The Sirpur-Chanda Gond Dynasty (c. 1310–1751 AD)was one of the most remarkable tribal kingdoms of central India, flourishing for over four centuries across parts of modern Telangana and Maharashtra. Founded by the legendary Kol Bhill (or Kol Bheel/Kolkhil), a hero who united scattered Gond tribes, the dynasty laid the foundations of a well-organized state with thriving agriculture, fortified cities, and vibrant cultural traditions.
The dynasty’s capitals shifted over time—from Sirpur in present-day Komaram Bheem Asifabad (Telangana) to Ballarsha, and finally to Chanda (modern Chandrapur, Maharashtra)—reflecting both strategic and spiritual considerations. The Gonds, one of India’s largest tribal communities, referred to themselves as Koitur or Koya, meaning “people of the green mountains,” and spoke Gondi (Koyator) in several regional variants.
Over centuries, the Sirpur-Chanda Gond kings successfully navigated relations with powerful neighbors—the Kakatiyas, Musunuri Nayaks, Recherla Nayaks, Bahmani Sultans, Golconda rulers, Mughals, and Marathas—preserving their autonomy while fostering the prosperity of their people. They were not only skilled warriors but also visionary administrators, introducing irrigation systems, revenue reforms, and urban planning, leaving behind a legacy of forts, temples, and towns that continue to tell their story.
From legendary heroes like Bhim Ballal Singh to the golden-era patron Dinkar Singh, and from the romantic Surja Ballal Singh (Sher Shah) to the tragic end under Nilkanth Shah, the Sirpur-Chanda Gond Dynasty exemplifies the rise of a tribal kingdom into a powerful, culturally rich, and resilient state.
The dynasty’s capitals shifted over time—from Sirpur in present-day Komaram Bheem Asifabad (Telangana) to Ballarsha, and finally to Chanda (modern Chandrapur, Maharashtra)—reflecting both strategic and spiritual considerations. The Gonds, one of India’s largest tribal communities, referred to themselves as Koitur or Koya, meaning “people of the green mountains,” and spoke Gondi (Koyator) in several regional variants.
Over centuries, the Sirpur-Chanda Gond kings successfully navigated relations with powerful neighbors—the Kakatiyas, Musunuri Nayaks, Recherla Nayaks, Bahmani Sultans, Golconda rulers, Mughals, and Marathas—preserving their autonomy while fostering the prosperity of their people. They were not only skilled warriors but also visionary administrators, introducing irrigation systems, revenue reforms, and urban planning, leaving behind a legacy of forts, temples, and towns that continue to tell their story.
From legendary heroes like Bhim Ballal Singh to the golden-era patron Dinkar Singh, and from the romantic Surja Ballal Singh (Sher Shah) to the tragic end under Nilkanth Shah, the Sirpur-Chanda Gond Dynasty exemplifies the rise of a tribal kingdom into a powerful, culturally rich, and resilient state.
Capitals: Sirpur (modern Komaram Bheem Asifabad, Telangana), Ballarsha, Chanda (modern Chandrapur, Maharashtra)
Language: Gondi (known among Gonds as Koyator), with regional variations like Southern Gondi, Adilabad Gondi, Northern Gondi, and Aheri Gondi.
Religion: Brahmanical Hinduism, worship of clan deities (Persa Pen), and ancestor spirits.
Royal Emblem: Lion and Elephant
Family Names: Singh, Shah
The Gonds, derived from the Telugu word Konda (hill), are one of India’s largest tribal communities, found across Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Telangana, and Odisha. Among them, Raj Gonds were the ruling class, and in Telangana, mostly concentrated in Adilabad. The dynasty coexisted alongside the Kakatiyas, Musunuri Nayaks, Recherla Nayaks, Bahmanis, Golconda, Mughals, and Asaf-Jahis.
Established forts and defensive hill stations (21 major forts including Chennur, Asifabad, Laksettipet, Bodh, Adilabad, Utnoor, Sirpur, Tandur, Manikgarh, Ballarsha, Chandrapur, etc.) and over 20 smaller garhis across Telangana and Maharashtra.
Introduced irrigation channels, ponds, and canals to improve agriculture.
Tribute and trade relations maintained with neighboring kingdoms, yet some kings refused external tributes (Heer Shah, Babaji Ballal Shah).
