The Atmakur–Amarchinta Samasthanam (c.1268 / 1660 CE -1948 CE), also known simply as Amarchinta Estate, was one of the prominent tributary Samasthans under the dominion of His Exalted Highness, the Nizam of Hyderabad. Covering an area of about 190 square miles, it lay along the left bank of the Krishna River, bordered by Wanaparthy on the east, Makthal on the west, Koilkonda on the north, and Gadwal across the river to the south. Renowned for its irrigation works, forts, and fine muslin weaving, Amarchinta exemplified the agrarian prosperity and cultural vitality of the Deccan’s smaller principalities.
Founder: Sri Gopal Reddy (Mukkaravaru family)
Traditional capitals: Thippadam Valley (initial) → Atmakur (later), on the left bank of the Krishna River
Area: ~190 square miles
Boundaries: East — Wanaparthi samasthan; West — Makhtal; North — Koilkunda; South — Krishna River (separating Amarchinta from Gadwal)
Principal town / residence: Atmakur (fortified town)
Noted products: Fine muslin (Amarchinta and Atmakur)
Late-period revenue (reported): Rs. 2,50,000 total; Rs. 70,000 paid annually as tribute to the Nizam
Population (1931 Census): ~47,000
Irrigation works (anicuts, tankbunds, channels) constructed by Gopal Reddy and his successors were key to consolidating agrarian power and local prestige. Over time the family’s jurisdiction grew to cover several mahals (Makhtal, Utkoor, Amarchinta, Waddeman, Kadechur).
His sons, Pedda Gopi Reddy and Chinna Gopi Reddy, continued the family lineage.
After the death of Gona Ganna Reddy, his son Gona Kata Bhu Narendra succeeded him. Following Gopal Reddy’s demise, his son Gopi Reddy became Deshmukh, maintaining the cordial relations established by his father with the Raja’s family. Gopi Reddy frequently visited Vardhamanpura and attended the Raja's durbars. On a significant occasion, Raja Narendra granted him the jagirs of five provinces (mahals) — Makhtal, Kadaichur, Utkoor, Vardhaman, and Amarchinta. The sanads for this grant still exist.
Fifteen years later, in 1323 CE, a war broke out between Juana Khan, son of Sultan Muhammad Tughlaq, and the Kakatiya kingdom. Juana Khan defeated the Kakatiya forces, captured Raja Prataprudra, and took him to Delhi, while Raja Narendra was killed in battle. The Telangana parganas consequently came under Sultan Muhammad Tughlaq. Gopi Reddy presented nazarana at the Sultan’s durbar, receiving a firman that recognized his rights and privileges in the region.
After the Kakatiyas’ fall in 1323 CE, the region came under Bahamani Sultan control. Recognized for their local power, Gopi Reddy and his family were confirmed in their positions. The Bahamani Sultans further enhanced their authority in recognition of their services, including suppressing rebellious zamindars. When Raja Ram, a zamindar from Raichur, rebelled against Sultan Hasan Gangu, Chinna Gopi Reddy raided his estates and delivered him captive to the Sultan. For his valor, the Sultan granted him revenue and military authority over five mahals — Makthal, Utkoor, Amarchinta, Waddeman, Kadechur — as well as Muzaffarnagar, and appointed him Deshmukh and Deshpandya.
Gopi Reddy also constructed anicuts at Ookacheti and Manna Vayas, intercepting the Nadaqwada of Makhtal and Kadaichur, forming natural irrigation sources throughout the Samasthan.
Tirumala Reddy continued the lineage during this period.
In 1664 CE (1074 Hijri), Gopi Reddy and his brother divided their estates. Out of five mahals, Gopi Reddy retained Amarachinta and Vardhaman, now forming the core of the Samasthan of Amarchinta.
Sahebu Reddy I (1664 CE)
Saheb Reddy became chief of Kodechur, Makthal, and Utkoor parganas. However, within a short period, his family lost control of these territories, while Waddeman and Amarchinta remained with Gopi Reddy II.
Sarva Reddy (1675 CE – 1680 CE)
Sarva Reddy aided Aurangzeb. In 1094 Hijri, his son obtained permission from the Killadar of Koilkonda to reconstruct an anicut near Pusalpad and extend the canal from Kokucheti Vagu (Pedda Vagu), significantly improving agricultural productivity. He further dug a channel from Bandravalli stream to neighboring villages. His sons, Chinna Reddy and Sarva Reddy II, actively participated in campaigns, including the conquest of Raichur (Ferozeguda).
