Telangana360

The Recherlas (1360 CE - 1475 CE)  were a prominent warrior lineage of Telangana who initially served the Kakatiyas as generals (senāpatis) and feudatories from  996 CE - 1323 CE . They first appear in inscriptions as Recherla “Reddies” and later as Nayakas stationed at strategic centers such as Kupriyal, Palampet, and Anumagallu, responsible for defending Kakatiya territories. Following the fall of the Kakatiya empire in 1323 CE, the Recherla chiefs, like other Telugu nobles, initially aligned with the Musunuri Nayakas in the struggle against Delhi Sultanate rule, serving as key feudatories within this new confederation from 1323 CE to 1360 CE By circa 1360 CE, as Musunuri power waned, the Recherlas under Dāma Nayaka I asserted their independence, establishing the sovereign kingdoms of Rachakonda (in Northern Telangana) and its branch at Devarakonda (in Southern Telangana). Their rule (c. 1360 - 1475 CE) represents a critical link between the Kakatiya polity and the subsequen...

The Malyala (1076 CE - 1276 CE) were a powerful line of feudal lords and military commanders (Senani) who served as crucial pillars of the Kakatiya Empire from the late 11th to the late 13th centuries. Hailing from a warrior lineage, they were instrumental in the Kakatiyas' military expansions, particularly into the coastal Andhra region, and governed key strategic forts across modern-day Telangana. Founder : Danna Senani Capital: Sankisapura (modern Dornakal, Khammam). Forts : Sankisapura (Dornakal, Khammam), Malyala, Kondaparthi, Vardhamanapuram (Mahabubnagar) 1. Origins and Rise The dynasty emerged into the historical record with Danna Senani (1076-1120 AD), a celebrated general who served under the Kakatiya rulers Beta II and Prola II. His successful campaigns established the family's prestige and earned them control of several important forts, laying the foundation for two distinct branches of the family. Their origins are steeped in a martial tradition, with the title ...

The Cheraku Chiefs (1085 CE - 1323 CE)were a powerful and influential feudatory dynasty in the Deccan, originating from the town of Cheraku in the Eruva region. They began as subordinates to the Kandur Cholas but strategically shifted their allegiance to the rising Kakatiya dynasty, becoming one of their most crucial military and administrative pillars. Their history, spanning over two centuries, is intricately woven into the expansion and consolidation of the Kakatiya Empire. Founder: Kata I Capitals : Jammulur (Nalgonda) and Amarabad (Mahabubnagar) regions.  Language: Telugu Rule :  Subordinates for Kandur Chodas and later Kakatiyas Key Historical Significance The Cheraku Chiefs exemplify the complex feudal structure of the Deccan. They were not merely passive subordinates but active agents who shaped regional politics. Their history demonstrates the fluidity of loyalty, the importance of military service in climbing the social ladder, and the critical role that feudatories ...

The Gona or Kona dynasty (c. 1190–1294 CE) were Haihaya/Kayastha descendants who became prominent feudatories of the Kakatiya kings in Telangana. They ruled over Kandur-nāḍu and surrounding tracts, with Vardhamanapura (Mahabubnagar) and Budapuram (Bhoothpur) as their main centers. The dynasty is sometimes referred to as the Gona Kayasthas Claiming descent from Kartaviryarjuna of Mahishmati, the Gonas combined military prowess, administrative skill, and literary patronage. Notable rulers like Gona Budha Reddy and Gona Ganna Reddy were both warriors and patrons of Telugu literature, with Budha Reddy composing the first Telugu Ramayanam (Ranganatha Ramayanam)and his family contributing to its completion. The dynasty played a key role in consolidating Kakatiya authority in Telangana, defended strategic territories against rivals like the Seuna Yadavas, and left a lasting legacy in Telugu literature, temple patronage, and regional governance. Territorial Scope Their inscriptions show au...

The Kanduri Chodas ( c. 1040 CE - c.1290 CE ) were a significant Telugu-speaking dynasty. While founded in the mid-11th century, their period of rule over the expansive realm of Kandurunadu (1100 villages) lasted from 1076 CE to 1224 CE. They presented themselves as descendants of the legendary Chola king Karikala. Their strategically located kingdom straddled south banks of the Krishna River, south of the Kakatiya territory. Eruvanadu was part of the southern bank of the Krishna River, in the region historically known as Eruva. They served as feudatories to larger empires, primarily the Western Chalukyas of Kalyana and later the Kakatiyas, while often asserting their autonomy. Their period of sovereign rule over Kandurunadu effectively ended in 1224 CE when the Kakatiya emperor Ganapatideva formally transferred its governance to his loyal general, Gona Ganapayya. While the last Kanduri Choda kings continued to issue inscriptions as local figureheads from their residual lands until aro...

The Ikshvaku Dynasty (c. 208 – 320 CE) also called Andhra Ikṣvakus or Sriparvatiya Ikṣvakus was a powerful kingdom that rose in the eastern Deccan following the decline of the Satavahana Empire. Originally feudatories, they declared independence and established a vibrant, cosmopolitan capital at Vijayapuri (modern Nagarjunakonda). Though their reign was brief, their legacy is profound, marked by a unique blend of Vedic Brahmanism and Buddhism, active international trade, and sophisticated art and architecture. Their capital, now largely submerged under the Nagarjuna Sagar reservoir, was a major intellectual and religious center. Founder: Vasiṣṭhiputra Śrī Śāntamūla (Śāntamūla I) Capitals: Vijayapuri (modern Nagarjunakonda, submerged under Nagarjunasagar Dam), Palnadu, Andhra Pradesh Extent: Eastern Krishna Valley; ruled parts of modern Andhra Pradesh (Palnadu, Guntur, Krishna) and Telangana (Nalgonda, Mahbubnagar, Khammam) Religion: Brahmanism (royal), Buddhism (queens, princesses), Ja...