonka II and his reign was full of rebellions from Nellore Chodas, Pottapi Chodas and Pakanadu Chodas. ... Gonka III was a Telugu king and the fifth of Velanati Chodas who ruled from 1181 A.D. to 1186 A.D. He succeeded his father Rajendra Choda II and he lost to Rudradeva II of kakatiya and also to his rebel Kota Chieftain Ketaraja II. He was killed in... Prithviswara II was a Telugu king of Velanati Chodas who ruled from 1186 A.D. to 1207 A.D. He was the last important ruler of the kingdom and he stayed at Pithapuram. ... Velanati Chodas(also known as Velanadu Chodas or Velanadu Cholas) were one of the Telugu Choda families who ruled over parts of the Andhra Pradesh in 12th century. ... The Cholas were the most famous of the three dynasties that ruled ancient Tamil Nadu. ... South India is a linguistic-cultural region of India that comprises the four Indian states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu and the Union Territory of Pondicherry, whose inhabitants are collectively referred to as South Indians. ... Guntur   (గుంటూరు in Telugu) is a city and a municipal corporation in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. ... Kapu is a caste in the Indian State of Andhra Pradesh. ... The Chalukya Chola dynasty ruled the Chola Empire from 1070 C.E. until the demise of the empire in the second half of the 13th century. ...

The Velanati Chiefs rose to prominence among the vassals of the Chalukyas of Vengi during the early days of Kulothunga Chola I and served as the Chalukya Chola viceroys faithfully as their trusted lieutenants and generals. Finding his dominion dwindling, due to the ascendency of the Kalyani Chalukyas in the Vengi country, Kulothunga Chola lent support to his loyal chieftains of Velanadu to bring the situation under control and rule over Vengi as his vassals. Evidence is available to the effect that five chieftains of Velanadu ruled over the country after which it was over-run by the Kakatiyas and became a part of their kingdom. Kulothunga Chola was the offspring of two rival dynasties - the Cholas of Thanjavoor and the Chalukyas of Vengi when he came to the throne in 1070 A.D. The Cholas and the Chalukyas had always existed in constant warfare, spaced by periods of uneasy peace, for decades, due to differences...

Velanati Chodas:

• Gonka I (1076 – 1108 )
• Rajendra Choda 1 (1108 – 1032 )
• Gonka II (1132 – 1161 )
• Rajendra Choda II (1161 – 1181 )
• Gonka III (1181 – 1186 )
• Prithviswara (1186 – 1207 )

Renadu Cholas

The Telugu Chodas of Renadu (also called as Renati Cholas) ruled over Renadu region, the present day Cuddapah district. They were originally independent, later forced to the suzerainty of the Eastern Chalukyas. They had the unique honour of using the Telugu language in their inscriptions belonging to the 7th and 8th centuries. The inscriptions at Jammulamadugu and Prodduturu. Map showing cuddapah district Cuddapah, or Kadapa, as it is known now, is one of the districts of Rayalaseema in Andhra Pradesh, India. ... Eastern Chalukyas were a South Indian dynasty whose kingdom was located in the present day Andhra Pradesh. ...

Pottapi Cholas

Telugu Chodas of Pottapi ruled the Cuddapah region after the fall of the Renati Cholas. Their inscriptions from 11th century are found in this area. It is also believed that they ruled over Chittoor district, since Dhurjati of Kalahasti mentioned that he was from Pottapi region. Image:Chitoor. ... Dhurjati (15th and 16th centuries CE) was a Telugu poet in the court of the king Krishnadevaraya and was one of the astadiggajas (literally eight elephants) there. ... Kalahasti temple is a famous Siva temple, and is said to be the site where Kannappa, one of the 63 Saivite Nayanars, was ready to offer his last remaining eye to cover blood flowing from the Siva linga before the Lord stopped him and granted mukti. ...

