The Narayanpuram or Narayanpur Samasthan was a small princely estate located in present-day Yadadri–Bhongir district of Telangana. The ruling family rose to prominence under the Asaf Jahi Nizams of Hyderabad for their loyalty, administration, and military service. The Rajapeta fort (1775) and Masjid-e-Mahboobia stand as major monuments of this estate.
Key Historical Significance and Chronology
- 18th Century: Emergence under Asaf Jahi rule as loyal jagirdars.
- 1775: Construction of Rajapeta Fort by Ramana Reddy.
- 19th Century: Family gains prominence and marriage ties with Nizam’s household.
- 1906: Construction of Masjid-e-Mahboobia with Nizam’s permission (inscription present).
- 1949: Jagir abolition ends administrative control of the samasthan.
1. Origins and Rise
The Narayanpuram rulers descended from Manchal Reddy, who received the land as a reward for capturing a notorious thief. His successors expanded the estate and established strongholds like Rajapeta fort, becoming local deshmukhs under the Nizam’s protection.
2. Rulers – Titles and Achievements
- Manchal Reddy: Founder and original grantee of Narayanpur.
- Ramana Reddy: Builder of Rajapeta Fort, titled Rao Bahadur and Deshmukh.
- Vedire Venkata Narayana Rao: Founder of Narayanpuram Samasthan.
- Raja Papi Reddy / Gulam Ghouse Khan Bahadur: Converted to Islam, allied with the Nizam’s family, patron of Masjid-e-Mahboobia.
3. Administration
The Narayanpuram rulers governed as semi-autonomous jagirdars under the Nizam. They managed parganas such as Rajakonda, Bhuvanagiri, and Ibrahimpatnam, collecting revenues and maintaining forts while paying annual tribute to the Hyderabad state.
4. Economy and Trade
The estate’s economy was agrarian, based on land revenue and local trade. The rulers controlled multiple villages, ensuring agricultural productivity and collecting peshkush (tribute) to the Nizam’s treasury.
5. Society
Society followed feudal hierarchies with patels, deshmukhs, and cultivators. The family’s conversion to Islam created a blend of Hindu and Muslim traditions, reflected in their cultural patronage.
6. Art and Culture
Architectural remains like the Rajapeta fort and the Masjid-e-Mahboobia represent the estate’s art and engineering. The fort had seven gates, tall walls, and secret stairways, while the mosque featured a platform, ablution facilities, and inscriptions granting Nizam’s approval.
7. Foreign Relations
The Samasthan’s main external relation was with the Asaf Jahi Nizam. Through loyalty, marriages, and military service, the rulers gained titles and privileges. There were no other foreign diplomatic relations.
8. Achievements and Legacy
The construction of Rajapeta fort, development of Narayanpur citadel, and establishment of Masjid-e-Mahboobia highlight the estate’s contribution to Telangana’s feudal and architectural history. The family’s blend of cultures marks an important phase in Deccan heritage.
9. Chronology, Dating and Inscriptions
- 1724: Asaf Jahi rule begins in Deccan.
- 1775: Rajapeta Fort built by Ramana Reddy.
- Late 19th Century: Conversion of Raja Papi Reddy to Islam (Gulam Ghouse Khan Bahadur).
- 1906: Masjid-e-Mahboobia inscription dated to Nizam’s permission.
- 1949: Abolition of jagirs under Hyderabad State reforms.
10. Successor States and Vassals
No successor state emerged after abolition. The Narayanpuram estate formerly administered several parganas but lost power after integration into the Indian Union. The surviving monuments remain key heritage sites of Telangana.
Source
Based on: Syed Muneer, “An Unknown History of Samasthan Narayanpur,” IJFMR Vol.5, Issue 6 (2023).
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