Part 13 - Suraparaju (A.D. 1112-1132)

King Surya or Suraparaju was the earliest known member of the dynasty. His only record is from Draksharama dated A.D. 1112 and the 43rd year of Tribhuvana chakravarti Kulottunga chodadeva bearing the Chalukya prasasti Sarvalokasraya etc. The king is mentioned as mahamandalesvara Biragottamuna Suraparaju and some of his titles are—Vrishabhalanchana, Khatvangaketana, Kanchipuresvara, Nambikulatilaka and Yuddhatrmetra. The records registers grants to Bhimesvara at Peddadakaremi in Ganga gondachodavalananti Guddavadinadu. Surapa’s reign may have lasted till A.D. 1132, the earliest date for his successor Bayyaraju.

His Political Relations

It is likely that Surapa was subdued by the Cholas during the first or second Kalingan wars. Consequently he acknowledged Chola suzerainty in his Draksharama inscription. The Ganga contemporary of Surapa was Anantavarman Choda ganga. Surapa must have maintained friendly relations with the petty kingdoms in south Kalinga eg. the Matsyas, the Silas, the Gangas, the chalukyas etc.