Alupa Dynasty | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 200–1444 | |||||||
 Coinage of the Alupas. Uncertain ruler, Chattopadhyaya Type II. Legendśri pa/ndya dhana/jaya in Devanagari. 14th century CE | |||||||
 The Alupas and neighbouring South Asian politiesc. 600 CE.[1] | |||||||
| Capital | Mangalore,Udyavara,Barkur | ||||||
| Common languages | Tulu[2]Kannada[3] | ||||||
| Religion | Jain Bunt | ||||||
| Government | Monarchy | ||||||
| King | |||||||
| History | |||||||
• Established | 200 | ||||||
• Disestablished | 1444 | ||||||
| |||||||
The Alupa dynasty was anIndian dynasty that ruled from 200 to 1444 A.D. in Southern India.[4] They were local feudatories at different times under major dynasties such as the Kadambas, Chalukyas, Rashtrakutas and later Vijaynagara[5] The kingdom they ruled was known asAlvakheda Arusasira, and its territory spanned thecoastal districts of the modern Indian state known asKarnataka, includingKasaragod district of present-day Kerala.[6] The Alupas played a significant role in the political, cultural, and religious history of coastal Karnataka.[7]
The name of the dynasty is variously recorded in inscriptions asAlupa,Aluva,Alva,Aluka, andAlapa.[8] The origin of Alupas prior to theKadambas is unclear, as there is no epigraphical evidence.Ptolemy, the 2nd-century geographer, identifies the Alvakheda as Olokhoira, which is widely believed to be a corruption of the termAlva Kheda, 'the land of the Alvas.[9]
In theTulu language,ಆಳ್ಪು(Alup) means 'to rule',ಆಳ್ಪುನು(Alupunu) means 'ruling',ಆಳುಪೆ /ಆಳ್ಪೆ /ಆಳ್ಪುನಾಯೆ(Alupe) means 'ruler' (one who rules). According toB. A. Saletore, the nameAlupa may be derived from its variantAluka, which is an epithet of the divine serpentShesha ofHindu epics.[10]Fleet has suggested that the nameAluka could denote theNāga Because it represent Jain Yakshini Padamavti the yakshini ofParshwanatha, who in early times were included in Chalukya dominions.[11] Saletore further adds that the Naga or Jain origin of the Alupas is proved by two facts. The figure of a hooded serpent, which is found in an effaced Alupa stone inscription around Mangalore,[12] Saletore dismisses the idea regarding theDravidian origin of the name from theKannada wordAlunu, meaning 'to rule' or 'govern'.[13]
The Alupas in their prime were an independent dynasty, centuries after reigning due to the dominance ofKadambas from Banavasi, they became feudatories to them. Later, they became the vassals of theChalukyas,Rashtrakutas, andHoysalas with the change in the political scenario of Southern India. Their influence over coastal Karnataka lasted for about 1200 years.[14][15] It has been pointed out that the Alupas do not appear to have adopted the law of matrilineal inheritance (Appekatt/Aliyasantana) system at any time during their existence as a royal family where the only instance in the long list of known Alupa rulers is the reign of nephew "Aliya" Kulasekhara Bankideva (son of Alupa princess Krishnayitayi andHoysalaVeera Ballala III) succeeding Soyideva - which is considered as only a challenge to those who had succeeded to the throne by the universal law of direct succession.[16][17][18] The last Alupa king to have ruled is Kulasekharadeva Alupendradeva, whose inscription dated 1444 CE has been found inMudabidriJain Basadi.[19]
The history of the clan emerges from obscurity during the rise ofBadamiChalukya in the Aihole and Mahakuta inscriptions, which claim the Alupas had accepted Chalukya overlordship and had become their feudatory.[20] They ruled initially fromMangalore and at other times from Udyavara inUdupi and later fromBarkur. Their first regular full-length inscription, theVaddarase inscription in Kannada, is dated to the early 7th century. They maintained marital relations with their overlords over the centuries.[21]
