Gonka I was a Telugu

Telugu language

Telugu is a Central Dravidian language primarily spoken in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India, where it is an official language. It is also spoken in the neighbouring states of Chattisgarh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Orissa and Tamil Nadu...

 king and the first of Velanati Chodas

Velanati Chodas

Velanati Chodas were one of the Telugu Choda families who ruled over parts of the Andhra Pradesh in 12th century...

 who ruled from 1076 to 1108.

Gonka I ruled as a vassal to Kulottunga I

Kulothunga Chola I

Kō Rājakēsarivarman Abaya Kulōthunga Chōla was one of the greatest kings of the Chola Empire. He was one of the sovereigns who bore the title Kulottunga, literally meaning the exalter of his race.-Early life:...

 of Chalukya Cholas

Chalukya Cholas

The Later Chola dynasty ruled the Chola Empire from 1070 C.E. until the demise of the empire in the second half of the 13th century. This dynasty was the product of decades of alliances based on marriages between the Cholas and the Eastern Chalukyas based in Vengi and produced some of the greatest...

 of Gangaikonda Cholapuram

Gangaikonda Cholapuram

Gangaikonda Cholapuram was erected as the capital of the Cholas by Rajendra Chola I, the son and successor of Rajaraja Chola, the great Chola who conquered a large area in South India at the beginning of the 11th century C.E. It occupies an important place in the history of India. As the capital...

, and his son Mammadi Varma, viceroy of Vengi

Vengi

The Vengi kingdom extended from the Godavari River in the north to Mount Mahendragiri in the southeast and to just south of the banks of River Krishna in the south of India. This area was part of Kalinga until that kingdom was conquered by Emperor Ashoka of the Mauryan Empire in the mid 3rd century...

. He fought as general in the battles against Kalyani Chalukyas and also against refractory vassals, Kalinga and Chakrakuta, who joined with Kalyani Chalukyas. He assumed the title Chola Mula Stambha(The pillar of Chola empire). His kingdom included the region from Gundlakamma in south to Tripurantakam in West.