E-Book for free circulation:

Ancient History of Andhra

and

Reddy Dynasty

By
Tamarapu Sampath Kumaran
 Dedicated in Memory of
Historian

Varanasi (kavuta) Yashoda Devi

Former Reader in history at Sri Venkateswara University, author of several

books and a special reference to her book “The History of Andhra Country –
1000 A. D. -1500 A. D.” - An encyclopedic study of a crucial period of Andhra
history, deals comprehensively with the political history of the subsidiary dynasties
tracing their ancestries in medieval Andhra region,
About the Author:

Mr T Sampath Kumaran is a freelance writer. He regularly contributes articles on Management,

Business, Ancient Temples, and Temple Architecture to many leading Dailies and Magazines.

His articles are popular in “The Young World section” of THE HINDU. His e-books on nature,
environment and different cultures of people around the world are educative and of special
interest to the young.
His e-books – Guide to 108 Divya Desams, Guide to 275 Siva Sthalams, The Path of Ramanuja,
Guide to Kancheepuram, Hinduism in a nutshell and Pilgrimage to Temples in Dakshina
Kannada have been well received in the religious circle. He was associated in the renovation and
production of two Documentary films on Nava Tirupathi Temples, and Tirukkurungudi Temple
in Tamilnadu.

Acknowledgement:

I wish to express my gratitude to the The Indian History and Culture Society, New Delhi, The
Information Division of Govt. of Andhrapradesh for collecting the inputs. My indebtedness is
due to all the authors whose works I have consulted and quoted. Since several authors have
referred to the original texts, a certain degree of coincidence is likely to occur in my presentation
with regard to choice of words and phrases, which is not intentional. And Courtesy Google for
some of the photographs.

Special thanks to www.scribd.com for hosting my e-books.

Andhra society

It is impossible to confirm the origin of a culture and the date of its origin. A
transformed society is evolved by different tribes, classes, and societies gradually
combined over a period of time. This is the evolution of a society.

Andhra society is one of the ancient societies of India and one can encounter
several tales about Andhras in epics like Mahabharata and Ramayana, as well in
Buddhist Jataka Tales, which confirms the ancient nature of Andhra society.

The Andhra people and Andhra tribe was mentioned in the Natya Sastras of
Bharata of 1st century BCE, and the roots of Telugu language have been seen on
the inscriptions found in Guntur district dating to the rule of Cholas in the 5th
century CE.

Megasthenese, the Greek traveler and geographer who visited

the Court of Chandragupta Maurya (322–297 BCE), mentioned
that the Andhra region had three fortified towns and an army of
100,000 infantry, 200 cavalry, and 1,000 elephants. Buddhist
texts also reveal that Andhras established their huts or tents near
the Godavari River at that time

It is mentioned in Mahabatha that Andhras and Kalingas supported the Kauravas

during the Mahabharatha war; Sahadeva defeated the kingdoms of Pandya,
Dravida, Odhra, Kerala, Andhra, and Kalinga while performing the Rajasooya
yaaga. Harivamsapuranam corroborates the fact that Chanoora was killed by
Srikrishna in Mathura. Chanoora is said to be the king of Karoosa Desa on the
northern side of Vindhya and was an Anhdra.

There is an interesting depiction in Ramayana. Viswamitra while condemning the

"Naramedha Yagam” ( in which a humanbeing is sacrified) freed Sunassepu – the
yagna pasuru – from being sacrificed and adopted him as his son. Viswamitra's
children who disliked this act of their father were cursed. They migrated towards
east and south. It is understood from this tale that these children of Viswamitra
were Andhras.
Andhras were nomads for several centuries. Some tribes migrated while others
remained in their older settlements. The tale of Apastambarushi explains that some
Andhra tribes inhabited the Salvadesa on the banks of Yamuna River during 700
BC. Apastamba was an Achaya – teacher, who wrote these rules in Salvadesam on
the banks of Yamunariver. After Apastamba's death the Andhra tribes crossed the
Vindhyamountains, reached the South, and merged with the other Andhra tribes.
Apastamba rituals (sootras) are widely in practice among Andhra Brahmin families
even today.

Historians believe that the original people of Andhra Pradesh were Aryans. They
migrated to the south of Vindhyas and there they mixed up with other races. A
major part of Emperor Asoka’s kingdom, Andhra Pradesh, was an important
Buddhist center of that time. Several places in the state still bare the traces of the
Buddhist culture and influence.

Some of those Andhras who came to the south settled on the west side of
Vindhyamountains (present Northern regions of Hyderabad). Another tribe crossed
the Eastern Ghats over Orissa and reached the Kalinga Desam.

Andhra tribes established relationships with Naga, Yaksha, and Dravida tribes of
Vindhya mountains, Rayalaseema is believed as the first settlement later Telangana
was occupied. The name "Tenugu" transformed into "Telugu". From "Telugu"
words like "Telagalu", "Telangana", "Telanganyulu" (a subsect of Andhra
Brahmins), and "Teligiri" originated. A tribe called "Tailang" (taila'ng) in Burma is
proposed to be related to Telugu people.

History of Andhra Pradesh:

The study of history reveals that a major portion of southern India was extended by
Andhra region. Several dynasties ruled over this part of the country.

The earliest historical evidence indicate that the Satavahana dynasty (2nd century
BC to 2nd century A.D), also known as the Andhras, were the rulers of this region.
They were ruling much of central and southern India at that time. They established
their capital at Amravati on the banks of river Krishna. They were very much
indulged in international trade with both eastern Asia and Europe. The Satavahana
kings were followers of Buddhism and they worked towards the welfare of this
religion. After the fall of Satavahanas, Andhra Pradesh was ruled by many small
dynasties.

Andhra achieved an identity and a distinction of its own in the reign of the Eastern
and Western Chalukyas, the Rashtrakutas and the early Cholas. By the end of the
12th century, there were several local kingdoms, namely the Hoysalas, Kakatiyas
and Yadavas. The 12th and the 13th centuries saw the emergence of the Kakatiyas.

The Kakatiya temples, dedicated mostly to Shiva, reveal in their construction a

blending of the styles of North India and South India which influenced the political
life of the Deccan. The empire reached its peak under the king Krishnadevaraya in
the early part of 16th century. Telugu literature reached new heights during this
time. Excellent Vijayanagar monuments were built across South India including
Lepakshi, Tirupathi and Sri Kalahasthi in Andhra Pradesh. This dynasty had to
face several Muslim invasions. Later on, after the demolition of Hampi, the kings
of Hindu Vijayanagar kingdom shifted their base to Chandragiri near Tirupati.

After the fall of the Mauryan Empire, the Satavahanas rose as a political power.
According to Matsya Purana there were 29 rulers of this dynasty. They ruled over
the Andhradesa including Deccan for about 400 years from the 2nd century B.C. to
beyond the 2nd century A.D. Satavahanas were also called Salivahanas and
Satakarnis. In the 3rd century B.C., Simukha, the founder of the Satavahana
dynasty, unified the various Andhra principalities into one kingdom and became its
ruler (271 B.C. -- 248 B.C.). Dharanikota near Amaravati in Guntur district was
the first capital of Simukha, but later he shifted his capital to Pratishtana (in
Aurangabad district).

Satakarni II, the sixth ruler of the dynasty (184 B.C.) was an able ruler who
extended his kingdom to the west by conquering Malwa. According to
inscriptional evidence, he extended the boundaries of his realm far into central
India across the Vindhyas, perhaps up to the river Ganges. He ruled for a long
period of 56 years. The long reign of Satakarni II was followed successively by
eight rulers. It was the accession of Pulumavi I that brought renewed strength and
glory to their kingdom. He struck down the last of the Kanva rulers, Susarman, in
28 B.C. and occupied Magadha. The Satavahanas thus assumed significance as
imperial rulers in succession to the Nandas, Mauryas, Sungas and Kanvas. The
kings, who succeeded him, appear to have been driven, by the Sakas, out of
Maharashtra back to their home land in Andhra. Sathavahanas patronized excellent
literary work.
It was during the time of Gautamiputra Satakarni, the 23rd ruler of this dynasty,
who ascended the throne in A.D.62, their kingdom made a sharp recovery of the
lost territories from the western Kshatrapas. Archeological inscriptions describe
him as the restorer of the glory of the Satavahanas kingdom covered not only the
peninsular India, but also the southern parts of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya
Pradesh and Orissa. His ship-marked coins suggest extensive maritime trade during
his days. His successors witnessed the dismemberment of their far flung empire,
and by the end of the 2nd century A.D., the rule of the Satavahanas was a matter of
past history.

