The Fortress of the Aswa Raos | 1324 CE – 1948 CE (Palwancha / Paloncha)
The Palvancha Samsthanam (also known as Palwancha or Paloncha) was a prominent zamindari in the Raichur Doab region, present-day Bhadradri Kothagudem district, Telangana. Founded in 1324 CE by Annappa Aswarao under a perpetual sunnud from the Emperor of Delhi, it controlled a rich valley of roughly 800 square miles. Renowned for its weapon manufactories (matchlocks, jinjalls, spears) and strategic mountain passes, the Samsthanam remained a semi-autonomous estate under the Kakatiyas, the Delhi Sultanate, and later the Nizam of Hyderabad, until its integration into the Indian Union. The family’s hereditary title “Aswa Rao” (Horse King) was conferred by Kakatiya Pratapa Rudra and symbolized their legendary cavalry skills.
Received Bhadrachalam as a free jagir from the Delhi Emperor, holding a perpetual sunnud. Obligated to maintain 500 soldiers for the Imperial army. The family descended from Recherla Nayaks, and his mastery of a rare horse breed earned the hereditary title “Aswa Rao”. The Samsthanam initially came under the Mutyala family, later passing through Jalgam, Tandra, Settipalli, Kandimandla, and Damara clans.
Early Allegiances: Originally under Kakatiya Pratapa Rudra, the estate later acknowledged Delhi’s suzerainty. The fertile valley, surrounded by lofty ranges and accessible only through mountain passes, made Palvancha naturally strong but isolated – a characteristic that shaped its defensive culture.
Leased the Rekapalle Estate to a Korukonda family. Maintained armed men for imperial service, ensuring the Samsthanam’s military relevance.
Resisted Mughal revenue demands and fortified the valley. When Captain Blunt visited the town in 1794, he documented functioning weapon manufactories producing matchlocks, jinjalls, spears, and sabres.
Murdered Raja Narasimha Aswa Rao, seized all wealth, estate records, and administrative control. A period of chaos and plunder.
Briefly regained the estate for one year after the fall of Zafrad-daulah, restoring some order.
Granted a fresh sunnud by Meer Nizam Ali Khan in 1798. Permitted to maintain 2,000 cavalry, 3,000 infantry, and carry royal insignia – an Alam (standard) and Nagara (war drum). His rule marked the height of Palvancha’s military prestige.
The Damara family adopted a boy from the Kundemulla family, opposed by the Settipalli family. The conflict escalated into raids on British territories, leading to the imprisonment of the adoptive heir in 1811 and setting the stage for British intervention.
Notorious for sheltering robbers who plundered British districts. In 1813 a Madras detachment captured Palvancha Fort, described as “miserable in appearance” with low ramparts and a 12-pounder iron cannon. The estate was partially confiscated by the Nizam.
Estate handed back to the Damara family after Settipalli disputes. In 1860 the Bhadrachalam portion was transferred to the British government (Central Provinces).
Registered as the estate holder after financial mismanagement and mortgaging of portions to a local sowcar (moneylender). The Samsthanam’s influence waned under heavy debt and British paramountcy.
Restored the maternal estate and won British recognition of his claim over Bhadrachalam in 1896. A great patron of letters, his court poet Sri Kottapalli Venkatarama Lakshmi Narayana Sharma composed the Paloncha Samasthan Charitra. Another poet, Srinathuni Venkata Rama Kavi, authored Sri Rama Pattabishekam. Under him, Palvancha experienced a cultural revival.
Patron of the Andhra Vangmaya Samithi at Burgampadu and Palvancha. He witnessed the final years of the Nizam’s dominion. After the police action of September 1948, the Samsthanam acceded to the Indian Union and was eventually merged into Hyderabad State, ending more than six centuries of Aswa Rao rule.
Administration, Economy & Society
Palvancha consisted of six sub-taluqas. Annual income: ₹70,000, with an annual tribute (peshkush) of ₹45,875 to the Nizam. The estate was divided into 10 samutus, each supplying Koya and Madiga labour for one month annually. Maintained irregular forces of Rohillas for security.