Chinna Reddy Desai (1680 CE – 1687 CE)
Chenna Reddy built a fort at Amarchinta, making it the Samasthan’s capital. From his time, the family became politically strong local potentates, gradually moving away from mansabdar service to almost independent rulers.
During this period, the Samasthan was administered by the Court of Wards.
Atmakur, the traditional residence of the Raja Sahib, was an ancient fortified town. Both Amarachinta and Atmakurwere renowned for their production of fine muslin fabrics.
The total revenue of the Samasthan was approximately Rs. 2,50,000, of which Rs. 70,000 was paid annually to the Nizam as tribute. The 1931 Census recorded a population of 47,000 in the Samasthan.
Periods of direct or indirect interference (Court of Wards administration) occurred in transitional moments (minority or disputed succession). The Court of Wards files are the principal administrative records for late-period governance (Nizam-era virasat confirmations, superintendent reports, firman copies).
Textiles: Atmakur and Amarchinta were noted for fine muslin — a valuable local cottage/urban industry.
Revenue base: multi-mahal jagirs and agrarian rents; later a fixed tribute to the Nizam formed a large outgoing payment. The samasthan’s revenue figure and tribute (early 20th c.) indicate a modest princely economy, typical of small Deccan samsthans.
Patronage of irrigation, temples, and local markets created frames of authority; social structure combined agrarian landlords, artisan textile producers (muslin), and village-level officials.
The rulers functioned as mansabdars or local military/revenue agents under these overlords, receiving jagirs, titles and mansabs in return for military service and loyalty.
In the 18th century the Peshwa / regional killadars at times influenced leases (sarbasta) over the area; later the Asaf Jahi Nizams formalized tributary relationships.
Fort construction at Amarchinta (c.1680 CE) that centralized political power at Atmakur.
Continuity of local rule from medieval times (13th c.) into the twentieth century — an example of long-lived regional samasthans in the Deccan.
The later legal records (firman, Court of Wards, and wealth-tax cases) preserve the late-period administrative narrative and provide solid documentary traces.
1278–1350 CE (approx.) — Pedda Gopi Reddy / Chinna Gopi Reddy I and consolidation under Deshmukh roles
c. 1323 CE — fall of Kakatiya; region comes under Tughluq → later Bahmani suzerainty
c. 1565 CE — after Tallikota, region under Qutb Shahi influence
c. 1660–1675 CE — Emmadi Gopi Reddy II (mansabdar, irrigation works)
c. 1675–1680 CE — Sarva Reddy; canal/anicut works
c. 1680 CE — Chinna (Chenna) Reddy builds Amarchinta fort; Atmakur becomes capital
1709–1710 CE — Sawai Thimma Reddy I receives sarbasta/lease under a Peshwa killadar
19th c. — Pedda Venkat Reddy (c. 1803 CE) and successive chiefs (Balakrishna Reddy, Soma Bhupala, Sitaram Bhupala, Srimanth Savai Raja)
1930 CE — Raja Sri Rama Bhupala dies (22 Tir 1339 Fasli ≈ 1930 CE)
1932 CE (Oct) — Nizam’s Firman recognizing Rani Bhagya Laxmamma (2 Shaban 1351 Hijri ≈ Oct 1932 CE)
1931 Census — population recorded ~47,000
https://archive.org/details/bhopal14/212129_Pictorial_Hyderabad
International Journal of Recent Advances in Multidisciplinary Topics
Volume 4, Issue 6, June 2023
https://www.ijramt.com | ISSN (Online): 2582-7839
Founder: Sri Gopal Reddy (Mukkaravaru family)
Traditional capitals: Thippadam Valley (initial) → Atmakur (later), on the left bank of the Krishna River
Area: ~190 square miles
Boundaries: East — Wanaparthi samasthan; West — Makhtal; North — Koilkunda; South — Krishna River (separating Amarchinta from Gadwal)
Principal town / residence: Atmakur (fortified town)
Noted products: Fine muslin (Amarchinta and Atmakur)
Late-period revenue (reported): Rs. 2,50,000 total; Rs. 70,000 paid annually as tribute to the Nizam
Population (1931 Census): ~47,000
1. Origins and Rise
Amarchinta traces its origin to Sri Gopal Reddy, a native of Chandragiri who was established at Vardhamanpura (Waddeman) by the Kakatiya-affiliated noble Gona Ganna Reddy. As Nadagoud he was granted responsibility for revenue collection and irrigation works across several villages in the Makthal pargana. Local tradition and later samasthan lists place Gopal Reddy’s activity c. 1268–1278 CE. From Nadagoud the family rose to Deshmukh / Sarnadagoud rank and, after the fall of the Kakatiyas, retained their position under successive overlords (Tughluq → Bahmani → Qutb Shahi → Asaf Jahi).Irrigation works (anicuts, tankbunds, channels) constructed by Gopal Reddy and his successors were key to consolidating agrarian power and local prestige. Over time the family’s jurisdiction grew to cover several mahals (Makhtal, Utkoor, Amarchinta, Waddeman, Kadechur).
