History of Mahabubabad District

Koravi Seema was a historical region that consisted of the areas around the modern Mahabubabad and Dornakal Junction. To the west of Koravi Seema lay Anumakonda Seema (the Warangal region). The region encompassed the Madhira area of present-day Khammam district and the Kuravi and Manukota areas of present-day Mahabubabad district.

The strategic importance of Koravi Seema is evident from its description as the "Shield of Telangana," protecting the interior from eastern invasions. The region was divided into smaller administrative units, including Velpugonda-24 Seema (modern Zaffergadh), a vital military sub-division within the Koravi-Mandala.

The village of Kuravi (originally Kurravadi) in Mahabubabad district served as the most important political and administrative center of this region. The Kakatiya chief Eriya was granted the Koravi region as a fief for the services of his father, establishing the early Kakatiya presence in this area.

The early Kakatiya chiefs established themselves as powerful rulers of the Kurravadi vishaya (Koravi region) in modern Mahabubabad district. The early Kakatiya capital was at Koravi, and they served as feudatory chiefs of the Kalyani Chalukyas.

Key Rulers:

• Erra / Eriya (c. 895–940 CE): A Rashtrakuta vassal who ruled from Kakatipura. According to the Bayyaram inscription, Erra ruled Kurravadi and the surrounding region.
• Kusumayudha II (936 CE): Son of Vijayaditya Gonaga. After Arikesari II of Vemulavada Chalukya defeated Govinda IV, he transferred Koravi to Kusumayudha II.
• Betiya (c. 940–950 CE): A Rashtrakuta vassal mentioned in the Mangallu grant of Danarnava (970–973 CE).
• Gunda IV / Pindi Gunda (c. 950–995 CE): A Rashtrakuta vassal who was gifted Natavadi / Manigallu as a token of gratitude. Following the collapse of Rashtrakuta power in 973 CE, Gunda IV became an independent chief and expanded his dominions by attacking the Mudigonda Chalukyas of Khammam.

The Kakatiya chief Gunda IV (950–995 CE) was eventually killed by Viriyala Erra, who installed the Mudigonda Chalukya chief Bottu Beta as ruler of Koravi.

Kusumanayaka was the Mahamandalesvara (great feudal lord) of Koravi. He is documented in an inscription from Kummarikunta in Mahabubabad district, dated 13th May, 1197 CE.

The record is important as it falls during the reign of King Mahadeva (father of Ganapatideva) and mentions a series of gifts made by his feudatory Kusumanayaka. In his tenure, the village Repundi was built, and the Trikuta temple was constructed by Mallireddi, with tenures granted for the daily services of the Gods Mahadeva, Vasudeva, and Suryadeva.

The Recherla Nayaks were a prominent warrior lineage of Telangana who initially served the Kakatiyas as generals and feudatories. They later became the dominant power in the Telangana region during the late 14th and early 15th centuries.

Key Rulers in the Region:

• Anavotha Nayaka (1361–1384 CE): Son of Singama Nayaka, he came to rule after his father and changed his capital from Amanagallu to Rachakonda.
• Venna (1375–1378 CE): Son of Madhava (brother of Anavotha). Venna established himself at Skandadri (Kandikonda) and constructed temples in the region.

An inscription on a stone in front of the Jagannatha Swami temple at Kandikonda (Kuravi mandal, Mahabubabad district) states that Venna Mahipala, son of Madhava of the Recherla family, built in the town of Skandadri (Kandikonda) a temple for the god Janardana and installed the deity in it on Guruvara, Su. 5 of Sravana in the year Rakshasa, Saka 1297 (2nd August, 1375 CE).

Following the decline of the Kakatiya dynasty, the region came under the influence of the Bahmani Sultanate, the first independent Islamic kingdom in the Deccan. The Bahmani Sultanate was established in 1347 CE by Ala-ud-din Bahman Shah, with its capital at Gulbarga (later moved to Bidar).

During this period, the Mahabubabad region, as part of the larger Telangana territory, became part of the Bahmani dominions. The Sultanate's control over the area was primarily focused on strategic trade routes and the collection of revenue from the forested and agricultural tracts. The Koravi Seema region, which had been a significant political center under the Kakatiyas, continued to be an important strategic location.

