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Recherla Chiefs

The Recherla Chiefs (also documented in inscriptions as Racheruvula) was the most influential military and administrative dynasty in medieval Telangana. Between c. 996 and 1323 CE, they evolved from loyal Senapatis (generals) into powerful Nayakas (territorial lords), serving as the primary pillar of the Kakatiya Empire.

Rooted in the ancestral seat of Kupriyal, the Recherla lineage evolved from early Kakatiya loyalists into the empire's preeminent military aristocracy as the sons of Kata II—Nami Reddi at Pillalmarri, Malla at Amanagallu, and Rudra at Palampet—established these strategic power centers.

996 - 1052 CE: Recherla Brahmma or Bamma

Founder : General of Beta I (996 AD - 1052 AD)
Defeated a Choda King and carried away as a trophy of war the doors of kanchi.

1052 - 1076 CE: Recherla Muccha I

General of Prola I (1052 AD - 1076 AD)

1076 - 1128 CE: Recherla Kata I / Kataya

General of Beta II (1076 AD - 1108 AD)
It can fairly be surmised that Beta II could not have achieved this distinction without the support of Kata I.

In the year A.D. 1128 (cyclic year Kilaka), Muchchanayaka is recorded as having caused the front of the fort at Pratapagiri to be built

1128 - 1158 CE: Recherla Kama Chamupati

General of Prola II (1116 - 1158 CE)
The Palampet inscription127 giving the genealogy of Recherla Rudra incidentally records that his grand father Kama, defeated Manthenya Gunda in a battle.

Kama had three sons and a daughter, viz, Kata II, Beti Reddi, Nami Reddi and Vallasani by Kashambika.

Beta, Kata II and Nama flourished in the reign of Rudra.

1158 - 1217 CE: Recherla Mahasamantha Kati Reddi

General of Rudradeva / Prataparudra I (1158 AD - 1195 AD)
Sons : Muccha II and Rudra

31st March, A.D. 1213. : Chityalapadu, Mulugu District.
This inscription is on a pillar lying in the field, dated Saka 1135 (sara-loka-imdu-bhu), Srimukha, Madhu (Chaitra) su. 8, Sunday, Pushya= 1213 A.D. March 31. Damaged. Records that Kataya-senani, son of Kama-chamupati and grandson of Kataya-chamupati constructed the temple along with prakara, consecrated the image of Rudresvara had made some gift for the services, the details of which are lost. Kataya (II) who is described as propaganda bhairava is stated to have received a simhasana, the title of mandalika and two chamaras from his overlord who was pleased with his valour. 

4th August, A.D. 1217 : Mushampalli : This inscription is on a pillar lying near the old Mutyalamma temple. Gives the prasasti of the chief Mahasamanta Kat-reddi and records the gift of the village Nagavuramu for the162 amga-bhoga and rangabhoga of Lokesvara Deva of Urukonda for his father Kami-reddi`s attainment of Sivaloka

c. 1190 - 1262 CE: Recherla Rudra

Son of Bejjama and Katreddi.
General for Kakatia kings Rudradeva, Mahaadeva and Ganapatideva.
Sons : Kata IIILoka, and Ganapatireddi

Rudra in his last days deputed his general Recherla Rudra to subdue the Bottu chief of Koravi.

When Kakati Rudra died in 1195 AD, many enemies tried to conquer the territory. General Recherla Rudra defeated Nagati Bhopal and all other enemies and ruled kakatiya kingdom after the death of Kaktiya King Mahadeva (1195 - 1199 AD) until the return of captured Kakatiya King Ganapatideva.

c. 1262 CE: Loka Senapati

He was the son of the general Rudra senapati (Lord of Yelkurti)  Along with his brother Ganapati, he performed anga-ranga-bhogas for the gods Rudresvara and Lokesvara

Pillalamarri branch 

Founders : Recherla Nami Reddi and Beti Reddi are sons of Kama and generals under Kakiti Rudradev (1158 - 1195)

