The Cheraku Chiefs (1085 CE - 1323 CE)were a powerful and influential feudatory dynasty in the Deccan, originating from the town of Cheraku in the Eruva region. They began as subordinates to the Kandur Cholas but strategically shifted their allegiance to the rising Kakatiya dynasty, becoming one of their most crucial military and administrative pillars. Their history, spanning over two centuries, is intricately woven into the expansion and consolidation of the Kakatiya Empire.
Early Feudatory Status: They initially served as subordinates (mahasamantas) to the Kandur Choda chiefs.
The Jalālapuram epigraph states that the founder, Kata I (c. 1085 AD), a warrior "born of the fourth caste" (a non-kshatriya origin), killed a Choda chief named Kongonda Dhavala and obtained the region of "Cheraku-twelve" from the Choda king Bhimachoda II.
Shift to Kakatiyas: Under Kata II (mid-12th century), the Cherakus provided crucial military assistance to Kakatiya Rudradeva in his war against their former masters, the Kandur Chodas (Bhima and Udaya Choda). For this service, Rudradeva granted them the larger region of "Cheraku-seventy" and established them as his loyal, hereditary maha-samantas.
Founder: Kata I
Capitals : Jammulur (Nalgonda) and Amarabad (Mahabubnagar) regions.
Language: Telugu
Rule : Subordinates for Kandur Chodas and later Kakatiyas
Key Historical Significance
The Cheraku Chiefs exemplify the complex feudal structure of the Deccan. They were not merely passive subordinates but active agents who shaped regional politics. Their history demonstrates the fluidity of loyalty, the importance of military service in climbing the social ladder, and the critical role that feudatories played in building and sustaining large medieval empires like that of the Kakatiyas.
1. Origins and Rise
The family derived its name from the small town of Cheraku in the Eruva vishaya(region). The Goruvankapalli inscription claims they belonged to the Ikshvaku-kula (Solar dynasty), a common claim to legitimacy among contemporary ruling families.Early Feudatory Status: They initially served as subordinates (mahasamantas) to the Kandur Choda chiefs.
The Jalālapuram epigraph states that the founder, Kata I (c. 1085 AD), a warrior "born of the fourth caste" (a non-kshatriya origin), killed a Choda chief named Kongonda Dhavala and obtained the region of "Cheraku-twelve" from the Choda king Bhimachoda II.
Shift to Kakatiyas: Under Kata II (mid-12th century), the Cherakus provided crucial military assistance to Kakatiya Rudradeva in his war against their former masters, the Kandur Chodas (Bhima and Udaya Choda). For this service, Rudradeva granted them the larger region of "Cheraku-seventy" and established them as his loyal, hereditary maha-samantas.
2. Rulers
The dynasty produced several notable rulers known for their military prowess, administrative skills, and patronage.Kata I (c. 1085 CE - 1125 CE)
Founder of the dynasty who secured their initial territory.
Keta I (c. 1125 CE - 1155 CE)
Consolidated the family's position. His wives included Tikkambika, Mallambika, and Kamambika.
Kata II (c. 1155 CE - 1199 CE)
The pivotal ruler who allied with Kakatiya Rudradeva against the Kandur Chodas, changing the family's fortunes. He was granted the lordship of Jammuluru and later the Cheraku township with 60 villages.
Bolla II / Cheraku Bollayya Reddy (1199 CE -1253 CE)
The most famous Cheraku ruler. He served three Kakatiya monarchs: Rudradeva, Mahadeva, and Ganapatideva. He was a key ally of General Recharla Rudra during crises and was rewarded with the Amarabad and Velpur regions. A great patron, he built several temples (Koteswara, Mareswara, etc.), excavated tanks, established agraharas, and was titled Kakatiya-Kanaka-prakara ("the golden fort-wall of the Kakatiyas").
Cheraku Mallikarjuna Nayaka (1253 CE - 1289 AD )
son of Bolla
26th December, A.D. 1271 : Irvin, Kalwakurthy
This inscription is on a pillar in the midst of the village. This inscription records a gift of land to God Indresvara by mahasamanta Vavilala Rudraya reddi for the merit of his sister Rudrasani. This inscription refers to the fact that there were matrimonial alliances between Cheraku and Vavilala families
Nov 27, 1289 AD Chandupatla Inscription - Chandupatla Village , Nakrekal Mandal, Nalgonda District: As per this inscription, His nephew, Ambadeva declared his independence from Kakatiyas and Rudrama Devi personally led the army to crush the rebellion. It looks like Rudrama Devi died in her attempt to crush the rebellion, most probably killed, along with a General Mallikarjuna Nayudu on 27 November 1289, but there was no mention of the reason and the place of her death.
