Telangana Railways

Telangana Railway is part of South Central division of Indian Railways. The South Central Railway (abbreviated SCR) is one of the 17 zones of Indian Railways consists of 6 divisions Guntakal, Guntur, Vijayawada (Andhrapradesh), Nanded (Maharashtra), Hyderabad and Secunderabad (Telangana).

South Central Railway serves the entire state of Telangana, major portion of Andhra Pradesh and considerable portion of Karnataka, Maharastra states and small parts of Tamilnadu and Madhya Pradesh.

Oct 2, 1966 : South Central Railway was formed on Oct 2 1966 when Hubli and Vijayawada Divisions of Southern Railway and Sholapur and Secunderabad Divisions of Central Railway were carved out and merged into a new Zone. Subsequently, Guntakal Division of Southern Railway was merged with South Central Railway on Oct 2, 1977 and Sholapur Division was remerged with Central Railway. 

Secunderabad division was formed on October 1, 1966. Secunderabad Division was split into two Divisions viz. Secunderabad and Hyderabad on Feb 17, 1978 Following re-organisation of zones and Divisions with effect from April 1, 2003, two new Divisions viz., Guntur and Nanded were operationalized duly transferring Hubli Division to newly formed South Western Railway.

There are 212 railway stations in Telangana. The 5 main Telangana railway stations are Secunderabad Junction, Hyderabad Deccan, Kacheguda, Warangal, Kazipet Junction.

Nizam's Guaranteed State Railway (NGSR) was a railway company operating in India from 1879 to 1950. 

October 9, 1874 : Secunderabad Railway Station, which was built in the year 1874, experienced the fun of the first train in 1876 October when the commission of Wadi-Secunderabad line was passed.

The construction of the Secunderabad station was proposed in the year 1870. Then Nizam of Hyderabad Mir Mehboob Ali Khan Siddiqui gave his nod for the project aimed to connect the Hyderabad state with the rest of India through railways. The construction of the Secunderabad-Wadi line and the Secunderabad railway station was completed on October 9, 1874, introducing railways to Hyderabad.

1907 : The Hyderabad Railway Station was also known as Nampally. 
The Hyderabad Deccan Railway Station, popularly known as Nampally Railway Station, was built in 1907 by Osman Ali Khan, Asaf Jah VII, the last Nizam of Hyderabad.

1980 : Electrification on SCR started with the electrification of Vijayawada - Gudur section in 1980.

South Central Railway(Telangana)

1. Adilabad
2. Bhongir
3. Chevella
4. Hyderabad
5. Karimnagar
6. Khammam
7. Mahabubabad
8. Mahbubnagar
9. Malkajgiri
10. Medak
11. Nagarkurnool
12. Nalgonda
13. Nizamabad
14. Peddapalle
15. Secunderabad
16. Warangal
17. Zahirabad

Indian Railways founded on 12 September 1837 with Headquarters Rail Bhawan, New Delhi, India

1837 AD : The first steam operated railway operated in 1837 in Madras

In 1832, the proposal to construct the first railway line in India at Madras was made. In 1835, a railway track was constructed between Red Hills and Chintadripet in Madras and became operational in 1837. It was hauled by a rotary steam engine imported from England and was used for ferrying granite
 

The Madras Railway was established in 1845 and the Great Indian Peninsular Railway was incorporated in 1849

16th April 1853 : The first passenger train ran between Bori Bunder (Bombay) and Thane in 16th April 1853, a distance of 34 km. It was operated by three locomotives, named Sahib, Sultan and Sindh, and had thirteen carriages.

In 1925, the first electric train ran in Bombay on DC traction. The first locomotive manufacturing unit was commissioned in 1950 at Chittaranjan with the first coach manufacturing unit set-up at Madras in 1955.

1. Central Railway Mumbai
1) Mumbai
2) Nagpur
3) Bhusawal
4) Pune
5) Sholapur

2. Eastern Railway Kolkata

1) Howrah-I
2) Howrah-II
3) Sealdah
4) Malda
5) Asansol
6) Chitaranjan
7) Kolkata Metro