Local handicrafts, iron extraction, and livestock management were promoted.
Landowners received incentives for clearing forests and building irrigation.
Festivals, music, and cultural assemblies flourished.
Temple architecture (e.g., Achaleshwar temple) flourished, with intricate city planning inspired by legends (sacred hare story of Chanda).
Royal emblems blended tribal symbolism with martial elements: lion, elephant, tiger.
Bahamani Sultanate
Delhi Mughals (e.g., Surja Ballal Singh’s exploits)
Marathas (Raghuji Bhosale)
Neighboring Gond kingdoms (Deogarh, Garha-Mandla)
Urban and rural development: forts, irrigation, temples, and city foundations.
Military prowess preserved independence from Mughals for centuries.
Cultural flowering with literature, music, and administrative innovations.
Hira Singh – Land cultivation, rudimentary tax system
Talwar Singh → Kesar Singh – Suppression of rebellious forts, irrigation
Dinkar Singh – Patronage of arts and literature
Ram Singh – Hill forts, Tarvel army
Surja Ballal Singh 1405–1437 Delhi campaigns, title Sher Shah
Khandkia Ballal Shah 1472–1497 Capital to Chanda, Achaleshwar temple
Heer Shah 1497–1522 Agriculture, fortifications, city development
Babaji Ballal Shah 1572–1597 Army 50,000, Wairagarh conquest
Krishna Shah 1622–1640 Nagpur expansion, religious reform
Bir Shah 1640–1691 Military exploits, tragic death
Ram Shah 1691–1735 Wisdom, Maratha diplomacy
Nilkanth Shah 1735–1751 Overthrown by Marathas, Gond dynasty ends
Gond rulers retained some lands in Ballarsha under Maratha overlordship.
Gond forts and territories in Telangana largely fell under local Maratha, Nizam, and later British administration.
Language: Gondi (known among Gonds as Koyator), with regional variations like Southern Gondi, Adilabad Gondi, Northern Gondi, and Aheri Gondi.
Religion: Brahmanical Hinduism, worship of clan deities (Persa Pen), and ancestor spirits.
Royal Emblem: Lion and Elephant
Family Names: Singh, Shah
1. Origins and Rise
The Sirpur-Chanda Gond Dynasty, a southern branch of the Gondwana Kingdom, ruled from c. 1310 AD to 1751 AD. Its founder was Kol Bhill (or Kol Bheel/Kolkhil), a legendary Gond hero who united scattered Gond tribes and laid the foundations of a powerful kingdom.The Gonds, derived from the Telugu word Konda (hill), are one of India’s largest tribal communities, found across Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Telangana, and Odisha. Among them, Raj Gonds were the ruling class, and in Telangana, mostly concentrated in Adilabad. The dynasty coexisted alongside the Kakatiyas, Musunuri Nayaks, Recherla Nayaks, Bahmanis, Golconda, Mughals, and Asaf-Jahis.
2. Rulers
The Gond rulers evolved from using the title “Singh” to “Shah”, reflecting both their Rajput heritage and the influence of Mughal power.Bhim Ballal Singh
Established rule in Sirpur (c. 870 AD, per legend), fortified Manikgarh, and organized the Gond tribes.
Kharja Bhallal Singh
Son of Bhim Ballal Singh.
Hira (Heera) Singh
Introduced rudimentary land revenue system and persuaded Gonds to cultivate land.
Andia Bhallal Singh
Short reign, unpopular due to tax excesses.
Talwar Singh
Reduced taxes, focused on agriculture, but faced internal rebellions.
Kesar Singh
Restored order, enhanced irrigation, and administrative reforms.
Dinkar (Dinakar) Singh
Patron of literature, music, and arts; golden era of Gond culture.
Ram Singh
Expanded the kingdom, created hill forts, and maintained the elite Tarvels/Tadavel warrior corps.
Surja Ballal Singh (Sher Shah Ballal Shah, 1405–1437 AD)
Captured Rajput fort for Delhi emperor, famed for bravery and romantic exploits; awarded the title Sher Shah.
Khandkia Ballal Shah (1472–1497 AD)
Shifted capital from Sirpur → Ballarsha → Chanda; built Achaleshwar temple; founded Chanda city.
Heer Shah (1497–1522 AD)
Developed agriculture, built tanks and citadel; refused foreign tribute.
