Udupi : Retired Associate Professor T. Murugesh has stated in his press release that Alupa Princess Chikkai Tayi, the senior queen of Hoysala emperor III Veer Ballala, was the architect behind the establishment of the Vijayanagara Empire. Historical texts mention that in 1336 AD, the Sangama brothers Harihara I and Bukka I, with the blessings of Vidyaranya, founded the Vijayanagara Empire in present-day Hampi. However, the Sangama brothers lacked the resources necessary to establish an empire. Establishing and sustaining an empire without any resources is indeed a reckless undertaking. Therefore, Harihara I, who founded the empire, visited Barakuru in 1336 AD. Chikkai Tayi, who was the queen of Hoysala Chakreshwara, ruled Tulu Nadu as Alupa Chakravarti. Upon arriving in Barakuru, Harihara I was given complete control over the wealth of Barakuru and Tulu Nadu, which significantly contributed to the rise of the Vijayanagara Empire. Thus, Chikkai Tayi is truly the architect of the Vijayanagara Empire’s establishment.

Chittari Brahmalingeshwara Temple:
The Chittari Brahmalingeshwara Temple, located here, has the distinction of being the first temple in the district endowed by Alupa Princess Chikkai Tayi and the Hoysala III Veer Ballala at the beginning of the 14th century. This temple is recognized as part of the Avedic tradition and has been documented in inscriptions. There are two Kalagulas (sacred stones) on a rock at the back of this Brahmasthana. It resembles the popular folk sport and religious significance of Chennemaneya in Tulu Nadu. In front of this Brahmasthana, on the right side, there are two stone inscriptions.

Akkha-Tangi Stone:
Locally, people refer to these stone inscriptions as the stones of the Akkha-Tanghi (sister and brother). One of these contains details of the donation made by Chikkai Tayi to the Brahmasthana. According to the inscription, Hoysala deity, namely Hoysala III Veer Ballala, and Chikkai Tayi, who was ruling as the empress of Tulu Nadu, along with the Hoysala commander Vayajappa and officials Ajjan Sahani, gathered together to give a donation of 15 honna (a type of currency) to the Brahma (currently Gullaadi). The inscription praises Chikkai Tayi with titles such as Ariraya, Basava Shankara, Raya Gajankusha, and Pandya Chakravarti. Although there is no reference to time in the inscription, it can be considered to date between 1340-45 based on other inscriptions.

Ulthuru Kattemane Inscription:
In the Ulthuru Kattemane, located in Kundapura taluk of Udupi district, a Veeragallu (hero stone) with an inscription has been found. The inscription begins with “Salutations to Sri Ganadhipathaye,” and states that on the 10th of the Pratipada month in the Prakrit era, someone (name lost) erected this Veeragallu in memory of the deceased Vaala (name lost), concluding with “May this inscription bring auspiciousness.”

Illustration on the Inscription:
In the central part of the inscription, a brave warrior is depicted in a heroic pose, holding a sword in his right hand and a shield in his left. To the left of the warrior is a figure holding a canopy. On the right side stands a figure with a sword in his left hand piercing his abdomen, while holding a shield in his right. Above these sculptures are reliefs of the moon and sun. The illustration serves as a narrative sculpture beautifully representing a historical event.

Significance of the Inscription:
The details provided in the inscription are not sufficient to determine the period. However, based on the characteristics of the script, it can likely be classified as a 15th-16th century inscription. From the study of the inscription’s details and the sculpted figures, it appears that the person referred to as Lav Aluva in the inscription may have died in some event, and his servant (name lost) was also died by stabbing himself. This indicates that Lava Aluva belonged to the royal family of the Gulladi. The fact that locals worship this hero stone as Bobbarya’s stone is quite intriguing.

The inscription is located in a place outside the Gullaadi fort. There exists an inscription of Alupa queen and Hoysala III Veer Ballala’s consort Chikkai Tayi. Gullaadi appears to be a village carved out of the fort, with remnants of the fort present in the southern part of Gullaadi. To the north of Gullaadi flows the Banchal Thodu (water channel), which flows from east to west. This Thodu provides natural protection to Gullaadi in the north, along with many ponds in Gullaadi like Ballikere, Devadigara Kere, Gummikere, Chappan Kere, Aralike Kere, Sankammal Kere, Koragana Kere, Bhattikere, Kudukere, and Chittari Kere, which are significant sources of water for irrigation and daily needs. The abundant water from these ponds allowed the people of Gullaadi to lead a fulfilling life through agricultural activities. It seems Gullaadi was the maternal home of Chikkai Tayi. Information about the Alupa kings residing in their maternal homes is available in Alupa inscriptions. There is a unique inscription related to the governance of the 1st Kulashankara Alupendra of Korasi village in Kaltodu village of Kundapura taluk, dated 1162 AD. This inscription from the 12th century mentions that Shri Kulashankara bestowed a kanyaadaan (gift of a daughter in marriage) to his eight Lakshmi, Chandala Devi, and her children, namely Arasiladevi, Suggaladevi, Chandala Devi, and Akka Devi, born from her, thereby confirming the lineage of daughters in this family. The inscription also mentions that those who destroy this will incur the sin of bride murder. Therefore, the stones of Akkha-Tanghi in Gullaadi hold great significance. Since Chikkai Tayi and her brother Alupa Soyidevarasa were children of the Akkha-Tanghi, both independently ruled Barakuru as their capital. According to the inscriptions of Aluikattu, Soyideva ruled as Alupa Chakravarti. As the senior queen of the Hoysala dynasty, Chikkai Tayi governed the region. The people of Gullaadi’s Hosimane are related to the Tolahara/Tolara clan, and the present-day Chittari Brahmalingeshwara temple belongs to this family. Most of the Bant’s/Nadava’s people in Gullaadi are guards of this family. Thus, this family can be considered the maternal home of Chikkai Tayi.

I am thankful to Raghuram Shetty Gulladi Hosimane, Ramesh Shetty, Jayasheel Shetty, Sathish Shetty of Gulladi and late Sitaram Shetty Ultur-Kattemane for their support to this study.
Key Figures and Events

– Chikkai Tayi: Alupa Princess and senior queen of Hoysala emperor III Veer Ballala, ruled Tulu Nadu as Alupa Chakravarti.

– Harihara I: Founder of the Vijayanagara Empire, visited Barakuru in 1336 AD and received control over the wealth of Barakuru and Tulu Nadu.

– Vidyaranya: Spiritual leader who blessed the founding of the Vijayanagara Empire.

– Sangama Brothers: Harihara I and Bukka I, founders of the Vijayanagara Empire.

Inscriptions and Temples

– Chittari Brahmalingeshwara Temple: First temple in the district endowed by Alupa Princess Chikkai Tayi and Hoysala III Veer Ballala.

– Akkha-Tangi Stone: Inscription containing details of the donation made by Chikkai Tayi to the Brahmasthana.

– Ulthuru Kattemane Inscription: Hero stone with an inscription, likely from the 15th-16th century.

Significance of Gullaadi

Gullaadi, a village carved out of the fort, is believed to be the maternal home of Chikkai Tayi. The village has remnants of the fort and several ponds, which provided natural protection and water sources for irrigation and daily needs. The people of Gullaadi’s Hosimane are related to the Tolahara/Tolara clan, and the present-day Chittari Brahmalingeshwara temple belongs to this family.

Prof. Murugeshi T