CHAPTER - III
POLITICAL CONDITIONS 51 CHAPTER III POLITICAL CONDITIONS
'he geo-physical system of the Cuddapah region (oift l^ned in the previous chapter) played a major role in the rise of 'regional powers'. This chapter is divi ded into two sections: the first section deals with the dynastic history from A.D,1300 to 1565; and the second section with the political developmerts during the post- Vijayanagara period, i.e. A.D.1300 to 1800. The dynastic history of the Cuddapah region discussed here is rather conventional- It only shows the imperial or central power politics within the region. The involvement and the role of local or regional power politics is often undermined by the conventional historians. Many of the historians who had reconstructed the dynanstic history of the Kakatiyas, Kayasthas, Vijayanagara etc., who held sway over the Cuddapah region, were mainly interested in identifying the genealogy, the chronology and the political activities in terms of conquests and political expansion of the rulers. Following the conventional model, this chapter gives a background of the different dynasties that ruled this region starting from the decline of the Kakatiyas to the fall of Palegars, i.e. A,D.1300 to 1800.
The political developments that are traced in this chapter are useful for evaluating the nature of State during the period under study. Though this chapter highlights only 52
the central power politics in the region, the linkages of the local and supra-local powers with the central power determines the nature of State formation. Hence, in the preceding chapters an attempt Is made to study the linkages within the multi-centred power structure. This chapter forms the basis for making certain observations on the role of central power, the degree and intensity of the central power^s intervention in different regions,
SECTION - I (A.D. 1300 to 1565 )
This section deals with the political developments that took place in the region during A.D. 1300 to 1565. This period in the history of Andhra witnessed the rule of regional powers of the post-Kakatiyan period and the rule of the Rayas of Vijayanagara. The impact of the post-Kaktiyan regional powers such as the Reddis, the Velamas and the Kayasthas, is marginal in this region; and the Kakatiyan rule can be seen as a continuum in the succeding period. For an appraisal of the medieval polity, it is necessary to make a review of the dynasties that ruled this region through the Ages, in brief.
The political history of this region begins with the Mauryas and the Satavahanas. The influence of the Mauryas in this region is -attested by the Erragudi inscription which is 60 km. from Jammalamadugu of the Cuddapah region; From the coins discovered at Peddamudiam, Dommaranandyala and 53
Nandaluru, it is evident that this region was under the 2 Satavahanas: The Nasik Prasasti of Siri Pulumayi Vasisthi- putra Pulumayi also indicates the rule of the Satavahanas over this region- The Hiranyakas^who belonged to this region rendered military service to the Ikshvakus. So,it can be assumed that the Ikshvakus had some kind of political affilia- 4 tion with this region. This region appears to liave passed under the sway of the early Pallavas, soon after the dis- ;i 5 appear^ance of the Satavahanas. The inscriptions at Tippaluru (Kamalapuram taluk) and at Arakatavemula (Proddatur taluk) refers to the rule of the Pallavas and the inscription at Korrapadu (Jammalamadugu taluk), attests to the rule of the 7 Chalukyas of Badami over this region. From the middle of the sixth century A.D. the Cuddapah region witnessed a long Q drawn conflict between these two great powers. The Chalukyas disappeared with the death of Kirtivarman II in a battle about A.D.757 with the Rashtrakutas. The Eastern Chalukyas, with their capital at Vengi, had also their influence over this region during the middle of the seventh century A.D. The wars between the Chalukyas, Rashtrakutas and Cholas created long periods of chaos and disorder. As a result, the local chiefs became independent and thus the Nellore Chodas and the Renati Cholas came into existence.
The Reriati Cholas were the first known local dynasty of some importance. They were described as the descendants of 9 Karikalachola^the great of the Sangam Age of Tamil Nadu. These 54
Cholas ruled over seven thousand villages located in the Cuddapah region. They have left behind 50 undated inscriptions including copper plate records. They are the first rulers of Andhra who used the Telugu language in their inscriptions. The Chiefs are now called the Renada cholas 12 after their tract, the Renadu. The genealogy of the Renati Cholas start with Nandivarman (c,A.D.550) and ends with Sri Kantha Adiraja (c.A.D,850). 13 The epigraphs of Malepadu, Chilamakuru and Chamuluru mention the later Renadu 14 Cholas. The power of the Renati chiefs was destroyed in the 8th centaury.A.D.
The Vaidumbas^who were stated as subordinates to cholas became independent and ruled over the parts of Proddatur and Kamalapuram taluks. The epigraphs from Danavulapadu, Malepadu/ Kamalapuram, Rameswaram, and Pushpagiri refer to the rule of the Rashtrakutas in this region. During the reign of Indra III 17 of Rashtrakuta dynastry Srivijaya,who belonged to the perbana clan ruled Danavulapadu as a feudatory of the Rashtrakutas. The feudatories of Rashtrakutas of this region declared independence during the re ion of Indra IV who was a weak ruler. From some of the inscriptions at Korrapadu, Balapanur, Santakovvuru and Udavagandla in the Cuddapah region,it may be presumed that the Banas were in possession of north-western portions (Pulivendla, Jammalamadugu 55
and Kamalapuram taluks) of the Cuddapah region during 8th 18 and 9th centuries A.D. Though the Renadu Cholas lost their battle against the Banas, they recovered in the beginn ing of the 9th century A.D. and some of the Bana chiefs 19 figure as their subordinates. After the fall of the early branch of the Cholas of Renadu, the region was seized by the Vaidumbas. The warlike chiefs of Vaidumbas ruled over Renadu between 9th and 11th centuries A.D. from their capital 20 Pottapi. Their epigraphs were found mostly in the taluks of Rayachoti and Kamalapuram. 21
At the end of the 10th Century A.D-/+-hp>A^outh India was under the sway of Cholas and the Kalyani Chalukyas. In order to consolidate their Kingdoms they set their eyes on the southern part of Andhra, It became a bone of contention between these powers. The Cuddapah region became a focal point for the wars between them. They fought many wars of fluctuating fortunes. The association of the Cholas with some portions of the Cuddapah region outlived that of the Kalyani Chalukyas by some decades. The inscriptions from Peddamudiam (A.D.1124) Gallapalli (Jammalamadugu taluk) and inscription from Chilamakuru (Kamalapuram taluk) of Some- swara III (A.D.1126-38) indicate that the north-western parts of Renadu (^asjruled by the feudatory chiefs of Kalyani Chalukyas. Inscriptions found in the south-eastern parts of the Cuddapah region reveal the continuance of some Telugu Chola rulers. They were closely associated with Pottapi 56
(Rajampet Tq,) and were know^as Pottapi Cholas.^^ The Kakatiyas have been extending their influence in the north-eastern region of Cuadapah, the Yadavas in the north-west and the Hoyasalas in the south-western part of the region during the last quarter of the 12th century. By defeating the Pottapi Cholas in the battle of Dongalasani (A,D,1160) the Telugu Cholas had penetrated 24 into the Cuddapah region. Thus Telugu Cholas first recognised the Supremacy of the Imperial Cholas and later on submitted to the Kakatiyas of Warangal. The chiefs of Nallasiddha I and Ghola-Tikka Manamasiddha I of the Nellore Telugu Chola family ruled successively over the parts of Rajampet, Siddhavatam, Proddatur and Cuddapah taluks. 25 The tract associated with Nellore Cholas in this region appears to have passed under the control of the Kayasthas by about the last quarter of the thirteenth century*
The position of the paramount powers of this region was rather confusing during the 13th century. It is mainly because of the multiplicity of the dynasties appearing in the tract and the existence of powerful auxiliary dynasties in the district itself. The inscriptions at Lebaka and Nandalur (Rajampet taluk) indicate the short association of the Pandyas with the south-eastern portions of the Cuddapah region during A.D.1292-93. The inscriptions at 57
Abbavaram (Rajampet taluk), Jyoti (Siddhavatam taluk) and Pushpagiri refer to the rule of a few later Vaidumba chiefs in this region in the thirteenth century also. These later
Vaidumba kings ruled some portions of this region as the feudatories of Kayasthas and Vijayanagara kings. The I'elugu Pallavas, who were of the lineage of the Pallavas of Nellore ruled over the Mulikinadu during the 12th and 13th centuries 27 A.D. '
KAYASTHAS
The inscriptions that belong to Kayasthas (A.D.1239 to 1304) in the Cuddapah region and the adjoining tracts of North and East reveal that they played an important role in this region during the second half of the 13th century with their capital at Valluru. The inscriptions of Pushpagiri, Itigulla- padu/ Akkalareddipalli (Badvel taluk), Rajampeta, Varikunta 28 (Sidhout taluk) refer to the rule of Kayasthas. Venkata- ramannayya opined that since 'Bai' is a suffix in the names 29 of the Kayastha queens, they came from Maharashtra, Though they were feudatories of Kakatiyas they were ruling this province independently now and then. Tripuradeva (A.D.1270) of Kayasthas ruled the Mulikinadu, Pottapinadu ^^Gandikota 3ima as the representative of the Kakatiyas. The most famous of the kings of Kayasthas, Ambadeva (A.D,1272 to 1302)5 defeated 31 the later vaidumbas. From the period of Ambadeva the Kayastha epigraphs do not reter to any overlora. It seems that the 58
Kayasthas took advantage of the weakness of the central authority following the demise of Ganapati and began to act independently of their overlords. But during the reign of Prataparudra, the Kakatiyas attacked Ambadeva and made 32 him recognise his suzerainty, Tripurarideva II (A.D, 1302-1304) who succeeded Ambadeva revolted against Kaktiyas. Prataparudra II, sent an army under the leadership, of Juttaiah Lenka Gonka Reddy to suppress the revolt. The Kayastha dynasty came to an end with the death of Tripurarideva at the hands of Juttaiah Lenka Gonka Heddy,
KAKATIYAS
Ganapati (A.D.1199-1261), the greatest ruler of the Kakatiya Dynasty, was the first of the line to rule over this region. The earliest of the Kakatiya inscriptions in Renadu region is at Gangavaram (Kamalapuram) that refers to Ganapatideva (A.D.1257). 3 3 The other insciMptions of Gana- patideva are found at Pondalure and Atlure. There are a number of inscriptions of Prataparudra in the Cuddapah region at Tangutur (Rajempet Tq,) Chanduvayi (3iddhavatam Tq.) and Nandalur ( Rajampeta Tq.). Prataparudra*s rule appears to have brought great changes in the Cuddapah region. The most significant of which was the disappearance of the Kayastha rule. oeveral feudatories and officials who carried on the administration of the Kakatiya kingdom, figure in the inscri- 35 ptions of the region. The upparapalli inscription of 59
A.D.1313 refers to the occupation of Gandikota fort by Kakatiyas from Kayasthas. Juttaiah Lenka Gonka ^eddy was appointed to administer the occupied territories of
Gandikota, Mulikinadu, ^enadu, Sakali, Eruva and Pottapi. (MAP:5) The reign of Kakatiyas over these territories came to an end with the defeat of the Kakatiyas at the hands of Muslim invaders. After this the Cuddapah region was absorbed into the kingdom of Muhammad Bin Tughlug.