The Alupas, as a feudatory of theWestern Chalukyas in coastal Karnataka, issued coins withKannada andNagari inscriptions on them. Coins with Kannada legends seem to have been minted in Mangalorem and those with Nagari legends at the Udupi mint.Kannada was their language of administration. The Pagodas and Fanams were the common coinage of all the Alupa kings. The obverse of the coins carried the royal emblem "Two Fishes" and the reverse had the legend "Sri Pandya Dhanamjaya" either in Nagari or old (Hale) Kannada.[22]
HistorianP. Gururaja Bhat states that the Alupa royal family were possibly of local origin who were followers ofJainism and are identified as Jain bunts[23][24] Whereas, B. A. Saletore mentions that the title Alupa (Alva) survives till this day in the Bunt community WhileAlva's were originally Jains,[25] Some sections later adopted Hinduism though title continues to be used.[26][27] Alupa royal family recorded to have maintained matrimonial alliances with TheSantara dynasty and are both adherents of Jainism.[28]
The rule over Uttara Kannada region, with Banavasi as its capital was byChutu clan followed by theShatavahana branch which governed for Siri, Siva, Pulumavi and Yajna Satakarnis, prior to the Kadambas. With the Kadambas rule from Banavasi, Karnataka saw developments in the field of art and culture.[29][30] Land of Karnataka saw more and more epigraphs that recorded the activities of the past, mostly erected in the temple premises. The first clear mention of Alupas comes from theHalmidi inscription of 450 CE where their possible early ruler Pashupathi of Alapa (Alupa) gana is mentioned. Pashupathi was the contemporary of the Kadambas.[31] Hence for historical record, we can safely assume that the dynastic formation of Alupas took place around 5th century CE. Their royal emblem was the double fish and they claimed to belong to thePandyavamsha andSoma Kula (lunar dynasty).[20]
The descendants of this dynasty still survive to this date and have spread in the karavali region and they are widely referred to as theBunt.[32][33] TheBunts follow Matrilineality instead of the common Patrilineality, and are said to be Nagavanshi Jain Kshatriyas by their maternal origin. They can be identified with their surnames such asShetty,Rai,Hegde,Alva,Chowta etc. Even though mostBunt areHindus by faith now, The sizeable section of the community still followsJainism and they are calledJain Bunt[34]
Although Alupas controlled part of Uttara Kannada and Shimoga of Karnataka and northern part of Kerala during the zenith, the core region consisted of the Old Dakshina Kannada district which comprises Modern Dakshina Kannada district and Udupi district.[35] In the ancient times, the region was referred asAlvakheda and during the later part of the reign, the region betweenSwarna River and chandragiri river was referred asTulunadu. The term Tulunadu is still practised today while referring to the region.[36][37]
The term Alvakheda could be seen in several of ancient inscriptions of the Alupas. The region of Alvakheda encompassed the modern Tulunadu, northern and central part of Udupi district and part of Uttara Kannada up to Ankola on the coastal north and Banavasi on the interior west of Uttara Kannada District. Also, the region of Humcha in the Shimoga district, and the land of Kasaragod in present-day Kerala up to the Payasvini river was the boundary in the south.[38] The term Alvakheda is not seen in the inscriptions during the Vijayanagara period, when the region of Barakuru and Mangalore were two separate provinces under the administration of Governors who started controlling the territory without interfering in the autonomy of the Alupas.[39]
