The Gurgunta Samasthanam was an influential Nayaka principality that existed from 1620 CE until 1948 CE, centered in Gurgunta (modern Karnataka). It was distinguished as one of the three primary Peshkash Guzar (tribute-paying) Samasthans under the Nizam of Hyderabad, along with Gadwal and Anagondi, giving it significant autonomy. The Samasthanam was strategically vital as its territory straddled the Krishna River. Its lands included key areas in modern Telangana, specifically the Maktal (Makthal) and Kodangal regions in the present-day Narayanpet district.
Foundation Year 1620 A.D. (1035 H.).
Overlord Mohammed Adil Shahi, Sultan of Bijapur.
Rise to Power Jadi Linga Naik rendered good service to the Sultan, gained several victories, and was rewarded with the jagir (land grant).
Capital & Naming The estate was named after its capital town, Gurgunta (modern Karnataka), the seat of the ruler and the main fort.
Geographical Detail Located to the west of the Krishna River. Located to the east of the Krishna River.
Context These territories were held as a single political unit within the larger Hyderabad State until the state reorganization in 1956.
1. Origins and Rise
Origin (Founder) Jadi Linga Naik Desai.Foundation Year 1620 A.D. (1035 H.).
Overlord Mohammed Adil Shahi, Sultan of Bijapur.
Rise to Power Jadi Linga Naik rendered good service to the Sultan, gained several victories, and was rewarded with the jagir (land grant).
Capital & Naming The estate was named after its capital town, Gurgunta (modern Karnataka), the seat of the ruler and the main fort.
2. Rulers
The Samasthanam was ruled by a lineage of Nayaka kings, a total of 16 rulers over its history.Jadi Linga Naik Desai (1620 CE - 1671 CE)
Original founder, rendered good service to the Sultan of Bijapur.
Raja Jadi Somappa Naik I (1671 CE - 1697 CE)
Succeeded his father. Known as a "good soldier." Earned the title "Sherza Bahadur" (Brave Tiger) for killing an enemy in close combat while on an elephant. Gained more jagirs from the Sultan.
Raja Linga Naik II (1697 CE - 1730 CE)
Succeeded his father.
Raja Soma Sherza Naik II 1730 CE – 1771 CE
Succeeded his father.
Raja Soma Linga Naik III 1771 CE – 1842 CE
Ruled for 71 years, a period of stability.
Raja Linga Naik Sherza Bahadur III (1842 CE - 1858 CE)
Held charge for sixteen years; died without issue.
Rani Katamma (Regent) (1858 CE - 1867 CE)
Appointed Regent by the Nizam's Government; adopted her husband's brother's son.
Raja Jadi Somappa Naik Sherza Bahadur (1867 CE – 1892 CE)
Took charge upon attaining majority; managed the Samasthan with a Government Officer as Manager. Died without male issue.
Rani Gouramma Sahiba 1893 CE - 1908 CE
Jagir restored by the late Nizam (after temporary confiscation). Ruled effectively, adopting her daughter's son.
Raja Jadi Somappa Naik Sherza Bahadur (Minor) 1909 CE – 1923/1924 CE
Adopted son (named Tipraj originally); estate managed by Court of Wards due to his minority.
Raja Jadi Somappa Naik Sherza Bahadur (Adult) (1924 CE – 1948 CE)
Took charge upon majority (at age 32); provided "a liberal education" under the Court of Wards; noted as an "ideal administrator."
Administrative Structure: The Raja had a qualified officer for Judicial and Executive work. All appeals were disposed of by the Raja himself.
Law and Order: A Police Officer with a subordinate staff was stationed at the headquarters (Gurgunta), with additional Police stations in important populous villages.
Government Oversight: The Nizam's Government intervened only in cases of minority or lack of a direct heir (e.g., appointment of Rani Katamma as Regent and the restoration of the jagir to Rani Gouramma).
Villages Contained 43 villages.
Population 20,192 persons (according to the last census mentioned in the text).
Annual Revenue Rs. 1,40,000 (One lakh and forty thousand rupees).
Annual Tribute (Peshkash) Rs. 8,000 paid annually to the Nizam of Hyderabad.
Strategic Importance Control over territories spanning the Krishna River allowed them strategic and economic advantages over trade routes and river crossings, particularly beneficial for agrarian trade in the fertile Doab region.
3. Administration
Political Status: Classified as a Peshkash Guzar (tribute-payer) Samasthan, signifying a degree of internal autonomy while paying an annual tribute to the Nizam of Hyderabad.Administrative Structure: The Raja had a qualified officer for Judicial and Executive work. All appeals were disposed of by the Raja himself.
Law and Order: A Police Officer with a subordinate staff was stationed at the headquarters (Gurgunta), with additional Police stations in important populous villages.
Government Oversight: The Nizam's Government intervened only in cases of minority or lack of a direct heir (e.g., appointment of Rani Katamma as Regent and the restoration of the jagir to Rani Gouramma).