During this period, the region between the rivers of Godavari and Krishna was full
of ports and throbbing with activity of maritime trade

Buddhism flourished throughout the period and they constructed several Buddhist
Stupas, Chaityas and Viharas. The Stupa at Amaravati is known for its architecture
par excellence. Satavahanas were not only the able rulers but were also lovers of
literacy and architecture. The 17th ruler of this dynasty, Hala was himself a great
poet and his ``Gathasaptasati'' in Prakrit was well received by all. Gunadhya, the
minister of Hala was the author of ``Brihatkadha''.

The decline and fall of the Satavahana Empire left the Andhra country in a political
chaos. Local rulers as well as invaders tried to carve out small kingdoms for
themselves and to establish dynasties. During the period from A.D.180 to A.D.624,
Ikshvakus, Brihatphalayanas, Salankayanas, Vishnukundins, Vakatakas, Pallavas,
Anandagotras, Kalingas and others ruled over the Andhra area with their small
kingdoms. Such instability continued to prevail until the rise of the Eastern
Chalukyas.

Important among them were the Ikshvakus. The Puranas mention them as the
Sriparvatiyas.

The present Nagarjunakonda was then known as

Sriparvata and Vijayapuri, near it, was their capital. They patronised Buddhism,
though they followed the Vedic ritualism. After the Ikshvakus, a part of the Andhra
region north of the river Krishna was ruled over by Jayavarma of Brihatphalayana
gotra. Salankayanas ruled over a part of the East Coast with Vengi as their capital.
Next to rule were the Vishnukundins who occupied the territory between the
Krishna and Godavari. It is believed that their capital was Indrapura, which can be
identified with the modern Indrapalagutta in Ramannapet taluk of Nalgonda
district. By A.D.514, the land north of the Godavari, known, as Kalinga became
independent. The area south of the Krishna fell to the share of the Pallavas, who
ruled from Kanchi. The Vakatakas occupied the present Telangana.

Buddhism continued to be patronized by the rulers, and Sanskrit came to occupy

the place of Prakrit as the language of inscriptions. The Vishnukundins extended
patronage to architecture and sculpture.

The cave temples at Mogalrajapuram and Undavalli

near Vijayawada bear testimony to their artistic taste.

The period of Andhra history, between A.D.624 and A.D.1323, spanning over
seven centuries, is significant for the sea-change it brought in all spheres of the
human activity; social, religious, linguistic and literary. During this period, the
indigenous Telugu language emerged as a literary medium overthrowing the
domination of Prakrit and Sanskrit. As a result, Andhradesa achieved an identity
and a distinction of its own as an important constituent of Indian Cultural set-up.
Arts, crafts, language and literature flourished under their benevolent patronage.

The rule of Chalukyas

This dynasty was a branch of the Chalukyas of Badami. Pulakesi II, the renowned
ruler of Chalukyas conquered Vengi (near Eluru) in A.D.624 and his dynasty,
known as the Eastern Chalukyas, ruled for nearly four centuries. Vishnuvardhana
extended his dominions up to Srikakulam in the north and Nellore in the south. He
was succeeded by his son Jayasimha I (A.D.641--673). During A.D.705 the weak
rulers of Vengi had to meet the challenge of the Rashtrakutas, who overran their
kingdom more than once. There was no Eastern Chalukya ruler who could check
them until Gunaga Vijayaditya came to power in A.D.848. He also failed to face
the Rashtrakutas, and the then Rashtrakuta ruler Amoghavarsha treated him as his
ally. After Amoghavarsha's death, Vijayaditya proclaimed independence. He
started on a campaign to the south and achieved some notable success. He ruled for
44 years and passed away in A.D.892. Rashtrakutas again attacked the Vengi
kingdom during this period but were repulsed effectively by Vengi and came to an
understanding with Rashtrakutas and treated them as his allies. They were able to
maintain their independence till the Chalukyas of Kalyani in A.D.973 overthrew
the Rashtrakutas.

Contemporaries to the Eastern Chalukyas were the Eastern Gangas in the northeast
and the Pallavas in the south.

The Eastern Gangas appeared in the political scene towards the close of the 5th
century A.D. as rulers of Orissa. The first known ruler of this dynasty was
Indravarma (6th century A.D.). He had his capital at Dantapura, but later shifted to
Kalinganagara (Mukhalingam in Srikakulam district). The Gangas ruled with their
capital in Andhra for nearly five centuries, until it was shifted to Cuttack at the end
of the 11th century A.D. The early Eastern Gangas were ruling a small territory in
Srikakulam district in the Telugu land.

The Pallava rule, was revived during the last quarter of the 6th century A.D. by
Simhavishnu, The entire territory south of the Krishna held sway over by
Mahendravarman (A.D.600--630), son of Simhavishnu of the Later Pallavas. From
the 7th century A.D. onwards, the Pallavas has to face the expanding Chalukya
power. The conflict continued for a long time with varying degrees of success. But
the extermination of the Chalukyas of Badami by the Rashtrakutas gave respite to
the Pallavas to consolidate their power. The Pallavas continued till the end of the
9th century A.D., when a new power, the Cholas of Tanjore, displaced them and
occupied Kanchipuram.

Among the minor Chalukya families that ruled parts of Andhra, those of
Vemulavada (presently in Karimnagar district) are the most important. Their rule
extended over the present-day Karimnagar and Nizamabad districts. As
subordinate rulers loyal to the Rashtrakutas, they ruled with semi-independent
status for about two centuries (A.D.755--968). The rule of the Vemulavada
Chalukyas coincided with that of the Rashtrakutas.

The Cholas attained the status of a major power in south India under the valiant
leadership of Rajaraja I (A.D.985--1016). Two rebel princes of the Eastern
Chalukya family sought refuge in his court. Rajaraja I utilised the claim of one of
these princes, Saktivarma, as a pretext for intervening in the affairs of Vengi. He
was successful in seating Saktivarma on the throne of Vengi and, from that time,
the Eastern Chalukyas played a role subservient to the Cholas. But the Telugu
country became a cockpit of battles between the Cholas and the Chalukyas
Vijayaditya VII, a cousin of Rajaraja, continued to rule over Vengi till his death in
A.D.1076 when the Eastern Chalukya dynasty came to an end.

The Eastern Chalukyas occupied a prominent place in the history of Andhra

Pradesh. Though they were originally of Kannada stock, they patronised Telugu
and gave fillip to it. Since the time of Gunaga Vijayaditya, inscriptions show
Telugu stanzas, culminating in the production of literary works. Later on, in the
11th century under the patronage of the then Eastern Chalukya king, Rajaraja, the
great epic, `Mahabharata' was translated partly by his court poet, Nannaya.

At the time of Chalukya conquest, Buddhism, Jainism and Hinduism, were

prevalent. Of these, Buddhism was on the wane. The Buddhist Aramas were
transformed into pilgrim centers by the resurgent Hinduism. Jainism lingered on,
and an appreciable section of the people paid homage to the Tirthankaras.
Hinduism enjoyed the status of a national religion throughout the kingdom.
Temples were built which played an important role in the religious life of the
people and the temples of Siva at Chalukya Bhimavaram and Draksharama are
among them.

