Medak or Papannapet Samsthanam

Papannapet Samsthanam was a feudal vassal under the Nizam of Hyderabad, historically part of undivided Medak district in present-day Telangana. The Samsthanam at its height covered large portions of the undivided Medak district and is often mentioned in local histories under names such as Andhol Rajula Charitra, Medak Rajula Charitra, and Rangampeta Charitra. It had marital ties with the well-known Gadwal Samsthanam. Prominent rulers include Rai Bagan Maharani Shankaramma and Raja Sadashiva Reddy.

Key historical significance (summary)

Large territorial influence in undivided Medak — historically associated with the Andhol kingdom and described as having 24 paraganas.
Produced influential rulers who were noted for administrative reforms, military actions, and social measures (for example, Rai Bagan Maharani Shankaramma’s reforms and public works).
Strong cultural and trade connections — local crafts (brass & silver ware, wooden furniture and carving) flourished in towns such as Ramayampet.
Played a role in regional politics involving the Nizam, Maratha incursions, and late 18th-century power struggles involving figures like Raymond and Ali Jah.

1. Origins and rise

The Samsthanam traces its antecedents to local chieftains and jagirdars operating in the Medak area. One ancestor, Raminedu (Ramayudu), was reportedly gifted the Kalpagooru pargana by Sultan Ferozah (Bahmani period influence) after the fall of the Padmanayaka rulers (c. 1400–1450 AD), establishing a territorial base that later expanded into Papannapet Samsthanam and associated holdings.

2. Rulers — titles and achievements

Notable rulers and figures (as preserved in local records and tradition):

Raminayudu / Ramayudu — early ancestor, recipient of Kalpagooru pargana (c. 1400–1450 AD in tradition).
1547 AD: Allamreddy Chowdari — early recorded name in lineage lists.
1632–1650: Sadashiva Reddy — 5th ruler in the Ramayudu line; Andole served as capital during this period.
1680–1692: Rani Lingayamma (daughter of Sadashiva Reddy) — founded the town planned on the Sarvatobhadra system (Sadasivapet), credited with town planning and local development.
1720–1760: Ramadurga Venkata Narasimha Reddy
1760–1764: Rani Lingayamma II
1764–1774: Rai Bagan Maharani Shankaramma (1702–1774) — famed for military leadership (resisted Maratha/Peshwa incursions), civic works (pond construction, settlement founding: Sangareddi, Rajampet, Shankarampet, Papannapet), social reforms (e.g., elevating Neerudi Papanna) and was honoured with the title "Rai Bagan" (Royal Tigress).
1774–1795: Raja Sadashiva Reddy — adopted son of Rani Shankaramma; involved in late-18th-century political events including the Ali Jah revolt and the Raymond episode.
Later rulers — Raja Durga Reddy, Narayana Reddy, and Raja Ramachandra Reddy Bahadur, under whose rule the Samsthanam was merged into Hyderabad State in 1948.

3. Administration

The Samsthanam followed the jagirdar/samsthanam model within the Nizam’s suzerainty: local land revenue collection, maintenance of armed forces, civic administration and judicial functions were handled by the ruling family and their officers. Historical references describe Papannapet as part of a wider Andhol polity organized into multiple paraganas (traditional revenue/administrative units). Major towns (Andole, Sadasivapet, Ramayampet, Sangareddi, Papannapet) functioned as administrative centers.

4. Economy and trade

Crafts and industries: Ramayampet and surrounding villages were known for brass and silver ware, wooden furniture, and carved statues — indicating a strong artisan economy supporting both local needs and regional trade.
Agriculture: Rulers invested in irrigation and pond construction (notably under Rani Shankaramma), which boosted agrarian productivity.
Markets & trade routes: The Samsthanam’s towns served as commercial hubs for the district, connecting inland agricultural production and artisan goods with larger market towns like Hyderabad (Bhagyanagar).