The invasions of the Delhi Sultanate began at the end of the thirteenth century A.D. it influenced all the four kingdoms in the south, namely, the Yadava, the Kakatiya the Hoyasala and the Pandya. It also caused a period of confusion terminated by the rise and expansion of the Bahamani and Vijayanagara kingdoms in the second quarter of the fourteenth century A.D. Muhammad Bin Tughluq divided the south India into five provinces after the downfall of the Kakatiyas. He appointed Governors for the provinces to exercise sway over them. Their rule became unpopular. There were uprisings throughout the Tughluq empire. It resulted in the establishment of the kingdoms like Reddis, the Rayas of Vijayanagara and the Bahamani^s,
VIJAYANAGARA
A few years after the foundation of the Vijayanagara empire, the whole region of Cuddapah passed on into the hands MAP : 5
5. MAP OF THE KAKATIYA KINGDOM • A>D.1230-1323. 60 of the Rayas of Vijayanagara, The four dynasties of Vijayanagara kingdom namely, 3angama (A.D.1335-1485), Saluva (A.D.1485-1505), Tuluva (A.D.1505-1576) and Aravidu (A.D,1576-1680) had their great political influence over this region. Several inscriptions of the Rayas of Vijaya- nagar were traced mostly from the Cuddapah region. From the inscriptions of this region it is known that upto the middle of the 17th century the whole of the Cuddapah region fell within the Udayagiri (Nellore district) province of the Vijayanagara empire. And it was bounded on the south by the Chandragiri province, and on the west by the Penugonda province of the Vijayanagara empire. It corOiained two main divisions namely siddhavatam sima and Gandikota sima in the Cuddapah region. The Siddhavatam sima com prised the Sakali and Pottapi sub-divisions corresponding roughly to the eastern taluks of the present Cuddapah district. The rest of the taluks of Cuddapah district were in the Gandikota sima. Because of its extensive area, the Gandikota sima was further divided into still smaller administrative units like Mulikinadu, Chennur sima, Sakali sima, Poluru sima, Nitturu sima, Kalachapati sima, and Peda Sagali sima. These provinces were ruled by viceroys, i.e. amaranayakas, closest associates of the reigning emperor.
Harihara rayaiu/(A.D.1336-1343)^ the founder of the Vijayanagara empire^extended his power up to Cuddapah, 61
Kurnool, Anantapur, Nellore and Chittor districts. "^'^
Kamparayalu I, brother of Harihara rayulu,who was appointed
viceroy of Udayagiri province, ruled this region from A.D.
1343 to 1354, He was succeeded by his son Vira Sayana
odaya (A.D.1351-1362), whose inscriptions were found at
Mopuru (Pulivendala Tq.) Tippireddipalli (Guddapah Tq) and 39 Gondlaveedu (Badvel Tq)• Bukka I (A.D.1344-1377)^brother
of Harihara I ascended the throne at Vijayanagara in A.D.
1344. An inscription at Porumamilla (Badvel Tq.) dated
A,D.1369 mentions that Bhaskara,alias^Bhavadura son of 40 Bukka I^was ruling over Udayagiri rajya as viceroy. He constructed the magnificent tank at Porumamilla. Another inscription at Chinnadasari palli (Guddapah tq.) refers to
Mangayadeva maharaja (^.D.1370) as ruling in the Muiikinati- 41 Sima as a subordinate to Bukka 1. Harihara II (A,D.1377-
1404), son of Bukka I,ascended the throne at Vijayanagara in
A.D.1377. The Chilamakuru (Kamalapuram Tq.) inscription states that the Mahamandaleswara vira Devaraya (A.D.1382) 42 son of Harihar 11^was governing this region from Udayagiri.
His inscriptions dated A.D.1377-1396 were found at Chilamakur,
Paturu, Tanguturu, Indukuru, Chintalapatturu, Peddapasupula and Palugurallapalli. His subordinates Birudaraju, Lakkaya- deva, Maharaju and Allaladeva Maharaju, patronized temples 44 and constructed tanks.
After a short-lived rule of Virupaksha I (A,D.1404-1405), and Bukka II (A.D.1405), Devaraya I (A.D.1406-1422) ascended 62
the throne. Devaraya I kept himself in touch with the administration of this area. His reign was a period of incessant military activity, and during the sixteen years of his reign, he was more or less continuously engaged in waging wars with the Bahamanl -iultans, the Recherlas of Rachkonda and the Reddies of Kondavidu. The Reddy chiefs of Kandukuru branch occupied some of the Eastern parts of the Cuddapah region. But they were expelled by Devaraya I 46 in A.D.1413. Devaraya I was succeeded by Ramachandra, vijayaraya ( also known as Vijaya I or Vijaya Bukka), and Devaraya II (C,A.D.1422-1446) to the throne of Vijayanagara. Devaraya II was represented in three copper plate records in the Kamalapuram taluk in which his genealogy had been described. A number of inscriptions referring to the feu datories of Devaraya II were found in this region. The inscriptions at Ulimella in Pulivendala taluk mentions Devaraya II and his subordinate Pinnaya Maharaja of the Sambeta family. The Sambetas played an important role in the wars of Devarayas II against the Velamas of Rachakonda. The Telugu Chola Chief Ahobala Deva, who was ruling Pushpa- giri region revolted against Devaraya II. So, Vijaya, son of Devaraya I^defeated Ahobala and demolished his capital.
The accession of Mallikarjuna {A.u.1446-1465), the weakest ruler, to the throne marked the beginning of the downfall of the Sangama dynasty. The rivalry between the 63
Rayas and the Gajapatis for the possession of Coastal Andhra reached a zenith during his period. The Vijayanagara empire had been degraded when the Gajapatis occupied the east-coast of Andhra along with Udyagirlrajya. During this period Saluva Narasimha, governor of Ghandragiri rajya, exercised some influence over the administration of some of the portions of this region which was evident from the inscriptions at Enumala
A Q Chlntala (Jammalamadugu Tq.) and Atterala ( Rajampeta ^q,)
Malllkharjuna was succeeded by his infant son. But the throne was seized by his cousin Virupaksha II, (^^.0.1465- 1485) in whose reign the empire was further weakened. The 49 50 inscriptions at Enumalachinta and Devuni Cuddapah refer to his feudatories in this region. Virupaksha II was however, murdered by the end of A.D,1485 and the throne passed on into the hands of one of his sons, Praudha Devaraya, Saluva Narasimha, the powerful and notable of the kingdom* expelled Praudha Devaraya and founded the Saluva dynasty by crowning himself king.
A few inscriptions refer to the rule of Saluva Narasimha (c.A.D.1485-1491) of Saluva dynasty, in this region. During his reign purushothama Gajapathi of Orissa annexed Udayagirlrajya. But the region was under the Vijayanagara ruler. During the reign of Saluvanarasimha., the Sambeta 52 family of Errapadu region made a revolt, Sivaraju of this family dishonoured Vijayanagara power and collected taxes 64 independently. Another Sambeta chief namely Veeranarasimha captured border regions. However, these revolts were suppressed by Saiuva Narasimha. The inscriptions at Pala- giri dated A.D.1503 refer to the next Saiuva king Immadi Narasimha ( A.D.1491-1506) and his 'Dandanayaka' Narasanayaka, 53 in this region. Narasa Nayaka was succeeded to the regent- ship in A.D,1503 by his son Vira Narasimha. Viranarasimha, however, overthrew his master and founded the Tuluva dynasty proclaiming himself king in A.D.1505.
The association of Viranarasimha/ the founder of the Tuluva dynasty, with this region is borne out by the epi graphs at Rameswaram (Proddatur taluk ) and MopuruiKamala- puram taluk). The Ramesvaram inscription refers to the famous minister Saiuva Timma,who served Vira Narasimha and his successor Krishna Devaraya. After the death of Vira- narasimha, his half-brother Krishnadevaraya, the greatest of the Vijayanagara monarchs, ascended the throne. Several inscriptions belonging to the reign of Krishnadevaraya were found in this region,
Krishnadevaraya (A.D.1509-1529), who came to the throne in A,D.1509 recovered the territory lost during the period of his predecessors and also extended the empire on all sides by fresh conquests. His reign represents one of the glorious epochs of Indian History. About forty inscriptions pertaining MAP •. G
yiJAYAtMGARA & BAHAMANI KINQD0M3 (Sntryy^-T - 16th Century
INDIAN OCCA/^
G- MAP OF THE VUAYANAGARA & BAHAMANI KIMGDOWS 65 to his reign came to light in this region. These inscri ptions refer to the subordinates and local chiefs (See Table:6) of Sri Krishnadevaraya, who ruled this region. He made gifts of land and assigned Income from taxation to the temples and for other social services. Musali Naidu/ the founder of Puttooru Palem^gathered an army and revolted against Sri Krishna devaraya. But^he was unable to resist the forces of Raya and fled to Lankamala forest. During the Raya's visit to Pushpa- giri, Musali Naidu sent a message through Kamarasu Thimmara- sayya about his surrender, Krishnadevaraya excused him and asked him to rule the forest area between Pushpagiri and Parnipadu.
The death of Krishnadevaraya in A,D.1529 was followed by a long period of confusion and civil war, which reduced the power and prestige of Vijayanagara ultimately leading to its destruction with the battle of Rakshasi-Tangadi. Krishnadeva raya was succeeded by Achutadevaraya (A.D.1530-1542) to the throne. There are nximber of inscriptions in the region assocla- 57 ted with the subordinates of this emperor (Table *,€>), He ruled till A.D.1542 and he was followed by Venkata I and Salakaraju China Tirumala, and Sadasiva in quick succession.
Aliya Ramaraya became the regent of Sadasiva and for all practical purposes, ruled the Kingdom himself as 'defacto' ruler till A.D.1565. There are a number of inscriptions in this region associated with Sadasivaraya and his subordinates^who 66
58 were known as Amaranayakaras ( ;3ee table: 6 ). During the reign of Sadasiva, many chiefs of the Nandyala or Nandela family of the neighbouring Kurnool district had become promi nent. The epigraphs of these chiefs are found scattered over a number of places in this region. These inscriptions refer to the exemption of taxes on barbers, their gifts of land to temples, brahmans and artisans. The Nandyala or Nandela -the family, a branch of^Aravidu dynasty, was named after Nandyala, its hereditary estate. Several members of this family figure as governors and subordinates of a number of estates. (See
Table : 6 ) .
The frequent interference of Aliya Ramaraya in the affairs of Deccan Sultanates led to the battle of Talikota ihs. (Rakshasa-Tangadi) in A.D.1565, The Hindus and Muhammadans contested for the supremacy over Deccan with their forces of almost fabulous strength in this battle. Consequently,
Aliya Ramaraya was defeated and his capital was looted by the
Bahamani Sultans, There was continuous anarchy followed by the disaster for six years. Many of the nobles revolted and declared their independence. A number of petty chieftains, known as Palegars resorted to unbriddled repression and bands of robbers infested the country.