The 12th and the 13th centuries saw the emergence of the Kakatiyas. They were at
first the feudatories of the Western Chalukyas of Kalyana, ruling over a small
territory near Warangal. After the decline of Kalyani Chalukyas at the beginning of
the 12th century, Prola II (1110-1158 CE) declared himself independent from the
Chalukyas and established the Kakatiya dynasty. Prola used the title of Reddi in
his inscriptions. His successor Rudra (A.D.1158--1195) pushed the kingdom to the
north up to the Godavari delta. He built a fort at Warangal to serve as a second
capital and faced the invasions of the Yadavas of Devagiri. The next ruler
Mahadeva extended the kingdom to the coastal area. In A.D.1199, Ganapati
succeeded him. He was the greatest of the Kakatiyas and the first after the
Satavahanas to bring the entire Telugu area under one rule. He put an end to the
rule of the Velanati Cholas in A.D.1210.

As Ganapati Deva had no sons, his daughter Rudramba succeeded him in

A.D.1262 and carried on the administration. Some generals, who did not like to be
ruled by her, rebelled. She could, however, suppress the internal rebellions and
external invasions with the help of loyal subordinates. The Cholas and the Yadavas
suffered such setbacks at her hands that they did not think of troubling her for the
rest of her rule.

Prataparudra succeeded his grandmother Rudramba in A.D.1295 and ruled till

A.D.1323. He extended the western border of his kingdom up to Raichur. He
introduced many administrative reforms. He divided the kingdom into 75
Nayakships, which was later adopted and developed by the Rayas of Vijayanagara.
In his time the territory constituting Andhra Pradesh had the first experience of a
Muslim invasion. In A.D.1303, the Delhi Sultan Ala-ud-din Khilji sent an army to
plunder the kingdom. But Prataparudra defeated them at Upparapalli in
Karimnagar district. In A.D. 1310, when another army under Malik Kafur invaded
Warangal, Prataparudra yielded and agreed to pay a large tribute. In A.D.1321,
Ghiaz-ud-din Tughlaq sent a large army under Ulugh Khan to conquer the Telugu
country then called Tilling. He laid siege to Warangal, Prataparudra fought
bravely, but later he surrendered to the enemy who sent him to Delhi as a prisoner,
and he died on the way. Thus ended the Kakatiya rule

The Kakatiya period was rightly called the brightest period of the Telugu history.
The entire Telugu speaking area was under the kings who spoke Telugu and
encouraged Telugu. They established order throughout the strife torn land and the
forts built by them played a dominant role in the defence of the realm.
Anumakonda and Gandikota among the `giridurgas', Kandur and Narayanavanam
among the `vanadurgas', Divi and Kolanu among the `jaladurgas', and Warangal
and Dharanikota among the `sthaladurgas' were reckoned as the most famous
strongholds in the Kakatiya period. The administration of the kingdom was
organized with accent on the military.

Though Saivism continued to be the religion of the masses, intellectuals favoured

revival of Vedic rituals. They sought to reconcile the Vaishnavites and the Saivites
through the worship of Harihara. Arts and literature found patrons in the Kakatiyas
and their feudatories.

Tikkana Somayaji, who adorned the court of the

Telugu Chola ruler Manumasiddhi II, wrote the last 15 cantos of the Mahabharata
which was lying unfinished. Sanskrit, which could not find a place in the Muslim-
occupied north, received encouragement at the hands of the Kakatiyas.
Prataparudra was himself a writer and he encouraged other literature.

The Kakatiya dynasty expressed itself best through religious art. Kakatiya art
preserved the balance between architecture and sculpture, that is, while valuing
sculpture, it laid emphasis on architecture where due. The Kakatiya temples,
dedicated mostly to Siva, reveal in their construction a happy blending of the styles
of North India and South India which influenced the political life of the Deccan.

The most important of these temples are those at

Palampeta, Hanamkonda and the incomplete one in the Warangal fort. The temple
at Palampeta, described as the `brightest gem in the galaxy of Medieval Deccan
temple architecture', was constructed by Recherla Rudra, a general of Kakatiya
Ganapati, in S.1135 (A.D.1213). The figures in the temple are of a heterogeneous
character comprising gods, goddesses, warriors, acrobats, musicians, and dancing
girls. The sculptures, especially of the dancing girls, possess the suggestion of
movement and pulsating life. A striking peculiarity of this temple is the figure-
brackets which spring from the shoulders of the outer pillars of the temple. The
figure-brackets are mere ornaments and represent the intermediate stage between
their earlier analogues at Sanchi and the later examples at Vijayanagara.

The Thousand-Pillared Temple at Hanamkonda, built by the Kakatiya king Rudra

in A.D.1162, is similar in style and workmanship to the Ramappa temple. This
temple, dedicated to Siva, Vishnu and Surya, is star-shaped. The Nandi pavilion, in
which a huge granite bull still stands, the beautiful entrances to the shrine, the
pierced slabs used for screens and windows, and the elegant open work by which
the bracket-shafts are attached to the pillars are the other most interesting features
of this temple.
The temple in the Warangal fort, believed to have been built by Kakatiya Ganapati,
was constructed making use of large slabs. The floor of the shrine is beautifully
polished and shines like a mirror. An interesting feature of this temple is the four

gateways called `Kirti Stambhas' which face the four cardinal

points of the compass. In their design the gateways are reminiscent of the `toranas'
of the Great Stupa at Sanchi. The architecture and sculpture of these temples are
thus conventional to a degree but no one can deny their magnificence nor can
anyone fail to see the rich imagination, patient industry and skilful workmanship of
the builders of the temples of the Kakatiya period.

Reddy dynasty

The Reddy dynasty ruled some parts of the coastal Andhra Pradesh. Reddys
became independent after the martyrdom of Musunuri Kapaya Nayak at the hands
of Recherla Velama kings in the battle of Bhuvanagiri (Bhongir in Telangana
region). Komati Prolaya Vema Reddy was the first king of the Reddy dynasty. The
capital of the kingdom was Addanki which was moved to Kondavidu and
subsequently to Rajahmundry. His reign was characterized by restoration of peace,
patronage of arts and literature, and all round development. Errana, the translator
of Ramayana, lived during this period.

The dynasty declined due to the wars with Recherla chiefs and Gajapathis of
Orissa. In later years, Reddys had to be content as vassals of Golconda Muslim
kings. The Reddys continued to be Chieftains, village policemen, tax collectors
and farmers in the Telangana region, throughout Turkish rule and under the
Nizams. The Reddy landlords styled themselves as Desais , Doras and Patel.
Several Reddys were noblemen in the court of Nizam Nawabs. During the
communist led Telangana people's movement against the Nizam state in the 1940s
many Reddys actively took part in the struggle.
After the fall of Kakatiyas, uncertainty prevailed over the region. Several small
kingdoms came into existence; Musunuri Nayakas occupied Warangal from
Muslims and ruled between A.D.1325--1368. The fall of Kakatiya kingdom and its
annexation to the Tughlak Empire made the Hindu feudatories to unite themselves
to liberate the Andhra country from alien rulers. A movement was started at
Rekapalli on the bank of the Godavari under the leadership of Musunuri Prolaya
Nayaka and his cousin Kapaya Nayaka and succeeded in driving away the
Muslims from the Telugu country in A.D.1328. Kapaya Nayaka became the ruler
in A.D.1333, after the demise of Prolaya Nayaka, and Warangal was once again
the capital of the Telugu Country. They were dethroned by Recherla Chiefs and
ruled the entire Telangana from A.D.1325 to 1474 with Rachakonda as their
capital. The coastal area was ruled by the Reddys of Kondavidu between A.D.1325
and 1424. Addanki was their first capital which was later shifted to Kondavidu.
There was also another branch of Reddys at Rajahmundry. In due course, Reddy
kingdom disappeared in the hands of Vijayanagar kings, and Gajapatis of Orissa in
the frequent battles with each other. The Gajapatis of Orissa with Cuttack as their
capital extended their territory far into Telugu land by conquering the Reddys of
Rajahmundry in A.D.1448. They also occupied some parts of the Bahmani
kingdom. But, Vijayanagar king, Krishnadevaraya, occupied the entire Telugu
region that was in the possession of Gajapatis.

