Nandas of Nandavar origin

Nandavara is a settlement on the bank of the Netravati River, in Bantwal taluka, at Dakshina Kannada, Karnataka, India. It is around 25 km from Mangalore.

Nandavara once had royal associations: there were many palaces and temples in the area. None, nor the fort built by the kings, survive today. Nandavar was a very ancient and renowned place. For centuries it was also a historical center. Nandavara was the capital of the Nanda Dynasty, which ruled this region for several centuries. The name Nandavara is derived from a combination of two words, nanda and pura. The Nanda kings established their kingdom on the bank of the Netravati River, and built a fort and a palace. The place came to be known as Nandapura, which in course of time became well known by the present name of Nandavara.

Sites of historical significance that exist today include the Sri Veerabhadra shrine, the Shri Vinayaka Shankaranarayana Durgamba temple and the Sri Veera Maruti temple. The neglected Sri Siddhi Vinayaka Shankarnarayana Durgamba temple has been renovated and restored, and it equipped with facilities for social welfare activities.

Let us see who are these Nandas or they connected with Famous Nanda Dynasty of North?


Local Legend
The name "Nandavar" is derived from a combination of two words: "Nanda" + "Pura" (Just as "Baana" + "Pura" = "Baanaavara"; "Brahma" + "Pura" = "Brahmaavara"). Since this was the "Pura" (abode) or the kingdom of the Nanda dynasty, this was called as "Nanda Pura", which in due course became "Nandavar".

According to another version, this was called as Nandavar because the kings of the Nanda dynasty had built an enclosure of a wall encircling this town. It is thus clear that here ruled the kings of Nanda dynasty. Even to this day the local people hold that the Nandas were Harijans by caste. They must have been the original inhabitants of this place. Hence it can be said that they were ruling here from the very ancient time, and they were the cause for the name of this place. From our present study, however, it is not possible to say categorically as to when they commenced their rule here.

Nanda Dynasty of North India
The name of the Nanda dynasty can be found in the ancient Indian history. As is well known, with the help of Chanakya, Chandragupta Maurya, the grandfather of the famous Ashoka, had established his kingdom defeating and exterminating the Nanda kings. It is not known whether a part of the very same Nanda dynasty came down and settled here, and ruled from this place also.

A Perfect Identity between the Two Royal Families
There is a perfect identity between these two royal families. Just as the Nandas who ruled from our Nandavar were Harijans by caste, the Nandas who preceded the Mauryas in North India also did not belong to the first three categories of the "chaturvarna" system. By a study of their tradition, ideology, and food habits, etc. it must be said that they belonged to the fourth category. Hence, besides the similarity in their names, there is also found a social identity between these two dynasties.s in so

Did the Nandas of North India come down to South?
It is quite possible that having lost their royalty and power in North India, the Nandas who were inimical to the Mauryas, might have come down to this part of the South India, and with the background of their previous experience in administration and rulership, might have established themselves here and assumed the reins. The Great Chandragupta Maurya renounced his throne and came to Sravanabelgola near to Mysore is well known fact. The bank of Netravati River with its copious and perennial flow of water might have been found as an ideal place for their kingdom. However, some ancient edicts of North Karnataka bear ample testimony to the rule of the Nanda kingme parts of west Karnataka. But no evidence as to the names and the number of Nanda kings who had ruled our Nandavar are available. But the fact that they were ruling from here till the 15th century A.D. is clearly known.

Nandapura Becomes Nandavar
Thus, the Nanda kings established their kingdom on the bank of the Netravati River, built a Fort and a palace, and residential quarters for not only the Ministers and the other authorities, but also for the serving staff, the soldiers and the businessmen. Hence this place came to be known as "Nandapura", which in course of time became well known by the present name of "Nandavar".

Bangarasa's Advent at Nandavar
During the 15th century A.D., one early morning at 5 o'clock, Laxmappa Bangaraja the First, who was then ruling from Bangadi of Belthangdi Taluk, in Dakshina Kannada, was traveling to Mangalore by boat, passing the river bank of Nandavar. At that very moment, on a sand dune, at a little distance, to the east of the local Ganapathi Temple, two "Kavada" birds were chirping. The astrologers, who were then accompanying the king, hinted to him that if the "Kavada" birds were to sing at that hour of the dawn, it was an indication of the existence of valuable treasures there and hence that place was very well-suited for building a palace. Accordingly, with the help of one Nandiraja Ballala, hailing from the border of a place known as "Sajeepa", the Banga king built his palace, as stated by Late Ganapathi Rao Aigal in his book entitled, "The History of Dakshina Kannada".