2. Rulers
Sri Gopal Reddy (1268 CE – 1278 CE)
Sri Gopal Reddy, the ancestor of the Amarchinta Samasthanam, was a native of Chandragiri, located about 11 km from Tirupati. During a visit to Tirupati, he became acquainted with Gona Ganna Reddy (1262–1296 CE), one of the Kakatiya feudatories, who invited him to Vardhamanpura, presently known as Waddeman. Gopal Reddy was appointed Nadagoud over 30–40 villages in Makthal pargana, tasked with extending irrigation facilities and overseeing revenue collection.His sons, Pedda Gopi Reddy and Chinna Gopi Reddy, continued the family lineage.
Chinna Gopi Reddy I (1278 CE – 1350 CE)
Pedda Gopi Reddy and Chinna Gopi Reddy strengthened their control over the region. They were granted several villages in Amarachinta, Waddeman, Utkoor, and Kodechur parganas by Gona Kata Reddy, son of Gona Buddha Reddy. Their rank rose from Nadagoud to Sarnadagoud.After the death of Gona Ganna Reddy, his son Gona Kata Bhu Narendra succeeded him. Following Gopal Reddy’s demise, his son Gopi Reddy became Deshmukh, maintaining the cordial relations established by his father with the Raja’s family. Gopi Reddy frequently visited Vardhamanpura and attended the Raja's durbars. On a significant occasion, Raja Narendra granted him the jagirs of five provinces (mahals) — Makhtal, Kadaichur, Utkoor, Vardhaman, and Amarchinta. The sanads for this grant still exist.
Fifteen years later, in 1323 CE, a war broke out between Juana Khan, son of Sultan Muhammad Tughlaq, and the Kakatiya kingdom. Juana Khan defeated the Kakatiya forces, captured Raja Prataprudra, and took him to Delhi, while Raja Narendra was killed in battle. The Telangana parganas consequently came under Sultan Muhammad Tughlaq. Gopi Reddy presented nazarana at the Sultan’s durbar, receiving a firman that recognized his rights and privileges in the region.
After the Kakatiyas’ fall in 1323 CE, the region came under Bahamani Sultan control. Recognized for their local power, Gopi Reddy and his family were confirmed in their positions. The Bahamani Sultans further enhanced their authority in recognition of their services, including suppressing rebellious zamindars. When Raja Ram, a zamindar from Raichur, rebelled against Sultan Hasan Gangu, Chinna Gopi Reddy raided his estates and delivered him captive to the Sultan. For his valor, the Sultan granted him revenue and military authority over five mahals — Makthal, Utkoor, Amarchinta, Waddeman, Kadechur — as well as Muzaffarnagar, and appointed him Deshmukh and Deshpandya.
Gopi Reddy also constructed anicuts at Ookacheti and Manna Vayas, intercepting the Nadaqwada of Makhtal and Kadaichur, forming natural irrigation sources throughout the Samasthan.
Chandra Reddy (1350 CE)
Following Chinna Gopi Reddy, Chandra Reddy and Ramakrishna Reddy appear in succession. After the Battle of Tallikota (1565 CE), the Amarchinta provinces came under the influence of the Qutb Shahis of Golconda.Tirumala Reddy continued the lineage during this period.