The Reddis and Recherla chiefs were the patrons of learning. The renowned poet
Srinatha, and one of the three great poets who wrote the Mahabharata in Telugu,
Errapraggada lived in that age.

Bahmani sultans

The disastrous fall of Warangal in A.D.1323 brought the Andhras, for the first time
in their history, under the yoke of an alien ruler, the Muslims. In A.D.1347 an
independent Muslim State, the Bahmani kingdom was established in south India by
Alla-ud-din Hasan Gangu by revolting against the Delhi Sultanate. To stabilise his
position, Hasan waged wars to annexe the two neighbouring Hindu kingdoms,
Warangal, under the Musunuri Nayakas, and Vijayanagar, which was under the
Rayas. He occupied the area up to the river Tungabhadra in A.D.1358, and shifted
his capital from Daulatabad to Gulbarga. The Hindu rulers, however, reoccupied
their lost territory during the period between A.D.1358--75. Harihara Raya II of
Vijayanagar conquered many areas which were under the Bahmanis during the
period of Muhammad Shah II (A.D.1378-1397). The successors of Muhammad
Shah II, who were also hostile to Rayas of Vijayanagar, waged wars against them.
But they were defeated by the Vijayanagar armies. During the reign of Muhammad
III (A.D.1463--82), the Bahmanis, for the first time, got into their possession a
large part of the Telugu area, namely, the area north of the Krishna up to the coast
and the present Guntur district. By the end of the 15th century the Bahmani rule
was plagued with faction fights and there came into existence the five Shahi
kingdoms, the Nizamshahis of Ahmadnagar, the Adilshahis of Bijapur, the
Imadshahis of Berar, the Qutbshahis of Golconda and the Baridshahis of Bidar.
Thereafter, the rule of the Bahmani dynasty came to an end in A.D.1527. Of the
five Shahi dynasties, it was the Qutbshahi dynasty that played a significant and
notable role in the history of Andhras.

Vijayanagara rule

The year A.D.1336 saw the emergence of a new power, the kingdom of
Vijayanagar in the south-western part of Andhra on the banks of the Tungabhadra.
It was founded by two Sangama brothers, Harihara and Bukka, with the blessings
of a great saint patriot of medieval India, Vidyaranya, and Harihara became its first
ruler. It was that great kingdom which, by resisting the onslaughts of Muslims,
championed the cause of Hindu civilisation and culture in its polity, its learning
and arts.

The two brothers took possession of Kampili from Hoyasala ruler of Karnataka,
Ballala III. They later established a new city on the southern bank of Tungabhadra,
opposite Anegondi, and gave a name to it as Vijayanagar or Vidyanagar. They
expanded their territory by occupying the Udayagiri fort in the Nellore region and

Penukonda fort from Hoyasalas.

Meanwhile the Bahmani Kingdom came into existence in the Deccan. In the
conflicts between the Bahmanis and Vijayanagar, Harihara-I lost some territory.
After his death in A.D.1355, his brother Bukkaraya succeeded him. On account of
frequent wars with Bahmanis, Bukka could not do anything in the initial period;
however, he conquered Madura and extended his territory to the south up to
Rameswaram. Harihara II (A.D.1377--1404), who ascended the throne after
Bukkaraya, consolidated and its frontiers further extended. During this time coastal
Andhra lying between Nellore and Kalinga was under the Reddys of Kondavidu.
Harihara II carried on campaign, for gaining control over the territory, against the
Reddys and wrested Addanki and Srisailam areas from the Reddys. This led to
clashes with the Velamas of Rachakonda in Telangana. To counter attack,
Rachakonda sought help from Bahmanis and this checkmated Harihara II from
proceeding further into Telangana. The extension of Vijayanagar territory towards
northwest gave it control over the ports of Goa, Chaul, and Dabhol and led to an
expansion of commerce and ensuing prosperity.

In the dispute between sons, after the death of Harihara II, Devaraya I (A.D.1406--
422) emerged victorious and ascended the throne only to wage wars against the
Bahmanis, the Velamas of Telangana and the Reddys of Kondavidu. His reign also
saw the commencement of hostilities between the Gajapatis of Kalinga and the
Rayas of Vijayanagar. Devaraya I passed away in A.D.1422. His sons,
Ramachandraraya and Vijayaraya I, who ruled one after the other, did not do
anything significant.

The next ruler, Devaraya II (A.D.1426-1446), son of Vijayaraya, was a great

monarch. He effected the conquest of Kondavidu and carried his arms into Kerala,
subjugating the ruler of Quilon and other chieftains. The writings of Abdul Razzak,
the Persian ambassador, who visited south India during the reign of Devaraya II,
bear testimony to the supremacy of the king over many ports of south India.
According to him, the dominions of Devaraya II extended from Ceylon to
Gulbarga and from Orissa to Malabar. The relations between the Vijayanagar and
Bahmani kingdoms continued to be hostile during the reign of Devaraya II also.
Devaraya was a great builder and a patron of poets. Extensive commerce and
revenues from various sources contributed to the prosperity of the Vijayanagar
kingdom under him.

But the kings who succeeded Devaraya II were quite incompetent and allowed the
empire to disintegrate. To add to this, there was pressure from Bahmani Sultans.
The Portuguese were also rapidly trying to establish themselves on the west coast
and in the ports along it.

The Vijayanagar minister, Saluva Narasimha, who usurped the throne in A.D.1485,
could successfully counter these forces. Thus the Saluva line of kings came to rule
Vijayanagar. However, he had to spend a good deal of his time and energy putting
down many rebel chieftains. He died in A.D.1490 leaving his two sons to the care
of Narasanayaka of the Tuluva family, a trusted general. Narasanayaka assumed
himself the power as a regent in A.D.1492 keeping the real rule under tutelage.
Narasanayaka died in A.D.1503 and by that time he had established his authority
effectively over the whole of his extensive dominion. His son, Vira Narasimha,
succeeded him as the regent and proclaimed himself as a ruler in A.D.1506, thus
inaugurating the third dynasty. He died in A.D.1509 and his brother,
Krishnadevaraya, succeeded him.

The period of Krishnadevaraya was considered as the

golden age of the Vijayanagar history. He was a great warrior, statesman,
administrator and a patron of arts. His first task was to repulse the Bahmanis. He
occupied Raichur, carried the war up to Gulbarga and returned successfully. He
extended his dominion in the east and north-east by defeating the Gajapatis of
Orissa in A.D.1518.

Krishna Devaraya died in A.D.1529. After his death, Vijayanagar kingdom started
declining gradually. There was a tussle for power and the rulers spent their time in
struggle against internal revolts. The five Muslim rulers in Deccan kingdom, took
this opportunity, united and formed a league and marched towards Vijayanagar
with combined forces. In a decisive battle fought in 1565 on the south bank of the
Krishna near the village of Rakkasi Tangadi, Vijayanagar was defeated and
Ramaraya, who led the Vijayanagar armies, was killed. Tirumalaraya, the younger
brother of Ramaraya, along with his puppet ruler, Sadasivaraya fled to Penukonda
in Anantapur district with all the treasure. The victorious armies of Muslims then
marched towards Vijayanagar. Uninhibited looting of the city by the Muslim rulers
as well as the ruthless robbers went on for days together. Never perhaps in the
history of the world has such havoc been brought and wrought on such a splendid
city teening with a wealthy and industrious population in prosperity one day and on
the next seized, pillaged and reduced to ruins amid scenes of savage measures and
horrors beggaring description.

Tirumalaraya after reaching Penukonda ruled for some time and tried his best to
rebuild the empire but failed. The last ruler of Vijayanagar dynasty was Sriranga
(A.D.1642--1681).
The Rayas of Vijayanagar regarded all sects of Hindus alike, built temples to Siva
and Vishnu and patronised them by lavish grants. They patronised even Jains and
Muslims. The Vijayanagar architecture fused various elements of the Chalukya and
Chola art, and produced extremely beautiful gopuras and mantapas. The most
typical of them can be found at Tirupati, Tadpatri, Srikalahasti and Penukonda.
The Tadpatri and Lepakshi temples are the notable examples of Vijayanagar
architecture and sculpture.

