The Janumpalli Legacy
The Rise of the Nayaks and the Wanaparthy Samsthanam
The history of the Janumpalli Family (1512 CE - 1948 CE) represents one of the most enduring political lineages in the Deccan. Originally local chieftains, their domain evolved from a small fiefdom into the Samsthan of Sugur, and finally into the Wanaparthy Samsthanam under the Asaf Jahi Nizams. Located in the Mahbubnagar zilla (currently Wanaparthy district) of Telangana, the Samsthanam was renowned for its military prowess, administrative sophistication, and cultural patronage.
The Janumpalli political presence in the region was founded by Veera Krishna Reddy around 1510 CE. Hailing from the Cuddapah region in the south, he initially settled in Patapally, a village near Sugur and north of the Krishna River. Veera Krishna Reddy expanded his territory by defeating the local warlike Bedars, consolidating the region into a single unit which stretched as far as Kothakota. His success caught the attention of the famed Vijayanagar ruler, Krishna Deva Raya, who honored him with a grant of several villages. As the founder, Veera Krishna Reddy, also known as Veera Venkata Krishna Reddy, was a notable patron of culture. He ably supported literature by establishing printing infrastructure for the works of local poets and writers. This commitment to the arts continued throughout the dynasty, with Wanaparthy rulers later having the distinction of honoring the eminent poet, Tirupati Venkata Kavulu.
Veera Krishna Reddy died about the year 1540 when his eldest son, Venkat Kumara Basawa Reddy, succeeded him under the name of Venkata Kumara Gopal Rao.
Raja Rama Krishna Reddy succeeded his brother, Raja Venkat Kumara Basawa Reddy, who had died without issue. Rama Krishna Reddy was an effective ruler who extended the Samasthan's possessions and exerted significant influence in the surrounding regions.
Raja Pedda Venkat Reddy died in 1592 and was succeeded by his elder son, Pedda Venkat Reddy, who in turn died in 1625.
Raja Immidi Venkat Reddy succeeded his father, Pedda Venkat Reddy, and significantly extended his estates and power. His growing influence attracted the attention of Sultan Abdulla Kutub Shah, the King of Golconda, who brought him under his patronage and utilized him in military campaigns in the south. During one such expedition, Immidi Venkat Reddy successfully captured the fort of Udaigiri and its garrison, adding it to the Sultan's dominions. He passed away in 1648 and was succeeded by his only son, Gopal Rao.
Raja Gopal Rao was a highly accomplished ruler. Due to his proficiency in eight languages, he was known by the appellation "Ashta Bhasha". A learned, energetic, and well-traveled individual, he also excelled as a great military commander, maintaining a substantial army of 2,000 infantry and 2,000 cavalry. The Sultan of Golconda recognized this strength by bestowing upon him the title "Bahiri". Following his travels in the south, he built a beautiful temple and an adjacent town in the Samasthan, naming the settlement Srirangapur. The temple is dedicated to Sri Ranga Nayak, who remains the Rajas' family deity. Ashta Bhasha Bahiri Gopal Rao died in 1676 and was succeeded by his natural son, Kumara Bahiri Gopal Rao.
When Kumara Bahiri Gopal Rao was a minor, the Samasthan was effectively governed by his mother, Rani Janamma. She rendered great services to the Sultan of Golconda in his campaigns against the Mughal Emperor Aurangazeb. Utilizing her garrisons in the forts of Ghanpur and Pangal, Rani Janamma successfully defended the territory south of Hyderabad, down to the Krishna River, against various rebellious chiefs allied with the Emperor.
In 1678, he received a formal Sanad from Sultan Abul Hasan Tana Shah. When Aurangazeb conquered Golconda in 1686, the Emperor reconfirmed the estate in favor of Kumara Gopal Rao. Around this period, the Raja's seat was moved from Sugur to Kothakota. He died unmarried in 1691 and was succeeded by his adopted brother, Venkat Reddy.
Venkat Reddy remained fiercely loyal to the Sultan of Golconda. After Golconda's fall, he never gained favor with the Mughal Governors. In 1719, the Mughal governor Mubariz Khan laid siege to the small Janampet fort. Raja Venkat Reddy defended the fort with great valor but was ultimately overwhelmed by superior forces and treachery. Both Venkat Reddy and his faithful nephew, Tirmal Rao, died fighting. Mubariz Khan renamed the fort from Janampet to Farrukhnagar.
Established a crucial alliance by becoming "extremely loyal" to His Highness Nizam-ul-Mulk Asaf Jah I. During Asaf Jah's 1743 campaign, he was entrusted with defending the capital and successfully captured the rebellious Zamindar of Jatprole, earning the personal thanks of the Nizam.
Gained renown for his learning and piety. A significant act of his reign was changing the capital from Kothakota to Srirangapur, which remained the seat of the Rajas for nearly fifty years.
