Telangana360

The Viriyala Chiefs: Lords of the Koravi Frontier Strategic Geography: The Viriyala family ruled from Katukuru (Jangaon) and Gudur (Mahabubabad). They controlled the Velpugonda-24 Seema , a vital military sub-division within the Koravi-Mandala . This region served as the "Shield of Telangana," protecting the interior from eastern invasions. 1. The Political Landscape: Neighbors of the Viriyalas The Viriyala chiefs were the military anchors of a complex network of Samantas . During the peak of the Western Chalukya era (c. 1100 CE), their neighbors included: North The Polavasa Chiefs: Hereditary lords of Sabbimandala-1000 (Jagtial/Karimnagar). While they held land rights, Kakatiya Beta II was granted the Imperial Governorship of this Mandala by Vikramaditya VI. West The Kakatiyas: Ruling Anumakonda-Vishaya . The Viriyalas were their primary protectors and "King-Makers." South The Kanduri Chodas:...

Pembarthi: The Village Where Brass Sings the Song of Kakatiyas Nestled within the Jangaon district of Telangana, the village of Pembarthi—often spelled Permbarti—is a humble locale with a towering reputation. It is a place where tradition is not merely preserved but actively forged, quite literally, in gleaming brass. World-famous for its intricate and exquisite brassware craftsmanship, Pembarthi is a testament to the enduring power of hereditary skill. The air here vibrates with the rhythmic clink and tap of mallets, as artisans transform dull brass sheets into fascinating and wonderful objects of art and utility, ranging from idols and figurines to utilitarian utensils and decorative pieces. In 2023, the village was celebrated for its sustainable development and tourism appeal, earning the Best Tourism Village award in the Silver Category. History and Heritage The craftsmanship of Pembarthi is a direct link to the glorious past of the region, specifically the Kakatiya dynasty. The fo...

Chityala (Chakali) Ailamma (1919 CE - 1985 CE) Farmer, Social Activist, and Leader of the Telangana Peasant Struggle Chityala Ailamma, also known as Chakali Ailamma, was a pioneering social activist and peasant leader from Telangana. Born into a marginalized Rajaka (washerman) family, she emerged as a fearless champion of peasant rights during the Telangana Armed Struggle against feudal landlords and oppressive officials. Despite her humble beginnings and lack of formal education, Ailamma’s leadership, courage, and dedication made her a symbol of resistance and inspired generations of Telangana peasants. Early Life and Background Born: 1919, Krishnapuram, Raiparthy Mandal, Warangal, Telangana Parents: Unknown (family belonged to Rajaka caste) Spouse: Chityala Narsaiah Children: Four sons and one daughter, Somu Narsamma Profession: Farmer Ailamma grew up in a socially and economically marginalized household. From an early age, she witnessed the injustices faced by peasants, including fo...

Sardar Sarvayi Papanna Goud (1650 CE –1710 CE) The People’s Warrior of Telangana 1. Introduction / Historical Context In the turbulent decades of the late seventeenth century, when the Mughal Empire under Aurangzeb had extended its reach into the Deccan and the Golconda kingdom had fallen, the people of Telangana found themselves crushed under political subjugation and social inequality. Amidst this climate of repression arose a remarkable figure — Sardar Sarvayi Papanna Goud, also known as Papadu — a man of humble origins who challenged the might of empires. To the Mughal and Qutb Shahi rulers, Papanna was a rebel and a bandit; to the people of Telangana, he became a folk hero, a social liberator, and a symbol of self-respect and defiance. Historians Barbara and Thomas Metcalf describe him as “Robin Hood-like,” while Richard Eaton regards him as one of India’s greatest examples of a “social bandit” — a rebel who rose from the oppressed classes to challenge feudal power. 2. Birth and F...

The Natavadi Chiefs (1104 CE - 1269 CE) were a significant feudal dynasty that ruled over the Natavadi Vishaya (region) in present-day Telangana and coastal Andhra Pradesh from the early 12th to the late 13th century (1104 AD - 1269 AD). Initially feudatories of the mighty Western Chalukyas of Kalyani, they navigated the complex political landscape of the Deccan to become important allies and vassals of the rising Kakatiya Empire. Their history is primarily reconstructed from inscriptions found at sites like Nidikonda, Tripurantakam, Draksharama, and Simhachalam. Founder : Durgaraja (Duggabhupa) 1104 AD - 1157 AD  Capital : Madhira (Modern Khammam) Geographica Area Core Area Modern District: Khammam district Key Towns: Madhira: This was one of their capitals, specifically mentioned as Madapalle (which is the ancient name for modern-day Madhira). This town is located in the southeastern part of Khammam district. The surrounding areas of Khammam district would have formed the adminis...