Telugu language and literature was given a preferential treatment and Telugu was
treated as official language of the empire. Simultaneously, Sanskrit and other
languages were encouraged by the Vijayanagar rulers. The renowned Telugu poet
Srinatha was honoured with Kanakabhisheka by Proudhadevaraya of the first
dynasty of the rulers. Particularly, the reign of Krishnadevaraya marked a new era
in the literary history of south India. He was himself a scholar and authored
Amuktamalyada, a celebrated Telugu work. His court known as Bhuvanavijayam
was adorned by such eminent poets like Allasani Peddana, Nandi Timmana,
Dhurjati, Tenali Ramakrishna, Mallana, Ramarajabhushana, Pingali Surana and
Rudra, known as Ashtadiggajas. The greatest of them was Allasani Peddana whose
famous work Manucharitra heralded the eminence of the native genius of Telugus.

Qutb Shahis

The Qutb Shahi dynasty held sway over the Andhra country for about two hundred
years from the early part of the 16th century to the end of the 17th century. Sultan
Quli Qutb Shah, the founder of the dynasty, served the Bahmanis faithfully and
was appointed governor of Telangana in A.D.1496. He declared independence
after the death of his patron king, Mahmud Shah, in A.D.1518. During his 50-year
rule, Sultan Quli extended his kingdom upto Machilipatnam. He was murdered by
his third son, Jamsheed, who succeeded Sultan Quli. Jamsheed reigned for seven
years till A.D.1550 but remained maligned by all for his patricidal crime. His
youngest brother, Ibrahim, who was hardly thirteen at the time of his father's
assassination, fled to Vijayanagar and took refuge there. It afforded him a training
ground and he learned the art of administration.

After Jamsheed's death in A.D.1550, Ibrahim returned to Golconda and ascended

the throne. Ibrahim Qutb Shah, who was known as Malkibharam in the Andhra
country, was the real architect of the Golconda kingdom. He ruled the kingdom for
30 years from A.D.1550 to A.D.1580. He organised the central and provincial
governments and brought them into close contact. He also introduced an efficient
intelligence service which kept him informed on all affairs. The kingdom was
made safe for travel and trade. Ibrahim had also many works of public utility to his
credit. He dug lakes and tanks and laid out towns and gardens. He also encouraged
local language Telugu and patronised Telugu scholars and poets like, Telaganarya
and Gangadhara who dedicated their works to him.

Ibrahim took an active part in the battle of Rakkasi Tangadi in A.D.1565 and the
kingdom was extended to the south as far as Madras.

The next period of forty years led by Ibrahim's son and grandson was an era of
peace and prosperity. Muhammad Quli, son of Ibrahim, was a great writer and a
builder. The city of Hyderabad was laid in A.D.1591 with magnificent buildings,
straight roads and other civic amenities. For this purpose, he invited many Persians
to settle down in Hyderabad and Machilipatnam. He was a scholar and a poet,
composed a large number of poems in the Deccani language. Muhammad Quli was
succeeded by his nephew and son-in-law Sultan Muhammad in A.D.1612. He was
highly religious and a model of virtue and piety. He followed his uncle in
promoting learning and architecture. The great mosque known as Mecca Masjid in
Hyderabad was designed and its foundation was laid by him, though the main
structure of the Mosque was completed during the next four generations.

Sultan Muhammad's premature death in A.D.1626 was a sad prelude to the decline
and fall of Golconda. He was succeeded by his minor son, Abdullah Qutb Shah,
who was indolent. The fall of Ahmadnagar in A.D.1633 to the Mughals exposed
Golconda. Abdullah Qutb Shah acknowledged the suzerainty of the Mughals and
concluded a treaty in A.D.1636. He was reduced to vassalage and the Mughal
Hajib, a resident officer of the Mughals imposed on him, interfered in day-to-day
administration and encouraged fissiparous tendencies. The traitors of Golconda
found their strength in the Mughals who did not hesitate to invade Golconda.

Abdullah Qutb Shah died in A.D.1672 and was succeeded by Abul Hassan Qutb
Shah, popularly known as Tana Shah. He had a steady mind, broader vision and
administrative experience of a high order. He handled the domestic and foreign
affairs deftly and put forth all his efforts against the Mughal tide.

Abul Hassan and his kingdom were misrepresented by false propaganda to justify
the interference of the Mughal emperor who contemplated to liquidate the Deccan
Sultanates and incorporate it in the Mughal Empire. The emperor came to the
Deccan in A.D.1682 and launched his campaign against both the Marathas and the
Deccan Sultanates. His original plan was to put down the Maratha power, but later
on, he suspended the plan and directed his forces against Bijapur and Golconda in
A.D.1685. Bijapur fell in after two months' siege. But Golconda held out for a long
time. It came to an abrupt end owing to the treachery of an Afghan general,
Abdullah Khan, who opened the gate in the dead of night and facilitated the
capture of the fort. The equanimity with which Abul Hassan Tana Shah had faced
the Mughal captors and the unequalled loyalty of Abdul Razak Lari, who remained
faithful to his king, Tana Shah, are of special significance.

The fall of Golconda in A.D.1687 had far

reaching consequences. It halted the face of cultural progress for years and relaxed
the administrative grip on the English Company at Machilipatnam and Madras. So
long as the kingdom was powerful in the south, the king Abul Hassan and his
Minister, Madanna, kept their constant vigil on the English merchants.

Qutb Shahi rulers adopted religious tolerance. They treated Hindus equal with
Muslims as well and maintained cordial relations between the two throughout.
They encouraged the local language Telugu besides the Deccani Urdu. They
patronised scholars and awarded them titles and Jagirs. The builder of Hyderabad,
Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah was an eminent poet in Persian and was an author of
several Persian works. The fourth king, Ibrahim was a great patron of Telugu. His
court was crowded with Telugu poets besides many others. The rulers adopted the
local customs to a great extent. This tolerance and patronage of the kings were
followed by the nobles as well.

Ramadas (Goppanna), a great devotee of Sri Rama who lived in

the period of Abul Hassan, wrote a number of poetical works and songs in praise
of his deity.
The Deccani architecture is a combination of Persian, Hindu and Pathan styles.
They mostly borrowed heavily from Hindu style of architecture. The Bala Hissar
gate of the Golconda fort is remarkable for the figures and emblems of Hindu
mythology.

The citadel of Hyderabad, the Charminar is the most

remarkable of all the Qutb Shahi monuments. It is one of the magnificent
structures in India.

The socio-cultural life of the people during the rule of the Qutb Shahis was marked
by a spirit of broad-mindedness and catholicity based on sharing and adopting of
mutual traditions and customs.

The Mughal Rule and Nizam

Aurangazeb, the Mughal emperor, invaded Golconda in A.D.1687 and annexed it

to the Mughal Empire. When this was done, Golconda became part of the Deccan
Subha and a Nazim was appointed as an agent of the Mughal emperor. Thus, for
about a period of 35 years it was ruled by Nazims, the last one being Mubariz
Khan.

The period between A.D.1687 and A.D.1724 saw several sea changes. Aurangazeb
died in A.D.1707. The administrative machinery of the Mughal imperial regime
began to crumble and the central authority manned by successive feeble rulers
gradually lost control over the provinces. In Deccan, situated far away from the
capital, the state of affairs was still worse. This anarchy contributed much in giving
a new turn to Indian history. It enabled two foreign mercantile companies to
consolidate themselves as political powers capable of subsequently playing
decisive roles in shaping the destiny of the nation. With their headquarters at
Madras and Pondicherry, both had trade centers at Machilipatnam. They were
waiting for suitable opportunities to expand their areas of control and so, did not
hesitate to take sides in the local skirmishes
The founder of this dynasty was one Mir Kamaruddin, a noble and a courtier of the
Mughal Muhammad Shah, who negotiated for a peace treaty with Nadirshah, the
Iranian invader; got disgusted with the intrigues that prevailed in Delhi. He was on
his way back to the Deccan, where, earlier he was a Subedar. But he had to
confront Mubariz Khan, as a result of a plot by the Mughal emperor to kill the
former. Mubariz Khan failed in his attempt and he was himself slain. This took
place in A.D.1724, and henceforth Mir Kamaruddin, who assumed the title of
Nizam-ul-Mulk, conducted himself as an independent prince. Earlier, while he was
one of the Ministers of the Mughal emperor Muhammad Shah, the latter conferred
on him the title of Asaf Jah. Thus begins the Asaf Jahi rule over Golconda with the
capital at Aurangabad. It was only during Nizam II rule that the capital of the
Deccan Subha was shifted to Hyderabad reviving its importance.