The political developments in the medieval period in this region seem to suggest that the central power represented as a dynasty had hardly stayed for two centuries. The frequent 67
changes in the .dynastic rule ascribed hitherto by the tradi tional historians to the weak political successions need to be questioned in the light of above historical facts. For example the Kakatiyan empire ascened^to the peak stage during the reign of Prataparudra II. In this period only the decline and disappearance of the empire occured. This suggests that it is not the weak successor/ but the very state craft and the administrative structure^ which led to the down fall of the empire. Similarly, the four dynasties that changed during the Vijayanagara rule was not due to weak successors but due to the very norms of the power structure. r- CO n r- r- r- r- l/l r~ CD r- r- vn VO vD \D \o \D VO VO VO VO VO vo en 0^ C\ 0\ cn a> 0\ CTi o^ o-> cn cn r-1 rH »H »-^ rH tH T-\ iH .H IH rH »H 4J IM Ml M-l M-< M-i IW IW M-t 4J M-t M-« 0 0 0 O O 0 0 O 0) o o o o u cn m U3 rH m UD in VO in o tH in c CN »-) ^' iri CN| C> (M m CO •^ CT> Q\ d) CM <-t T\ (N CN u 0 0 o O O o O 0 0 0 O o t-. •- - ••-• •v f^- 1— t^ •-H *H *-t ^-* *'-< *-< '^ «:• *-;'•' . •^ ^-. w \i\ w M M w M w td c-a M H D; Q; Di Qi D; cy; D; Q; c; D: D^ cd <: m O fd M c td vH c f-\ C fd g •P •^ -H t--\ fd ft fd fd fd -H < ^1 TJ T^ fd Di fd •P +J -p to 0) "V ^ ra (d D, fd .-t 0 0 0 < 'O a. f-4 fd i-1 r-H X ^ X E '^ fd fd r-K u QJ -H TH •H •^^ s tu u iH u fd fO -P T:3 '13 TJ TD 3 TJ :^ 0* u 4-> u E p. 4J a c C c > C .-1 0 0 M > u • ro [^ c^ LO VO CO (^ o n m ^ VO fO rO Q ,-H TH iH fN (N CN fM m fO ro n LA tn Lfl in in in in in in in in in VD rH t-H 1-1 w w TH r-\ T-t •t-\ i-H rH y-\ CQ n £-1 en M fd \ -p H (U fd 4J A; fO fd fd c s C u o 'A fd (0 ^ • m TJ •• ^ TJ >i D < U o >i fd to O O (N n -^ in VD CO C\ o CM 01 11 ir I )) I II 1 in t-- CD t^ CO r- r- CO r- r- \D r- \ \D \D vo n? lO ^ u? u> to iO m ^ If) vr> r- CO o OJ in to ii (N OJ O] o] OJ 70 SEGTION-II (A.D. 1565-1800) The political developments covering the period A.D, 1565-1800 in the Cuddapah region are discussed in this section. This period is generally known as post-Vijaya- nagara period in the history of Andhra. The America'^) scholars termed this period as the pre-Colonial and the pre-Industrial. However, the term pre-Industrial is not widely accepted. In fact, it is used as a synonym for capitalist economic formation of Marxian school of thought. The major political development in the region during this period was the establishment of the Muslim rule. After the tragic defeat of the Vijayanagara armies in the famous battle of Talikota in A.D. 1565, Tirumala, the brother of Ramaraya escaped to Vijayanagara, took hold of the sceptre. Emperor Sadasiva with enormous treasure fled to Penukonda in the Anantapur district and made it the head quarters of his government. Tirumala became the regent of Sadasiva^who remained king only in name until A.D. 1568. Tirumala (A.D. 1570-1572), the founder of Aravidu dynasty, seized the throne and crowned himself king at Penugonda in A.D. 1570 by killing Sadasiva. The empire was divided into three viceroyalties, and kept under the rule of his own sons. Sri Ranga made Penugonda his capital and ni ruled over the Telugu country- Ramaraya and Venkata made Srirangapatnam and Chandragiri capitals for the Canarese and the Tamilnadu territories respectively. But the suzerainty of the emperor was not recognised by the nobles. Most of them revolted and asserted their independence. The Palegars began to ravage the countryside. The Sultan of Bijapur took the prevail ing anarchy and misrule as the opportunity and invaded the territory with the help of the Sultan of Ahamadnagar. The military of the Sultan showed improvised aggression and pillaged the whole country. Sri Ranga-I (A.D.1572- 1585) succeeded to the throne in A.D. 1572. He is re presented by about half a dozen epigraphs in this region. His reign witnessed invasions from his two neighbours — Ali Adil Shah of Bijapur and Ibrahim Qutb Shah of Golkonda. When the former laid seize to Penugonda in A.D. 1576, Sri Ranga-I fled to Chandragiri with the treasures, leaving the defence of his capital to his able general, Chennappa, who soon inflicted a defeat on the Sultan* Sri Ranga-I was succeeded by his brother Venkatapati-II (A.D. 1586- 1614), who was the best known and the most powerful ruler of the Aravidu dynasty. He is referred to in about nine epigraphs in this region, the earliest being that of fi 1 Kokatam (Kamalapuram Tq.) dated A.D, 1589, and the latest one Hemalladinne (Jammalamadugu Tq.) dated A.D. 1611-1612. He recaptured Kurnool and parts of Cuddapah 7 *^ and Anantapur districts which were occupied just before his accession, from the Jultan of Golkonda, Qull Qutub Shah, There were internal revolts by the local chiefs during the tenure of Venkata-II in A.D, 1597-1598. Nandela Krishnamaraja/ who was joined by Kondaraju TirupatirajU/ the ruler of Pottapi and Siddavatam refused to pay the usual tribute to Venkata-II and declared his independence. He was defeated and his estates were confiscated by Venkata-II and his properties were divided between Hands Devappa Nayaka and Pemmasanl Timma Nayaka, The feudatories of Venkatapati-II revolted against him all over his kingdom because of the Golkonda invasion. Nandyala Krishnama Raju rebelled against him in A-D.1598, with the assistance of Kondaraju Tirupati Raju^the ruler of Pottapi and Gopalraju of Kandanavolu (Kurnool). Venkatapati-II suppressed the revolt and took Kondraju Tirupatiraju and Gopalraju as captives. Their Kingdoms were handed over to Pemmasani Timmanayudu with Gandikotaae their capital. Venkatapati II appointed Matli Ellama Raju as the ruler of Pulugulunadu and Siddhavatam sima. He felt that the capital must be away from the Sultans and very close to the southern feudataries, so he changed his capital from Penugonda to Vellore, After the death of Venkata-II in A.D. 1614 Sri Ranga II and Ramadeva (A.D. 1614-30) ascended the throne. During 73 their reign many civil wars took place. Taking advantage of these internal revolts, the Sultan o£ Bijapur sent two expeditions in A.D.1619-20 and A.D. 1624 against Kurnool, the neighbouring region of Cuddapah district. Gopalaraja^ the chief of Kurnool appealed to his neighbouring chiefs for assistance. Ramadeva^who was pre-occupied with his own affairs could not render any help to him. But, Tiru- vengalanatha,the Matli Chief, who was ruling over this region^helped Gopalaraja, but he perished in the battle. There was a state of anarchy prevailing almost all over the Andhra region, including that of Cuddapah after his death,because of the invasion of Bijapur Sultan, The death of Ramadeva in A.D. 1630 plunged the kingdom .into anarchy and civil war, Venkata-III (A.D, 1630-42), who came out victorious in the war of succession, had to contend against both internal troubles and foreign inva sions. The Sultan of Golkonda, Abdul Qutub Shah sent his army in A.D. 1642 against Venkata-III as he was unable to bear the wide spread influence of Bijapur in the Telugu region. Venkata-III and his allies could not however, offer effective assistance and he was allowed to retire to the mountainous tracts in Chittoor district^where he died in A.D. 1642.^^ Venkata was succeeded by Sri Ranga-III (A.D. 1642- 1649), who was the last known ruler of the Karnataka 7* Kingdom. lie obtained help from Llie Sultan of Bijapur to face the invasion of Golkonda and succGssfully freed the Kingdom from the invaders. After this victory he tried to assert his supremacy over the Nayaks of Jinji, Madura and Tanjore- '_' _ The triumph of Sri Ranga alarmed the Sultan of Bijapur^who feared the revival of the Vijayanagara empire. At the same time the Sultans of Bijapur and Golkonda were called upon by the Mughal emperor to conquer and divide Karnataka between them. Both the Bijapur and Golkonda Sultans came to an agreement to divide the country amongst themselves. The Bijapur Sultan sent an expedition under Mustafa Khan, while the latter sent another under Mirjumla. The military chiefs and the feuda tories of Sri Ranga-III joined hands with the Muslim invaders- Mirjumla brought the forts of Udayagiri, Chitvel, Badvel, Siddhavatam, Gandikota and other places in this district/ under his control. The forts of Chengi, Penugonda and Vellore were brought under the control of Mustafa Khan in A*D. 1650. Sri Ranga-III made desperate efforts to defend himself, but he was defeated in a big battle that took place near Nellore by Mustafa Khan. Sri Ranga-III fled to Mysore. Nothing is known about the last years of his rule. Thus the rule of the Rayas of Vijayanagara came to an end with the death of Sri Ranga-III. This led to the systematic subjugation of the small dependent principalities by the Sultans of Deccan. The capture of Gandikota in A,D. 1650 75 by Mirjumla was the important event in the history of this region by which the Muslims established their rule all over the district. MATLIS The Matli chiefs played an important role in this region for about three centuries after the battle of Talikota in A,D. 1565. They came from the Matli area of Rayachoti in Cuddapah district, so they were named Matli Chiefs. They belonged to the family of Deva Choda. The inscriptions that belong to the chiefs of this family show that they were in power till the first quarter of the eighteenth century. The Matli chiefs were still remembered and their memory is still kept alive in this region by the numerous tanks they constructed ^the temples with which they were associated. Many villages were named after them. Kakutshavijayam written by Matli Ananta Raju reveals the genealogy of the Matli dynasty. Bomma was considered to be the founder of the dynasty. The great grandson of Bomma by name Varada Raja (A.D. 1543-1579) is said to have been the son-in-law of Krishnadevaraya. Tirumala-I had made Varada Raja amaranayaka to pottapinadu. Matli Ellama Raju enhanced the name and fame of Matli families. During the period of Venkata-II, the local chief of Sidhout by 76 name Kondraju Tirupati Raju revolted against Venkata-II. He was supported by an^^ther local chief, Krishnam Raju of Nandyala. He occupied the lands of Amaranayakas, who were helping Venkata-II. During this revolt he also occupied the Amara lands of Matli Ellama Raju. Venkata-II was supported by Matli Ellama Raju to suppress the revolts. In the battle that occured at Utukuru, Chennuru in A.D. 1598-1599, Ellam Raju defeated Konda Raju Tirupati Raju and occupied Siddhavatam. As a token of gratitude of this victory, Venkata-II appoin ted Ellama Raju as a Chief of Pulugulunadu, Siddhavata sima and Pottapinadu regions. The Proddatur, Kamalapuram, Duvvur, Chennur and Porumamilla regions were brought under the administration of the Matli families. The Penagaluru grant engraved on seven copper plates refers to Tirumala (A.D. 1577-1579), son of Ellama Raju as under Sri Ranga-I, the Vijayanagara King, who holds Siddha- vatam sima as his 'amaranayaka'. 