Zaffergadh Fort is located in Zaffergadh village and a mandal in Jangaon district of Telangana state in India. The original name of Zaffargadh was Velpugonda.  Zaffergadh got its name from a Muslim ruler Zaffarudhaula who made this place capital of his dynasty. The village of Zaffargadh is situated in the valley between the hills on eastern and western sides. The hills are known as Chinnagutta and Peddagutta. There is a self manifested Lakshminarasimha Swamy Temple on Peddagutta.  The village and the hills are surrounded by a rampart, 5 km in circumference. Around the rampart there is a deep moat. Three darwazas (inlets) were constructed to regularize the incoming and outgoing traffic. The darwazas are namely the Khammam darwaza Patnam darwaza and Hanamkonda darwaza. The doors of the darwazas are 10 feet wide and 20 feet in height. The bastions and gates are mounted with huge iron cannons. According to a Rashtrakuta inscription carved on the rock wall of the tank of the Lakshm...

973 AD - 1163 AD : Western Chalukyas of Kalyani 973 AD - 997 AD : Tailapa II 997 - 1008 AD : Satyasraya 1008 - 1015 AD : Vikramaditya V 1010 AD : Bhimarasa 1010 AD : Pallagutta This inscription is on the pillar in the Museum and dated as S, 933 Sadharana falls in S. 932 and not in 933, A.D. 1010. Mentions certain Maha Samantadhipati who bore epithets Sahaja Turaga Vidyadhara and Ranamukha Bhairava. It registers the gift of flower garden and dwelling site, towards the perpetual lamp and daily offerings to the God (name lost). Bhimarasa mentioned in this record seems to be identical with samanta Kesari Bhimarasa. a feudatory of Satyasraya who held Banawasi from 1002 to 1006. 1058 AD - 1079 AD : Sankaraganda of Kandura Tummalagudem, Ramannapet Taluk.  11th century. Telugu and Kannada. This inscription is on four sides of a stone pillar of the ruined temple near Indrapalagutta. Third side is not copied, it is touching the wall. It is registered as a gift of some wetland by a ...

Thatikonda or Tatikonda Fort is located in Thatikonda village, Station Ghanpur mandal, Jangaon district, Telangana State, India. Thatikonda Fort is built in the 17th century by Sardar Sarvai Papadu, popularly known as Sardar Sarvai Papanna of Quillashapur, a local leader who had then defied Mughal imperial authority and also revolted against the Golconda Nawabs. The historic Quilla i.e., hill fort is situated in survey no. 513 and the gadis are in survey no. 369. The fortifications lie on the top of the hillock. The mud fortification wall in intermittent patches runs from the top to the fort of the hill to join the gadi. The gadi is square in plan covering an area of about 5.36 acres. The basal width of wall is 3 feet and the height is about 16-20 feet. The material used for the construction of walls from the basement until 3 feet is stone and above this, it is made of mud. The mud wall consists of pati earth, which is mixed with potsherds, gravel, coarse sand, small chips etc. The mu...

Name: Palakuriki Somantha or Palakurti Somanatha (1160 AD to 1240 AD) Birth Place and Residence : Palakurthi Village, Palakurthi Mandal, Jangaon District in Telangana State. Parents: His father was Siva and his mother Parvati. Teacher : Ivatuuri Somana Books : Basava Purana and Panditaradhya Charitamu. In his first book Anubhavasara in Telugu and even in his other Telugu work Basavapurana he mentions his mother is Parvati and father is Siva.  Somanatha mentions in his Basava Purana Avatarika that he was a disciple of Kattakuri Potidevara. In the Introductory passages of his Panditaradhya Charitra, Somanatha mentions that he was the disciple of grand son of  B alideva Vemaradhya.Somanatha's literary guru was Karasthali Viswanatha. Life Period of Somantha Maha Kavi Palkuriki Somanatha lived in Palakurthi between 1160 AD to 1240 AD. He was one of the most noted Telugu language writers of the 13th century. He was also an accomplished writer ...