Jammuluru (Nalgonda Dt.): The first and primary capital.
Amarabad (Mahabubnagar Dt.): Capital of the branch founded by Immadi Visvanatha.
Veluru (Kurnool Dt.): Capital of the western branch.
Territorial Control: Their realm was vast, covering parts of modern Nalgonda, Mahabubnagar, Kurnool, and Krishna districts. Inscriptions mention their rule over Kandur-nadu, Eruva-mandala, and Kamna-du.
Feudatory Structure: They operated as semi-autonomous rulers, minting their own inscriptions, governing their territories, and providing military levies to their Kakatiya overlords. Their own administration included officers like Ketu lemka.
Trade and Taxes: Inscriptions mention taxes on commodities and salaries (visamu), market fees (mada), and the existence of merchant communities (e.g., Komati Shettys), indicating a monetized economy and active trade.
Patronage: The economic surplus was channeled into temple construction, tank irrigation, and grants to Brahmins (agrahara like Lenjinta and Surepalli) and religious institutions.
Social Mobility: Their origin from the "fourth caste" and subsequent rise to power highlights the social mobility possible through military service in the Deccan during this period.
Matrimonial Alliances: They formed strategic matrimonial alliances with other powerful feudatory families, such as the Vavilala chiefs, to strengthen their political network.
Religious Groups: Society included Brahmins (receiving grants), temple functionaries, merchants, and agriculturists.
Language: Their 22+ extant inscriptions are vital for understanding the structure and evolution of the Telugu language and script in the 12th-14th centuries.
Religious Patronage: They were predominantly Shaivites, with strong devotion to Mallikarjuna of Srisailam. They also patronized Vaishnava temples and village deities.
Public Works: They are celebrated for constructing irrigation tanks, wells, and free water shelters (dana-ghatams) for travelers, which were acts of both charity and economic development.
Kandur Chodas: Their initial overlords, whom they eventually helped overthrow.
Kakatiyas: Their primary overlords for most of their existence. The relationship was generally symbiotic—the Cherakus provided military strength and regional stability, and the Kakatiyas granted them legitimacy and territory. This relationship was tested at times, as seen with Veluri Bolla III's defiance.
Pillars of the Empire: As the "golden fort-wall of the Kakatiyas," they were instrumental in defending and administering the southwestern parts of the empire for over 150 years.
Cultural Contributors: Their extensive patronage of temple architecture, irrigation works, and literature left a lasting impact on the cultural landscape of Telangana and Rayalaseema.
Historical Records: Their detailed inscriptions provide invaluable data for reconstructing the political and social history of the medieval Deccan.
Key Inscriptions: The most important records come from Jalālapuram, Kalvakolanu, Amarabad, Devarakonda, and Goruvankapalli. These provide genealogy, military exploits, and grants.
Sample Dating: An Amarabad inscription is dated "Śaka 1217, Manmatha, Ashadha su. Thursday" (June 1295 AD).
The Musunuri Nayaks who led a short-lived rebellion against Delhi.
The Vijayanagara Empire and its chieftains, who eventually consolidated the region.
Local polygars (small chieftains) who controlled forts like Devarakonda.
Subordinate Rulers In Medieval Deccan - Racharla Ganapathi
Nov 27, 1289 AD Chandupatla Inscription - Chandupatla Village , Nakrekal Mandal, Nalgonda District: As per this inscription, His nephew, Ambadeva declared his independence from Kakatiyas and Rudrama Devi personally led the army to crush the rebellion. It looks like Rudrama Devi died in her attempt to crush the rebellion, most probably killed, along with a General Mallikarjuna Nayudu on 27 November 1289, but there was no mention of the reason and the place of her death.
1289 AD - 1323 AD : Cheraku Immadi Mallikarjuna Nayaka
son of Mallikarjuna Nayaka
16th May A.D. 1290. Panugallu.