1195 - 1202 CE: Recherla Nami Reddi

Father : Kama
Wife : Ayitambika
Sons:  Visvanatha, Katireddi, Kamireddi
23rd April, A.D. 1195 : Pillalamarri
Recheruvula Nama or Nami Raddi, son of Kama and a subordinate of king Rudradeva built a trikuta (triple-shrine) to God Siva consisting of Kamesvara (in the name of his father). Kachesvara (in the name of his mother) and Namesvara (in his own name) at Pillalamarri and granted for the anga-and ranga-bhogas of the god Namesvara and the worship of the other two deities, lands under Sabbi samudram, Visvanatha samudram and Gaurasamudram at Kudukudi.
1202 CE : Pillalmarri : Expert in political science and military dexterity; built the Namesvara temple.
Visvanatha Temple: Established by his son, Visvanatha.
Prolesvara Temple: Established by Nama’s sister, Vallasani, in the name of her son Prolaya.

1208 - 1214 CE: Recherla Beti Reddi 

Father : Kama
Wife : Nagasani, Errakkasanamma
Sons : Recherla Malla and Loki Reddi

10th May, A.D. 1208 :  Pillalamarri, Nalgonda District.
This inscription is on a stone Komaresvara temple. Dated S. 1130. Vibhava, Jyestha su. 3, Monday (A.D. 1208, May 10). This also belongs to the members of the same family. Errakkasanamma, wife of Recherla Betireddi established the temple of Erakesvara and made grants of land for the upkeep of the various parts of the temple servants, matha and conducting the worship in the temple. There was another inscription in the same place dated S. 1130, Vibhava, Jyestha su. 3, Monday. (A.D. 1208, May 9), which does not have any text.

28th March A.D. 1213 : Somavaram : This inscription is on a stone in the old Shiva temple near Musi river. Records that Recherla Beti Reddi and two others granted for the anga and ranga-bhogas of Sri Swayambhu Somanatha, a tank. Betireddi constructed a kalva behind the tank.

1214 - 1253 CE : Loki Reddi

Father: Beti Reddi
Loki Reddi was the son of Pillalamarri Beti Reddi and his wife Bollasanamma (also referred to as Bhullasana). The inscriptions identify him as a brother to Malla (the son of Beta Reddi and Erakasani).

March 3, 1215 : Loka-samudra Tank (A.D. 1215): An inscription found at Utukuru (Nalgonda District) dated March 3, 1215 (Saka 1137, Yuva), records his construction of a major irrigation tank named Loka-samudra after himself.

1218 CE : Trikuta Temple at Bhimaraju Palli (A.D. 1218): He established a triple-shrine (Trikuta) in the village of Bhimaraju Palli, installing the gods Betesvara and Bollesvara for the spiritual merit of his parents, and Lokesvara and Prachanna Kesavadeva (Vishnu) for his own merit

1253 CE : Bommakallu and Jupalli (A.D. 1252–53): A later record from Yadlapalli states that Loki Reddi founded the village of Bommakallu and built three Siva temples there named Lokeshvara, Beteshvara, and Bolleshvara. He endowed these temples with 94 maruturs of land under the Sudeti-kalva canal and the Panakala Samudramu tank

Amangallu branch 

1214 - 1228 CE: Recherla Kataya or Kata III

1217 CE : Kataya Senapati, identified as the son of the famous Recherla Mandalika Rudrireddi and Para Sani

Machapur inscription (1217 CE) provides a detailed look at the religious and civic activities of the Kanta Madhuka family, another influential Reddi lineage serving the Kakatiyas. This record is particularly valuable for mapping the local administrative hierarchy and the role of "Memorial Temples" in the Mulugu region.