Succeeded as an infant but had a short life. Initially managed by the Raja's mother, Rani Janamma (Senior), until 1781, at which point administration transferred to the child widow, Janamma (Junior).
Adopted Ramkrishna Rao and governed during his minority. A loyal military ally to the Nizam, she defeated and captured the rebellious Zamindar of Jatprole in 1799. Following her demise in 1807, Srirangapur was abandoned, and Wanaparthy officially became the new capital.
The first to rule from the new capital of Wanaparthy. Received titles, a mansab of 2,000 infantry and 1,000 sowars, and the ceremonial "Alam" and "Naqqara". A key privilege was the right to mint his own coins, the Sugur Sicca, accepted throughout the Samasthan and Government treasuries until the early 20th century.
Modernized the Samasthan on the British system. Established law courts, modern police, and issued stamps (1853). Proficient in eight languages. Famously imported Siddis from Africa to organize the African Bodyguard and Wanaparthy Lancers. His regiments formed the nucleus of the Nizam's Army. Capturing the rebellious Raja of Shorapur in 1858, he received honors from the Governor-General of India.
A thifty and progressive administrator who cleared heavy debts. Her most significant achievement was founding the "Seven Oceans": Shankara Samudram, Krishna Samudram, Ganapa Samudram, Ranga Samudram, Mahabhoopala Samudram, Venugopala Samudram, and Jatapala Samudram.
Reorganized all administrative departments. Built the Ram Sagar Bangalow (1885). Divided the Samsthan into Sugar and Kesampet taluqas. Established a Munsiff's Court and District Court. Maintained a police force of 119 officers and 1,033 watchmen. Offered taqavi loans to farmers. Received the title of "Mahabhupal" (1905) and later "Maharaja" from the Nizam.
A well-educated poet and administrator. During the Telangana armed struggle, he stood for deliverance from the Nizam's control. After India's integration, he joined the Foreign Service and served as a Member of Parliament (1957–1977). His legacy includes the Saralasagar Project, India’s first automatic siphon dam (1959). His grandchildren include Aditi Rao Hydari and Kiran Rao.
Administrative, Economic & Social Legacy
9. Chronology & Key Dates
- c. 1510 – 1512 CE: Veera Krishna Reddy establishes the Janumpalli dynasty at Sugur after conquering the region from the Bedars.
- 1648 CE: Raja Immidi Venkat Reddy captures the fort of Udaigiri for Sultan Abdullah Qutb Shah; Raja "Ashta Bhasha" Bahiri Gopal Rao commissions the Sri Ranganayakaswami Temple at Srirangapur.
- 1676 CE: Regency of Rani Janamma; she successfully defends the territory south of Hyderabad during the Mughal-Golconda conflicts.
- 1686 CE: After the fall of Golconda, the estate comes under Mughal suzerainty; rights are reconfirmed by Emperor Aurangzeb.
- 1719 CE: Battle of Janampet; Raja Venkat Reddy dies valiantly defending the fort against Mughal Governor Mubariz Khan.
- 1743 – 1746 CE: Raja Bahiri Gopal Rao serves Nizam-ul-Mulk Asaf Jah I, marking the start of the loyal Asaf Jahi vassalage.
- 1807 – 1817 CE: Wanaparthy officially becomes the capital; Raja Ramkrishna Rao I is granted the right to mint the Sugur Sicca currency.
- 1843 CE: Nizam Sikander Jah confers the high title of "Balwant" upon Raja Rameshwar Rao I.
- 1853 CE: Major administrative modernization, including the introduction of stamps and judicial-police reforms.
- 1857 – 1858 CE: Raja Rameshwar Rao I provides military aid to the British and helps capture the Raja of Shorapur.
- 1866 – 1880 CE: Regency of Rani Shankaramma; she clears state debts and constructs the "Seven Oceans" irrigation tanks.
- 1922 CE: Raja Rameshwar Rao II is granted the hereditary title of "Maharaja" by the Nizam.
- 1948 CE: The Samsthanam integrates into the Indian Union following the Police Action (Operation Polo).
- 1959 CE: Raja Rameshwar Rao III completes the Saralasagar Project, featuring India's first automatic siphons.
- 1998 CE: Death of Maharaja Rameshwar Rao III, the last titular ruler and distinguished diplomat.
- Imperial Gazetteer of India, Provincial Series: Hyderabad State (1909).
- Regani, Sarojini; Highlights of the Freedom Movement in Andhra Pradesh.
- Records of the Central Records Office, Hyderabad State (Nizam’s Dominions).
- Family Archives of the Janumpalli Samsthanam (Wanaparthy).
- K. Krishnaswamy Mudiraj; Pictorial Hyderabad (1934).
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