Telangana360

Karimnagar (Sabbi-nadu): The Unabridged Dynastic & Administrative Record 1. Asmaka Mahajanapada (c. 700 – 300 BCE) The Godavari Cradle — Kotilingala Karimnagar was the undisputed political and commercial nucleus of the Asmaka Mahajanapada . While Bodhan was the spiritual/royal seat, Kotilingala served as the primary river-port and mint, governed by a sophisticated oligarchy of merchant-warriors. The First Local Rulers: Gana-Mukhyas Governance was centered on the Nigama (Guild) system, where clan leaders managed the flow of goods along the Godavari: The River Lords: Based at Kotilingala , they controlled the "Dakshinapatha" (Southern Trade Route) where it crossed the Godavari. The Mint Masters: Karimnagar holds the earliest evidence of indigenous coinage in Telangana. These leaders managed the transition from barter to a monetized economy. The Fort-Keepers: They maintained the first mud-fortificat...

The Karimnagar Silver Filigree is a celebrated ancient art form from Karimnagar, India, renowned for its exquisite silver artifacts and ornaments crafted from fine, twisted silver wire. This delicate technique, known locally in Telugu as vendi teega pani (work done with silver wire), has a rich history spanning at least two centuries and received official recognition with a Geographical Indication (GI) status in 2007. Initially gaining popularity and patronage during the Nizam era, the craft is currently undergoing a revitalization, notably through the involvement of women artisans, which is helping to make these traditionally elite items more accessible to the common market. History and Evolution of the Craft The silver filigree tradition in the region is said to have been adopted about 200 years ago in the town of Elgandal, near present-day Karimnagar in Telangana. It later migrated to Karimnagar town in the early 20th century. Historical accounts credit a widely traveled professiona...

The Vundi Nayakas were a prominent vassal family under the Kakatiya dynasty (12th–14th century CE), entrusted with the administration and defense of the northern frontier of Telangana. Their fortress, Ramagiri Fort, located in present-day Karimnagar district, served as a strategic military base, overseeing fertile agricultural lands and key trade routes connecting Warangal with the northern Deccan. As part of the Kakatiya feudal system, the Vundi Nayakas held the title of Durga-dhipati (fort commander) or Nayaka, exercising authority over surrounding villages, collecting revenue, and maintaining local order. They were also responsible for temple patronage, ensuring the continuation of Kakatiya architectural and cultural traditions. The Vundi Nayakas played a crucial role in frontier defense, coordinating with neighboring Nayakas such as Nagunuru, Kaulas, and Musunuri Nayakas, and resisting incursions from external powers like the Seuna (Yadava) kingdom, the Delhi Sultanate, and later t...

The Nagunuru Nayakas were a prominent vassal family under the Kakatiya dynasty (12th–14th century CE), responsible for administering and defending the northern frontier of Telangana. Their power center was the Nagunuru Fort, located in the present-day Karimnagar district, strategically positioned to guard trade routes and fertile agricultural lands in the Sabbinadu region. As part of the Kakatiya feudal system, the Nagunuru chiefs held the title of Durga-dhipati (fort commander) or Nayaka, exercising military, administrative, and revenue authority over surrounding villages. They played a key role in maintaining Kakatiya sovereignty, protecting temples, supporting regional trade, and acting as a buffer against incursions from northern Deccan powers like the Seuna (Yadava) kingdom and later the Delhi Sultanate. The Nagunuru Nayakas are also noted for their patronage of temples, most notably the Erra Gudi temple complex, and for fostering cultural and religious activities that contributed...