Telangana360

Shitab Khan (c.1480 CE - 1517 CE) also spelled Chitapu Khan or Chittapa Khana stands as one of the most resilient and complex figures in the history of early 16th-century Telangana. Ruled independently from 1503 CE -1512 CE. His career, spanning nearly four decades, unfolded during a period of imperial collapse and realignment. He successfully navigated the treacherous politics between the declining Bahmani Sultanate, the rising Qutb Shahis of Golconda, the powerful Gajapati Kingdom of Orissa, and the imperialist Vijayanagara Empire. 1. Origins and Rise: From Soldier to Governor Birth and Identity: Shitab Khan was born as Sitapathi Raju into a Hindu family of the Boya community, traditionally associated with cow-herding and warrior hood. The later assumption that he was Muslim, based solely on his title, is incorrect. Military Career: He began his career as a foot soldier in the army of the Bahmani Sultan Humayun Shah. His merit and prowess led to a rapid rise, earning him a senior ...

Vattikota Alwar Swamy (1 November 1915 – 5 February 1961) was a pioneering Telugu writer, human rights activist, communist leader, journalist, and publisher from the Nalgonda district of present-day Telangana, India. He is widely regarded as the first Telugu novelist and the "Father of the Telangana Library Movement" Early Life Full name: Vattikota Alwar Swamy Date of birth: 1 November 1915 Place of birth: Cheruvu Madaram Kalan (village), Shaligouraram Mandal, Nalgonda District (in present-day Telangana). Parents: Mother Machavaram Simhadramma, father Ramachandra Charyulu. Early difficulties: His father died when Alwar Swamy was young. Because of economic constraints, he worked as a cook for his teacher Seetharama Rao while pursuing his education Activism, Literary Work, and Contributions Vattikota Alwar Swamy wore many hats: writer, human rights activist, communist leader, publisher, and journalist. Many of his works and actions were deeply rooted in social justice, the pli...

The Revolutionary Poet of Telangana Makhdoom Mohiuddin (1908-1969) or Abu Sayeed Mohammad Makhdoom Mohiuddin Khudri  was a renowned Urdu poet, a dedicated Marxist, and a political activist who became an iconic figure in the cultural and political landscape of South India, particularly Hyderabad. His life and work are a testament to his unwavering commitment to social justice, workers' rights, and the power of art as a tool for revolution. Makhdoom Mohiuddin was the poetic soul of the Telangana peasants' revolt. His life was a seamless fusion of art and activism, making him one of the most significant and beloved progressive writers of the 20th century. Early Life and Education Birth and Family : He was born on October 4, 1908, in the village of Tokapalli, part of the Medak district in the princely state of Hyderabad. He was named Abu Sayeed Mohammad Makhdoom Mohiuddin. Spiritual Upbringing : His family were Sufi Pirs (spiritual guides), and he was expected to follow this tradit...

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...

Name : Nagavarma I Died : 21st February, 993 AD Occupation : Poet, writer, and grammarian  Notable Work : Karnataka Kadambari and Chandombhudhi Nagavarma I was a noted Jain writer and poet in the Kannada language. His two important works, both of which are extant, are Karnātaka Kādambari, a champu (mixed prose-verse metre) based romance novel and an adaptation of Bana's Sanskrit Kādambari, and Chandōmbudhi (also spelt Chhandombudhi, lit, "Ocean of prosody" or "Ocean of metres"), the earliest available work on Kannada prosody which Nāgavarma I claims would command the respect even of poet Kalidasa Jain Brāhmans are the Brahmins or Brāhmans who follow Jainism. Nagavarma I was patronised by King Rakkasa Ganga (also called Rachamalla V, 986–999 CE) of the Western Ganga Dynasty. Nagavarma - l in his Kādambari states that he received horses from Bhoja which were imported from Kalinga, Kāmbhōja and Bahlika countries. Aśvasāhaṇi was the officer who looked after the hor...

Name : Aggalayya (1034 AD - 1074 AD) Spouse : Vallikambe Born : c. 1000 AD  Died : c. 1080 AD Profession : Royal Physician (Ayurveda), Mahasamantha  Titles :  Vaidyaratnakara Pranacharya, M ahasamanta and Vaidyasikhamani  Religion : Jainism Inscriptions : Yadadri Bhuvanagiri ( Saidapur or Saidapuram) , Sangareddy (Sirur,  Singuru in  Narayankhed Mandal ) from 1034 AD to 1074 AD Aggalayya who is stated to have been specialist in Sastra (surgery) and Sastra (Science) and was capable of curing even the severe diseases that cannot be cured by other physicians. The records describe the proficiency of Aggalayya in Ayurveda with particular reference to his skill in Sastra-vaidya or treatment of diseases by surgical methods.   It is interesting to note that surgery in the system of Ayurveda was practised with efficiency in those days. Aggalayya is stated to be the royal physician. Aggalayya has not only been praised as an efficient physician or surgeon bu...

