The Bommalagutta Inscription is a significant epigraphic record from the region. It refers to Adilabad as Bellalam, Sircilla as Sidhasila, Vangapalle as Vangaparru, and Nedikonda as Nidumgonna. This inscription provides crucial evidence of the region's ancient names and administrative divisions.

One of the 16 Mahajanapadas. Capital: Potana / Potali (modern Bodhan). Languages: Prakrit. Religions: Buddhism, Jainism, Hinduism. The region formed part of this early kingdom.

Founded by Chandragupta Maurya. Under Ashoka, Buddhism spread. Prakrit was the court language. The region came under Mauryan influence after the conquest of the Deccan.

Founder: Simuka. Languages: Prakrit, Sanskrit, Telugu. The Satavahanas ruled much of the Deccan, including present-day Adilabad. Around 208 CE, the Abhiras and Ikshvakus declared independence from the last Satavahana ruler Pulumavi III.

Founder: Vindhyashakti. Capital: Vatsagulma (Washim, Maharashtra). Languages: Maharashtri Prakrit, Sanskrit. Religion: Buddhism, Hinduism. They controlled parts of the northern Deccan, including the Adilabad region.

Founder: Pulakeshin I. Pulakeshin I took parts of Telangana from Vishnukundins in c. 550 CE, and Pulakeshin II completed the conquest in 611 CE. Languages: Kannada, Sanskrit. Religion: Jainism, Hinduism.

Founder: Dantidurga. Capital: Manyakheta. Languages: Kannada, Sanskrit. Religion: Jainism, Hinduism. They succeeded the Badami Chalukyas and ruled over the region.

Founder: Tailapa II. Capitals: Manyakheta, Kalyani (Basavakalyan, Bidar, Karnataka). Languages: Kannada, Sanskrit. Religion: Jainism, Hinduism. The region was part of their extensive empire.

Governed the areas Kosavala-1½ lakh and Sabbi-71,000 from his capital at Lemulavada, which included parts of present-day Adilabad district.

Ruled from Vemulawada. In 1106 CE, an inscription records the gift of a flower garden for offerings to the god Harikesavara by Prince Somesvara with the approval of Ballaharasa (Vikramaditya VI). Mention is made of the agrahara Lembavadi in Venisale-seventy in Sabbi-thousand.

Ruled Kolanupaka-7000 from 1104 to 1108 CE. The Jainad Inscription (1112 CE) in Adilabad records his military successes:

• Invasion of the Andhra kingdom (defeated).
• Uprooting of the king of Chakradurga.
• Destruction of the forces of the Malahara (Hoysala) king at Dwarasamudra.
• Victory over the Gurjara warriors of king Jayasimha near Mt. Arbada (Abu).
• Defeat of king Karna.

8 November 1128 CE – Kamagiri, Adilabad: An inscription begins with the benedictory expression svasti Sri and introduces Mahamandalesvara Jagaddeva as a chief with feudatory titles. It mentions the village Guriyada grama in Salaghampranaka within Jagaddeva's vishaya.

Founder: Venna. Capitals: Anumakonda (Hanumakonda), Orugallu / Ekasilanagara (Warangal). Languages: Telugu, Sanskrit, Kannada. Religion: Jainism, Hinduism (Saivism). The Kakatiyas ruled over the Adilabad region as part of their extensive empire.

Founder: Kol Bhill (or Kol Bheel / Kolkhil). Capitals: Sirpur (modern Komaram Bheem Asifabad district, Telangana), Ballarsha, Chanda (Chandrapur, Maharashtra). Languages: Gondi (Koyator), with variants including Southern Gondi, Adilabad Gondi, Northern Gondi, and Aheri Gondi. Religion: Brahmanical Hinduism and cult of Persa Pen (clan deities); ancestor spirit worship. Royal Emblem: Lion and Elephant. Family Name: Singh, Shah.

The Sirpur-Chanda Gond Kingdom flourished alongside the Kakatiyas, Musunuris, Recharla Padmanayakas, Bahmanis, Golkonda, Mughals, and Asaf Jahis. The Gonds ruled the region for over 400 years, leaving a lasting impact on the culture and demographics of Adilabad.

Founded by Ala-ud-Din Bahman Shah. Capitals: Daulatabad, Gulbarga. The region came under Bahmani control during this period.

Founder: Yusuf Adil Shah. Capital: Bijapur. Languages: Persian (Official), Deccani Urdu, Marathi, Telugu. The district is named after Ali Adil Shah I (1558–1579 CE). During this period, the region became known as Adilabad, a name that has endured to the present day.

With the Mughal conquest of Golconda in 1687, the region came under Mughal suzerainty. Aurangzeb appointed a Viceroy of Deccan to administer the region, which developed into a major financial and business hub.

The Nizams established their rule over the region. In 1798, Hyderabad became the first Indian royal state to accede to British protection under the Subsidiary Alliance. During the Nizam period, infrastructure development included the Soan Bridge over the Godavari River (one of the earliest bridges in India) and a barrage at Sadarmat, which increased food production and food security.

The Nizam period also witnessed the 1860 revolt led by Ramji Gond, who led the people of Adilabad against the Nizam's barter of the region for money. In the 1940s, Adilabad played an important role in India's struggle for independence.

Originally, the region was not a full-fledged district but a sub-district named Sirpur-Tandur, created in 1872 with Edlabad (Adilabad), Rajura, and Sirpur as its constituent talukas.

In 1905, the status of this sub-district was raised to that of an independent district with headquarters at Adilabad. This marked the formal establishment of Adilabad as a district.

After Operation Polo (September 1948), the region became part of Hyderabad State, Indian Union. Following the States Reorganisation Act in 1956, it became part of the newly formed State of Andhra Pradesh.

The great Komaram Bheem fought against the oppression of tribal rights in the Adilabad region. His struggle brought significant change in the attitude of the rulers. The British appointed Hymendwarf, a sociologist, to study the lives of tribals. These studies became torchbearers for dealing with tribal communities in other parts of British India. Today, Komaram Bheem has become a god to all tribals and is seen as a pioneer of the Telangana movement. His birth anniversary attracts people from across the country.

The region actively participated in both phases of the Telangana statehood movements (1969 and 2009–2014). In 2014, Telangana was formed as the 29th state, and Adilabad became part of the new state.

In 2016, the Adilabad district was reorganized into 4 districts: Adilabad, Nirmal, Mancherial, and Kumram Bheem Asifabad districts.

The chain of tank system is a wonderful innovation of the Nirmal kings. Its catchment area extends from the Mahaboobghat on the Sahyadri hills, approximately 13 km from the main town. The cyphons were used to control the flow of water to different tanks. The scientific advancement in connecting water tanks and diverting water is highly applaudable.

Connected Tanks: Bangalpet tank, Ramraobagh tank, Kurannapet tank, Manjulapur tank, Alur tank, etc. The excess water eventually discharges into the Swarna River.

Advantages:

• Extended catchment area
• Increased water storage capacity
• Raised groundwater table
• Agricultural and flora/fauna development
• Flood control and reduced water wastage

Refers to Adilabad as Bellalam, Sircilla as Sidhasila, Vangapalle as Vangaparru, and Nedikonda as Nidumgonna.

Records the military successes of Paramara prince Jagaddeva, who was Udayaditya's son and whose pitrivya was King Bhoja. Mentions invasions of Andhra, Chakradurga, Dwarasamudra, and victories over Gurjara warriors and King Karna.

Introduces Mahamandalesvara Jagaddeva as a chief with feudatory titles. Mentions the village Guriyada grama in Salaghampranaka within Jagaddeva's vishaya.