This inscription is on a pillar in the compound of Chhaya-Somesvara temple. Records that, while Kakatiya Kumara Rudradeva was ruling the kingdom of the world, his subordinate Immadi Mallikarjuna Nayaka, son of Mallikarjuna Nayaka who bore the titles nissanka-Vira and Rayasthapanacharya and grandson of Bollasenapati, the minister of the king, made the gift of some virittis of wetland behind the Udayaditya-samudra for the anga and ranga-bhogas of Chhaya-Somanatha of Panugallu so that merit might accrue to the king. The inscription also describes the genealogy of the royal family beginning with Kakatiya Ganapati. His son was Rudradeva (Rudramba), whose daughter's son was the king Rudradeva.
16th May A.D. 1290. Panugallu.
This inscription is on a pillar in the compound of Chhaya-Somesvara temple. Records that, while Kakatiya Kumara Rudradeva was ruling the kingdom of the world, his subordinate Immadi Mallikarjuna Nayaka, son of Mallikarjuna Nayaka who bore the titles nissanka-Vira and Rayasthapanacharya and grandson of Bollasenapati, the minister of the king, made the gift of some virittis of wetland behind the Udayaditya-samudra for the anga and ranga-bhogas of Chhaya-Somanatha of Panugallu so that merit might accrue to the king. The inscription also describes the genealogy of the royal family beginning with Kakatiya Ganapati. His son was Rudradeva (Rudramba), whose daughter's son was the king Rudradeva.
Amrabad Branch
Immadi Visvanatha (1253 CE -1269 CE)
Son of Bolla II; founded the Amarabad branch. He was a faithful Dandanayaka (general) of Ganapatideva. He built temples (Bollesvara, Mallesvara, Ganapesvara), constructed tanks, and made extensive grants to the Srisaila (Srisailam) temple.
Veluri Bolla III (1269 CE - 1289 CE)
Ruler of the Veluru branch. He initially served the Kakatiyas but later, during the reign of Rudramadevi, appears to have defied central authority and possibly allied with the rebel Ambadeva.
Cheraku Rudraya Reddi / Rajarudra (1289 CE -1323 CE)
Son of Veluri Bolla III. He was re-subjugated by the Kakatiyas (possibly by the general Tātapinnama) and continued as their feudatory. He made significant grants to temples, including Srisailam.
3. Administration
Capitals: They administered from multiple capitals, indicating a decentralized structure for their large territory:Jammuluru (Nalgonda Dt.): The first and primary capital.
Amarabad (Mahabubnagar Dt.): Capital of the branch founded by Immadi Visvanatha.
Veluru (Kurnool Dt.): Capital of the western branch.
Territorial Control: Their realm was vast, covering parts of modern Nalgonda, Mahabubnagar, Kurnool, and Krishna districts. Inscriptions mention their rule over Kandur-nadu, Eruva-mandala, and Kamna-du.
Feudatory Structure: They operated as semi-autonomous rulers, minting their own inscriptions, governing their territories, and providing military levies to their Kakatiya overlords. Their own administration included officers like Ketu lemka.
4. Economy and Trade
Agrarian Economy: The economy was primarily agrarian, as evidenced by numerous grants of wet and dry land (maruturu, vritti), tanks (cheruvu), and irrigation canals (kalva).Trade and Taxes: Inscriptions mention taxes on commodities and salaries (visamu), market fees (mada), and the existence of merchant communities (e.g., Komati Shettys), indicating a monetized economy and active trade.
Patronage: The economic surplus was channeled into temple construction, tank irrigation, and grants to Brahmins (agrahara like Lenjinta and Surepalli) and religious institutions.
5. Society
Lineage: The inscriptions provide a clear genealogy, emphasizing the importance of lineage and legitimacy.Social Mobility: Their origin from the "fourth caste" and subsequent rise to power highlights the social mobility possible through military service in the Deccan during this period.
Matrimonial Alliances: They formed strategic matrimonial alliances with other powerful feudatory families, such as the Vavilala chiefs, to strengthen their political network.
Religious Groups: Society included Brahmins (receiving grants), temple functionaries, merchants, and agriculturists.
6. Art and Culture
Temple Architecture: They were prolific temple builders. Their inscriptions record the construction of Shiva temples (e.g., Keteswara, Bollesvara, Mallesvara) in places like Jalalpur, Amarabad, and Kaluvakolanu.Language: Their 22+ extant inscriptions are vital for understanding the structure and evolution of the Telugu language and script in the 12th-14th centuries.
Religious Patronage: They were predominantly Shaivites, with strong devotion to Mallikarjuna of Srisailam. They also patronized Vaishnava temples and village deities.