Ringing rocks, also known as sonorous rocks or lithophonic rocks, are rocks that resonate like a bell when struck are found in the borders of Jangoan and Siddipet districts of Telangana. The sonorous rock formation stretches over 25 kms and state government should declare this stretch as a heritage park and promote tourism like in Musical Stones of Skiddaw in the English Lake District; the stones in Ringing Rocks Park, in Upper Black Eddy, Bucks County, Pennsylvania; the Ringing Rocks of Kiandra, New South Wales; and the Bell Rock Range of Western Australia. Ringing rocks are used in idiophonic musical instruments called lithophones. They are locally called Solamile Ene which are discoverd by reddy ratnakar reddy. Physicists say that these rocks may have formed 200 million years ago due to lave ejecting on to the surface. The sound of the rocks depends on the density of ferric oxide in them. Usually, the ferrous percentage is is 9 to 12 percent in them. They pass through B...

Khilashapur or Quileshapur or Khila Shapur Fort is located in Khilashapur village, Raghunathpalle Mandal, Jangaon District, Telangana State, India about 5 km from Raghunathpalli Railway station The fort built by Sardar Sarvai Pappanna (1650 and died in 1709 A.D) is estimated to be built in 1690, according to researcher and heritage enthusiast Aravind Arya Pakide. The fort was constructed on square in plan with massive bastions at four corners of the fortifications. Recently, deep pointing works were done by removing tree overgrowths to strengthen the walls. Although Papadu built forts at Bhongir, Thatikonda, Kolanpak, Cheriyal, Karimnagar, Huzurabad and Husnabad, he made Khilashapur fort as his capital. The outer wall of the Khilashapur fort was constructed by stones and the inside structures were built by dung sunnam (lime mortar mix). The fort has five buruzus (fortified towers). The ramparts of the fort were built conveniently to place cannon fires. Currently, there are only two can...

Much to the delight of archaeologists and historians, a rare idol of Tara – the female Bodhisattva in Mahayana Buddhism who appears as a female Buddha in Vajrayana Buddhism – was found at Ippagudem in Station Ghanpur mandal recently. Archaeology and history enthusiast R Rathnakar Reddy found the black granite idol abandoned near the bund of a tank. He first mistook it for Yakshini of Jain mythology. But later, noted archaeologist and historian Emani Shivanagi Reddy confirmed it as Tara. “It was Shivanagi Reddy who identified the idol as Tara. There is an engraved image of Buddha on the hair bun. The deity’s upper body is naked with large breasts, which is the most common description of Tara in Buddhist literature,” Rathnakar said. Rathnakar also found a broken idol of Buddha near the black granite structure, which helped them confirm that it was Tara. Both the idols – three-ft-tall Tara and four-ft-tall Buddha – take historians and archeologists closer to the Buddhist era. It is beli...

Palakurthy Someshwara Laxmi Narasimha Swamy Temple is located in Palakurthy Mandal, Jangoan District, Telangana State India . Jangaon is the nearest town from this village. To reach Palakurthi from Hyderabad it is around 110 kilometers, via Jangaon towards Suryapet road.  There is Sri Someshwara Laxmi Narasimha Swamy Temple on the hill inside a cave.  Bommara Pothanna birth place is very close to Palakurthy. Sri Palkuriki Somanathudu was born and brought up here who developed Veera Shaivam. He is the first writer to do gadhya rachana in Telugu. He lived in 12th century. Places of interest in and around this village include Sri Someshwara Laxmi Narsimha Swamy Temple, Bommara Pothana native place and temple, Valmidi Sri Rama temple, and Visnoor Deshmukh fort. All religious peoples live here, most of them are Hindhus. It is a part of Telangana. For the people visiting Palakurthy, there is a lodge available from the endowment department. Also there is nice lodge and...

Name: Pothana or Potana (c.1370–c.1450)   Birth Place and Residence : Bammera Village, Palakurthy Mandal, Jangaon District in Telangana State.  Parents: His father was Kesanna and his mother Lakshmamma.  Teacher : Ivatuuri Somana Books : Bhogini Dandakamu, Virabhadhra Vijayamu, Narayana Satakamu, Bhagawatamu. Pothana is the first Indian poet who translated the Bhagavata Purana from Sanskrit to  his mother-tongue Telugu. He was a Telugu and Sanskrit Scholar. His work Maha Bhagavatamu, is popularly called as Pothana Bhagavatam in Telugu. He was considered to be a natural Poet (Sahaja Kavi), needing no teacher. He was known to be very polite and was an agriculturist by occupation. Though he was a great scholar, he never hesitated to work in the agricultural fields.  Pothana himself wrote that he used to live in Bammera and went to ‘Ekasilanagaramu’ to write Bhagawatamu. Koravi Goparaju (1430-1490)   who was a contemporary of Pota...