Satyashraya (IAST: Satyāśraya; r. 997 – 1008 CE),^[1] also known as Sattiga or Irivabedanga, was a king of the Western Chalukya Empire. During a time of consolidation of the empire in the early 11th century, Satyashraya was involved in several battles with the Chola dynasty of Thanjavur, the Paramara dynasty and Chedi Kingdom of central India, and the Chaulukyas of Gujarat. The results of these wars were mixed, with victories and defeats.^[2] Even as a prince, during the rule of his father Tailapa II, Satyashraya had established himself as an ambitious warrior.^[3] Satyashraya patronised the great Kannada poet Ranna (one among the "three gems" or ratnatraya of classical Kannada literature) who compared his patron favourably to the Pandava prince Bhima (of the epic Mahabharatha) for his strength and valor in his epic poem Sahasabhimavijaya (lit, "Daring Bhima", the epic also known as Gadayuddha).^[4][5][6] Satyashraya held such titles as Akalavarsha, Akalankacharita and Sahasabhima.^[7]

During the reign of Satyashraya, the Paramaras and Chedi rulers of central India (also known as the Kalachuris of Tripuri) appear to have regained control over territories they had lost to the Satyashraya's father Tailapa II (on account of his victories over Munja in c. 996). Satyashraya however subdued the Shilahara King Aparajita of the northern Konkan and made him a vassal. There was rebellion against the Lata Chalukya chief Barapa in the Gujarat province of the Western Chalukya empire. Barapa had been ousted by Mularaja from the Chaulukya family. Satyashraya led an expedition to Gujarat, defeated Mularaja and reinstated Goggiraja, son of Barapa. Thus, he consolidated his control over that region.^[7]

During the early 11th century, the Chola dynasty of Thanjavur were on the ascendant. The Chola influence in the eastern Deccan ruled by the Chalukyas of Vengi (the Eastern Chalukyas) was on the rise. With the help of the Cholas, Saktivarman had defeated Jata-Choda Bhima and gained control of the Vengi kingdom. The rise of Chola influence in the east was unacceptable to the Western Chalukyas. Around c.1006 - 1007, a general of Satyashraya named Bayalnambi burnt the forts at Dhanyakataka (or Dharanikota) and Yanamandala.^[8] With these victories, Satyashraya was able to establish himself temporarily at Chebrolu in the modern Guntur district.^[9]

But these early victories were temporary. The Chola King Rajaraja I mounted a two pronged counter-attack. A large Chola army led by prince Rajendra Chola invaded and captured Donur in the Bijapur region, Banavasi, parts of the Raichur Doab (called Iditurainnadu), Unkal near modern Hubli, and Kudalasangama in modern Bagalkot district. However, Satyashraya at last reconquered these territories after defeating Rajendra Chola according to Hottur inscriptions which have also been noted by historians Suryanath Kamath ^[10] and R.C. Mujamdar.^[11]

An inscription dated 1005 AD found at Yelesirur (Dharwad district) says that Satyashraya was in Shriparvata (Srisailam in Kurnool) in connection with the campaign against the Cholas and had enlisted the help of Eastern Chalukyas of Vengi in his wars against the Cholas.^[12] Satyashraya fought against Raja Raja Chola in the latter's third campaign. Satyashraya retaliated by invading the Vengi country in 1006 AD and placed Saktivarman on the throne of Vengi.^[13] In 1007 AD, he defeated Rajendra Chola in the Battle of Tavareyaghatta.^[14] Satyashraya annexed Andhra province from Cholas after raids of Rajendra Chola into the Chalukya territories and Satyashraya repulsed Rajendra Chola and reconquered Andhra Province.^[15]

According to the historians Sastri and Sen, Satyashraya thereafter invested a great deal of effort in successfully freeing his kingdom from the Chola hold.^[9][16][17] According to historian Kamath, that Satyashraya was able to free his kingdom from the Cholas entirely, though at the cost of the life of his brother prince Dasavarman, is testified to by the Hottur inscription.^[7]

However, according to historian Balakrishnan Raja Gopal, the statement in the Chola records regarding their conquest of Rattapadi is an exaggeration.^[18] Further, the inscription of the Western Chalukyas in Guntur dated S. 928 (Paraabhava - V.R.ii. Guntur 84: 145 of 1897) sufficiently disposes off the Chola claim to having conquered the whole Rattapadi 7 1/2 lakh territory with Raja Raja Chola failing in his attempt inspite of a bold bid for conquest.^[19]

• Chopra, P.N.; Ravindran, T.K.; Subrahmanian, N (2003) [2003]. History of South India (Ancient, Medieval and Modern) Part 1. New Delhi: Chand Publications. ISBN 81-219-0153-7.
• Kamath, Suryanath U. (2001) [1980]. A concise history of Karnataka : from pre-historic times to the present. Bangalore: Jupiter books. LCCN 80905179. OCLC 7796041.
• Narasimhacharya, R (1988) [1988]. History of Kannada Literature. New Delhi: Penguin Books. ISBN 81-206-0303-6.
• Sastri, Nilakanta K.A. (2002) [1955]. A history of South India from prehistoric times to the fall of Vijayanagar. New Delhi: Indian Branch, Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-560686-8.
• Sen, Sailendra Nath (1999) [1999]. Ancient Indian History and Civilization. New Age Publishers. ISBN 81-224-1198-3.