The Asafjahi Nizams are generally counted as seven, though they were ten. Nasir
Jung and Muzaffar Jung, son and grandson of the Nizam I who were killed by the
Kurnool and Cuddapah Nawabs and Salabatjung who also ruled for a decade, were
not counted by the historians though the Mughal emperors at Delhi recognised
them as Subedars of the Deccan.

After Nizam I, Asaf Jah, died in A.D.1748, there was tussle for power among his
son, Nasar Jung, and grandson Muzaffar Jung. The English supported Nasar Jung
whereas Muzaffar Jung got support from the French. These two heirs were
subsequently killed by Nawabs of Kurnool and Cuddapah, one after another, in
A.D.1750 and AD.1751 respectively. The third son of Nizam I, Salabat Jung
became the ruler as Nizam under the support of the French.

Hostilities recommenced in India between the French and the English in AD.1758
on the outbreak of Seven Years War in Europe in A.D.1756. As a result, the
French lost their power in India and consequently it also lost influence at
Hyderabad. In A.D.1762 Nizam Ali Khan dislodged Salabat Jung and proclaimed
himself as Nizam.

Hyderabad came into focus again when Nizam Ali Khan (Nizam II) in A.D.1763
shifted the capital of the Deccan from Aurangabad to Hyderabad. Such a move
helped rapid economic growth and expansion of the city, resulting in its
importance and prosperity.

Between A.D.1766 and A.D.1800, Nizam's sovereignty had declined considerably

and the British gained their authority over the Nizams by compelling the latter to
sign six treaties.
In A.D.1766, the Nizam signed a treaty with the British, whereby in return for the
Northern Circars, the British agreed to furnish Nizam Ali Khan with a subsidiary
force as and when required. In A.D.1779, the Nizam conspired with Hyder Ali of
Mysore and the Peshwa of the Marathas to drive away the English. When they
learnt about his designs, the English marched against the Nizam who had to sue for
peace agreeing to the presence of an English Resident along with army, artillery
and cavalry at Hyderabad. Through another treaty, the Nizam was compelled to
disassociate himself from Hyder Ali. In A.D.1800 yet another treaty was signed by
the Nizam with the British altering the earlier treaties to increase the strength of the
English army in Hyderabad. In lieu of the cost of maintenance of the force, the
Nizam had to cede to the company an area comprising the districts of Rayalaseema
and Bellary (now in Karnataka). With this the Nizam lost not only the territory but
also reputation and power.

The East India Company acquired the Nellore region comprising the present
Nellore and Prakasam districts and a part of the Chittoor district from the Nawab
of Arcot in A.D.1781. Together with the other parts of the territories of the Nawab,
this area was merged with the then Madras Presidency of the Company in
A.D.1801. Thus, by the beginning of the 19th century, the Telugu land was divided
into major divisions: one that came to be popularly called Telangana under the
feudal rule of the Nizam, accounting approximately one-third of the entire land and
the other, broadly designated as Andhra, in British India.

It was during the period of Nizam III -- Sikandar Jah (A.D.1803--1829), that the
English cantonment, raised on the other side of Hussain Sagar, was named after
him as Secunderabad. This township grew rapidly as the modern town with
Railway station and other commercial establishments. The notable events under the
rule (A.D. 1857--1869) of Nizam V, Afzal-ud-Daula, were the construction of the
Afzal Gunj Bridge or the Nayapul, over the river Musi and the establishment of a
General Hospital.

The modern era of the development of the twin cities began soon after the last
flood of the river Musi in A.D.1908 which had shattered the life of the people
living in Hyderabad. This necessitated the planned development of the city in a
phased manner.
 Sri M.Vishweshwarayya, the great engineer of Mysore, was
specially invited for this purpose and was appointed as adviser to the Nizam's
Government to suggest measures for flood control and improvement of the city. As
a result of his suggestion, Osman Sagar and Himayat Sagar were constructed in
A.D.1917. These two dams not only controlled the floods from river Musi, but also
supplied drinking water to the city. These spots have also become recreational
centers for many people in Hyderabad. Another step taken for the development of
the city was the formation of the City Improvement Board in A.D.1912, which
paid greater attention to the construction of roads, markets, housing sites and
shopping centers in the city. Nizam VII, Osman Ali Khan, also moved to
Kingkothi, the northern suburb of the city in A.D.1914, which helped in the
development of its surroundings. Several public utility services were
commissioned in A.D.1922. Electricity was commissioned in A.D.1923. In
A.D.1928 with the establishment of rail connection to Bangalore, the city was
brought on the metre-gauge map of India. By A.D.1932 bus service was started in
the city and in A.D.1936 the bus routes radiated from the capital to all the district
headquarters. In A.D.1935, the Madras-Karachi Air Service was linked with
Hyderabad with Hakimpet as landing ground.

Many buildings of utility like Legislative Assembly, Hyderabad and Secunderabad

railway stations, the High Court, City College, the Asafia Library (present State
Central Library), the Unani Hospital, the Osmania University, were constructed
during the reign of Nizam VII.

If Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah was the founder of Hyderabad City, Osman Ali
Khan, the Nizam VII, can be called as the maker of modern Hyderabad, in a
variety of ways. The buildings constructed during his reign are impressive and
represent a rich variety of architecture, such as the magnificent Osmania
University, synthesizing the modern, the medieval and the ancient styles of
architecture. The sprawling Osmania General Hospital in the Mughal style, the
lofty High Court in Indo-Saracenic style, the stately well-proportioned Legislative
Assembly building in Saracenic-Rajasthani style, symbolize his desire to build
modern and majestic Hyderabad. The engineers or the architects and craftsmen of
the period have to be congratulated for their talent.

A fascinating pretty edifice in the centre of the

city is the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly building, with the lawns of the
Public Gardens, to form the needed premises.

The noble buildings during the Asafjahis' period were the Chow Mahalla during
Nizam V, Pancha Mahal, and the Falaknuma Palace. The Falaknuma, built by
Nawab Viquar-ul-Umra, a Paigha Noble in A.D.1892 at a cost of Rs.40 lakhs, has
become a land mark like Charminar.

The hereditary Diwans of the Nizams, the Salar Jungs were as colourful and
dazzling as their masters. The Mir Alam Tank, the Mir Alam Mandi, the Salar Jung
Museum, their Devdi, the Aliya School are inalienable parts of Hyderabad.

Under the East India Company and the British Crown

It naturally took some years for the East India Company to consolidate and
stabilize its rule in the Telugu area, which came under its direct rule. In the initial
stages, the Company had to counter strong resistance from the Zamindars in the
coastal Andhra and the Palegars in the Rayalaseema districts, which were in
existence from the ancient Hindu rulers and the medieval Muslim rulers. The
Company decided to use the Zamindari system to its best advantage, entrusting the
Zamindars only with collection of land revenue and taking away from them the
executive and judicial powers. The Company also introduced the system of
`Permanent Settlement’ in A.D.1802.

