The Kaulas Nayakas were a smaller but strategically vital branch of Kakatiya vassals who controlled the Kaulas Fort (Kamareddy district). Their legacy lies in being the northern shield of Telangana, resisting Yadava and early Sultanate invasions until absorbed into the Bahmani state.
Their base was Kaulas Durga (Kaulas Fort), one of the most formidable forts in northern Telangana.
They were appointed by the Kakatiya monarchs to defend the northern frontier, which bordered the Seuna Yadavas and later became exposed to Tughluq incursions.
Likely belonged to the broader Durjaya martial clans, though concrete genealogical links are limited.
They bore titles like:
“Nayaka,” “Durga-dhipati” (fort chief), and in some inscriptions, “Maha-mandaleshvara.”
Their primary achievement was fort defense, ensuring Kaulas remained a frontier bastion against repeated northern invasions.
Fort-based governance.
Revenue from surrounding villages (kaifiyats mention ~300 villages attached to Kaulas).
Local officers: senapatis (military commanders), karanams (scribes), and temple trustees.
Temples around Kaulas were maintained by grants from the Nayakas.
Revenue sources:
Agrarian produce from attached villages.
Taxes from caravan trade passing through Telangana–Deccan routes.
Kaulas also had forest wealth, particularly timber and medicinal herbs.
Likely composition of society:
Peasants and shepherds in surrounding villages.
Brahmin settlements supported by land-grants.
Fort garrison with cavalry and archers.
Local temple architecture resembles late Kakatiya style (pillared halls, soapstone work).
Continuity of dance, music, and epigraphy traditions under Kakatiya cultural umbrella.
Post-1323 CE
Musunuri Nayakas attempted to hold Kaulas.
Bahmani Sultanate captured it in 1350 CE during their first Telangana campaign.
Later contested by Recherla Nayakas, Reddy rulers, and Vijayanagara forces.
Eventually became an important Bahmani and Qutb Shahi fort.
Their resistance delayed invasions deeper into Telangana.
Though overshadowed by bigger Nayaka families (Recherla, Musunuri), the Kaulas chiefs provided the first line of defense.
Kaulas Fort remained significant for centuries under Bahmanis, Qutb Shahis, and Asaf Jahis.
1290s CE: Kaulas chiefs resist Yadava raids.
1323 CE: Warangal falls; Kaulas briefly under Delhi Sultanate control.
1350 CE: Ala-ud-din Hasan Bahman Shah’s campaign → Kaulas ceded to Bahmanis.
Later inscriptions: Bahmani & Qutb Shahi inscriptions found in Kaulas, but with references to older Nayaka lineages.
Musunuri Nayakas attempted to reclaim Kaulas.
Bahmani Sultanate (1350s) integrated Kaulas as a frontier fort.
Recherla Nayakas occasionally tried to contest this area.
Later came under Qutb Shahis (Golconda) and then Nizams (Asaf Jahis).
1. Origins and Rise
The Kaulas chiefs emerged as regional Nayakas under the Kakatiya Empire (12th–13th century CE).Their base was Kaulas Durga (Kaulas Fort), one of the most formidable forts in northern Telangana.
They were appointed by the Kakatiya monarchs to defend the northern frontier, which bordered the Seuna Yadavas and later became exposed to Tughluq incursions.
Likely belonged to the broader Durjaya martial clans, though concrete genealogical links are limited.
2. Rulers
Exact names of early Kaulas Nayakas are fragmentary (only mentioned in inscriptions as durga-dhipatis or subordinate commanders).They bore titles like:
“Nayaka,” “Durga-dhipati” (fort chief), and in some inscriptions, “Maha-mandaleshvara.”
Their primary achievement was fort defense, ensuring Kaulas remained a frontier bastion against repeated northern invasions.
Somaya Nayaka (Soma Nayakudu) (c.1320 CE - 1323 CE)
Kaulas chief, c. late 13th–early 14th c., known from epigraphs near Kamareddy.After the fall of Warangal (1323 CE), Kaulas remained contested between Musunuris, Bahmanis, and later Qutb Shahis.
3. Administration
Governed in the Kakatiya Nayankara system:Fort-based governance.
Revenue from surrounding villages (kaifiyats mention ~300 villages attached to Kaulas).
Local officers: senapatis (military commanders), karanams (scribes), and temple trustees.
Temples around Kaulas were maintained by grants from the Nayakas.
4. Economy and Trade
The fort sat on routes connecting Warangal–Karimnagar region to Maharashtra.Revenue sources:
Agrarian produce from attached villages.
Taxes from caravan trade passing through Telangana–Deccan routes.
Kaulas also had forest wealth, particularly timber and medicinal herbs.
5. Society
The Nayakas were warrior chiefs, but temples around Kaulas (Shaiva and Vaishnava) suggest a patronage of Hindu religion.Likely composition of society:
Peasants and shepherds in surrounding villages.
Brahmin settlements supported by land-grants.
Fort garrison with cavalry and archers.
6. Art and Culture
Kaulas inscriptions (stone grants) record donations to temples and Brahmins.Local temple architecture resembles late Kakatiya style (pillared halls, soapstone work).
Continuity of dance, music, and epigraphy traditions under Kakatiya cultural umbrella.
7. Foreign Relations
Under Kakatiyas: served as frontier guards against Yadava incursions from Devagiri.Post-1323 CE
Musunuri Nayakas attempted to hold Kaulas.
Bahmani Sultanate captured it in 1350 CE during their first Telangana campaign.
Later contested by Recherla Nayakas, Reddy rulers, and Vijayanagara forces.
Eventually became an important Bahmani and Qutb Shahi fort.
8. Achievements and Legacy
Main achievement: holding Kaulas as a defensive bastion that protected northern Telangana during the late Kakatiya period.Their resistance delayed invasions deeper into Telangana.
Though overshadowed by bigger Nayaka families (Recherla, Musunuri), the Kaulas chiefs provided the first line of defense.
Kaulas Fort remained significant for centuries under Bahmanis, Qutb Shahis, and Asaf Jahis.
9. Chronology, Dating and Inscriptions
13th century CE: Earliest inscriptions mention Kaulas as a Kakatiya frontier fort.1290s CE: Kaulas chiefs resist Yadava raids.
1323 CE: Warangal falls; Kaulas briefly under Delhi Sultanate control.
1350 CE: Ala-ud-din Hasan Bahman Shah’s campaign → Kaulas ceded to Bahmanis.
Later inscriptions: Bahmani & Qutb Shahi inscriptions found in Kaulas, but with references to older Nayaka lineages.
10. Successor States / Vassals
After the fall of the Kakatiyas:Musunuri Nayakas attempted to reclaim Kaulas.
Bahmani Sultanate (1350s) integrated Kaulas as a frontier fort.
Recherla Nayakas occasionally tried to contest this area.
Later came under Qutb Shahis (Golconda) and then Nizams (Asaf Jahis).
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