69 The inscription from Siddhavatam sima refers to Ananta Raja, another son of Ellama Raju as having titles 'Aivaraganda*, Mannehami- vira' and 'Rachabebbuli'. He defeated KondRaju Venkatadri , a chief and captured Chennur. He also attacked Madhura chiefs and the Muslims on behalf of the Vijayanagara emperors MAP- 7 C?^tNo:^0 MAP OP THE QUTB SHAHl KINGDOM - A.D,1670 11 He was considered to be the author of a well known Telugu poem Kakubsthavijaygiuu. He constructed a big tank by name 'Ellamaraju Cheruvu* in memory of his father. The inscriptions at Chakibanda 70 (Rajainpet Tq> refer to the rule of Tiruvengalanatha Deva Choda Maharaja, son of Ananta Raja in A.D. 1647. Kumudvatikalyanam 71 states that he marched to the rescue of Gopala Raja, the Chief of Kurnool, when the latter's fort was besieged by the forces of the Sultan of Bijapur and lost his life in the battle. The inscription dated A.D. 1634 from Bommavaram 72 (Rajampet Tq) refers to the rule of Mahamandaleswara Matli Anantaraja's son, Kumara Anantaraja. It was also stated that he fought fierce battles at Animala, Chappalle, Gundluru, 73 Palagiri and Vempalle against the Paleqars. He was succee ded by his son Kumara-II. During his time Mirjumla of Gol- konda occupied a major portion of their territory. Again the Hatlis were able to regain power over the areas of 74 Rajampet taluk before the Mughals captured Golkonda. The Matlis became palegars to the adjoining areas of Cuddapah after the downfall of the Golkonda kingdom. Hyder Ali invaded this area and suppressed the Matlis and other palegars of this region. They were under the rule of Hyder Ali till A.D. 1780. The East India Company Records reveal that the Matli families used to pay peshcush 1% of Rs, 1,20, 000 to Tipu Sultan after the death of Hyder Ali,"^^ When Tipu Sultan handed over the area in A.D. 1792 to the Nizam of Hyderabad, the Matli families were left under the control of Nizam. Then all the local chieftains including that of the Matli family attained independence taking advantage of the weakness of the central authority. The Matlis defied the British authorities, though the ceded districts were handed over to the East India Company by the Ni3(v.'*»iof Hyderabad in A.D. 1800, Their era came to an end when they were crushed by Munro. QUTUB SHAHIS After the downtall of the Kakatiyas, the Muslims began to establish their authority in the Andhra region. In A.D. 1347, when the Bahamani empire was established in Deccan, the domination of the Islamic rule became wide spread. The Vijayanagara emperors tried to prevent the Muslim rule but in vain. In A.D. 15U0,the Bahamani kingdom was divided into tive independent divisions. Among them the Golkonda (Andhra region) empire was ruled by the Qutub Shahis, They began to expand their power in Andhra after the battle of Rakshasa- Tangadi in A.D, 1565. The Golkonda and Vijayanagara emperors competed each other for supremacy in Andhra, Mohammad Quli Qutub Shah (A,D. 1586-1611) after getting victory over Kurnool,invaded Gandikota, Jammalamadugu and Chennur in the 77 Cuddapah region, ' ^ The local chiefs of this region became his subordinates by paying annual tributes. He appointed his subordinates, Samiar Khan and Murtaza Khan as military commanders in Gandikota. But these victories were purely temporary and again the Vijayanagara military forces occu pied these areas. During the rule of Abdulla Qutub Shah (A.D, 1626-72) the Qutb Shahi dominions were extended right upto Madhura including the Cuddapah region. Muhammad Shahid Mirjumla, the inilitary general of Abdulla Qutub Shah, occupied the 77 Gandikota fort, and invaded Karnataka and brought it under his control. Mirjumla became over ambitious and did not handover the areas to the Sultan, but declared independence. The Sultan decided to punish Mirjumla. But Mirjumla approached Aurangazeb, who was the representative of the Mughals in Deccan, and came to an agreement with him, Mirjumla became a Mansabadar of the Mughals. After that Naknam Khan was appointed the cornmandauit of Gandikota and governor of Karnataka with tull responsibility to carry on the administration in his own name. During the rule of Abul Hassan (A.D. 1677-1687) Aurangazeb occupied the Golkonda region and with this the rule of the Sultans came to an end. ©o MUGHALS The imperial Mughals were brought to the Andhra region during the closing years of the Seventeenth century. The conquest of Golkonda by the emperor Aurangazeb in A.D.1687 marked the extension of his imperial sway over this region. During this time the struggle between the Mughals and the Marathas began. In the beginning,the Marathas dominated over Cuddapah and Karnataka regions. But Zulfiqur Khan, the Mughal representative defeated the Marathas and showed- 79 the supremacy of Mughals over this region. Aurangazeb was succeded by his son Muazzam with the title Bahadur shah in A.u. 1707. He appointed Zulifquar Khan as the viceroy of Deccan. The epigraph at Konduru refers to the administration of Bahadur shah in this region. During the reign of Farrukhsiyar, Nizamul-Mulk was appointed Viceroy of the Deccan and also the Fauzdar of Karnataka. Nizam-ul-mulk was soon replaced by Hussain All Khan,who concluded a humiliating treaty with the Marathas recognising their right to collect 'Chouth' and :ziarqeshmukhi' in the Mughal ueccan. This led to the appointment of Maratha Officials all over the Mughals' Deccan including the Cuddapah region. During the rule of Muhammed shah on the Mughal throne, Nizam-ul-mulk wanted to reoccupy the Deccan from Mubariz khan, the then Viceroy of Deccan. During his in vasion, Abdul Fattah khan, the foujder of Cuddapah helped &t him in a battle at Shaker Khera in A,D, 1724.®° Nizam- ul-mulk became the viceroy of Deccan and the Mughal king recognised his authority and titled him Asafjah. From that time onwards the members of his family were called Asafjahis. The Asafjahis nominally recognised the sovereignty of the Mughals and became independent rulers over Andhra, Thus the Mughal rule came to an end in Andhra ASAF JAHIS The era of Asaf Jahis began in Andhra with the battle of Shaker Khera in A.D. 1724. Mubariz Khan^the Mughal representative in Deccan was defeated by Nizam-ul-mulk in Shaker Khera battle. The English and the French inter fered in the Wrars of succession of the Asaf Jahi dynasty and tried to get sympathy trom them. Nizam-ul-mulk occupied the Karnataka State including the Cuddapah region in A.D, 1741-42. After the death of Nizam-ul-mulk in A-D. 1748, succession to the throne was disputed between his son, Nasir Jung and his grandson Muza- ftar Jung. In A.D. 1749 Nasir Jung proceeded to the South to supress the revolt of Muzafar Jung and ordered his 81 subordinate chiefs to join hands with him. Consequently, Mousm Khan alias Mocha Miya, NawaD of Cuddapah, Himmat 8. MAP OF THE CUDDAPAH REGION IN THE CEDED DISTRICTS A*D. 1800. &t Bahadur Khan, Nawab of Kumool and some others joined Nasir Jung. But they became treacherous and killed him. / Duplay^^ the French governor in Pondicherry proclaimed Muza^firar'Jung as Nizam of Deccan. Muzatfar Jung donated a lot of money and diamonds to the French. Du[3lay was made the iMansubdar of his 10,000 archery. Mujafar Jung started to his capital with the help of Bussy, the military general of the French. The Nawabs of Cuddapah and Kurnool were very much dissatisfied at the attitude of Muzaffar Jung and felt that they had not received enough remuneration for killing Nasir Jung, Moreover they did not like tlie supremacy of the French in Deccan. So they plotted to assassinate Muza- far Jung. They killed him at Lakkireddipalli about 35 Km. 82 from Cuddapah in A.D. 1751. Salabat Jung succaded Muzaffar Jung in A.D. 1751 and occupied the whole of the Cuddapah region with the help of the French. During the rule of Nizam Alikhan (A.D. 1761 - 1803), he joined the subsidiary alliance introduced by Wellasly in A.D, 1798. The Nizam ceded to the English East India Company the districts of Cuddapah, Kurnool Anantapur and Bellary on 20th October, 1800. With this the rule of the Nizams came to an end in the Cuddapah region and the rule of the British East India Company began. (^MAP'-S) 83 MAYANA NAWABS The Mughals appointed many Patans from Delhi as their representatives in their conquered regions. Due to the accession of the weakest emperors among Mughals, the local chiefs acted independently in many parts of the country including Cuddapah after the death of Aurangazeb. Among them the Mayana Nawabs played an 84 important role in the Cuddapah region. During the rule of Nizam, these Mayana Nawabs acted as Subedars. They played an important role in the Carnatic affairs in A.D. 1750. Abdul Nabi Khan (A.D. 1710-35/36) was considered to be the founder of the Mayana Nawabs. His reign was attes ted by 'Siddhavatasthala mahatyam' in A.D. 1710. The inscription from Cuddapah dated A.D. 1717-18 refers to him as the Subedar during the reign of Farrukshiyar. He became an independent ruler from Nizam and extended his power from Cuddapah in A.D. 1713. He invaded and subdued Gurram Konda, Gandikota, Cumbum, Punganur and Siddhout. He even levied tribute in the Baramahal of Tamilnadu. He also supressed the Palegars of Punganur and Gurramkonda and ordered^to pay tribute to him- There was some confusion about the successors of Abdul Nabi Khan, because there was no unanimity between 84- the inscriptions and Kaifiyats. The Kaifiyats from Gandikota mention that after Abdul Nabikhan, Mausm Khan alias. Mocha miya, and Abdul Makid Khan acted as Cuddapah an Nawabs. Mocha miya was imprisoned by Abdul Majid khan# son of Abdul Hainid Khan, the Jagirdar of Siddhout and a grandson of Abdul Nabi Khan, with the help of wealthy Muslim merchants. And he became the Nawab of Cuddapah in A.D. 1753. Majid Khan defeated the Raja of Owk and occu pied the Uppalapadu fort. He also invaded over Gooty, Bellari, Madakasira, Srirangapattanam and Baramahal. In A.D. 1757 the Marathas under the leadership of Balwantrao invaded over his country. Majid Khan was killed in a battle with the Marathas at Bandikanuma near Cuddapah in op A.D, 1757, Then the Marathas plundered the whole country. Mocha miya was released from Jail and was made the Nawab of Cuddapah by the Marathas. Mocha miya in gratitude gave away the taluks of Gurramkonda, Rayachoti, Pulivendala, 89 Vempalli and Jammalamadugu to the Marathas. Halim Khan (A.D. 1761-79) was considered to be the last ruler among the Mayana Wawabs and with him their rule came to an end, Halim Khan attacked the Marathas with the help of the mili tary forces of the Nizam of Hyderabad. But^in A.D. 1779 Hyder All of Mysore invaded over Halim Khan. He was defeated in the battle and all his family members were imprisoned and sent to Srirangapattanam. They died there, as prisoners. 