In Rayalaseema, the first Principal Collector, Thomas Munro, of the ceded districts
suppressed all the Palegars and established a new mode of collection of land
revenue directly from the tiller of the soil in A.D.1808. This system came to be
known as `Ryotwari’ system.
The administrative measures taken by the Company in the rest of the Telugu land
also led to similar changes in the Hyderabad State of which Telangana formed a
major constituent. The famine of A.D.1777 and the devastating flood in the
succeeding year greatly impoverished the State of Hyderabad and its economy was
badly affected. The unwise policies of the rulers led the State on the verge of
bankruptcy by neck-deep debts and the Nizam was harassed by Arab and Rohilla
bankers. In such situation, the Company, through its Resident, intervened and
saved the Nizam. Thus, the Nizam became a dependable friend of the Company
and his support to the Company in the crucial period of the War of Independence
in A.D.1857 (otherwise called Sepoy Mutiny) turned out to be decisive factor in
clinching the issue in favour of the Company’s rule in India. In A.D.1858 the
British crown took over the reign in the entire India.

Thus, the British, who entered India in the early 17th century as a trading company,
gained power as its ruler for over a century and a half.

Andhra’s share in Freedom Struggle

The role of the Andhras in the Freedom Struggle had always been in the forefront
along with the rest of the countrymen.

Gadicherla Hari Sarvottama Rao (1883--1960) was the first victim of the move in
Andhra. He was sentenced for his seditious article `Cruel Foreign Tiger'. The
young men of Andhra had their own share in the `Vande Mataram' and `Home
Rule' movements also.

But, along with this agitation, a kind of constructive work was also carried on by
some fore-sighted leaders such as Kopalle Hanumantha Rao (1880--1922). Long
before Gandhiji thought of the constructive programme, Hanumantha Rao founded
his `Andhra Jateeya Kalasala' (National College) in Machilipatnam to train young
men in techniques of modern production, as he thought that it was the surest way
to win independence from an imperialist rule which cared more for its markets than
anything else.

In 1920, when Gandhiji started his non-co-operation movement, it had an

immediate response in Andhra. Under the leadership of eminent men like Konda
Venkatappaiah (1866--1948), Tanguturi Prakasam Pantulu (1872--1957), Bulusu
Sambamurti (1886--1958) and Bhogaraju Pattabhi Seetaramaiah (1880--1959), the
Andhra young men made many a sacrifice for the cause of the Nation. Many
practicing lawyers gave up their lucrative practice and many a brilliant student
gave up their studies to respond to the call of the Nation.
When the movement was called off, it left the minds of many young men sore and
the disappointment took a violent turn in one instance. A rebellion broke out in the
agency areas of the Northern Circars under the leadership of Alluri Sitaramaraju

(1897--1923). He was a simple and unostentatious young man

given to studies of spiritual importance. He was keen on the welfare of the lowly
and the innocent. He contributed his mite in the days of the non-co-operation
movement and later settled down among the hill tribes of the Visakhapatnam
district, spending his time in spiritual practices. The misdeeds of a British
contractor, who took pleasure in under-paying the workers drawn from the hill
tribes, brought him into a tussle with the police who supported the contractor. This
led to encounters between the police and Sitaramaraju, who was supported by the
hill tribes under the leadership of the Gamu brothers. Sitaramaraju raided many
police stations and carried off guns and powder. The alien Government then made
use of all its resources to quell the rebellion. A company of the Assam rifles under
the leadership of Saunders was sent there. The campaign lasted nearly for one year
from December 1922 and, in the end, many of the followers of Raju, especially the
Gamu brothers, were overpowered in an encounter. The rebellion petered off by
October 1923. Raju surrendered himself, and was shot dead without any trial.

In 1930 when Gandhiji started his salt-campaign, the broad east coast of Andhra
became the venue of memorable deeds of many a young man and woman, who in
spite of the severe blows of lathis, prepared salt and courted imprisonment. The
tremendous awakening, which was an outcome of this movement, resulted in the
rout of the parties other than the Congress in the elections of 1937.

The thirties saw the emergence of leftist organisations in Andhra which gave a
fillip to the progressive trends. Meanwhile, in 1939, the British Government
dragged India into World War II and the Congress ministries resigned.

From 1942, history moved with a quick and vigorous pace. The arrest of the
leaders at Bombay on August 9, 1942, provoked the masses. The `Do or Die'
message of the National Congress inspired the people of Andhra, who under the
leadership of young but devoted workers, brought the functioning of the
Government to a stand still for a few days. Many young students and workers
faced the bullets cheerfully, to swell the number of those unknown, unwept, and
unsung heroes of India who died to make their country live.

India achieved its Independence., on August 15, 1947 and a new Constitution came
into force from the 26th of January, 1950, which envisaged the new set-up of
Government at the Centre as well as at the States by duly elected representatives
from the people.

The Andhras all along their fight with the British authorities thought that the exit
of the British would facilitate the early formation of the Telugu areas as a separate
State. But the Constituent Assembly decided otherwise, which disappointed their
aspiration

Formation of separate Andhra state

The hunger strike till death of Potti Sriramulu resulted in the

formation of Andhra state. 11 districts of the Madras State were put together to
form a new Andhra State with Kurnool as capital. Andhra is the first state in India
that has been formed on a purely linguistic basis.  On Nov. 1, 1956 in accordance
with the recommendations of the State Reorganization Commission, the Andhra
State was enlarged by the addition of nine districts formerly in the Nizam's
Dominion.  Hyderabad, the former capital of the Nizam, was made the capital of
the enlarged Andhra State of Andhra Pradesh.

Reddys and Reddy dynasty

Reddys have been closely associated with several rulers of Andhra holding key
positions, besides being rulers of some parts of Andhra for a short period. Even
after independence they were active in Indian politics and continue to hold
important posts. Their sphere of activity has been spread to various fields and
considering these aspects special reference is being given of the Reddy dynasty in
this e-book.

Reddy community is found all over Andhra Pradesh and the neighboring states. In
Andhra Pradesh, Reddys are considered traditional village headmen. The duties of
headmen included the collection of tax, guarding the village and basically
representing the village in dealing with outsiders or even the government. Several
members of the community are very wealthy landowners and businessmen, but
most are small farmers.

Reddy is the name of a socio-economically and politically dominant caste found in

Southern India. The largest single community grouping in Andhra Pradesh today is
of the Reddi community. Reddy community is found all over Andhra Pradesh and
the neighboring states of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra.

In most areas of Andhra Pradesh, in the small villages it is the Reddy who speaks
authoritatively on behalf of the village: they are the traditional “leaders” of the
village. To identify the importance given to the Reddy chieftain it is jocularly
mentioned as “Reddocha modalittu” – meaning that if a Reddy comes in the
middle of a discourse the speaker should start again from the beginning. But this is
changing fast.

Reddys regard Andhra Pradesh as their homeland and telugu is their mother
tongue, however they form an intricate part of the of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and
Maharastra society as well and are proficient in those languages too. Many Reddys
migrated to tamilnadu centuries ago and have formed a distinct community that is
completely incorporated into andhra culture

After the kakatiya kingdom broke up, many Reddys migrated to coastal Andhra---
Addanki and Kondaveedu, and later Rajahmundry on the Godavari and founded
their own independent kingdoms which flourished between 1325-1448 AD.
Komati Prolaya Vemareddy, son of Komati Prola reddy founded this kingdom.

While the area and extent may not have been large, these Reddy ruled states are
historically significant because Telugu literature got a strong impetus. Vemareddi
has left many inscriptions, the well preserved ones detailing the repairs he made to
temples like Srisailam and Ahobilam and Drakshaaram.

In the Golkonda region, during the Turkish rule and recent Nizams too , the
Reddys continued to be headmen, village policemen and tax collectors and
farmers. The larger Reddy landlords were styled as Desais and Doras. Several
Reddys were noblemen during the Nizams time, too.
The Reddys in the Telangana region were active in the kakatiya kingdom. (AD
1000-1223). They were knights and barons and subordinate kings who ruled
regions, in turn they had to pay taxes/ a part of the plunder and organise troops for
campaigns. Several large dams and lakes and large sized wells were constructed by
the reddys of the time, and they still serve their purpose as planned a thousand
years ago.
During the Vijayanagar Empire (1300 -1600 AD) too they were prominent
especially in Rayalseema, where they became independent zamindars or
landholders and were constantly engaged in clan feuding. The Rayalseema reddys
are closely related to the landlord Gowdas of karnataka and the Reddiars of
Tamilnad. There are also a few Reddy principalities which managed to survive
independently between large warring states, in Mahabubnagar district (Old
Palamoor) like Gadwal and Wanaparthi. The Reddys around these areas have a
tradition thatthey are descendents of ancient Chalukya ancestors.