The Bahmani period saw the introduction of Persian-Islamic administrative practices and the establishment of a taxation system based on Islamic law. The Sultanate eventually disintegrated into five independent Deccan sultanates, including the Qutb Shahi dynasty of Golconda, which would subsequently rule the region.

The Qutb Shahi dynasty of Golconda emerged from the ashes of the Bahmani Sultanate and established its rule over the Deccan, including the Mahabubabad region. The dynasty was founded by Sultan Quli Qutb Shah in 1518 CE.

Under the Qutb Shahis, the region witnessed a period of relative stability and economic development. The rulers made efforts to consolidate their territories and gain the goodwill of the Telugu-speaking Hindu population. The Koravi Seema region, with its strategic location, continued to be an important administrative and military center.

The Qutb Shahi dynasty came to an end in 1687 CE when the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb conquered Golconda, bringing the region under Mughal suzerainty.

In 1687 CE, the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb conquered Golconda, bringing the Mahabubabad region under Mughal suzerainty. The Mughals established their administrative control over the Deccan, incorporating the region into their vast empire.

However, Mughal rule in the Deccan was short-lived and characterized by administrative challenges. The region remained largely peripheral to the Mughal heartland, with local power structures and Zamindari estates continuing to exercise significant authority over the forested and tribal tracts.

The Mughal period in the Deccan set the stage for the rise of the Asaf Jahi dynasty. In 1724 CE, Mir Qamar-ud-din Khan, known as Nizam-ul-Mulk Asaf Jah I, established himself as the independent ruler of the Deccan, founding the Asaf Jahi dynasty of Hyderabad.

The Asaf Jahi dynasty, also known as the Nizams of Hyderabad, was established in 1724 CE by Nizam-ul-Mulk Asaf Jah I. The Nizams ruled over the Deccan for over two centuries, nominally acknowledging Mughal suzerainty while exercising de facto independence.

Under the Nizams, the Mahabubabad region was part of the larger Warangal district. The district's name Mahabubabad itself derives from Mahabub, one of the officials of the Hyderabad Nizam, indicating the administrative influence of the Nizams in the region.

The Nizams maintained nominal control over the forested tracts, but the tribal communities and local Zamindars largely governed themselves through traditional systems. The region remained underdeveloped and isolated during much of this period.

The Asaf Jahi period came to an end in September 1948 with Operation Polo, the Indian military "police action" that annexed Hyderabad State into the Indian Union.

After Operation Polo (September 1948), the region became part of Hyderabad State, Indian Union. Following the States Reorganisation Act in 1956, it became part of the newly formed State of Andhra Pradesh. The region remained part of Warangal district during this period.

The region actively participated in the Telangana statehood movements. In 2014, Telangana was formed as the 29th state, and the region became part of the new state.

On 11 October 2016, Mahabubabad district was officially formed as one of the 21 new districts created during the administrative reorganisation of Telangana. It was carved out of the erstwhile Warangal district.

The district is spread over an area of 2,876.70 square kilometres and has a population of 774,549 as per the 2011 census. The district headquarters are located at Mahabubabad.

Mandals in the District: Mahabubabad, Dornakal, Kuravi, Kesamudram, Garla, Bayyaram, Gudur, Guduru, Kothaguda, Manukota, Inugurthy, Maripeda, Peddavangara, Nellikudur, Thorrur, and Vangara.

The district comprises 16 mandals and 2 revenue divisions (Mahabubabad and Dornakal).

The district is rich in natural resources. The mandals Bayyaram and Garla have rich iron ore and coal deposits. The district is also home to several popular tourist attractions:

• Kuravi Veerabhadra Swamy Temple: A historic temple in Kuravi mandal, built during 900 CE by Bheema Raju of Vengi Chalukya dynasty.
• Pandavula Guttalu: Popular hillocks in Bayyaram Mandal.
• Bheemunipadam waterfall and Edubavula waterfall.
• Peddacheruvu: A tank spread over 100 acres near the Veerabhadra Swamy temple.