Emmedi Gopi Reddy II (1660 CE – 1675 CE)
In 1661–62 CE (1072 Hijri), Gopi Reddy II assisted in suppressing the rebel leaders Venkat Rao and Gopal Rao of Gurramgudda. For this, the Qutb Shahi Sultan Abdullah bestowed upon him the jagirs of Allipuram and Muchintala, and appointed him Munsabdar of 500 footmen and 200 cavalry. He became ruler of Amarachinta and Vardhaman and a prominent mansabdar in Golconda. Gopi Reddy II built tankbunds at Muchintala and Pillalamarri villages and dug a tank at Fareedpur.In 1664 CE (1074 Hijri), Gopi Reddy and his brother divided their estates. Out of five mahals, Gopi Reddy retained Amarachinta and Vardhaman, now forming the core of the Samasthan of Amarchinta.
Sahebu Reddy I (1664 CE)
Saheb Reddy became chief of Kodechur, Makthal, and Utkoor parganas. However, within a short period, his family lost control of these territories, while Waddeman and Amarchinta remained with Gopi Reddy II.
Sarva Reddy (1675 CE – 1680 CE)
Sarva Reddy aided Aurangzeb. In 1094 Hijri, his son obtained permission from the Killadar of Koilkonda to reconstruct an anicut near Pusalpad and extend the canal from Kokucheti Vagu (Pedda Vagu), significantly improving agricultural productivity. He further dug a channel from Bandravalli stream to neighboring villages. His sons, Chinna Reddy and Sarva Reddy II, actively participated in campaigns, including the conquest of Raichur (Ferozeguda).
Chinna Reddy Desai (1680 CE – 1687 CE)
Chenna Reddy built a fort at Amarchinta, making it the Samasthan’s capital. From his time, the family became politically strong local potentates, gradually moving away from mansabdar service to almost independent rulers.
Sawai Thimma Reddy I (1709 CE)
In 1709–10 CE (1121 Hijri), during the period of Peshwa influence, Killadar Chendersain Jodha granted the sarbasta(lease) of Amarchinta and Vardhaman to Sawai Timma Reddy for an annual payment of Rs. 50,000.Emmadi Saheb Reddy I
assisted the Asaf Jahi in Karnataka campaigns; conferred the title Savai Raja.
Bukka Reddy; Lakshma Reddy; Sheshadri Reddy; Thatha Reddy; Thimma Reddy II — continued family lineage.
Somi Reddy; Chinna Venkat Reddy; Pedda Venkat Reddy (1803 CE)
Balakrishna Reddy; Soma Bhupala; Sitaram Bhupala; Srimanth Savai Raja
Bukka Reddy; Lakshma Reddy; Sheshadri Reddy; Thatha Reddy; Thimma Reddy II — continued family lineage.
Somi Reddy; Chinna Venkat Reddy; Pedda Venkat Reddy (1803 CE)
Balakrishna Reddy; Soma Bhupala; Sitaram Bhupala; Srimanth Savai Raja
Sri Rama Bhupala (1930 CE)
passed away on 22 Tir 1339 Fasli (1930 CE), leaving widow Rani Ram Bhagya Lakshmama, daughter of Maha Jaswant Bahadur of Domkonda Samasthan, who legally succeeded to the Gadi of Amarchinta.
Savai Rani Bhagya Laximmama (1930 CE – 1948 CE)
Her succession was recognized by the Nizam of Hyderabad via Firman dated 2 Shaban 1351 Hijri (October 1932 CE). She was known as an educated and benevolent ruler, loved by all her subjects.During this period, the Samasthan was administered by the Court of Wards.
Atmakur, the traditional residence of the Raja Sahib, was an ancient fortified town. Both Amarachinta and Atmakurwere renowned for their production of fine muslin fabrics.
The total revenue of the Samasthan was approximately Rs. 2,50,000, of which Rs. 70,000 was paid annually to the Nizam as tribute. The 1931 Census recorded a population of 47,000 in the Samasthan.
3. Administration
The Amarchinta Samasthan operated as a tributary state within the Nizam’s dominions. In late-period records the samasthan paid a fixed annual tribute (reported Rs. 70,000) out of total revenue (~Rs. 2,50,000).Periods of direct or indirect interference (Court of Wards administration) occurred in transitional moments (minority or disputed succession). The Court of Wards files are the principal administrative records for late-period governance (Nizam-era virasat confirmations, superintendent reports, firman copies).