Konidena Cholas

The Konidena Cholas were also a branch of the Renadu Cholas. Their capital was Konidena (also called as Kotyadona) near Narasaraopeta in the Guntur district. They ruled over parts of Palanadu in 11th and 12th centuries. Early kings Kannara Choda and Kama Choda were independent. Tribhuvana Malla Choda, son of Kama Choda, was a chieftain to Gonka II of Velanati Chodas. Nanni Choda, son of Tribhuvana Malla Choda declared independence again, but was soon was defeated and forced to be vassals again by Gonka II. After the fall of Velanadu Cholas, they are forced to suzerianity by Ganapatideva of Kakatiyas. Palnadu is the northern region of Guntur District in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. ... Velanati Chodas(also known as Velanadu Chodas or Velanadu Cholas) were one of the Telugu Choda families who ruled over parts of the Andhra Pradesh in 12th century. ... The Kakatiya Dynasty was a South Indian dynasty that ruled parts of what is now Andhra Pradesh, India from 1083 to 1323. ...

Nannuru Cholas

Nannuru Cholas were another branch of Telugu Cholas in the region of Pakanadu. The famous Telugu Poet Kaviraja Sikrtamani Nanne Choda belonged to this family. Not much is known of this clan and it is believed to be a subordinate of Vikramaditya VI of Kalyani Chalukyas. Telugu (తెలుగు) is a Dravidian language primarily spoken in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, where it is the official language. ... Nanne Choda (12th CE) was a famous Telugu poet and belongs to a family of Telugu Cholas. ... Vikramaditya VI was a king of the Kalyani Chalukya clan. ... Extent of Western Chalukya Empire, 1121 CE Capital Manyakheta, Basavakalyan Language(s) Kannada Religion Hindu Government Monarchy King  - 973 – 997 Tailapa II  - 1184 – 1189 Somesvara IV History  - Earliest records 957  - Established 973  - Disestablished 1189 The Western Chalukyas (Kannada:ಪಶ್ಚಿಮ ಚಾಲುಕ್ಯರು) were a dynasty who ruled most of the western deccan, South India...

Telugu Chodas of Nellore

Main article: Nellore Chodas

There was another branch of the Telugu Chodas ruled from Nellore and chieftains of Kakatiyas. The Telugu poet, Tikkana, in the introduction of his Nirvachanottara Ramayanamu, gave an account of the history and antecedents of this family. These Chodas also claimed descent from the famous Karikala Chola. They ruled over their kingdom consisting of the Nellore, Cuddapah, Chittur and Chengalput districts with Vikramasimhapuri (modern Nellore) as their capital. Nellore Chodas(also known as Nellore Cholas) were one of the Telugu Choda families who ruled over parts of Andhra Pradesh in 11th and 12h centuries. ... Nellore is a city located in Andhra Pradesh, India. ... Kavitrayam is a Telugu expression for trinity of poets. ... Chittur is a small town in Palakkad district of kerala, south India. ...

Chola Bijjana was the first important chief in the Nellore Choda clan. As a feudatory of the Western Chalukya Someswara I (1042 – 1068 ) of Kalyani, he took part in the wars of the Chalukyas and Cholas. In recognition of the loyalty and services of his descendants to the Chalukyas of Kalyani, Vikramadiya II (1076 - 1126 ) appointed them as rulers of Pakanadu. The Cholas were a South Indian Tamil dynasty, antedating the early Sangam literature (c. ...

Later Tikka (1223 – 1248 ) father of the famous Manumasiddhi, extended the sway of the Nellore Telugu Chola family as far south as the river Kaveri. He owed nominal allegiance to the already crippled Chalukya Chola emperors of the south, but was practically an independent ruler. Along with the Hoysala Vira Narasimha, he helped the Chalukya Chola ruler Rajaraja Chola III in restoring him back to his throne by repulsing the attacks of Aniyanka Bhima, Kopperunchinga II and the Pandyas. The Cauvery (sometimes written as Kaveri) is one of the major rivers of southern India. ... The Hoysala Empire ruled part of southern India from 1000 to 1346. ... Rajaraja Chola III succeeded Kulothunga Chola III on the Chola throne in July 1216 CE. Rajaraja came to the throne of a kingdom much reduced in size as well as influence. ... Kopperunchinga II (reigned c. ... The Pandyan kingdom was an ancient state at the tip of South India, founded around the 6th century BCE. It was part of the Dravidian cultural area, which also comprised other kingdoms such as that of the Pallava, the Chera, the Chola, the Chalukya and the Vijayanagara. ...