85 HYlJER ALI A^D TIPU OF MYSORE Hyder All,who became the supreme power in Mysore constitutes a new element in the political forces which shaped the destiny of the Cuddapah region during this period. He invaded Krishnagiri and Baramahal territories, which were under the rule of the Cuddapah Nawabs, in A.D, 1760 and occupied them. Peshwa Madhavarao invaded the territory of Mysore in A.D.1766 and seized Sira (Kolar), which was under the rule of Mir All Raja Khan, the brother- in-law of Hyder Ali. Mir Ali was persuaded to capitulate Sira fort in return for the governorship of Gurramkonda^ seized earlier from the Nawabs of Cuddapah, A large area of Cuddapah district included in GurramXonda was assigned to Mir Ali. It became easier for Hyder Ali to extend his 90 supremacy over the Cuddapah region. Hyder All entered into a secret agreement with the Nizam Ali Khan of Hyderabad. As a result^the Nizam was promised to be given the Cuddapah and Kurnool regions. When Hyder marched upon Gurramkonda, Mir Ali handed over the fort to him, Hyder Ali took possession of his new territory and marched to Cuddapah for levying tribute from the Nawab in A.D, 1766, He also suppressed the Palegars who opposed him. But in A.D. 1772 the Marathas invaded this region and brought it under their control. After the death of Peshwa Madhavarao there was much disunity 8& among the MarathaS- As a result, Tlppu oultan was sent to reoccupy thin region in A.D. 1774. Abdul Aliin Khan, the Nawab of Cudclapah refused to supply the military equipment. So^Hyder Ali sent his military under the leadership of Mir Ali, the governor of Gurramkonda to punish the Nawab of Cuddapah, The military of Guddapah Nawab was defeated in a battle at Duvvur. Hyder Ali was able to catch hold of the Nawab of Cuddapah,who ran away to Siddhout. The Nawab of Cuddapah,with all his family members were sent as prisoners to Srirangapattanam, where the Nawab lost his life in captivity. Hyder Ali left for Mysore after annexa tion of the Siddhout and the Cuddapah regions, under the Jagir of Gurramkonda, where Mir Ali Khan was its Governor. Hyder Ali also tried to suppress the power of Palegars of the Cuddapah region. For example, in A.D, 1780 he took the Matla Raja of Chitvel as a prisoner. Tipu Sultan, son of Hyder Ali, succeded his father, 91 who died in A.D. 1782 and got supremacy over this region. During his reign in A.D. 1790 there was a strong unity among the Nizam, Marathas and the English just to suppress the arrogance of Tipu Sultan. The military troops of Nizam led by his son Sikandar Jah invaded over the regions of Cuddapah and brought them under his rule. During this period the Palegars of different places in Cuddapah region surren dered themselves to Sikandar Jah. Because by the-v, they were 87 forced to pay tributes to Tipu Sultan and so they wanted to have a new administration. Tipu was defeated and for ced to come to an agreement under a treaty which was con- 92 eluded in A.D. 1792. He was deprived of half of his territories,, which were divided among the British, the Nizam and the Peshwa. As a result,the Cuddapah region came under the Nizam of Hyderabad. The campaign wa^ proved to be very profitable to the Nizam. It weakened the power and position of Tipu Sultan. 88 PA m: GARS Palegars played a dominant role before the transfer of this region to the British. The term Palegar^ which is derived from the Tamil word^Palayakkaran' means the 9 3 holder of an armed camp. A Palegar wields power over P^lg'^ or palyam. Palem in Telugu, Palyam in Tamil, Polan in English indicates the territorial possession of the Pale- gar, Palemu was a strip of territory comprising a few villages, granted to chieftain in consideration of the mili tary service that he agreed to render and the tribute that he consented to pay to the sovereign. According to Satya- narayana (1983) Palegars were similar to Amaranayakas^who supplied army to the king and collected revenue as a renter 94 of the village. The fiscal and military duties were com bined and entrusted to these chieftains. A significant feature in the medieval polity was the appointment of military chieftains with the fiscal duties, Mahamandaleswara, Mandaleswara, Mahasamantha, Sajnantha, NayarrOcara, Bahattara Niyogadhipathi, Amaranayaka, Palegar ^"'^ GJ^^^fA^i a-^s the military-cum-revenue officials found in the medieval inscriptions. Except the Palegars and Amaranayakas, all the other officials are referred to in the medieval inscriptions of Rashtrakutas, Chalukyas, Cholas 9 5 Kakatiyas, Nayamkara, Bahattara Niyogadhipathies are the 89 exclusive appointees under the Kakatlyas. Gramlni or the head of the village is noticeable even from the 7 inscriptions of the Satavahanas. 9 Amaranayakas and Palegars were the creation of the Vijayanagara admini- 98 stration. After the advent of Muslims^they too appointed Jagirdars, Mansabdars^ JamindarS/ Patels^ Patvarles etc., 99 who also form the intermediary class. All these officials referred to in the inscriptions indicate the existence of intermediary class between the state and the peasant. Hence, they can also be termed as supra-local power segment. The seventeenth and eighteenth centuries witnessed the rule of the Palegars in the Rayalaseema districts of Andhra Pradesh, The first principal Collector of ceded Districts^ which comprised the Cuddapah, Kurnool, Bellary and Anantapur districts^ surveyed the regions and submitted a memorandum on Palegars.who were the virtual rulers of this region in A.D, 1800. In his memorandum he stated that 80 Palegars were ruling the entire Rayalaseema region (comprising Cuddapah, Kurnool, Anantapur and Chittoor districts). Out of the 80 Palegars 49 Palegars (61.25%) belonged to the Cuddapah region, (Table:7) This indirectly indicates that the Cuddapah region is the centre of activity of the supra-local power groups from the fourteenth century A.D. to fifteenth century A.D. The following table shows the 49 Palegars of the Cuddapah region, Tc4/e • ^ ^ ^^^^^' tl II II II II II II X It 1 0 II 'H It 1 fO II EH 1 II Q) I ' rC 11 -P 1 ^ :3 P d P P P p p P P P p P 1 Tl T) Ti T) X3 T) Tl Tl TJ TJ TJ TJ T3 T3 II 4-1 1 Tl fO (U ro fd fd fd (0 fd fd ty fd fd td O I 0 1 a ft ft P^ FaH iaH . a iaH a a a a a 11 1 rH •H rH rH H H •~\ rH ^ rH Ha C/3 1 QJ 1 0 ft) ro fd fd fd fd td ffl rd ft) fd fd fd EH 11 e 1 N >1 >i >i s N >i >i N >i >1 s >i >1 CC 1 fd I fO (73 fO fd fd fd fd fd ffl rd fd rd fd td O II s 1 > > > > > > > > > > > > > > a 11 1 o II 1 II ii 11 1 15 11 o 11 U I tj 1 fd m Q 11 Di 1 s 1 Q) fO 11 -H 1 2: 1 m u m II 0^ 1 fd u s; II Q) t fO M u fd u fd u M o 1 ^ 1 P. rd rd fd >i fd fd •H s v^ II 4J 1 S >i fd >i fd >i SH >i H -H J-1 m fd >i fd 2 rS fd rd o 1 M-I 11 13 ^ d P 2; -p fd s I^ >i P !3 1 0 t G •a T) tn S M fd fd T5 1 II fl) ra d fd fd fd fd (d a afd a s 1 0) 1 X a I s D< H -p >i a a & a o 1 B II fd a m rd p. -P fd G td fd a fd fd a 1 (T7 1 fO (d fd fd > fT3 G fd CD c LJ •cH •cH Ui •eH c c •rl 1 II t 11 H 1 II CO 1 II .r O 1 tl 1 e II I a> 1 I H II K (eU 1 m 1 0) ii H 1 0^ 11 fd O fd H J G} II •w ^ O/ rd EH 1 4Z 1 TJ fO fd :3 D^ P -H e r-) •H to ; -P II c a< > (H fTJ H 0 •H rH M 'H P U •H P fd TJ 1 ^ II Di fd 0) •H (H fd LI (H Di G 1^ c 0 1 (D td 0) 0. ^ ffl >H tu (d > fd (U fd fd 11 rH rH G U .-H fd x: rH -H > j:: G 6 1 OJ 1 ft) -P •H P -H fd a u rH -P fd u fd fd 1 i II g P TJ •P & >i ^H -rH (U -P Li fd CTi rH 1 ro 1 f^ rH T3 •P G rH '0 TJ Li (d M •~\ G l-\ 1 IS II :3 .H fO fd 0 fd p fd td ^ (1) tD fd rd H W S O oi S Q X S O ?H s: Q: ^ II 1 0 tt I 'Z 1 VD OJ ro •<;f 1 rH 1 »-i CM ro •^ in r- 00 en o ^ rH rH TH r-i rH I CO II X •rl rH 0 :3 3 13 13 0 ;3 •H -rH •iH -rH •H •rl •rl T) -P -P -P •P -P •P +J -P fd fO ftj fd fd fd fd o o o O o o O O O ft a a a j:: X x: x: fd H a •-i 0 0 o u u o O a u u u C ft) rH (0 fd rH fd fd fd (d fd fd fd fd td fd fn >i >i fii >i fd >i >i >i >i >i >i >i >i (0 fO fd fd fd fd fd ftj >i fd fd fd fd fd fd fd E > > fd a; a; Di Oi Di > > > fd > a; fd > :3 T3 u & fO 1 fd Di S 0) 1 ^ 0 ^1 1 fd x: M TD TJ fO 1 fO fd a 1 fd •H ^^ & g. fd 01 fd fd OJ fd fd S (D 1 !>i p c r-i M >1 IH ^ 2; s (0 X J ^ (U •u a> p /U m ;3 /O S U 1 fO :2; 3 J: +J S s 'O >i •H •H fd M U >i t>1 C.) +J rd iH fd -P -P XI fd fd fd M-l 1 fd (d (d fd 13 fd I fd S fd fd XI N >i x: 0 II S a C m p. fd >i a D. ^ fd fd 4J Oi fd s M 04 s: fd E fd fd to s: s: fd fU 11 •H fd g a •H 0 0) 2: -H -P -p c G 1 .H G fd > rH 0 M •H tn fd fd (d •H -H d fO 1! fd C rH 0 rd Oi -H X -H fd M X T) fd g x: 2 I to •H H cr tn c V 0 Oi u C c TD CO c CT 5 x: fd -H 5 •H fd P fd fd 0) <\) OJ 0) 0 fd S u S Q 5^ w ^ m S S > > a Q m cc fd +J c fd c to 04 I -p X3 0) fO c Di rH OJ I rH fd rH (d (0 CT fd fd fd -p fd cu •H B fd 0, TJ p c 0. rH :3 (d P. 0, C c :3 •H rH TJ •H ;3 ^ a fd (d D ai G C fd fd fd o -H fd M B fd fd ni fd QJ rH a a O in yo CO o CM fO •^ in U3 f> CO (Ti O a^ f) to II OJ OJ 1 -H •H •H •rH •H Id r-( ^H r-4 •H «H nH 5, rH rH .H rH rH L^ l-l u 3 ftl m td fd fd 3 0 0 TJ M-l 1 a a ft a a a a Q. c 0 m fi) (d fd fd •H •H •H fd fd Id QJ fH iH c c c c c U I-l M rH M .H > QJ QJ Q] ro fO fn fd fd •H •H -rH fd rd fd •H > > G \ 'O 'o ^ ^ ^ Ti Ti T3 S e G r^ •D ID ft) ro JS fd fd fd fd fd fd fd fd rd 3 fd rd 2; 1 ;s *"% S S S b^ U b u 1 iH rd ! fd Oi 1 S 03 1 :^ fd rH 1 '^ ;3 LH ^ fH 11 ? TJ fd 04 1 >. a >i U N •H rt) T3 M TJ fd fd J-> QJ 1 ^ :3 Ifd Id C Xl !H >. 