4. Economy and Trade
Area 210 square miles (approximately 544 sq km).Villages Contained 43 villages.
Population 20,192 persons (according to the last census mentioned in the text).
Annual Revenue Rs. 1,40,000 (One lakh and forty thousand rupees).
Annual Tribute (Peshkash) Rs. 8,000 paid annually to the Nizam of Hyderabad.
Strategic Importance Control over territories spanning the Krishna River allowed them strategic and economic advantages over trade routes and river crossings, particularly beneficial for agrarian trade in the fertile Doab region.
5. Society
Raja Jadi Somappa Naik Sherza BahadurHappiness and Content: The contemporary account praises the young Raja as an "ideal administrator" whose people were "quite happy and content with their lot."
Education: The young Raja was provided a "liberal education" while a ward under the Court of Wards, indicating an emphasis on modern education for the ruling elite in the late period.
Post-17th Century: Came under the increasing authority of the Nizam of Hyderabad as a Peshkash Guzar, a relationship that lasted until 1948.
1671 A.D. Death of Jadi Linga Naik Desai.
1697 A.D. Death of Raja Jadi Somappa Naik I ("Sherza Bahadur").
1771 A.D. Death of Raja Soma Sherza Naik II.
1842 A.D. Death of Raja Soma Linga Naik III.
1858 A.D. Death of Raja Linga Naik Sherza Bahadur III (Rule of Rani Katamma begins).
1867 A.D. Raja Jadi Somappa Naik Sherza Bahadur (adult) takes charge.
1892 A.D. Death of Raja Jadi Somappa Naik Sherza Bahadur (Samasthan temporarily included in Government lands).
1893 A.D. (24th Thir 1302 F.) Jagir restored to Rani Gouramma Sahiba by the Nizam.
1909 A.D. (13th Rabi-us-Sani 1326 H.) Adoption of Tipraj (named Raja Jadi Somappa Naik Sherza Bahadur) sanctioned by Government.
1924 A.D. (31st Farwardi 1343 F.) Estate released from the Court of Wards to the young Raja.
1948 A.D. End of the Samasthanam as Hyderabad State merges with the Indian Union.
Gurgunta (Capital)
Modern District Raichur District
Specific Areas Gurgunta
Education: The young Raja was provided a "liberal education" while a ward under the Court of Wards, indicating an emphasis on modern education for the ruling elite in the late period.
6. Art and Culture
The text primarily focuses on the political and administrative history. However, the presence of the main fort and palaceat Gurgunta serves as the primary architectural and cultural legacy of the Nayaka dynasty.7. Foreign Relations (Overlords)
17th Century: Subordinate to the Adil Shahis of Bijapur.Post-17th Century: Came under the increasing authority of the Nizam of Hyderabad as a Peshkash Guzar, a relationship that lasted until 1948.
8. Achievements and Legacy
The key achievement of the Gurgunta Nayakas was their endurance as one of the few strictly defined Samasthans. The generosity of the late Nizam in restoring the jagir to Rani Gouramma ensured the family's continued rule until the end of the princely state era.9. Chronology, Dating and Inscriptions
1620 A.D. (1035 H.) Jadi Linga Naik Desai obtains the jagir.1671 A.D. Death of Jadi Linga Naik Desai.
1697 A.D. Death of Raja Jadi Somappa Naik I ("Sherza Bahadur").
1771 A.D. Death of Raja Soma Sherza Naik II.
1842 A.D. Death of Raja Soma Linga Naik III.
1858 A.D. Death of Raja Linga Naik Sherza Bahadur III (Rule of Rani Katamma begins).
1867 A.D. Raja Jadi Somappa Naik Sherza Bahadur (adult) takes charge.
1892 A.D. Death of Raja Jadi Somappa Naik Sherza Bahadur (Samasthan temporarily included in Government lands).
1893 A.D. (24th Thir 1302 F.) Jagir restored to Rani Gouramma Sahiba by the Nizam.
1909 A.D. (13th Rabi-us-Sani 1326 H.) Adoption of Tipraj (named Raja Jadi Somappa Naik Sherza Bahadur) sanctioned by Government.
1924 A.D. (31st Farwardi 1343 F.) Estate released from the Court of Wards to the young Raja.
1948 A.D. End of the Samasthanam as Hyderabad State merges with the Indian Union.
10. Successor States/Vassals and Telangana Territories
The Samasthanam's importance is partly defined by its geographical spread across the modern interstate boundary:Gurgunta (Capital)
Modern District Raichur District
Specific Areas Gurgunta
Modern Telangana Areas
(Lingasugur Taluk) Narayanpet District
Maktal (Makthal) and Kodangal
Geographical Detail Located to the west of the Krishna River. Located to the east of the Krishna River.
Context These territories were held as a single political unit within the larger Hyderabad State until the state reorganization in 1956.
Sources
https://archive.org/details/bhopal14/212129_Pictorial_Hyderabad
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