Raja Narsa Goud (1866-1948) was a philanthropist known for his significant contributions to charities, especially those caring for people with leprosy. Raja Narsa Goud paid for the construction of the first water tank in Nizamabad and for further plumbing works with Cheelam Janakibai, head of Sirnapalli.  Goud accepted the title of Raja, bestowed by Mir Osman Ali Khan.  King George V gave a medal to Goud during a 1930 visit, in recognition of his service to his community.  The legendary fame of the late Raja Narsagoud of Nizamabad as a friend of the poor was such that people inneed would land up in front of his house seeking him out even 30 years after his death. Narsagoud became alegend in his lifetime and itinerant bards who had composed and sang songs in his praise, citing his innumerable good deeds and sang them in village after village, had spread far and wide, even beyond Hyderabad State, his name. Narsagoud was one of the richest men of the then princely state of H...

Balmuri Kondal Rayudu and his acolyte/lieutenant Bhogam Sani had been from Manal fort in Karimnagar where they lived between AD 1690 and 1720, ultimately ruling surrounding regions for around 27 years.  They had been resentful of the Mughal empire’s rule and had declared a war against Aurangzeb, who was alive till 1707, and even captured several forts, such as Induru Fort in Nizamabad, from the empire’s control. Belonging to the Velama community, they had wished to protect the local culture and traditions and were afraid that Muslim rule would jeopardise it. They ruled these areas up until, in 1720, they were defeated by the Nizam, who had declared independence from the Mughal empire, in Pallikonda near present-day Bheemghal town. They had lost their lives and their ‘tale of sacrifice’ has been a part of oral tradition in the area ever since. After the two men passed away, their bravery went on to inspire other rulers in nearby areas. Seelam Janaki Bai, the only woman ruler of the...

Name: Ramji Gond Born: Present Asifabad District, Telangana State, India (erstwhile Hyderabad Princely State) Died: 9 April 1860 Ramji Gond, who hailed from current Nirmal and combined Adilabad district of Telangana, was among the most prominent leaders of the First War of Independence in the erstwhile Hyderabad Princely State, who ruled the tribal areas in present-day Adilabad, Nirmal and Asifabad districts of Telangana. The areas under his rule included Nirmal, Utnoor, Chennuru, and Asifabad.  Ramji Gond and the Rohillas leader called Miya Saheb Khurd jointly fought a guerrilla campaign against the British, for which he was caught and hanged on 9 April 1860. 1857: Hyderabad Sepoy Revolt - First war of Independence Many regions in Nizam’s domains were aflame with anti-British sentiments when the mass insurrections broke out in 1857. Among these was the Adilabad district, where the resident Gond tribal community who were unhappy with the state’s oppression and exploitation of the ...

Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar 125-feet tall bronze statue is located adjacent to the State Secretariat on the scenic banks of the Hussain Sagar lake, Ramagundam Rd, Hussain Sagar, Khairtabad, Hyderabad, Telangana State. The Chief Minister had said that India’s tallest statue of Ambedkar, which is next to the State Secretariat, opposite to Buddha statue and located beside the Telangana Martyrs memorial, will inspire people every day and motivate the entire State administration. Ambedkar Jayanti or Bhim Jayanti is observed on 14 April to commemorate the memory of B. R. Ambedkar, Indian politician and social reformer. It marks Ambedkar's birthday who was born on 14 April 1891. His birthday is also referred to as 'Equality Day' in India. Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao unveiled the statue April 14 2023 on his 132nd birth anniversary is a major attraction for tourists and locals alike, the statue is an imposing structure surrounded by well-maintained gardens and walking pa...

Name : Ramanuja, also called Ramanujacharya, or Ilaiya Perumal (Tamil: Ageless Perumal [God]) Born : 1017 AD, at Sri perumbudur, India Died : 1137 AD, Shrirangam Spouse: At the age of sixteen Ramanuja married Rakshakambal Education: In Kanchi the young Ramanuja studied under the famed guru Yadava Prakash. Yadava, his guru was a supporter of the doctrines, or principles, of an earlier famous acharya, Sankara (also spelled Sankaracharya; c. 788–c. 820). In time, however, he began to reject some of the central doctrines taught by his master. Ramanuja is revered worldwide as a Vedic philosopher, social reformer and one of the most important exponents of Sri Vaishnava tradition. In his 120 year life, travelled across Bharat, understanding the way of life of all sections, at the same time, focusing on individual needs. Ramanujas Teachings Ramanuja produced a number of treatises, or essays, on Hindu theology. Many of these treatises were on Hindu sacred texts, including the Bhagavad Gita ...