3 (d s: II s :?; u >i (0 QJ fd fd D. s -p 1 ftl fU n) rd ^ Q; N ??; •H Id TJ p. 1^ rd IH >i •-> N: fd -P -H 'U M-( 1 P. Qi fd fd .•-J c rO :^ -H fd fd Q) 0 II ft) fd Qi >. 3 fd X fd -5 +J a X D^ .c: a fd Id a +j x: E fd fd rd 1 u QJ tl -p a -P S fd a fd ^ •H a a +J I fd B ^ 1 c: m fd ^ fd ^ w a •H rd I ^ fd f6 It fO .H .•^ fd ,0 rH fd rd U A; U] -p rH i-i s a s t CO c a 0 x: rd U (H TJ c 0) to II ft) fO QJ fd ^ rd rd -H fd 3 rd QJ x: •H > s > Q* to S S '^I S ej 1^ > to b^ 11 <0 i-t 11 (d -P :3 II c to e 1 QJ 1 S .-I 0 nj II "" NJ Oi 1 QJ ^ QJ 1 .H x: II (d Id -p ' (d r-t tH CN n •^ in rH C-J ro •<;f in VO r- CO a\ o (/) 1 rO n n ro m fO m m ^ •^ ^ ^ •^ •^ "* II I II I X il 3 II ft) I t^ II I Qi ;3 m /O II ^ tj +J iH I 4J =i 01 -P II 4-1 & n I LM fO E II O T7 fO -ia^ I 'U H ^^ u a? 0 f~i •r^ I G (^ d 0 II ft) Oi !^ I S a II I II u t 1 fU II en 1 1 Q) I II •-i 1 I (0 1 II a 1, 1 II 0) 1! 1 x: 1 11 -p 1 1 fd It ip 1 T3 1 0 1 a> 0 sfO II Qi •t—1 2: m 1 0) 1 fd a» II G 11 fO M fO 1 fd 1 r-i fd x: 11 :s 1 fO P ^ r E 0 11 (1 0a •H 4:: 1 o H CO I tl . I E II 0) fO I -{ CI* II in 1, II I Q) II x: I -P II t iw li o I n (D u I e ft II n) > It fd I II O I :^ II • I H r- CO II V) •* 9, MAP SHOWI^JG THE PALEI'lS OF THE PALEGARS OF TOE CUDDAPAH Rt;GIO^J 94 The Munro Reports were compiled In haste. As there was lot of government pressure on Munro to formulate a revenue policy, he was unable to give more details on the Palegar system of administration. In fact, in the Cuddapah region^ more t?ian 80 Palegars were ruling the countryside. In this thesis an attempt is made to bring to light several other Palegar families which remained unrecorded. The KaifiyatS/ and the personal interviews with families of palegars of the Cuddapah region revealed that at least 36 palegars were not recorded by Munro. Based on the Kaifiyats and the personal interviews, the list of 36 palegars and their ancestors were given in the table:a 6 E 6 G (0 (0 (0 ^ fd u M u u U +J •p 4J 4J 4J -p 4J d 3 d 0 ^ ^ d (d fO fO m fO ro fO -p •tJ •p -p -P 4J -P > > > > > > > P ftf iTf fO dJ 0 rtt fO fO m m (0 fO (d fd rH n TD T? xi TJ TJ Tl j:: JC x: x: x: ^ X Ti T3 'a TD XJ TD T) T) T3 TJ TJ T3 TJ TJ 0 0 o 0 O O O TJ TJ TJ TJ T3 TJ TJ M u u M 1-1 U M •rH •H -M •H •H -H •H P4 (^ a^ D, D^ (h Q^ t/5 W to W CD cn U) 3 •^ d TJ ft) TJ -H 1-1 (n •H fd (d ti fd a ^ <. u S to N fd •H >1 H a> fO -P s TJ fo a fd fd TJ >i H H p^ > Q) T) < fd affl 0 0) o; Tl ^d x: r-H T3 TJ tt) TJ fd •H fd -H Di iz: TJ 4J to >i ;^ d 1 1 t o w -P Z >i C O e E-f CO -H H rH e H3 fd E OJ a E tu E •H fd QJ .-H 0) rH fd r-i a rH rH rH OJ rH a fd (U -H tJ E rH rH fd a •H x: -H fd O. fd fd f-( ft d 1-4 •p nH Oi •H (-< fd d a fd •f-t fd fd fd d TJ fd jj T) & d fd rH > a fd M TJ > o fd fd E •r-) L| fd fd O •r^ -H d 0) fd ^ ft rH (d (d fd ^ rH ^ iH M U H ^ •H e(d fd ^ IH •p fd d fd fd d -H d ^ c rH > TJ fd c a •r-» i to A^ TJ TJ c jj M 3 > C a •H p. •r-i fd fd >i fd QJ 0 fd 0 (d P ft) d o ^ x: Q >^ s s •-) Ni CU o h) S ^ u f-o o o Tf CNJ f^ •<* ID VO CO a\ o OJ fO II CO 1 ft) fO (11 Ifl rO fO fO :j 3 :3 rH •H rH H rH -H rH 'O t:? •v Pl 13 P p D :3 P III fO (d T) Tl •n n T1 'a Til e e f= c C c c C n c m fO m Q) dj a) 0) 01 0) 0) iH rH r-l r-l rH rH rH > > > > J> > > Q) a) Q) ai fd ft) rO •M -H •H -H •H •H -H > > > > c P e EH (H ^ rH H nH •H rH TJ Ti Ti TD E C f^ :3 P :3 ;3 ;:! :3 0 m (TJ fO fUl ft) fO fO 0. cu p^ 0^ D. a, P^ CQ m m m b b b fO u to (d 13 (TJ fd •I—1 •H c s :3 (d fd cn C fd TJ 13 2: :i fd > •H TJ 'O Q(U fd •H (d •H :3 *H a3 fd M fO d s: 0 > T) T3 (d iH ^ S T) TJ •H -H •H 2: •H fd fd •H c W W fd ^ -H 3 E fd fd fd fd 0) :3 S 2; •H fd •""1 fd R 2. X CQ Tt 10 •H m fd i^ fd u •H (d fd P (d C c Q; >i M fd •H x: fO rH i-\ T) t^ 3 fd X3 fd (U g 3 C 2: fd fd •H > a: fd TJ C 0) E •rn :3 a a fd c Q) > OJ fd > •H (d >i fO 0 0 2: fd TJ fd (U Q; >i H tM fd o H x: fd 4J Q fd fd rH C fd o o fd -p 0) •H X3 rH O, fd •H a •H E G fd fd PH (U a XI fd ^ fd <-{ Di Ai fd e '0 TJ J T) 0 G e O e fd U c C 2: •H OJ 0) ^ fd j:: fd 0 :3 (d x: 0 0) fd H P4 Oi o ^ u CO tn CQ 14 u Ni > B 01 to e CO H 0 fO fd to o •H fd fd iH •H <-\ a d i4 (d (0c rH ^ 0 Q a E rH (d > ^ fd a s fd a :3 fd -p •H fd •H -p a M TI G d c +J rH B fd -H •H 0) C fd T3 d 3 M-l :3 -p > rH x: 0 u td 1^ fd e fd o TJ :3 0 Q) rH u :3 V a a rH 0) rH OJ u X TJ fd U G a fd (d rH > d u d fd fd a fd d •H td i-i rH fd fd a T) T? 4^ m Q) rH Tl rH > d d (H -P d fd C c +j a C rH d rH u c M •p in {/] 2; 0 0 0 (d 0 fO > fd fd 5 0) o 0) fd t^ H ^ o a 2: < S w S Q:; !^ CQ 0. o 2; in vo r- CO cr\ o rH Cv) m '•^ in V.0 r- CO w II rH ,H rH ,H rH (N CN CM CM CM CM OJ OJ CM •rH •H ^ X X 4-> 4-> (0 fO fU 0 0 X 0, a. a X X H rH rH m fo (tj U u fl) OJ (U 0 Ti TJ Ti fO fO > > > to TJ TJ T1 N >1 n TJ TJ P :3 :3 fO to to ft) fO u u u Q; CC m CO CQ d fO •H X) a: m U •H ^; fO fO to Di s fd QJ -g 3 rH •rH •H fO TI fd (d rH to TJ •H ^ fO C (TJ a x: u O z fO -0 to X =) u x: (0 c rO Tl ITJ ::) •p IH fO f-i •rH P (0 fO M m fO g MH e (I) 04 :?: fO G d 0) rH O o N; > -iH •H rH (U c P. fl B (0 fO Q) ftj >^ Q) to M -p C 0^ -P fO Q) •H QJ •rl ^ fl X (U >i > U c E TJ >i fd (D ffl fO 0 fd u > w S fc^ ra < rH •-\ fd e •H OJ e fd 0) ^ rH B rH (d fd (d fd CD rH X e fO c 0^ rH rtJ -p OJ •-i fd fd fd QA G rH fd P4 Q) O. P Id x: fd TI fd rH C •H CO a c TJ rH e d C M-t 3 ;3 c td fd ^ fd •H LH Di 0 a a rd tn -P o ::! •rl ;^ fd fd rH fd •rl -P Tl fd TJ TJ (H DI > e -p TJ rH TJ C fd C fd fd fd •H fd 0 fd (U x: u 13 Oi S cu 0^ s u to < o CTi o TH CM m ^ ID \0 to OJ ro m m ro ro ro ro 98 The Munro Reports and the Kaifiyats put together reveal tl^ie strength to be 85 in the Cuddapah region alone. There are divergent opinions regarding the time of the origin of Palegars. Dharani Ramachandra Rao (1936) opined that tlie village heads of the Kakatiya period became Palegars In due course. Ma^enzie manuscripts also support this view. According to Venkataramanaiah, Satyanarayana# f Burton Stein and Thomaiks Munro, the Palegars came into exis- tance during the Vijaynnagara period, Tho following Table attGs ts to the fact:- TA3LE: 9 104 LIST OF TFffi ORIGIN Of PALEGARS BASED OM MUNRO REPORTS S.No. Name of the Palem- Name of the Kingdom 1, Porumamilla VIJAYANAGARA 2. Chitvel VIJAYANAGARA 3. Narsapur VIJAYANAGARA 4. Sompalli VIJAYANAGARA 5. Kamalapur VIJAYANAGARA 6. Ellutla VIJAYANAGARA 7. Erragunta Palem" VIJAYANAGARA 8. Madanapalli VIJAYANAGARA 9, Papaya Palli VIJAYANAGARA 10. Tettu VIJAYANAGARA 99 3.No. Name of the Palenr Name of the Kingdom 11• Rompicherla VIJAYANAGARA 12. Malyala VIJAYANAGARA 13. Dudipalli VIJAYANAGARA 14. Komiti VIJAYANAGARA 15. Chattivari Palem- VIJAYANAGARA 16. Yarravari Palem- VIJAYANAGARA 17. Mala Cheruvu VIJAYANAGARA 18. Gangalah Ghintala VIJAYANAGARA 19. Udayamanikam VIJAYANAGARA 20. Eguva Marappa gunta VIJAYANAGARA 21. Diguva Marappa gunta VIJAYANAGARA 22. Vemula VIJAYANAGARA 23. Lopatinutala & Komatinutala VIJAYANAGARA 24. Gattu VIJAYANAGARA 25. Battapur or Pedda palem VIJAYANAGARA 26. Tippireddi palle palem KINGS OF GOLKONDA 27. Kalibanda KINGS OF GOLKONDA 28. Bonamalla KINGS OF GOLKONDA 29. Gattu Palem KINGS OF GOLKONDA 30. Maddineni Palem" KINGS OF GOLKONDA 31- Marella KINGS OF GOLKONDA 32, Raga nagari Palem.*. KINGS OF GOLKONDA 33. Maddi Cheruvu KINGS OF GOLKONDA 100 S.No. Name of the Palem Name of the Kingdom 34. Chintagunta Banda KINGS OF GOLKONDA 35. Erra Manyam Palem' KINGS OF GOLKONDA 36. Nallamaneni Palem KINGS OF GOLKONDA 37. Motaguntla KINGS OF GOLKONDA 38. Jillella manda KINGS OF GOLKONDA 39. Uppalure ASAF JAHIS OF HYDERABAD 40. Talapula ASAF JAHIS OF HYDERABAD 41. Madicheruvu ASAF JAHIS OF HYDERABAD 42. Ravuru MUGHAL DYNASTY 43. Yellamanda MUGHAL DYNASTY 44. Talapula MUGHAL DYNASTY 45. Kadiri MUGHAL DYNASTY 46. Mudiyam Padu NAWABS OF CUDDAPAH 47. Nagana gunta NAWABS OF CUDDAPAH 48. Gopagudi Palli NAWABS OF CUDDAPAH 49. Tunirnalagondi NAWABS OF CUDDAPAH 101 Based on Munros Reports,the percentage of the Palegars under various dynasties can be drawn. TABLES 10 NUMBER OF PALEGARS BASED ON MUNRO REPORTS 105 S.No, Name of the Dynasty No. of Palegars Percentage 1. Vijayanagara 25 51..02 2. Golkonda 13 26.54 3. Asaf-Jahis 3 6.12 4. Mughals 4 8.16 5. Nawabs of Cuddapah 4 8.16 (Mayana Nawabs) Total 49 100% It is evident from the above table that 51.02% of Palegars originated during the time of Vijayanagara* Even the Kaifiyats testify the same. 102 Out of 36 Palegars 24 Palegars (66.66%) owe their origin to the Vijayanagara period. (Table:11). TABLE: 11 LI3T OF THE PALEGARS BASED ON KAIPIYATS 106 S,No, Name of the Dynasty No. of Palegars Percentage 1. Vijayanagar 24 66.66% 2. Golkonda 5 13.89% 3. Mughal 3 8.33% 4. Nawabs of Cuddapah 4 11.12% Total 36 100% The figures in both the Munro Reports and Kaifiyats together reveal that 57.65% of Palegars originated during the Vijayanagara period; 21.18% under the Nawabs of Cuddapah Qutub Sahis (Golkonda); 3.52% under the Kings of Hyderabad (Asaf Jahis); 8.2% under the Mughals; and 9.42% under the Nawabs of Cuddapah, The origin of Palegars from the times of Vijayanagara indicates the extension of supra-local power segment. The 103 Paleqars owe their existence to the war-state nature of Vijayanagara on one side, and on the other, perpetual conflicts between the Hindu and Muslim rulers for the extension of their sway over other's jurisdiction* Palegars had a humble beginning. Initially, they were local potentates. Their patrimonial possessions and rights were heritable and ownable. This alone did not make them a part of the supra-local power structure. The prebend^al possessions and rights simply mean that those possessions and rights were bestowed on them by the overlords. In other words, they are delegated ones. Hence, almost every ancestor of the Palegar family began as either a military official or a revenue official under the royal power. The kind of. office which the Palegars held at the time of their origin is given in tables 12 TABLES 12 List of the old Offices held by Palegars;Based on Munro Reports S.No. Name of the Palem Name of the post held 1. Porumamilla Palegar 2. Chitvelu Palegar 3. uppaluru Palegar 4. Battapur or Pedda palem^ Palegar 5. Erragunta Palem Palegar 104 S.No. Name of the Palem Nairie of the Post held 6. Sompalli Palegar 7. Madanapalli Palegar 8. Papayapalli Palegar 9. Dudipalli Palegar 10. Madicheruvu Palegar 11. Komati Palegar 12. Mare11a Palegar 13. Udayamanikam Palegar 14. Eguvamarappa gunta Palegar 15. Diguvamarappa gunta Palegar 16. Talapula Palegar 17. Vemula Palegar 18. Rompicherla Palegar 19. Nallamanenipalem Palegar 20. Gattupalemu Kavelgar 21. Maddineni palem-•. Kavelgar 22. Chattivari palem Kavelgar 23. Yallamanda Kavelgar 24. Gangaiah chintala Kavelgar 25. Lopatanutala & Komatinutala Kavelgar 26. Naganna gutta Kavelgar 27. Gopagudipalli Talari 28. Kamalapur Talari 29. Yerravari palem^ Renter 105 S.No. Name of the Palem Name of the post held 30. Ravuru Renter 31. Tippireddipalli palem Renter 32. Gattu Renter 33. Ellutla Re n te r 34. Kalibanda Renter 35. Bonamalla Renter 35. Malyala Renter 37. Ranganagari palem' Renter 38. Talupula Renter 39. Kadirt Renter 40. Chintalagunta banda Renter 41. Yerramanyam palem" Renter 42. Motaguntla Renter 43. Jillallamanda Renter 44. Mudlyampadu Renter 45. Narasapur Patel 46. Tettu Dalavai 4 7. Ma1ac he ruvu Dalaval 48. Maddicheruvu Dalavai 49. Tummalagondi Cultivator .