Rich valley, fertile alluvial soil supporting cotton, pulses and rice. Famous for weapon manufactories producing matchlocks, jinjalls (wall guns), spears, sabres and cannons. Some regions were mortgaged due to financial mismanagement in the 19th century.
Multi-caste population including Koyas, Madigas, and Telugus. Simple Telinghy huts in towns; local population sometimes harassed by estate forces during periods of misrule. Despite turbulence, the Samsthanam patronised Telugu and Sanskrit scholars, earning a reputation for literary gatherings.
The Palvancha Fort, roughly 150 yards square, was built of stone with octagonal bastions at each corner. Although it served as the Zamindar’s residence and military post, its defensibility was compromised by a high hill to the east that completely commanded the fort. The ramparts were low (like the bank of a tank) and could be ridden up on all sides; only two faces had deep ditches. By the early 19th century, the fort had fallen into disrepair. When a British detachment captured it in 1813, they found a 12‑pounder iron cannon at the main gate, a few 1–2 pounders on the bastions, and several jinjalls. The fort was described as “miserable in appearance,” reflecting long neglect. Nevertheless, it symbolised the authority of the Aswa Raos over the surrounding valley, accessible only through guarded mountain passes.
Foreign Relations & Strategic Significance
Initially received as a jagir from the Emperor of Delhi. The family’s military service as Recherla Nayaks under the Kakatiyas gave them deep roots in the region. The title “Aswa Rao” was a direct honour from Kakatiya Pratapa Rudra.
Paid regular tribute to the Nizam of Hyderabad. Although often turbulent in relations, the Samsthanam acknowledged Nizam’s suzerainty and provided cavalry and infantry when called upon. The fresh sunnud of 1798 formalised this relationship.
Following the 1813 British expedition and the 1860 transfer of Bhadrachalam to the Central Provinces, Palvancha became a zamindari under dual control: the Nizam as territorial sovereign and the British as paramount power. The estate survived until 1948.
Chronology & Milestones
Successor Estates & Vassal Families
After the fragmentation of the Samsthanam, portions were held by the Settipalli and Damara families. The Bhadrachalam and Rekapalle estates came under direct British administration in the Central Provinces, while the rump Palvancha estate continued as a zamindari under the Nizam’s suzerainty. The Hasanabad-Sankaragiri zamindari, which comprised the present-day Bhadrachalam and Rekapalle estates, was a direct offshoot. Today, the legacy is preserved through local traditions, the ruins of the fort, and the continued pride of the Aswa Rao descendants.
Achievements & Enduring Legacy
The Palvancha Samsthanam’s six-century existence is a testament to the martial and administrative skills of the Aswa Rao lineage. Their military prowess – maintaining large cavalry and infantry contingents, producing indigenous weaponry – kept larger empires at bay. Their cultural patronage produced lasting literary works like Paloncha Samasthan Charitra and Sri Rama Pattabishekam. The fort of Palvancha, though neglected, remains a symbol of the valley’s resilient spirit. Moreover, the Samsthanam’s intricate relationship with the Kakatiyas, Delhi, the Nizam, and the British offers a microcosm of Deccan political history. Even after abolition, the title “Aswa Rao” and the memories of Palvancha continue to be honoured in Telangana’s historical narratives.
- Imperial Gazetteer of India, Provincial Series: Hyderabad State (1909)
- Captain Blunt’s Tour Diaries (1794) – British Library Oriental Collections
- Kottapalli Venkatarama Lakshmi Narayana Sharma, Paloncha Samasthan Charitra (c. 1890)
- Hyderabad State List of Leading Zamindars & Jagirdars (1941)
- Aitchison’s Treaties, Engagements and Sanads, Volume IX (Nizam’s Dominions)
- M. A. Nayeem, The Splendour of Hyderabad: The Last Phase (2002)
- Family archives and inscriptions referenced in Palvancha: History of a Forgotten Estate (Telangana Sahitya Akademi)
- Colonel Meadows Taylor, Story of My Life (1882) – references to 1813 expedition.