Bangarasa vs. Nandaraya of Nandavar
During the time of construction of his palace here, the Banga king declared war on Nandaraya who was the then ruler of Nandavar. Bereft of support from the local people, and being of low caste from the then standard, none came for the support of Nandaraya. Consequently, he lost his life in the battle, and the public looted his wealth. Hence came into vogue the adage in Kannada, meaning that the "Nandaraya's life had gone to dogs". Thus, ended tragically the Nanda dynasty, and a pall of gloom descended on Nandapura.

Bangarasa who exterminated the Nanda dynasty and commenced his rule in Nandavar in 1417 A.D., built a tall mud fort around his palace, and erected therein a shrine dedicated to Veerabhadra. But neither Bangarasa nor his successors could rule the kingdom in peace and tranquillity. There used to be frequent skirmishes and battles between him and the neighboring Chowta king and Domba Heggade of Vittal. Due to the repeated murders, loot and decoity indulged in by the aliens and enemies alike, there commenced and prevailed in Nandavar strife and anarchy. Nandavar became a prey to the Mohammedan Aggression.


Nandavar kings are from North?
This appears to be a myth. The Nanda kings of North and Nanda kings of south seems to separated by more than 1500 years and much more distance. Kings linking themselves to epics and famous royal families is common India, here Nandavar kings seems to have linked themselves to Nanda Dynasty of North. Also to be noted is Buddhist kings are called shudras by Brahmins.

12 comments:

  1. I agree with you that Nanda of Nandavara may be unconnected with Nanda kings of Magadha.
    However,instead of Nanda+pura> Nandavara, you can also think of an alternate analysis. Nanda + avara=Nandavara.
    'Avara'(=habitation) is a common Tulu/Dravida word as we can see in Attavara,Pejavara, Brahmavra, Banavara (Arsikere Taluk) etc.

    Also visit tulu-research @ blogspot.com

    -Ravi

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  2. Nanda + Avara it can be , it conveys the same meaning. My post is about Origin of Nandas , not Nandavara

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  3. The Bangarasa mentioned above is Bangeras, which till today is present as the surnames. As per above the Nandas moved from one place to another which many kings used to do as part of War and to disguise the attacks. Accordingly todays Bangeras are seen in nearby parts of Nandavara like- Sajipa, Kananthoor, Bajpe etc; as their 'Kutumb'(Clan) heads after the Kings & Kingdoms were no more...

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  4. Bangarasa is Bangeras? Not Sure.

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  5. ofcourse for sure, Bangeras exits even today wheras Bangarasa does not, even in wikipedia search one can see as Bangeras.

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  6. Any clinching evidence or mere suggestion.

    Wiki is not a good source. As you just need ten people to vote and make a statement.

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  7. Hello Admin ji,
    My name is Chaitanya Rao, from Andhra Pradesh, We are of Recherla Gotram, which can be traced to Rehcerla Brahma naidu (1178 - 1182 AD of Palnati Yuddham fame and the war also called as Andhra Kurukshetra), a significant Social and Political reformer in the history of Andhra Pradesh. Actually my father used to tell me that we were the descendants of Nanda Raja...We are actually Padmanayaka Velamas. There were lot of Zamindaris in AP for velamas until 1947. As my father told me, i was in searching of lost roots of our ancestors previous to Brahmanaidu. And at the same time, In Andhra too there were nandapuram, nandikotkuru, nandyal, mahanandi. in modern kurnool district. likewise, Kurnool is famous for Nine Nandi Shrines, which may equal to 9 sons of Mahapadmananda, the king of Magadha. In some Historical concepts written by Mudiraj.com website, The velamas are related to ballalas who were in the place of karnataka origin around 900 to 1100 AD.

    Waiting for your reply,

    Thanks and regards,
    Medavarapu Krishna Chaitanya Rao

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    Replies
    1. Lot of kings all over India, claim decendents of Nandas. So claiming to be decendent of Nandas cannot be basis for linking the two.

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  8. Similarity in Names & clans cannot be connected each others clans but only hypothesis by historians..to prepare their phd Papers.right moda sa
    ttva ji

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    Replies
    1. kings connect with legendary kings for many reasons, especially since 8th century AD. So there must more evidence than just similarity in names and clans. This blog is about exposing fake hypothesis in History

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  9. But i am searching for clues about Mangalaore KIng Banga RAAJA husband of RAANI ABBAKKA OF ULLAL. Moda Sattva Can you Help plzz?

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    1. Husband of Abbaka Rani is Lakshmapparasa Bangaraja III (1612-1629 A.D)
      More about Bangas
      Kings List
      http://storyofkannada.blogspot.com/2007/04/kannada-kings.html

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