Bhuma & Lokba (1522–1542 AD)
Joint rule after adoption; promoted local administration and cultural festivals.
Kam Shah (1542–1572 AD)
Religious, promoted Hindu temples, and introduced just administration.
Babaji Ballal Shah (1572–1597 AD)
Built Wairagarh into Chanda kingdom; large army of 10,000 cavalry and 40,000 infantry.
Dhundia Ram Shah (1597–1622 AD)
Completed Chanda city walls.
Krishna Shah (1622–1640 AD)
Expanded to Nagpur; ended cow sacrifices.
Bir Shah (1640–1691 AD)
Notable battles with Deogarh; died tragically at his second marriage; commemorated near Achaleshwar temple.
Ram Shah (1691–1735 AD)
Famous for wisdom; respected by Marathas.
Nilkanth Shah (1735–1751 AD)
Tyrannical; defeated by Maratha Raghuji Bhosale; Gond rule ends; Chandrapur annexed.
3. Administration
Developed systematic revenue systems and land tenure (sanads) for cultivators.Established forts and defensive hill stations (21 major forts including Chennur, Asifabad, Laksettipet, Bodh, Adilabad, Utnoor, Sirpur, Tandur, Manikgarh, Ballarsha, Chandrapur, etc.) and over 20 smaller garhis across Telangana and Maharashtra.
Introduced irrigation channels, ponds, and canals to improve agriculture.
4. Economy and Trade
Agriculture was the backbone; forests were systematically cleared for cultivation.Tribute and trade relations maintained with neighboring kingdoms, yet some kings refused external tributes (Heer Shah, Babaji Ballal Shah).
Local handicrafts, iron extraction, and livestock management were promoted.
5. Society
Tarvels/Tadavel: Elite warriors with ceremonial practices invoking mystical invincibility.Landowners received incentives for clearing forests and building irrigation.
Festivals, music, and cultural assemblies flourished.
6. Art and Culture
Patrons of literature, music, Marathi scholars, and Gond bards.Temple architecture (e.g., Achaleshwar temple) flourished, with intricate city planning inspired by legends (sacred hare story of Chanda).
Royal emblems blended tribal symbolism with martial elements: lion, elephant, tiger.
7. Foreign Relations
Fought and negotiated with:Bahamani Sultanate
Delhi Mughals (e.g., Surja Ballal Singh’s exploits)
Marathas (Raghuji Bhosale)
Neighboring Gond kingdoms (Deogarh, Garha-Mandla)
8. Achievements and Legacy
Unification of Gond tribes into organized kingdoms.Urban and rural development: forts, irrigation, temples, and city foundations.
Military prowess preserved independence from Mughals for centuries.
Cultural flowering with literature, music, and administrative innovations.
9. Chronology, Dating, and Inscriptions
RulerReignKey AchievementsBhim Ballal Singh 870 AD Sirpur capital, Manikgarh fortHira Singh – Land cultivation, rudimentary tax system
Talwar Singh → Kesar Singh – Suppression of rebellious forts, irrigation
Dinkar Singh – Patronage of arts and literature
Ram Singh – Hill forts, Tarvel army
Surja Ballal Singh 1405–1437 Delhi campaigns, title Sher Shah
Khandkia Ballal Shah 1472–1497 Capital to Chanda, Achaleshwar temple
Heer Shah 1497–1522 Agriculture, fortifications, city development
Babaji Ballal Shah 1572–1597 Army 50,000, Wairagarh conquest
Krishna Shah 1622–1640 Nagpur expansion, religious reform
Bir Shah 1640–1691 Military exploits, tragic death
Ram Shah 1691–1735 Wisdom, Maratha diplomacy
Nilkanth Shah 1735–1751 Overthrown by Marathas, Gond dynasty ends
10. Successor States/Vassals
Post-1751, Maratha Bhosales of Nagpur annexed Chandrapur.Gond rulers retained some lands in Ballarsha under Maratha overlordship.
Gond forts and territories in Telangana largely fell under local Maratha, Nizam, and later British administration.
It hurts, how the different King dynasties have been ignored by historian.
ReplyDeleteNow suffering from separation, atrocities , insecurity, financial crunches and extreme backwardness in the society.
Who is responsible for their plight today,
Govt, society or themselves.