= _=-* 106 In the table No.12 atleast seven types of Offices were mentioned. The 19 ancestors of the Pgloggrs, which means 38.77% began with the Paleqar Office. The rest (61.2 3%) began their career as Kavalegar, Talari, R*3n,te,r, Patel, Dalvai and Peasaots. The following table shows the percentage of the offices of the ancestors of the Palegars;- TABLE; 13 107'B' Kinds of Office held by the Ancestors of the Palegars Nature of the /r^ i • Revenue ^,. ^ ^ ^ Military/Polic^^.-..^ e . . . Others Total Dynasty ^^ duties to 1-t u to fd •rH [0 •rH +J Name of the Oi Di U v^ ^-^ (tJ c Post Q) Q) (0 a) Q) > (1) r-\ f-\ rH -p +J fO UJ to (C fO c rd f-H fl) 0* > H Q) Cu fO (iJ fO Di Q Lii No. 19 8 2 15 1 3 1 49 Percentage 59.19% 32.65% 8.16% 100% 107 Two broad divisions in the nature of offices can 108 be made: (a) Palegar, Kavalegar and Talari' who were basically the military or police offices (59,19%); (b) the renters and the Patels/ whose main duties were of revenue (32.65%); and others like the Dalavai (Recruiter) and the peasant (3.16%). Even the kaifiyats give the similar trend of the careers of the ancestors of the Palegars. TABLES 14 109 List of the old posts held by Palegars based on Kaifiyats S.Ho. Name of the Palem Name of the post held 1. Mydukuru Palegar 2. Peranipadu Palegar 3. Jappakala palli Palegar 4. Charlakunta Palegar 5. Yakarlapalem Palegar 6. Chintaraju palli Palegar 7. Kotralla tippa Palegar 8. Besta vemula Palegar 9. Gujjulavari palem Palegar 10. Maddigundala Palegar 11. Sigasani palli Palegar 12. Avuduru Palegar 13. Maliemkonda durgai Palegar 108 3,No. Name of the Palein Name of the Post held 14. Araviti Samsthana. Palegar 15. Dasari palli Kavalegar 16. Janulavaram Kavalegar 17. Peddapalli palem- Kavalegar 18. Mandapam palemu Kavalegar 19. Kothakota Renter 20. Kalusapadu & 'Sarvapura. . Renter 21. Gangadevi palli Renter 22. Konaraju palem Renter 2 3. Obulamu Renter 24. Rakulakunta Renter 25. Palakondapanayani palli Renter 25. Juvvala palli Renter 27. Tonduru Renter 28. Munulapadu Renter 29. Kothakota Renter 30. Mudireddlpalli palem Renter 31. Pasupula Timmanayuni palem Renter 32. Kondredu palli Sardar 33. Nallacheruvu palli Sardar 34. Mandapam palli Sardar 35. Donepalli Sardar 36. Patturu palem- 3ardar 109 The Kaifiyats mention only four types of offices with which the ancestors of Paleggrs were associated. The Pale- gars, Kavalegar and Sardar Offices were of military and police in nature. They formed 62.l27o. The renters^ who performed the revenue duties formed 38.88%. TABLE: 15 List of the posts held by Palegars on the basis of Kaifiyats Nature of duty Military/Police Revenue duties Total Name of the _ , ,, i ^ ^ Palegar, Kavalegar Renters P°=t ^^^^ sardar No. 14 4 4 14 36 Percentage: 62.12% 38.88% 100% The figures in the Munro Reports and the Kaifiyats put together reveal that atleast 60.15% belonged to the military and the police. For the rest (35.76%) their ancestors origi nally began their career as revenue officials. Thus the Palegars who began their career as military, police and revenue officials, rose to the position of inde pendent rulers, after the decline of the Rayas of Vijayanagara. 110 The Royal power and the supra-local power segments as intermediaries were interwoven on the basis of tributary- over lordship. 9 The supra-local powers of various levels paid tribute to their overlords in order to continue their sway in their respective jurisdictions. Once the royal power declines, the supra-local power would become independent* They con verted the prebend al rights and possessions to patrimonial rights and possessions and transmitted them to their family members. In this way the family rule of the Palegars was established and lineages were drawn to associate their families either with the lunar or solar races. As a result, virtually the'Semi-patrimonial regimes' were established under the Palegars in the Cuddapah region. They were also termed little kings by Dirks. The rule of little kings continued atleast for two centuries in the Cuddapah region. The patrimonial "little' kings had Seven distinct characteristics. They are identified and listed as follows:- (1) 'Little* signifies the limitation of their power juris diction. The Chakrovarti is the emperor; the king is the head of the Kingdom and the little king is the Chief of a small region. (2) The little kings are not sovereigns. Hence, their little regimes cannot be equated with the kingdoms; but at the Ill same time they cannot be equated with the territorial units such as Nadu or 'Sima'. (3) The little kings, by paying tribute, gifts etc., retained their authority in their jurisdictions. The kings paid tribute to the emperor. Similarly, the gifts and the tribute which are identified with royalty became an integral part of the Palegar system with which they sustained their power. Hence, they are not just Palegars, but 'little kings*. (4) The forts constructed by the Palegars can be seen as another characteristic of the patrimonial little king- 112 doms. The Tippireddi palem Kaifiyat and the Mutyala- padu Kaifiyat speak of construction of forts by the Palegars. The Palegars of Chintabandamanu palem also constructed a fort which is now in a ruinous state (see Figures:i-'s), Almost every Palegar constructed a bastion or fort in his palem. (5) Similar to kings, the Palegars maintained the royal paraphernalia such as Danka, Palanquin, Khlllath, Chattree (Umbrella) etc. According to the Kaifiyat of Mutyalapadu, Palegar parasurama Naidu was bestowed with a throne, an umbrella, flag etc., from his over Lords- Similar paraphernalia is mentioned by the Kaifiyat of Dasarapalli and Malyala. The family members of Nagamagutta palem are still in possession of the para phernalia referred to (see Figures-5->) - Palegars had 112 safixes to their names such as Nayar, Naidu and Reddy (Table: 16) TABLE; 16 117 Titles of Pglegars S.No. Name of the Palem Title 1. Porumamllla Nayar 2. Kamalapuram Nayar 3. Ellutla Nayar 4. Erragunta Palem' Nayar 5. Madanapalli Nayar 6. Tettu Nayar 7. Dudipalli Nayar 8, Malacheruvu Nayar 9. Vemula Nayar 10. Kalibanda Nayar 11. Papayipalli Nayar 12. Gattupalemu Nayar 13. Mare11a Nayar 14, Ranyanagari Palem Nayar 15. Hudiyamu padu Nayar 16. Ravuru Nayar 17. Yallamanda Nayar 18, Nagana gunta Nayar 19 • Gopaqaaipalli ^^y^"" 113 S.No. Name of the Palem Title 2 0. Tummalagondi Nayudu 21. Sompalli Nayudu 22. Rompicherla Nayudu 23. Malyala bJayudu 24. Komiti Nayudu 25. Chattivaripalem Nayudu 25. Yerravari Palem Nayudu 27. Gangayachintala N ayud u 28. Udayamanikam Nayudu 29. Eguva Mareppa gunta Nayudu 30. Diguva Mareppa gunta Nayudu 31. Bonamalla Nayudu 32. Maddineni palam Nayudu 3 3. Mad icheruvu Nayudu 34. Chintalagunta banda Nayudu 35. Yerramanaya Palemu Nayudu 36. Nallarnaneni Palem Nayudu 37. Motaguntla Nayudu 38. Jillellamanda Nayudu 39. Madicheruvu Nayudu 40. Gattu Nayudu 41. Pedda Palem Nayudu 42. Chitvelu Raju 43. Warsapur Reddy 114 S.No. Name of the Palem Title 44. Tippireddipalli Palem Reddy 45. Uppaluru Reddy 46. Talapula Khan (Pathan) 47. Kadiri Khan (Pathan) 48. Lopatanutala 49. Talapula These titles and paraphey?jeu/.fa. elevated their position in society. In the village festivals, in the annual festivals (Jatara or Tirunala) and on the special occasions of marriage, they, in order to show pomp and glory, used the royal para phernalia. Even now the family members of Palegars enjoy the same privileges on special occasions, (6) Similar to their over lords^ tlie little kings patronized religion. They constructed several temples in their respective jurisdictions. (Table: 17). i^i-^^^^ • ^) 115 TABLE: 17 Temples constructed by Palegars 118 Name of the S.No. Village Name of the Temple 1. Jammalamadugu Vishnu, Ramalinga, Narayana, Anjaneya, Siva. 2. Munulapadu Madhava, Narasimha, Chennakesava, Bhavanisankara 3. Hanumadgundam Sivalayamu, Anjaneya, Veerabhadra 4. Uppaluru Chowdeswari/ Madhava, Veerabhadra, Ramesvara 5. Vanipenta Kalika devi, Anjaneya, Veerabhadra, Chennakesava. 6. Koduru Chennu Swamy, Anjaneya, Agastesvara 7. Badvel Anjaneya, Chennakesava, Eswara 8. Pulivendula Anjaneya 9. Pottipadu Lakshmi naras imha, Veerabhadra, Mallikarjuna, Anjaneya. 