3. East Central Railway Hajipur
1) Danapur
2) Mugalsarai
3) Dhanbad
4) Sonpur
5) Samastipur 

4. East Coast Railway Bhubaneshwar
1) Khurda Road
2) Waltair
3) Sambhalpur 

5. Northern Railway Baroda House, New Delhi
1) Delhi-I
2) Delhi-II
3) Ambala
4) Moradabad
5) Lucknow
6) Firozpur 

6. North Central Railway Allahabad
1) Allahabad
2) Jhansi
3) Agra 

7. North Eastern Railway Gorakhpur
1) Izzatnagar
2) Lucknow
3) Varanasi
4) DLW

8. North Frontier Railway Maligaon, Guwahati
1) Katihar
2) Alipurduar
3) Rangiya
4) Lumding
5) Tinsukhia 

9. North Western Railway Jaipur
1) Jaipur
2) Jodhpur
3) Bikaner
4) Ajmer 

10. Southern Railway Chennai
1) Chennai
2) Madurai
3) Palghat
4) Trichy
5) Trivendrum 

11. South Central Railway Secunderabad
1) Secunderabad
2) Hyderabad
3) Guntakal
4) Vijaywada
5) Nanded 

12. South Eastern Railway Garden Reach, Kolkata
1) Kharagpur
2) Adra
3) Chakradharpur
4) Ranchi
5) Shalimar 

13. South East Central Railway Bilaspur
1) Bilaspur
2) Nagpur
3) Raipur 

14. South Western Railway Hubli
1) Bangalore
2) Mysore
3) Hubli
4) RWF/YNK 

15. Western Railway Churchgate
1) BCT
2) Vadodara
3) Ahemdabad
4) Ratlam
5) Rajkot
6) Bhavnagar 

16. West Central Railway Jabalpur
1) Jabalpur
2) Bhopal
3) Kota

01 SC Secunderabad Junction Secunderabad
02 KCG Kacheguda Kacheguda
03 HYB Hyderabad Deccan Hyderabad Deccan
04 WL Warangal Warangal
05 KZJ Kazipet Junction Kazipet
06 KMT Khammam Khammam
07 NZB Nizamabad Junction Nizamabad
08 LPI Lingampalli Lingampalli
09 RDM Ramagundam Ramagundam
10 MCI Manchiryal Mancheral
11 VKB Vikarabad Junction Vikarabad
12 BMT Begumpet Begampet
13 MABD Mahbubabad Mahbubabad
14 TDU Tandur Tandur
15 BSX Basar Basar
16 BDCR Bhadrachalam Road Bhadrachalam Road
17 SKZR Sirpur Kaghaznagar Sirpur Kagaznagar
18 NLDA Nalgonda Nalgonda
19 MBNR Mahbubnagar Mahbubnagar
20 MRGA Miryalaguda Miryalaguda
21 KMC Kamareddi Kamareddi
22 BPA Bellampalli Belampalli
23 GWD Gadwal Junction Gadwal
24 MJF Malkajgiri Junction Secunderabad
25 ZN Jangaon Jangaon
26 MDR Madhira Madhira
27 PDPL Peddapalli Junction Peddapalli
28 DKJ Dornakal Junction Dornakal
29 JMKT Jammikunta Jammikunta
30 ZB Zahirabad Zahirabad
31 KDM Kesamudram Kesamudram
32 BG Bhongir Bhongir
33 SHNR Shadnagar Shadnagar
34 JCL Jadcherla Jadcherla
35 ALER Aler Aler
36 SKP Shankarpalli Shankarpalli
37 KSN Krishna Krishna
38 MLY Moula Ali Moula Ali
39 MED Medchal Medchal
40 GNP Ghanpur Ghanpur
41 CHZ Charlapalli Secunderabad
42 ADB Adilabad Adilabad
43 BMO Bolarum Bolarum
44 VNUP Vishnupuram Vishnupuram
45 SRNR Sriramnagar Sriramnagar
46 NKD Nekonda Nekonda
47 AKE Akanapet Akanapet
48 MZL Mirzapalli Mirzapali
49 SNF Sanathnagar Sanathnagar
50 WPR Wanaparti Road Wanparti Road
51 UR Umdanagar Hyderabad
52 BN Bibinagar Bibinagar
53 RVKH Ravindrakhani Ramakrishnapur
54 WDR Wadiaram Wadiaram
55 YP Errupalem Errupalem
56 OEA Odela Odela
57 OPL Uppal Uppal
58 SBBJ Sri Bala Brahmeswara Jogulamba Halt Sri Balabrahmeswara Jogulamba
59 FM Falaknuma Hyderabad
60 CTYL Chityala Chityala
61 KOLR Kolanoor Kolnur
62 MMZ Mandamari Mandamari
63 TMX Timmapur Timmapur
64 RECH Rechni Road Rechni Road
65 NAW Nawandgi Nawandgi
66 ASAF Asifabad Road Rebbena
67 BKL Bona Kalu Bona Kalu
68 GLA Garla Garla
69 PTKP Potkapalli Potkapalli
70 RGP Raghunathpalli Raghunathpalli
71 MXT Malakpet Hyderabad