1228-1245 CE : Mahamandelsvara Recherla Pasayita Ganapati Reddi

Son of Kata III
The administrative and religious tenure of Recherla Pasayita Ganapayya (also known as Pasayita Ganapati Reddi) is firmly established through a series of contemporary epigraphical records dating from 1228 to 1242 CE. Holding the prestigious title of Pasayita (Master of the Royal Wardrobe/Personal Guard) and the rank of Mahamandalesvara, he operated as a high-ranking pillar of the Kakatiya state under King Ganapatideva. His authority was centered in the Amanikamti-nadu (modern Amangal), where he was recognized as the Amanikamti-purvaresvara (Lord of the city of Amanikamti), signaling the prominence of the Amangallu branch of the Recherla family. Key chronological markers of his rule include the December 28, 1228, land grant of Utlapalli to the Sikharesvaradeva temple of Srisailam (executed by his son for Ganapayya's merit), the 1234 CE construction of the Ganapatisvara temple and the founding of Pasayita-Ganapapura (Ghanpur), and the 1240–1242 CE endowments at Nelakondapalli. These records define a fourteen-year period of documented regional governance, temple construction, and strategic loyalty to the Kakatiya crown.

1260 CE : Vira Pasayita

Son of Pasayita Ganapayya
Vira Pasayita was served by a minister named Soma-mantri, who performed significant religious works, including constructing the Appesvara Mahesa temple and the Appabdhi tank in the village of Rasavidhi

1280 - 1281 CE: Recherla Mallaya Reddi or Malliraju

Father : Yadaborayamalli
lord of Penugonda
3rd September A.D. 1280 : Yadaram, Bibipet (Mandal). 
This inscription is on a pillar near Shiva temple. This record states that a certain Malliraju, a feudatory of Kakatiya Rudramadevi, issued a grant towards the daily rituals of Sriparvatanadha in memory of his demised father namely Yadaborayamalli for his blessings. This inscription specifically mentions the name of the queen Rudramadevi whereas generally we find her being described as Rudra deva maharaja in many inscriptions.

19th July A.D. 1281 : Kupriyal, Kamareddy District. 
 It records that a certain Racha Mallaya Reddi lord of Penugonda(Panugallu), a subordinate of queen Rudramadevi, who held the titles Nirbhayamalla, Rayastha panacharya, granted some lands, for the daily worship of the God Nilaknanthadeva and two vrittis of land in addition to the lands, towards meeting the salaries of courtesans employed in the service of the temple.

Nagulapadu branch 

1234 CE : Mandalika Recherla Kat-Reddi

son of Nami-Reddi and Ayitambika (Aytasanamma)
April 13, A.D. 1234 - Nagulapadu, Suryapet
He established the temples for the gods Namesvara, Aytesvara, and Katesvara in Nagulapadu for the merit of his parents and himself

1258 CE : Recherla Kami Reddi

Son of Nami reddi and Ayitambika
December 28, A.D. 1258 : Nagulapadu Tank Division : This inscription is located on a slab on the left side of the Northern temple at Nagulapadu identified as the son of Ayitambika
Dec, 28 1258 : Annavaram Inscription - Suryapet
"Lord of the excellent city of Amanimgallu" (Amanimgallu puravaradhisvara)."Bhima for the opponent's strength," "Karna in charity," and "The Sun of the dynasty of Manuma" . He established the god Kamesvara in Nagulapadu Endowment: For the anga and ranga-bhogas of this deity, he granted a half-share of the lands under the Namasamudra tank.

1324 CE : Recherla Namaya, Kamaya and Mallaya

Father : Kati reddi
Nagulapadu Inscription (A.D. 1324):  Namaya, Kamya and Mallaya granted 4 marturus of wetland, also located under the Museti canal to accrue religious merit for their father, Kat-Reddi, and their mother, Para-Sani

1324 CE : Recherla Ganapati Reddi and Marleddi

Father : Kami Reddi
Nagulapadu Inscription (A.D. 1324): In the late Kakatiya period, two brothers named Ganapati-Reddi and Marleddi (also Recherla scions) granted 10 maruturs of wetland under the Museti canal. This gift was made for the merit of their father, Kami-Reddi, and their mother, Kama-Sani



Journal Of The Andhra Historical Research Society Volume V Part 4 April 1931



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