Public Works: They are celebrated for constructing irrigation tanks, wells, and free water shelters (dana-ghatams) for travelers, which were acts of both charity and economic development.
7. Foreign Relations
Their entire history was defined by their relationship with two major powers:Kandur Chodas: Their initial overlords, whom they eventually helped overthrow.
Kakatiyas: Their primary overlords for most of their existence. The relationship was generally symbiotic—the Cherakus provided military strength and regional stability, and the Kakatiyas granted them legitimacy and territory. This relationship was tested at times, as seen with Veluri Bolla III's defiance.
8. Achievements and Legacy
Kingmakers: They played a decisive role in the early expansion of the Kakatiya empire by helping subdue the Kandur Chodas.Pillars of the Empire: As the "golden fort-wall of the Kakatiyas," they were instrumental in defending and administering the southwestern parts of the empire for over 150 years.
Cultural Contributors: Their extensive patronage of temple architecture, irrigation works, and literature left a lasting impact on the cultural landscape of Telangana and Rayalaseema.
Historical Records: Their detailed inscriptions provide invaluable data for reconstructing the political and social history of the medieval Deccan.
9. Chronology, Dating and Inscriptions
Era: Inscriptions use the Saka era.Key Inscriptions: The most important records come from Jalālapuram, Kalvakolanu, Amarabad, Devarakonda, and Goruvankapalli. These provide genealogy, military exploits, and grants.
Sample Dating: An Amarabad inscription is dated "Śaka 1217, Manmatha, Ashadha su. Thursday" (June 1295 AD).
tc. 1085 Kata I founds the dynasty after obtaining Cheraku-12 from the Kandur Choda king.
c. 1155 Kata II allies with Kakatiya Rudradeva to defeat the Kandur Chodas; granted Cheraku-70.
1199 Bolla II (Bollayya) begins his long reign, serving three Kakatiya kings.
1235 Bolla II renews a grant in Devarakonda, asserting his authority over former Choda territory.
1253 Death of Bolla II; his sons Ganapati, Visvanatha, Keta II, and Immadi Visvanatha split the realm.
1253-1265 Immadi Visvanatha establishes the Amarabad branch and makes extensive grants to Srisailam.
1269 Veluru Bolla III of the Veluru branch makes grants in the Kurnool region.
c. 1289 Veluru Bolla III defies Kakatiya authority, possibly allying with Ambadeva.
1290 Ambadeva gives his daughter in marriage to Rajarudra, son of Veluru Bolla III.
1291 Rajarudra, now back under Kakatiya suzerainty, makes grants as a vassal of Prataparudra.
1321 A Cheraku chief, Prolaya Reddi, is still making grants in the Kalvakolanu region.
1323 Fall of the Kakatiya Empire; the fate of the Cheraku chiefs becomes obscure.
c. 1155 Kata II allies with Kakatiya Rudradeva to defeat the Kandur Chodas; granted Cheraku-70.
1199 Bolla II (Bollayya) begins his long reign, serving three Kakatiya kings.
1235 Bolla II renews a grant in Devarakonda, asserting his authority over former Choda territory.
1253 Death of Bolla II; his sons Ganapati, Visvanatha, Keta II, and Immadi Visvanatha split the realm.
1253-1265 Immadi Visvanatha establishes the Amarabad branch and makes extensive grants to Srisailam.
1269 Veluru Bolla III of the Veluru branch makes grants in the Kurnool region.
c. 1289 Veluru Bolla III defies Kakatiya authority, possibly allying with Ambadeva.
1290 Ambadeva gives his daughter in marriage to Rajarudra, son of Veluru Bolla III.
1291 Rajarudra, now back under Kakatiya suzerainty, makes grants as a vassal of Prataparudra.
1321 A Cheraku chief, Prolaya Reddi, is still making grants in the Kalvakolanu region.
1323 Fall of the Kakatiya Empire; the fate of the Cheraku chiefs becomes obscure.
10. Successor States/Vassals
With the fall of the Kakatiya Empire to the Delhi Sultanate in 1323 AD, the Cheraku chiefs likely faded from prominence. Their territories probably fragmented, with some areas coming under the control of:The Musunuri Nayaks who led a short-lived rebellion against Delhi.
The Vijayanagara Empire and its chieftains, who eventually consolidated the region.
Local polygars (small chieftains) who controlled forts like Devarakonda.
Subordinate Rulers In Medieval Deccan - Racharla Ganapathi
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