5. Society

Society in the Samsthanam followed the hierarchical feudal patterns common to Deccan princely states — a landed aristocracy supported by tenant cultivators, artisans, and service groups. Noteworthy social aspects include acts of social mobility and reform reported in local tradition (for example, Rani Shankaramma’s appointment of Neerudi Papanna, described as Dalit, to a military position), and the intermarriage ties with other Samsthanams (notably Gadwal) which reinforced political alliances.

6. Art and culture

Patronage by the Samsthanam supported artisan crafts (metalwork and woodcarving) and local architecture (town layouts, public waterworks). Folklore and ballads celebrate rulers like Rani Shankaramma — local oral traditions preserve many tales of her valour and administrative skill and compare her to prominent female rulers in Indian history (Rani Ahilya Bai, Rani Rudrama Devi) for her governance and public works.

7. Foreign relations

As a vassal under the Nizam, Papannapet's foreign relations were shaped by the larger politics of the Deccan — interactions with Nizam authority, the Marathas (Peshwa incursions), and in the late 18th century, the presence and actions of European officers such as Raymond (who gained temporary control of Medak holdings in the aftermath of internal Nizam disputes).
Marital alliances (for example with Gadwal Samsthanam) strengthened regional ties and secured dynastic legitimacy.

8. Achievements and legacy

Urban foundations and civic planning (Sadasivapet, Sangareddi, Papannapet-related settlements) demonstrating planned town development.
Agricultural improvements via irrigation works and ponds.
Promotion of local crafts that continued to define town economies (notably Ramayampet’s metalwork and woodcarving tradition).
Historical memory and folklore — rulers like Rani Shankaramma remain emblematic in local history and cultural memory.

9. Chronology, dating and inscriptions

Key dated events and reigns (from local records and tradition):

c. 1400–1450 AD: Kalpagooru pargana granted to Raminedu (tradition: Sultan Ferozah of Bahmani Sultanate).
1547 AD: Allamreddy Chowdari (listed in lineage).
1632–1650 AD: Sadashiva Reddy (Andole as capital).
1680–1692 AD: Rani Lingayamma — town-planning activity (Sadasivapet).
1720–1760 AD: Ramadurga Venkata Narasimha Reddy.
1760–1764 AD: Rani Lingayamma II.
1764–1774 AD: Rai Bagan Maharani Shankaramma (1702–1774).
1774–1795 AD: Raja Sadashiva Reddy — involved in the Ali Jah revolt episode; 1780 noted journey to Bhagyanagar; 1795 events led to Raymond’s control of Medak temporarily.
1948 AD: Merger into Hyderabad State under Raja Ramachandra Reddy Bahadur.

Notes on evidence: The chronology above relies on local histories, genealogies, and traditional accounts (the Samsthanam’s records; titles such as “Andhol Rajula Charitra”). Where available, inscriptions and official archival records should be consulted to corroborate exact dates and details.

10. Successor states / vassals

After integration with Hyderabad State (post-1947 integration of princely territories), much of the Samsthanam’s territory and administration was absorbed into modern district structures (undivided Medak, later reorganized into present-day Telangana districts). Local zamindari/jagirdari privileges were formally abolished over the 20th century; many erstwhile seats became municipal/taluk-level towns (Andole, Sadasivapet, Ramayampet, Sangareddi, Papannapet).

Chronology table (compact)

c.1400–1450: Kalpagooru grant to Raminedu (traditional account)
1547: Allamreddy Chowdari
1632–1650: Sadashiva Reddy
1680–1692: Rani Lingayamma (town planning)
1720–1760: Ramadurga Venkata Narasimha Reddy
1760–1764: Rani Lingayamma II
1764–1774: Rai Bagan Maharani Shankaramma
1774–1795: Raja Sadashiva Reddy (Raymond episode c.1795)
1948: Merged into Hyderabad State under Raja Ramachandra Reddy Bahadur

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