Subsequently, whan the Hoyasala Vira Narasimha's successor Somesvara, desirous of making the Chalukya Chola ruler a puppet in his hands, joined hands with the Pandyas and attacked Rajendra IIl, Choda TiKka came to the rescue of the Chola emperor. He defeated both the Hoyasala and the Pandyan forces and got thereby the Tondaimandalam region for himself. He even assumed the title Cholasthapanacharya. During the reign of Tikka's son and successor Manumasiddhi II (1248 – 1263), the power of the Nellore Cholas was at its low ebb.

About the year 1260, a dangerous feud broke out between Manumasiddhi and Katamaraju, the chief of Erragaddapadu in Kanigiri region. The feud was on the issue of the rights of the two princes to use certain wide meadows as grazing grounds for their flocks of cattle. It led to the fierce engagement of the two sides and the bloody battle was fought at Panchalingala on the Paleru river. Manumasiddhi's forces led by Khadga Tikkana, the cousin of poet Tikkana won the battle, but the leader perished. This feud and the consequent battle formed the theme of the popular ballad entitled "Katamaraju Katha". Shortly after this disastrous battle, Manumasiddhi died.

With the death of Manumasiddhi II, the Nellore kingdom lost its individuality, became a battle ground between the Kakatiyas and the Pandyas and changed hands frequently. In the reign of Kakatiya Prataparudra II, the Nellore region became part and parcel of the Kakatiya empire and lost its political significance.

Advances in Telugu literature

The period of rule of the Telugu Chodas was in particular significant for the development it received in the Telugu literature under the patronage of the rulers. It was the age in which the great Telugu poets Tikkana, Ketana, Marana and Somana enriched the literature with their remarkable contributions. Tikkana Somayaji wrote Nirvachanottara Ramayanamu and Andhra Mahabharata. Abhinava Dandin Ketana wrote Dasakumaracharitramu, Vijnaneswaramu and Andhra Bhashabhushanamu. Marana wrote Markandeya Parana in Telugu. Somana wrote Basava Purna. Telugu literature is the literature of the Telugu people, an ethnic group based in southern India. ... Marana is a town located in Pima County, Arizona. ...

Tikkana Somayaji was a minister of Manumasiddhi II of Nellore. This great poet had for his credit two important works in Telugu. The first one is Nirvachanottara Ramayanamu. Though a highly Sanskritised style was employed, it is characterised by excellent literary qualities and abounding elements of Pathos and heroism. However it is the Andhra Mahabharata which brought for Tikkana undying fame and made him one of the immortals. Though it is a translation of the last fifteen volumes of the Mahabharata, left out by his predcessor Nannaya, yet Tikkana put life and blood into it with an avowed objective of making it an epic. His delineation of character, dramatic dialogue and lucid and at the same time suggestive exposition of facts are masterly in nature. His broad spiritual outlook, lofty idealism, high imagination and splendid diction made him Kavi Brahma (The Supreme Creator among poets).

Abhinava Dandin Ketana, who was a contemporary of Tikkana, dedicated his Dasakumaracharitramu, written in tasteful and sweet style, to him. He also translated Vijnaneswara's Mitakshari, a Sanskrit commentary on the Yajnavalkya Smriti, into Telugu under the name Vijnaneswaramu.

Another work of Ketana is Andhra Bhashabhushanamu, a book, on metrical grammar in Telugu. Marana was another contemporary of Tikkana, He was also a disciple of the latter. He translated the Markandeya Parana into Telugu. His work, became a source book to many subsequent Telugu poets who selected their themes from the many delightful stories incorporated in it.

References

• Durga Prasad, History of the Andhras up to 1565 A. D., P. G. PUBLISHERS, GUNTUR (1988)
• South Indian Inscriptions - http://www.whatisindia.com/inscriptions/