10. Kothakota Anjaneya 11. Tummaluru Narayanaswamy 12. Mallela Chennakesava, Konda Rama 13. Mandampalli Mallikarjuna, Ankalamma 14. Lavanugi Eswcira, Anjaneya, Veerasila, Madhava 15. Peddapalem Gangamma 16. Bestavemula Chennakesava 17. Tonduru Anjaneya, Gangamma, Gopala 116 „ .. Name of the ^, ^ ^, „ , S.No, villaae Name of the Temple 18. Penakakaluva Chennakesava 19. Anantapuram Veerasilagudi 20. TumiTialagondi Venugopalaswainy, Siva, Vishnu 21. Chennampalli Gangamma, Chennakesava 22. Nallacheruvupalli Bhairavadevara 2 3. Juvvalapalli Vijayaka, Siva, Vishnu The Palegars being the heads of groups of the villages syncretised the desi and marga forms of worship. Therefore, their patronage to religion mostly include the village deities and the sanskritised village deities. (7) The little kings, following the footsteps of their over lords, tried to incorporate the local power groups through ritual sovereignty. They took active participation in . Dasara and Maharnavaml festivals. During tliese days, they conducted competitions and bestowed gifts. Even the present day descendants of the Palecpar families are given prime importance in these festivals. Thus, the ^alegars, though, started their career as humble servants of the government, rose to the position of 117 a supra-local power segment and t'ormed a distinct political entity called patrimonial little regime after the decline of royal power in the regions of Cuddapah till the advent of the British. The above discussion on the political developments in the region reveals that a vacc/um was created in the central power with the fall of the Rayas of Vijayanagara. No strong central authority remained in the political arena in South India with the disintegration of the Vijayanagara dynasty. As a consequence the Palegars, who were hitherto subordinate to the central power, formed into small principalities and little kingdoms. The supra-local power comprises the representatives of the Central powers such as the Vijayanagara, Bahamani, Bijapur, Golkonda, Marathas and Mysore. The Vijayanagara rulers implated the peasant warriars under the guise of military chieftains, who were named amaranayakas throughout their empire. Such implantation of the peasant warriors can be noticed even earlier, that is from the times of the Kakatiyas. The Bahattara Niyogadhipatis, the Nayamkaras were no other than the followers or the relatives of the Kakatiyan lineage. Similar recourse was taken to by the Vijayanagara rulers. In several instances the amaranayakas and the military officials subinfe^udated their territories to the Palegars, the Chieftains of the army camps. Hence 118 the Bahattara Miyogadhipathls the Nayamkaras, the amaranayakas and the Palegars formed the supra-local power created by the Hindu rulers. Even the Mohammadan rulers^within their dominions^kept Governors or represen tatives at each head quarters based on the principles of Iqtadari or Jagirdari system of administration. The Nawabs of Cuddapah and Kurnool were the major Supra-Local Power Segment in this region. They also subinfeji^ated their territories to Jagirdars and Jamindars. The local power rested in the hands of the Patels and Karanams, the custodians of the village administration. The village being the basic unit of administration in the State, the local power became an essential feature of th^ power politics of the State. They^infact acted as 'Anti-5tate' for the simple reason that they were the custodians of the land revenue, which was the main source of income for the state. The Supra-Local Power shifted constantly it;^ alliance with the local and the central power for its own survival. Thus, the tripartite power structure within the state and the existence of different pastoral and tribal communities having autonomous units of power outside the State, made the medieval and the post-medieval polity a multi-centered power structure, 119 REFERENCES 1. D.C.Sarcar, Erragudi Eddicts of Asoka* E.I.^ 1959; Select Inscriptions, I,No, 52. 2, Annual Report of the Department of Archaeology and Museums 1976-77., Hyderabad, .3. E_^., Vol. Ill, P.50. 4. Ibid., Vol.XX, pp.18-19. 5. Ibid., Vol.Ill, pp.142-147; Vol.VII., pp.233-36. 6. Bh. 3ivasankaranarayana, Cuddapah District Gazetter, (Here after CD.G) (Hyderabad, 1967), p.59. 7. P.V.Parabhrahma Sastry, Inscriptions of Andhra Pradesh, Cuddapah District, (here after I.A.P., Cdp. Dt.) part I, (Hyderabad, 1977), p.47. 8. S.I.I., Vol.X, NO.603. 9. K.A.Neelakanta Sastri, The Colas,Vol.I, (Madras, 1935) p.ioo-foi. 10. E_^., Vol.XXVI., p.225. 11. Ibid., Vol. XXVII, pp.221-223. 12. Hieun Tsang visited this region in A.D. 640 to 641 and his reference to the Kingdom of CU-LI-YA (Colika ?) is identified as the Cholas of Renadu. A.R.E., 1905,11 para 6; Alexander Cunningham, The Ancient Geography of India, pp. 459-461. 13. E_^., Vol.XXVII, pp.220-248. 14. P.V.Parabrahma Sastry, Qp. Cit., pp.17; 19-20. 15. A.R.E.,314 of 1922; and 325 of 1905; E.I., XXIV, pp.183-193. 120 16. P•V.Parabrahma Sastry, Op.Glt., pp.92-95, 100, 113; S.I.I., Vol.IX, No.69, Vol.X,No,29; A.R.E., No.383 of 1904. 17. A.R.E., No.235 of 1937-38. 18. A.R.E., NO. 403 of 1904; 302 of 1935-36; 418 and 419 of 1940-41; 149 of 1945-46 and 2 of 1946-47; E.I.,Vol.XI. p.231; P.V.Parabrahma Sastry. Op.Cit., p.51,53. 19. A.R.E., Nos. 474 of 1906, 339 of 1905. 20. E.I., Vol. XXIV, p.184. 21. P.V.Parabrahma Sastry, Op.Clt., pp.63, 64, 66, 68, 80. 22. Ibid., p.170-177. 23. 3.1.I.,Vol. VI.No:65l. 24. A.R.E., No.9-12 of 1939-40. 25. S.I.I., Vol.IX, No.402; A.R.E., No.16 of 1939-40; P.V.Parabrahma Sastry. Op. Clt., p.100. 26. P.V.Parabrahma Sastry, Op.Clt. pp.189, 192, 194. 27. V.Yasoda Devi, " The History of Andhra Country (A.D.IOOO- 1500) Subsidiary Dynasties", JAHRS., XXIII, 1954-56^ p.13; A.R.E., No.321 of 1905; S.I.I.,Vol. IX, No. 275-. 28. P.V.Parabrahma Sastry, Op.Cit., pp.200, 205, 216, and 230, 29. N.Venkataramanaiah, Cuddapah District Inscriptions, (Madras, 1972), p.33. 30. A.R.E., No.248 of 1905. 31. 3.I.I., Vol. X, p.448; V.Yasoda Devi, Op.Cit., p.1-114. 32. A.R.E,, No. 391 of 1938-39 and 65 of 1939-40. 33. P.V.Parabrahma Sastry. Op.Cit., p.207. 34. Ibid., pp. 235, 237. 35. S.X.I., Vol.X. p.536; V.Yasodadevi., Op.Cit., p-15. 36. P.V.Parabrahma 3astry,I.A.P., Cdp. Dt. Vol. II (Hyderabad. 1978) pp.113, 128, 232, 271, 282 and 293. 121 37. T.V.Mahalingain, Administration and social life under the Vijayanagara, (Madras, 1940), pp.177-78. 38. Robert Sewell, Historical Inscriptions collected till 1932 and outlines of political History, Ed.3.Krishna- swainy Ayyangar, (Madras, 19 32), p.193. 39. P.V.Parabrahma Sastry, Op^Git., Vol.11,, pp.6,7, and 9. 40. Ibid., pp,10-14; E_^., Vol.XIV, pp.97-110. 41. P.V.Parabrahma Sastry, Op^Cit., Vol.11, pp.15-16. 42. Ibid.,pp.20-22. 43. A.R.£.,Nos. 399 of 1926 and 431 of 1911. 44. P.V.Parabrahma Sastry, Op,Cit., Vol.11, pp.32-33. 45. S.I.I., Vol.XVI. NO.21. p.23-24. 46. Bh.Siva Sankara Narayana, Op.Git., p.83. 47. P.V.Parabrahma Sastry,, Op.Git., Vol.11, p.8, 48. Ibid., pp.56-57 and 59-60. 49. A.R.E,, No.490 of 1940-41. 50* A.R.E., No.365 of 1938-39. 51. P.V.Parabrahma Sastry, Op.Git., Vol.11 p.59. 52. K.Srinivasulu, Gandikota sima - History and Gulture, (Proddatur, 1988) p.84. 53. 3.I.X.,Vol. XVI, No.37; 54. P.V.Parabrahma Sastry, Op.Git., Vol.11, p.70. 55. Ibid., 56. Ibid., pp.82, 83, 89 and 90. 57. Ibid.pp. 130-135. 58. Ibid., pp.192-346, 122 59. Fifty four inscriptions of the Nandyala family are found in different places of the Guddapah region. From the inscriptions it is known that the Nandyala family had ruled over the Jammalamadugu, Kamalapuram, Proddatur, and Badvel taluks of the Cuddapah region. P.V.Parabrahma Sastry, Qp.Cit., Vol.11, pp.154-342. 60. P.V.Parabrahma Sastry, Op.Cit., Vol.Ill,(Hyderabad, 1981) pp. 36, 43, 72, 73 and 125. 61. Ibid-# p-101. 62. Ibid., p.54. 63. B.S.L.Hanumantha Rao, Andhrula Gharitra (Telugu), (Gunturu, 1983) p.402. 64. K.Sathyanarayana, History and culture of the Andhras, Vol.11, (New Delhi, 1983) p.287. 65. Ibid., p.288. 66. Madras Epigraphical collections. 564 of 1965. 67. Ibid., 430, 434 and 436 of 1911. 68. E_^., Vol. XVI. pp.241. 69. Ibid., p.263. 70. P.V.Parabrahma Sastry, Op.Cib., Vol.Ill p.165. 71. Bh.Sivasankaranarayana, Op.Cit., p»97. 72. P.V.Parabrahma Sastry, Op.Cit., Vol.III. p.164. 73. Bh.Sivasankaranarayana, Op.Cit., p.98. 74. Ibid., 75. The Fifth Report from the select Committee on the Affairs of the East India Company, Madras presidency. Vol. II. p.511. 76. John Briggs, History of the Rise of the Mohommdan Power in India by Ferishta,Vol. Ill, (Calcutta, 1909) pp.:452 • 453. 123 77. B.S.L.Hanurnantha Rao, Op.Clt., p. 468. 78. Abdul Majeed Siddiqui, History of Golkonda# (Hyderabad 1956) pp.279-80. 79» Bh.3iva Sankara Narayana, Op.cit., p.103. 80. Ibid./ 31. Ibid., p.105 82. J.D.B.Gribble, A Manual of the District of Cuddapah, (Madras, 1875) p.94; P.R.Rao, History of Modern India, (Tirupati, 1978) P.15. 83. Ibid., p.103. 84. H.K.Shervani, History of Medieval Deccan, Vol.1, (Hyderabad, 1973). 85. Bh.Siva Sankara Narayana, Op.Cit., p.105. 86. J.D.B.Gribble, Op.Cit., p.90. 87. Bh.Siva Sankara Narayana, Op.Cit., p.106. 88. Ibid., p.108. 89. Manual of Administration of Madras presidency. Vol.I. Govt, of Madras (Madras, 1385) pp.41-46. 91. J.D.B.Gribble, Op.Cit., pp.95-101. 92. Bh.Siva Sankara Narayana, Op.Cit., p.110. 93. K.Rajayyan, A.H.R.S., No.XXXI - I-IV 1965-66, p.81-89. 94. K.Sathyanarayana, Op.Cit., p.307. 95. N.Venkataramanayya, The Eastern Chalukyas of Vengl, (Madras 1950); A.S.Altekar, The Rastrakutas and their Times, (Poona, 1954); K.A.N.Sastri, The Colas, 2 Vol. (Madras 1935-37); P.V.ESrabrahma Sastry, The Kakatiyas, (Hyderabad,1978). 124 96. S.I,I., Nos. 334, 369, 521, 533, 746. 97. K.Gopalachari, Early History of the Andhra Country^ (2nd edn. Madras, 1972j^ p.92.. 98. N.Venkataramanayya, Studies in the History of the Third Dynasty of Vljayanagara, (2nd edn- Delhi 1986). 99. M.A-Nayeem, Moqhul Administration of Deccan under Nizam-ul-Mulk Asaf Jha, (Bombay, 1985); H.K.Sherwani, H_l5tory o£ Qutb Shahls, (New Delhi, 1974). 100. Thomas Munro's Report on Palegars 20 March 1802, Extracts from the old Bellary Records, (Bellary 1892), Vol.62, pp.1-64. (hereafter O.B.R. Vol.62). 101. Ibid. 102. Compiled from Kaifiyats of Cuddapah District, Telugu University, Hyderabad, 103. D.Rama Chandra Rao, Kurnool Mandala Charitra, (Pattikonda^l932). 1*^4' Q'B.R., Vol.62. 105, Ibid. 106. Kaifiyats of Cuddapah District, Telugu University, Hyderabad. 107^ O.B.R,, Vol,62, 1077 Ibid. 108. Karanam is one of the member of the twelve ayagars. The ayagars consists of the Karanam, the reddi, the talari, the washerman, the shoemaker, the carpenter, the barber, the goldsmith, the priest, the waterman, ^^^ potter and the blacksmith. These ayagars are attached to the village during the time of Vijayanagara and their offices are hereditory. Talari has to protect the village from dangers of all kinds and assist in the work of the administration as occasion arises. K.A.N.Sastri and N.Venkataramanayya, Further Sources of Vijayanagara history, (Madras^1946), Vol.Ill pp.310-313. 125 109. Kaifiyats of Cuddapah District, Telugu University, Hyderabad, 110. Ibid. 111. O.B.R., Vol.62 p.1-64. 112. Tippireddipalli Palem Kaifiyat, M.M.S., Vol.108, No.723, p.101. 113. Muthyalapadu Kaifiyat, M.M.S., Vol.110, No.790, pp 28-32. 114. Ibid. 115. Dasaripalli Kaifiyat, M.M.S., Vol.108, No.721, p.80 116. Chintakunta Kaifiyat, M.M.S., Vol.106, No.703, p.316-18. 117. O.B.R., Vol.62 p.1-64. —xxXXxx