The region stretches from Mangalore in the south all the way to swarna river in the north. On the west is the Arabian sea and on the east is theWestern Ghats that fences the land like a fort that formed a heaven for the ruler. More than it, number of rivers that crisscrossed near Mangalore, Udyavara made this land fertile. The western ghats, the thick forests and the towns along the shoreline of Arabian sea established several sea ports for trade with the Romans and Arabs. Trade routes from with the Romans were well established as early as the 2nd century CE and with the Arabs around 7th century CE. The Netravati in Mangalore and Seethanadi in Barkur are the main rivers that run in the capital cities of Alupas. Other rivers such as Suvarnanadi, Shambhavi inKarkala andMulki, Gurupura river,Pavanje, Nandini and numerous streams all running from east to west. The region ofPuttur,Sullia, Belthangady and Puttur, Karkala are theMalnad region and supported as an agricultural backbone of the kingdom and the region of Mangalore, Udupi andKundapur are the coastal regions that supported more of marine activities though agriculture is the other occupation.[40][41]
AnOld Malayalam inscription (Ramanthali inscriptions), dated to 1075 CE, mentioning king Kunda Alupa, can be found atEzhimala (the former headquarters ofMushika dynasty) nearCannanore, Kerala.[42][43]
The earliest knowncopper plate inscription in Kannada language is attributed to Aluvarasa II, called the Belamannu plates and is dated the early 8th century, according to Dr. Gururaj Bhat.[21] This full-length Kannada copper plates inOld Kannada or Halegannada (Kannada: ಹಳೆಗನ್ನಡ) script (early 8th century CE) belongs to the Alupa King Aluvarasa II fromBelmannu, Karkala Taluk, Udupi District, and displays the double crested fish, the royal emblem of Alupa kings. The records also refers to the king with the title Alupendra.[44]
The first known epigraph that talks about the possession of Banavasi Mandala (Banavasi kingdom of Uttara Kannada District) by the Alupas, belongs to the reign of Western Chalukya king Vinayaditya.[45] Te epigraph comes from Jambani of Sagar Taluk, discovered by Dr Gururaj Bhat, mentions about Chitravahana Alupendra in possession of Kadamba mandala. This is, in fact, the first stone epigraph that points the ruler as a subordinate to Western Chalukya King (8th century CE). AnOld Malayalam inscription (Ramanthali inscriptions), dated to 1075 CE, mentioning king Kunda Alupa, the ruler of Alupa dynasty ofMangalore, can be found atEzhimala (the former headquarters ofMushika dynasty) nearCannanore, in theNorth Malabar region ofKerala.[42] It is one of the oldest inscriptions available about Alupa dynasty.[42]
The inscription at Talangere Kasaragod sheds light on the Alupa ruler Jayasimha and his sister Mochabbarasi.[46]
The oldest Tulu inscription discovered to date in the region is located at Pelattur, the one from the Kulashekhara temple in Mangaluru dated to 1159 A.D. Discovered by Prof.A. Murugeshi, it provides valuable information about the Alupa dynasty and is significant for the study of the Tulu language and culture. The inscription showcases the use of pure Tulu words and demonstrates the existence and sophistication of the Tulu language and script in ancient times.[47][48][49]
| Ruler's name | Year of reign | Relation |
|---|---|---|
| Pashupathi | 450 CE | |
| To be known | 500 – 7th century CE | |
| Aluvarasa I | Early 7th century | Father-in-law ofPulakeshin II |
| Gunasagara | 660–630 CE | |
| Chitravahana | 663–730 CE | Husband ofChalukya princess Kumkuma Mahadevi and brother-in-law of ChalukyaVijayaditya |
| Aluvarasa II | Incurred the wrath of the Chalukyas | |
| Chitravahana II | ||
| Ranasagara | ||
| Pritvisagara | ||
| Marama | ||
| Vimaladitya | ||
| Alva Rananjaya | ||
| Dattalupa | ||
| Kundavarma | 960–980 CE | |
| Jayasimha | 980–1010 CE | |
| Bankideva Alupendra | ||
| Pattiyodeya | ||
| Pandya Pattiyodeya | 1080–1110 CE | |
| Kavi Alupendra CE | ||
| Pattiyodeya Kulashekara Alupendra | 1160–1220 CE | |
| Kundana | 1220–1230 CE | |
| Vallabhadeva Duttalupa | ||
| Virapandya | 1250–1275 CE | |
| Queen Ballamahadevi and Nagadevarasa | 1275–1285 CE | |
| Bankideva II | ||
| Soyideva | ||
| Kulashekara | 1335–1346 CE | Son ofHoysalaVeera Ballala III and Alupa princess Chikkayitayi |
| Bankideva III | ||
| Kulashekara III | 1355–1390 CE | |
| Virapandya II |