4. Economy and Trade
Agriculture: irrigation works (anicuts, canals, tankbunds) were central to productivity; many rulers invested in waterworks (Gopal Reddy, Gopi Reddy II, Sarva Reddy).Textiles: Atmakur and Amarchinta were noted for fine muslin — a valuable local cottage/urban industry.
Revenue base: multi-mahal jagirs and agrarian rents; later a fixed tribute to the Nizam formed a large outgoing payment. The samasthan’s revenue figure and tribute (early 20th c.) indicate a modest princely economy, typical of small Deccan samsthans.
5. Society
The ruling family carried the Mukkaravaru surname and held the local Jagirdari/status as Deshmukhs/Deshpandiyas before evolving into independent samasthan chiefs.Patronage of irrigation, temples, and local markets created frames of authority; social structure combined agrarian landlords, artisan textile producers (muslin), and village-level officials.
6. Art and Culture
Textile craftsmanship (fine muslin) stands out. The courtly culture in later years followed usual Deccan princely forms — titles like Savai Raja, patronage of temples and irrigation works, and cross-marriage with other samasthan families (e.g., Rani Bhagya Laxmamma’s Domkonda lineage).7. Foreign Relations (overlord relations)
Early allegiance shifted through major regional powers: Kakatiya → Tughluq Sultanate → Bahmani Sultanate → Qutb Shahi (Golkonda) → Mughal influence (Aurangzeb) → Asaf Jahi (Nizam).The rulers functioned as mansabdars or local military/revenue agents under these overlords, receiving jagirs, titles and mansabs in return for military service and loyalty.
In the 18th century the Peshwa / regional killadars at times influenced leases (sarbasta) over the area; later the Asaf Jahi Nizams formalized tributary relationships.
8. Achievements and Legacy
Long-standing irrigation and water-management investments that sustained agrarian productivity.Fort construction at Amarchinta (c.1680 CE) that centralized political power at Atmakur.
Continuity of local rule from medieval times (13th c.) into the twentieth century — an example of long-lived regional samasthans in the Deccan.
The later legal records (firman, Court of Wards, and wealth-tax cases) preserve the late-period administrative narrative and provide solid documentary traces.
9. Chronology, Dating and Inscriptions (summary timeline)
c. 1268–1278 CE — Sri Gopal Reddy (founder; Nadagoud at Vardhamanpura/Waddeman)1278–1350 CE (approx.) — Pedda Gopi Reddy / Chinna Gopi Reddy I and consolidation under Deshmukh roles
c. 1323 CE — fall of Kakatiya; region comes under Tughluq → later Bahmani suzerainty
c. 1565 CE — after Tallikota, region under Qutb Shahi influence
c. 1660–1675 CE — Emmadi Gopi Reddy II (mansabdar, irrigation works)
c. 1675–1680 CE — Sarva Reddy; canal/anicut works
c. 1680 CE — Chinna (Chenna) Reddy builds Amarchinta fort; Atmakur becomes capital
1709–1710 CE — Sawai Thimma Reddy I receives sarbasta/lease under a Peshwa killadar
19th c. — Pedda Venkat Reddy (c. 1803 CE) and successive chiefs (Balakrishna Reddy, Soma Bhupala, Sitaram Bhupala, Srimanth Savai Raja)
1930 CE — Raja Sri Rama Bhupala dies (22 Tir 1339 Fasli ≈ 1930 CE)
1932 CE (Oct) — Nizam’s Firman recognizing Rani Bhagya Laxmamma (2 Shaban 1351 Hijri ≈ Oct 1932 CE)
1931 Census — population recorded ~47,000
10. Successor states / Vassals
The samasthan remained a small tributary polity within the Nizam’s dominions. After Indian independence and the reorganisation of princely estates (post-1948 and later jagir abolition/land reforms), the formal power of the samasthan ended; the Rani’s period is recorded to c.1948 (you noted “1930–1948 CE” for her). The family and local institutions survive in local memory, property records and district histories.https://archive.org/details/bhopal14/212129_Pictorial_Hyderabad
International Journal of Recent Advances in Multidisciplinary Topics
Volume 4, Issue 6, June 2023
https://www.ijramt.com | ISSN (Online): 2582-7839
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