Sambuvarayars were chieftains who belong to the Palli(Vanniyar)
caste.In Madhura Vijayam written by Gangamadevi its mentioned that the
Sambuvarayas were Vanniyars.The Sambuvarayars ruled mainly northern
districts. The first chieftain identified is Omainthan Munnutruvan
Palliyana karanamanikam.In this inscription this chieftain is mentioned
as a Palli.(South Indian Inscriptions Vol.7,Number 500).He is
considered to be the ancestor of the Sengeni Sambuvarayas.
He is identified during Sundara Chola's rule.After him the Sambuvarayas
started gaining power and soon attined the position of feudatory rulers.
LIST OF SAMBUVARAYA RULERS AND THEIR PERIOD:
During the reign of Sundara Chola 1.Omainthan Munnutruvan Palliyana
Karanamanickam
2.In the later half of 11the century AD during the reign of Adhirajendra
(son of Rajendra chola 1) the Sambuvarayas were identified as rulers of
Sengeni nadu.
Through an inscription found during the rule of Adhirajendra Chola
(1068AD) we know about "Sengeni Saathan Nalaayiravan aka Karikala Chola
Sengeni Nadalvan.Another one inscription mentioning this Sambuvaraya is
found in Kidangal near Tindivanam.
3.Oymanatu Munnutru Palli Sengeni Nalayiravan Ammayappan aka Rajendra
Chola Sambuvaraya: He is mentioned in about 10 inscriptions.These
inscriptions belong to the periods of Vikrama Cholan,Kulothunga Chola 2,
Rajarajan 2 and Rajathirajan 2 and were written between 1123AD to1174AD.
4.Sengeni Ammayappan Siyan Pallavandan aka Rajanarayana Sambuvaraya:
His inscriptions were found from Vikrama Chola rule to Rajathiraja 2.
5.Sengeni Mindan Siyan Ammayappan aka Ethirili Chola Sambuvarayan:He is
identified during the reign of Rajathiraja 2nd.He is also know
as "Sengeni Ammayappan Vanniya Nayan Sambuvarayan"
6.Ammayappan Pandinadu Kondan aka Kandar suriyan
Sambuvarayan:Identified during the reign of Kullothunga Chola 3.
7.Sengeni Athiyandan aka Vikrama Chola Sambuvarayan:Mentioned as a
feudatory of Rajathiraja 2.
8.Sengeni Viracholan athimallan aka Kulothunga Chola Sambuvarayan:
He is also identified during Kulothunga Chola 3 period.
9.Sengeni Ammayappan Azhagiya cholan aka ethrili chola Sambuvarayan:
He was a feudatory ruler during the period of Kulothunga Chola 3,Raja
Raja 3 and also during the period of Viajaya Ganda Gopala.
10.Veeraperumal Ethrili Chola Alapiranda Nayan Aka Rajaraja
Sambuvarayan:He is identified as a feudatory under Vijaya Ganda Gopala
Sambuvarayas belong to a Palli family called Sengeni and they branched
and ruled sveral areas of Tondaimandalam as chieftains.Sometimes we find
2 to 3 cheiftains ruling different regions in the same period.
These 10 Sambuvarayas ruled different portions of Tondaimandalam till
the decline of the Chola rule.