The Reddy Kingdom of Kondavidu; the Velama kingdom, the Vijayanagar

Kingdom also ruled independently

Reddys ruled Andhra Pradesh area from

1353 to 1448. At the height of its days, their kingdom spanned over most of South
India. The initial capital of the kingdom was Addanki and then Kondavidu and
later shifted to Rajahmundry. Some of the major cities of the kingdom included
Orugallu (present Warangal), Bezawada (now Vijayawada), Velanati (Now in
Prakasam, Guntur, Kurnool) majorly with their surname METTU, Devagiri
(present Davanagere in Karnataka state), Dharmapuri (Tamil Nadu), Rayagada
(Orrisa), Ratnagiri (Maharashtra).
After the kakatiya kingdom broke up, many Reddys migrated to coastal Andhra---
Addanki and Kondaveedu, and later Rajahmundry on the Godavari and founded
their own independent kingdoms which flourished between 1325-1448 AD.
Komati Prolaya Vemareddy , son of Komati Prola Reddy founded this kingdom.
.
Reddys became independent after the death of Musunuri Kapaya Nayak at the
hands of Recherla Velama kings in the battle of Bhuvanagiri (Bhongir in
Telangana region). Komati Prolay Vema Reddy was the first king of the Reddy
dynasty.The capital of the kingdom was Addanki which was moved to Kondavidu
and subsequently to Rajahmundry. His reign was characterized by restoration of
peace, patronage of arts and literature, and all round development. Errana, the
translator of Ramayana, lived during this period.

Reddys were noblemen in the court of Nizam Nawabs.

The Reddy dynasty (1325-1424 CE) was established in southern India by Prolaya
Vema Reddy. Prolaya Vema Reddy was part of the confederation that started a
movement against Muslims in 1323 CE and succeeded in repulsing them from
Warangal[2]. Reddys at present are a social group and part of the Kshatriya caste.

After the fall of Kakatiya dynasty in south India in 1323 CE, there was a
movement for independence under the leadership of Musunuri Nayaks. All the
warrior castes of Telugu land united and successfully recaptured Warangal from
the Delhi Sultanate. However, the unity of Telugu land lasted only for fifty years.

Extent of rule

Vema Reddy of Addanki became independent after the martyrdom of Musunuri

Kapaya Nayaka at the hands of Recherla Velama chiefs in the battle of
Bhuvanagiri (Bhongir in Telangana region)[4]. They ruled the coastal area of
Andhra Pradesh from 1353 to 1448 CE. The initial capital of the kingdom was
Addanki. Later it was moved to Kondavidu and subsequently to Rajahmundry. The
dynasty declined due to its regular warfare with Recharla Velama chiefs and
Gajapathis of Orissa. In later years, the Reddys had to be content as vassals of
Golconda Muslim kings.

The Reddys were known for their fortifications. Two major forts one at
Kondapally 20 km north west of Vijayawada and another at Kondavidu about
30 km west of Guntur bear testimony of the fort building skill of the Reddy kings.
Reddys also ruled many local dominions (samsthanams) until the British seized
their power.

Prolaya Vema Reddy

Prolaya Vema Reddy, the first king of the Reddy dynasty. Vema assembled a large
army of peasants and herdsmen, and adopted guerrilla warfare on the Muslim-
occupied forts of Bellamkonda, Vinukonda and Nagarjunakonda and captured
them all. He then declared himself as the king Kondavidu as his capital. His
famous inscriptions from this period state: "I restored all the agraharas of
Brahmins, which had been taken away by the evil Muslim kings. I am indeed an
Agastya to the ocean which was made of the Muslim".

Prolaya Vema Reddy commissioned major repairs to the Mallikarjuna swami

temple at Srisailam and had a flight of steps built from theKrishna to the temple.
He also consecrated the Sri Maha Vishnu temple at Ahobilam. The restoration of
peace starting with his reign brought about a revival of literature and the arts.
Errana, the translator of the great epic Maha Bharata in Telugu lived during his
period.

Later kings

 Anavota Reddy (1335-1364 CE) was the successor of Prolaya Vema

Reddy. He conquered many small kingdoms like Nirvajyapura (present day
Nidadavolu) ruled by Vengi Chalukyas Vundi ruled by Suryavamsa
kshatriyas, Korukonda ruled by Kondaya Nayakas and Pithapuram ruled by
Koppularajus by 1356 CE.

 Anavema Reddy (1364-1386 CE) was the brother of Anavota Reddy. He

liberated Rajahmundri from the Muslims and razed down a Mazar (which
was built on top of a Hindu Temple). He then scaled the Korukonda fort by
night with a small force and freed it from Muslim control. He also
conquered the Simhachalam fort and parts of the Kalinga kingdom. He built
the Vira Siromandapam at the Srisailam temple. His inscription from
Srisailam states that their family belongs to the 'Vellacheri' gotram. His
inscription states: "I the valiant member of the fourth Varna destroyed the
throngs of Muslims and gathered learned brahmanas at this court".

 Kumaragiri (Komaragiri) Reddy (1386-1402 CE) was the son of Anavota

Reddy. Kataya Vema Reddy, the Senapathi of Anavota Reddy and the
 brother-in-law of Kumaragiri Reddy, and Pedakomati Vema Reddy always
indulged in internal squabbles. Many parts of the kingdom announced their
independence and did not pay taxes

 Kataya Vema Reddy (1395-1414 CE) suppressed the revolt in

Rajamahendravaram and ruled it for 19 years. Harihara Rayalu, the ruler of
Vijayanagara empire, married his daughter Hariharamba . He fought many
wars with Pedakomati Vema Reddy..

 Allada Reddy (1414-1423 CE) ruled on behalf of the young Komaragiri

Reddy who was only 10 years old at the time. Allada Reddy managed to
fend off Pedakomati Reddy twice, and made peace treaties with
Vijayanagara and Kalinga rulers.

 Gandla potu narsimha reddy (1897-1938 CE) ruled Basthar Chandrapur

and was defeated by muslim rulers. He migrated to Chennoor of Adilabad
District in the early nineteenth century. He is the architect of the modern
mango cultivation.

 Veerabhadra Reddy(1423-1448 CE) succeeded to the kingdom of

Rajamahendravaram. Devaraya II of Vijayanagara came to the support of the
Reddy kings against the Gajapathis of Orissa. The Reddys could not get the
support from Mallikarjuna of Vijayanagar, the successor of Devaraya II, in
time and lost to Hamvira, the son of Kapilendra Gajapathi. The Reddy
kingdom started to decline because of constant warfare with the Recherla
Velamas and the Gajapathis. By 1448 CE, Rajamahendravaram and the
surrounding places were taken by Kapilendra Gajapathi. By 1454 CE, the
Kondavidu region also came under the control of the Gajapathis. Veerabhara
Reddy's decedents moved to Parlakemudi region to fight with Gajapathis,
and as they were defeated absconded and stayed in a village without
recognition , to survive as agriculturists for basic survival.

Literature duringtThe Reddy Rule

Peace and literature blossomed during the period of stability preferred by the
Reddy kings.
Gona Buddha Reddy who lived during the 13th century is famous for his
Ranganatha Ramayanam. His translation of the Ramayana was a pioneering work
and is still used during puppet shows

Errapragada of the Kavitraya fame was the court poet of Prolaya Vema Reddy. He
is famous for his Telugu rendition of the Aranya parva left incomplete by Nannaya
Bhattu who started the translation of Mahabharata into Telugu. Errana’s translation
of Ramayana in Chapu form (a style of poetry) has been lost. Srinatha was a poet
in the Reddy court.

Reddys continue to have a very active role in today’s politics and hold important
positions.