Saluva Timmarusu, Minister of Krishnadevaraya
Mahamantri Timmarusu, also known as Saluva Timma, a Telugu Brahmin, was the prime minister of Krishnadeva Raya (r: 1509-1530), the second ruler of the Tuluva dynasty of Vijayanagar. Timmarusu also held the same position under Krishnadeva's predecessor Viranarasimha Raya (r: 1505-1509).
Timmarusu's journey to power was a remarkable one. According to the poet Ramarajabhushanudu, Timmarusu initially made a living by crafting leaf-plates in Gutti. He then relied on alms for food at Chandragiri. Then he begged, and eventually became a free boarder at a choultry in Penukonda. He later became a betel-bag bearer and then the commandant of various forts. Ultimately, he rose to the position of prime minister of the kingdom.
Fernao Nuniz, a Portuguese merchant and author of 'Chronica dos reis de Bisnaga' (Chronicle of the Kings of Vijayanagar), provides an account of how Krishnadeva Raya was crowned king by Timmarusu.
When Viranarasimha Raya was on his deathbed, he instructed Timmarusu to raise his eight-year-old son as king and to put out the eyes of his (half) brother Krishna. Timmarusu then approached Krishna and relayed his brother's orders. However, Krishna expressed his desire not to become king or hold any position in the kingdom, preferring to live as an ascetic. He refused to have his eyes put out as he had done nothing wrong to deserve such a punishment from his brother.
Realizing that Krishna, who was over twenty years old, was more suitable to be king than Viranarasimha's minor son, Timmarusu cleverly put out the eyes of a goat and presented it to the dying king. After Viranarasimha's passing, Krishna was crowned as the new king.
Krishnadeva Raya always held Timmarusu in high regard and affectionately called him as Appaji (father).
Domingo Paes, who visited Vijayanagar during the reign of Krishnadeva Raya, noted that the king's greatest favorite was an elderly man named Timmarusu. Timmarusu commanded the whole household, and to him all the great lords acted as to the king. He brought up the king and made him king, and so the king looks on him like a father. Whenever the king calls to him, he addresses him as "Lord Saluva Timma", and all the captains and nobles of the realm make salaam to him.
Nuniz recorded that Krishna had promised to marry a courtesan named Chinna Devi if he became king. Timmarusu, upon discovering Krishna's secret visits to Chinna Devi, helped him fulfill his wish discreetly.
Krishnadeva Raya's chief rivals were the Deccan Sultans and Prataparudra Gajapati, the king of Orissa. In 1515, Timmarusu captured Kondaveedu from Prataparudra. An inscription states that Timmarusu captured the "swan-like kings appointed by Gajapati in Kondaviti." Following the conquest of Kondaveedu, Krishnadeva Raya appointed Timmarusu as its governor.
Krishna then set his sights on expanding further into Prataparudra's territories. Timmarusu warned him not to venture further into the Gajapati's lands, as he might be ambushed by the Muslims. Krishna ignored the minister's advice and pressed on with his campaign. However, he soon discovered the formidable preparations made by Prataparudra and his sixteen Mahapatras to defend against his army. Timmarusu suggested defeating the enemy through a stratagem.
Timmarusu sent some chests filled with gold and valuables to the sixteen Patras, along with secret letters. The letters stated that the chests were sent as part of an agreement between them and Krishnadeva Raya, urging them to betray Prataparudra during battle. These chests intentionally dropped into the hands of Prataparudra's messengers, who delivered them to their master. Through Timmarusu's cunning scheme, Prataparudra became alarmed and afraid of treachery of his subordinate chiefs. He left his capital and fled to a place of safety. Upon learning of Prataparudra's flight, the Mahapatras returned to their own territories.
Prataparudra eventually reconciled with Krishnadeva Raya by offering his daughter in marriage and giving all his territories south of the Krishna River as her dowry. It is said that Jaganmohini, also known as Thukka Devi, the Orissa princess, later plotted against Krishna due to suspicions about his Kshatriya lineage, but Timmarusu intervened to save the king's life.
At the close of Krishnadeva Raya's reign, he crowned his six-year-old son, prince Tirumaladeva, as his successor, and assumed the role of minister for his son. Timmarusu became the counselor of the state. Unfortunately, after only eight months, the young prince Tirumaladeva died of an unknown illness. It was later discovered that he had been poisoned by Timmappa Dannayaka, Timmarusu's son.
Krishnadeva Raya summoned Timmarusu, Timmappa Dannayaka, Govindaraja (Timmarusu's brother), and other family members, and addressed Timmarusu as follows:
"I held you always as my great friend, and now for these forty years you has been governor in this kingdom, which you gave me; yet I am under no obligation to thee for that, because in doing so you did act in a way contrary to your duty. You were bound, since your lord, the king my brother commanded so, to put out my eyes; yet you did not carry out his will nor obey him, but instead you cheated him and the eyes of a goat were put out, wherefore, since you did not fulfill his command, you were a traitor."
Accusations of treason were made against Timmarusu and his sons for their involvement in the prince's death, leading to their imprisonment for three years.
Afterwards, Krishnadeva Raya appointed a new minister. Timmappa managed to escape from prison and raised a revolt. However, he was eventually captured and brought before the king. Krishnadeva Raya ordered the eyes of the culprits to be put out and imprisoned them. Timmappa died shortly after, while Timmarusu and Govindaraja remained in prison.
However, epigraphical evidence suggests that Timmarusu and his brother Govindaraja continued to serve Achyuta Raya, Krishnadeva Raya's successor and brother. It seems they were eventually reinstated to positions of honor after Achyuta Raya ascended the throne. It is believed therefore, that these two brothers survived to the end of 1535 and 1541, respectively.