The Alupas built some fine temples in their area of rule. The Panchalingeshwara temple at Barkur, Brahmalingeshwara temple atBrahamavar, Koteshwara temple at Kotinatha and the Sadashiva temple atSuratkal are attributed to them. They used sculptural styles from their various overlords over the centuries.[21]
1 The Kattale Basadi, Barkur
The temple is traditionally attributed to the Alupa dynasty and later received patronage during the Vijayanagara Empire. The temple complex is believed to have originally housed 24 Tirthankara idols, of which only one survives today. Barkur served as an important Jain center under the Alupas and later dynasties, with several basadis (Jain temples) constructed in the region.[50]
2.Sri Rajarajeshwari Temple, Polali
In modern Mangalore District,Polali Rajarajeshwari Temple is one of the oldest temple that has the earliest inscription of the Alupa dynasty, written in 8th century Kannada. The temple is dedicated to Sri Rajarashewari, and Alupa kings enriched this temple during throughout their rule.[51]
3.Sri Manjunatheshwara Temple, Kadri
In modern Mangalore district, Kadri has the other important and old temple that belonged to the era of Alupas. The temple has several finest bronze statues installed by the King Kundavarma, which bears inscriptions of him dated 968 CE. In the inscription of Lokeshwara statue, king Kundavarma is compared to Arjuna in bravery.[52]
4.Sri Mahishamardini Temple, Neelavara
In times, Alupas changed their capital from Mangalore toUdyavara, Udyavara to Mangalore and then again to Barkur depending on the political situation and demand.[53] To be in centre to their ruling place, they even shifted their capital to Barakur from where they could look after the vast territory which spread up toAnkola in the North Kanara (Uttara Kannada District). During this period, they patronised several temples in the surrounding areas of Barakuru (which was their capital). Neelavara Kshetra is one such a holy place where Mahishasuramardini temple has several Alupa inscriptions of later period.[54]
5.Sri Panchalingeshwara Temple, Vittla
This temple is one of the oldest temple of Alupa territory, built during 7th century CE. The architecture of the temple is in line with that of Sri Ananteshwara temple which is the oldest temple built by the Alupas. The architecture is unique and is an innovation of 7th century. TheHavyaka Brahmins of Uttara Kannada were attracted during 7th century CE by the Alupas and were given Agraharas in Alvakheda. The Alupas thought a Jain built many Hindu temples and allowed these Brahmins to take care of it. The legend says that there were hundreds of temples that every day there is a festival in one or other temple of the region. The temple of Vittla Panchalingeshwara is one of the oldest structure which was renovated by the later local dynasties such as Heggades.[55]
6.Sri Anantheshwara Temple, Udupi
Diagonally opposite to the main entrance of the Sri Krishna Mutt, and adjacent to the Chandramouleeshwara Temple, stands one of the oldest Alupa temple namelySri Anantheswara Temple. An old belief is that lighting a lamp at the ancient Anantheshwara Temple takes away evil and sins. It is one of the biggest temple in Udupi. The main idol is Linga, whose adornment makes it to look like a Face of Lord Siva. From a small window on the left, the site where Madhvacharya disappeared is seen.[56]
Both Sri Vittla Panchalingeshwara and Sri Udupi Anantheshwara Temple have Elephant-back type curvilinear structure. Another temple of similar architecture is also seen in Aihole Durga temple, appears to be a structure of 7th century CE. So, tagging it to any architectural style is ruled out unless more detailed study or research is done on this topic. The unique noteworthy feature of the architecture of South Canara temples is their roof. Being in a landscape of high rainfall, the temple roofs evolved from grass, clay tiles and eventually with the copper-plates.[57]
