Kadambas:
The stone record of Gurdi (Sangue Taluka) states that Kantacharyas
alias Shastadeva I (960 A.D) settled in the Goa Area of Astagrahar (Sangue
Taluka) and Konkan Taluka along with the parts of North Kanara. The
Goa Kadambas have left a number of inscriptions from which we can
trace out their geneology from 960 A.D. to 1300 A.D. We have the
Ganadevi Stone inscriptions of Shashthadeva II dated A.D. 1042,
Sawaivarm plate of his son Guhalladeva II dated A.D. 1038; the
Curtorium copper plate of his second son Viravamadeva A.D. 1049: the
Gudikatti stone inscription of his youngest son Jayakesha A.D. 1052;
Goa plate of Jayakesha I dated A.D. 1053; the stone inscription of
Jayakesha II of Narendra dated A.D. 1125. The Demgave record of
Shivachitta Kadamba dated A.D. 1174; the Kirhalasige Stone
Inscription dated 118687 A.D. which states that Jayakesha II caused
the Chalukyas and cholas to become friends at Kanchi: the Bandora
Goa plate dated A.D. 1262, and the stone inscription of Shashthadeva
III at Kaliyuga dated 126364 A.D., etc.
The Kadambas ruled over Goa and South Konkan practically as the
feudatories of the Chalukyas of Kalyani (A.D. 9731162). After this
when the Yadavas of Devagiri supplanted the Chalukyas, the Kadambas
became their feudatories. At times, the Kadambas acted independent
of both. The Goa Kadambas had their earlier capital at Banavasi.
They took advantages of the weakness of the Bhojas and occupied
Khanapur and Sampagoan Talukas of Belgaum district. When they
expanded in the Konkan, they made Chandor on the bank of River
Paroda as their capital. Later on, it looks as if, about 1049 A.D.
the capital was shifted to Gopaka (modern Vodlem Goem) on the bank
of River Zuari by Vikramadeva. Kantakacharya alias Shashtha I (960
A.D.) perhaps was the founder of the dynasty. He was perhaps a
contemporary of the Chalukya King Taila II who overthrew the
Rastrakutas. It is very possible that Kantakacharya who as per the
Sawai Verm plate established many kings ~ helped Taila II and also
established the Kadamba Rule in Chandrapur. His grandson Guhalladeva
I (9801005 A.D.) was enjoying greater powers Shashthadeva II (100542
A.D.) succeeded Guhalladeva I. He married the daughter of Vajjada,
the Silahara King of Konkan. The Silaharas were weakened during his
reign and he helped Jayasimha the Chalukya King to conquer South
Konkan. In the process he annexed the South Konkan of the Goa
Silaharas and also invaded North Konkan of the Thana Silaharas. The
Thana Silaharas accepted him as overlord and King Mammuri (102542
A.D.) of Thana Silaharas gave his daughter in marriage to
Shashthadeva II. He made many pilgrimages to Somnath, Mahableshwar,
Kolhapur, etc. He also married the sister of the Chalukya Emperor
Jayasimha II. Chandrapur seems to have become a big and beautiful
city during his reign. His area of control seems to have extended
from Saurashtra to North Kanara and the Silaharas of Kolhapur and
Thana most probably acknowledged his authority over them.
Guhalladeva II reign as per the Swaiverem plate is dated 1038 A.D.
He most probably assisted his father in his conquests and his reign
synchronized with that of his father. There is a mention of
Viravarmadeva, elder brother of Jayakeshi I, ruling before him for a
short period. He is mentioned in his Gudikattiu (Dharwad) Stone
inscription. There are two copper plate grants namely Gopaka grant
of A.D. 1053 and the Panaji plate of A.D. 1059. Then we have stone
inscriptions, namely, the Panjanikhani stone inscription of 1054
A.D. and the Raia stone inscription of A.D. 1071. He is said to have
married his daughter to the Chalukya Emperor Vikramankadeva VI in
1076 A.D. His was a prominent role in not only building the Kadamba
Empire but also consolidating it with matrimonial alliances as well
as the prosperity and trade which developed in his time. The
Kadambas had trade relations with fourteen countries (Gopaka plate).
He made Gopakapattana as his capital and the city developed into a
splendid
city of the times in the Area. The Arab merchant Commander Chhaddama was made Governor of Gopaka. Guhalladeva III (1081 to 1125
A.D.) succeeded Jayakesha I as mentioned in the Narendra inscription
of A.D. 1125. The Alnavara stone inscription states that at the
beginning of his reign he ruled over Konkan, Palasige, Kundur, Unkal,
Sabbi, Haive, Utsugrame, Kadaravali, Kontakuli and Kavaded
VipaSavalaksha. The Tegur (Dharwad) inscription states that he ruled
over Konkan and Palasige. There are the Mugad Stone inscription of
A.D. 1125, the Madakai Monnalli (Dharwad) inscription of 1096 A.D.;
the Malakanakoppa stone inscription of A.D. 1103 and the Nigadi (Dharwad)
stone inscription of A.D. 1111. All these give us ideas of his rule
and the extent of his Empire. Jayakeshi II (1104 to 114748 A.D.)
ruled perhaps for some time along with his uncle Guhalladeva III.
His father Vijayaditya was the younger brother of Guhalladeva III
and might have shared power with him. Jayakesha II was a very
ambitious ruler who taking advantage of the fact that the Chalukya
Emperor Vikramaditya was old declared Independence. He was, however,
subdued by Sinda Achuge II a feudatory of the Chalukya Emperor
Vikramaditya VI and recognised the Chalukya overlordship. Goa was
put to flames in this war. He, later, married the daughter of
Vikramaditya VI. The power of the Kadambas reached its height under
Jayakeshi II. In A.D. 112526, his kingdom comprised of Konkan,
Palasige, Unkal, Sabbi, Kontakulli, Hangal, Ulsugrame, Kadaravalli,
Palagunde, Velugrame (Belgaum). Haive (N. Kanara) and Kavadidvipa
Savalakha as per the Narendra Inscription. It seems that Jayakeshi
II on the death of Vikramadiya VI declared himself independent. He
was, however, once again subdued by Sinda Perma I of Yelburga, the
feudatory of Chalukya Emperor Someshvara III. Jayakesha II was a
good administrator who was helped by his ministers and generals to
rule his kingdom. The Narendra (1125 A.D.) records mention his
Ministers. The Asage Copper Plate (A.D. 1133) grant and the Dharwad
(A.D. 114647) stone inscription mentions his deeds of charity.
Jayakeshi II was succeeded by Shivachitta Permadideva (114781 A.D.).
Vijayadya II, his younger brother, assisted him and ruled jointly.
Kamaladevi, the wife of Shivachittapermadideva was a great patron of
the Arts and built the famous