Timmarusu has written a commentary on the Champu Bharata of Agastya.
Timmarusu's journey to power was a remarkable one. According to the poet Ramarajabhushanudu, Timmarusu initially made a living by crafting leaf-plates in Gutti. He then relied on alms for food at Chandragiri. Then he begged, and eventually became a free boarder at a choultry in Penukonda. He later became a betel-bag bearer and then the commandant of various forts. Ultimately, he rose to the position of prime minister of the kingdom.
Fernao Nuniz, a Portuguese merchant and author of 'Chronica dos reis de Bisnaga' (Chronicle of the Kings of Vijayanagar), provides an account of how Krishnadeva Raya was crowned king by Timmarusu.
When Viranarasimha Raya was on his deathbed, he instructed Timmarusu to raise his eight-year-old son as king and to put out the eyes of his (half) brother Krishna. Timmarusu then approached Krishna and relayed his brother's orders. However, Krishna expressed his desire not to become king or hold any position in the kingdom, preferring to live as an ascetic. He refused to have his eyes put out as he had done nothing wrong to deserve such a punishment from his brother.
Realizing that Krishna, who was over twenty years old, was more suitable to be king than Viranarasimha's minor son, Timmarusu cleverly put out the eyes of a goat and presented it to the dying king. After Viranarasimha's passing, Krishna was crowned as the new king.
Krishnadeva Raya always held Timmarusu in high regard and affectionately called him as Appaji (father).
Domingo Paes, who visited Vijayanagar during the reign of Krishnadeva Raya, noted that the king's greatest favorite was an elderly man named Timmarusu. Timmarusu commanded the whole household, and to him all the great lords acted as to the king. He brought up the king and made him king, and so the king looks on him like a father. Whenever the king calls to him, he addresses him as "Lord Saluva Timma", and all the captains and nobles of the realm make salaam to him.
Nuniz recorded that Krishna had promised to marry a courtesan named Chinna Devi if he became king. Timmarusu, upon discovering Krishna's secret visits to Chinna Devi, helped him fulfill his wish discreetly.
Krishnadeva Raya's chief rivals were the Deccan Sultans and Prataparudra Gajapati, the king of Orissa. In 1515, Timmarusu captured Kondaveedu from Prataparudra. An inscription states that Timmarusu captured the "swan-like kings appointed by Gajapati in Kondaviti." Following the conquest of Kondaveedu, Krishnadeva Raya appointed Timmarusu as its governor.
Krishna then set his sights on expanding further into Prataparudra's territories. Timmarusu warned him not to venture further into the Gajapati's lands, as he might be ambushed by the Muslims. Krishna ignored the minister's advice and pressed on with his campaign. However, he soon discovered the formidable preparations made by Prataparudra and his sixteen Mahapatras to defend against his army. Timmarusu suggested defeating the enemy through a stratagem.
Timmarusu sent some chests filled with gold and valuables to the sixteen Patras, along with secret letters. The letters stated that the chests were sent as part of an agreement between them and Krishnadeva Raya, urging them to betray Prataparudra during battle. These chests intentionally dropped into the hands of Prataparudra's messengers, who delivered them to their master. Through Timmarusu's cunning scheme, Prataparudra became alarmed and afraid of treachery of his subordinate chiefs. He left his capital and fled to a place of safety. Upon learning of Prataparudra's flight, the Mahapatras returned to their own territories.
Prataparudra eventually reconciled with Krishnadeva Raya by offering his daughter in marriage and giving all his territories south of the Krishna River as her dowry. It is said that Jaganmohini, also known as Thukka Devi, the Orissa princess, later plotted against Krishna due to suspicions about his Kshatriya lineage, but Timmarusu intervened to save the king's life.
At the close of Krishnadeva Raya's reign, he crowned his six-year-old son, prince Tirumaladeva, as his successor, and assumed the role of minister for his son. Timmarusu became the counselor of the state. Unfortunately, after only eight months, the young prince Tirumaladeva died of an unknown illness. It was later discovered that he had been poisoned by Timmappa Dannayaka, Timmarusu's son.
Krishnadeva Raya summoned Timmarusu, Timmappa Dannayaka, Govindaraja (Timmarusu's brother), and other family members, and addressed Timmarusu as follows:
"I held you always as my great friend, and now for these forty years you has been governor in this kingdom, which you gave me; yet I am under no obligation to thee for that, because in doing so you did act in a way contrary to your duty. You were bound, since your lord, the king my brother commanded so, to put out my eyes; yet you did not carry out his will nor obey him, but instead you cheated him and the eyes of a goat were put out, wherefore, since you did not fulfill his command, you were a traitor."
Accusations of treason were made against Timmarusu and his sons for their involvement in the prince's death, leading to their imprisonment for three years.
Afterwards, Krishnadeva Raya appointed a new minister. Timmappa managed to escape from prison and raised a revolt. However, he was eventually captured and brought before the king. Krishnadeva Raya ordered the eyes of the culprits to be put out and imprisoned them. Timmappa died shortly after, while Timmarusu and Govindaraja remained in prison.
However, epigraphical evidence suggests that Timmarusu and his brother Govindaraja continued to serve Achyuta Raya, Krishnadeva Raya's successor and brother. It seems they were eventually reinstated to positions of honor after Achyuta Raya ascended the throne. It is believed therefore, that these two brothers survived to the end of 1535 and 1541, respectively.
Timmarusu has written a commentary on the Champu Bharata of Agastya.
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