72 BDVL Budvel Hyderabad
73 HSP Hasanparthi Road Hasanparthi Road
74 GT Ghatkesar Ghatkesar
75 PBP Pembarti Pembarti
76 SRUR Sirpur Town Sirpur
77 PPZ Peddampet Peddempet
78 BGSF Bisugirsharif Bisugirsharif
79 PQL Pindial Pindlai
80 KYOP Kottapalli Kottapalli
81 KOHR Kohir Deccan Kohir Deccan
82 RGPM Raghavapuram Raghavapuram
83 RAG Raigir Raigir
84 HBLN HBL Nagar HBL Nagar
85 MUGR Manuguru Manuguru
86 RMNP Ramannapet Ramannapet
87 GWV Gowdavalli Gowdavalli
88 STPD Sitafal Mandi Sitafal Mandi
89 BTPD Bethampudi Bethampurdi
90 LPJL Lingampet - Jagityal
91 KRA Karepalli Karepalli
92 CMW Chimalpahad Chimapahad
93 MTPI Metpally
94 TPY Tadakalpudi Tadakalpudi
95 GHPU Gandhipuram Halt Gandhipuram
96 NRDP Nagireddipalli Nagireddipalli
97 PCZ Pocharam Pocharam
98 KRLA Korutla
99 ARMU Armur
100 NVT Navipet Navipet
101 KDGL Kondrapole Halt Kondrapole
102 CTF Chitgidda Chitgidda
103 BABR Balanagar Balanagar
104 GUU Gundratimadugu Gundratimadugu
105 SCP Sirnapalli Sirnapalli
106 PNDP Pandillapalli Pandillapalli
107 NPML Mallial Nukapalli
108 PUDR Podur
109 DBV Dabilpur Dabilpur
110 SFX Safilguda Secunderabad
111 LGDH Lalaguda Gate Secunderabad
112 PGP Pandurangapuram Panduranga Pura
113 DYE Dayanand Nagar Secunderabad
114 SKNR Shakar Nagar Shakar Nagar
115 VLG Valigonda Vanigonda
116 CKN Chinta Kani Chinta Kani
117 SSPD Sadashivapet Road Sadashivapet Road
118 CVB Cavalry Barracks Cavalrybarrcks
119 PPY Papatapalli Papatapalli
120 MHBT Mahbubnagar Town Halt Mahbub Nagar
121 MRKL Marikal
122 KOTT Kottur Kottur
123 MRTD Morthad
124 ARPL Arepalli Halt Arepalli
125 YNG Yenugonda Yenugonda
126 ALPR Alampur Road Alampur
127 BDHN Bodhan Bodhan
128 SHAN Srinivasa Nagar Srinivasa Nagar
129 MDPJ Madanapur Halt Madanapur
130 JKM Jankampet Junction Jankampet
131 KQQ Kaukuntla Kaukuntla
132 AWM Aswapuram Aswapuram
133 GDPL Gundla Pochampally G Pochampalli
134 NPL Nagalapalli Nagalapalle
135 ATC Arts College Secunderabad
136 DQR Dabirpura Dabirpura
137 KZJE Kazipet E Cabin Kazipet E
138 KZJF Kazipet F Cabin Kazipet F
139 THPR Tippapur Tippapur
140 TMD Talmadla Talmadla
141 IKI Itikyala Itikyal
142 KONN Konnur Konnur
143 MOB Manoharabad Manoharabad
144 MLMG Mallemadugu Mallemadugu
145 MIDP Mamidipalli
146 ME Masaipet Masaipet
147 NSVP NPA Shivram Pally Npa Shivarampally
148 GDRA Gangadhara
149 GLY Gollapalli Gollapally
150 NVC Nagalwancha Nagalwancha
151 CLE Chintalpalli Chintalpalli
152 VAR Vidya Nagar Vidyanagar
153 MRF Marpalli Marpalli
154 YKA Yakutpura Yakutpura Kcg
155 AJK Ajjakolu Ajakollu
156 DTP Divitipalli Diviti Palli
157 TLMG Talmadugu Talmadugu
158 INK Intakanne Intakanne
159 KTKA Kotakadra Kotakadra
160 GLE Gajulagudem Gajulaguden
161 TNGM Tondalagopavaram Tondalagopavaram
162 MQN Manyamkonda Manyamkonda
163 HPG Huppuguda Huppuguda
164 YDP Yedapalli Yedapalli
165 MDAK Medak Medak
166 MOA Manopad Manopad
167 JOO Jamai Osmania Hyderabad
168 DHP Dichpalli Dichpalli
169 RJAP Rajapur Rajapur
170 MVH Mantatti Mantatti
171 TPPI Tipparthi Tipparthi
172 SNPH Shankapur Halt Shankapur
173 RMY Rukmapur Rukmapur
174 DKUR Dokur Dokur
175 DKC Devarkadra Junction Devarkadre
176 JKAR Jaklair
177 KQD Khairatabad Khairatabad Dcn
178 PDNA Peddadinne Peddadinne
179 PDO Poodoor Puduru
180 KPHI Kothapalli
181 AMQ Ammuguda Secunderabad
182 FKB Fakhrabad Fakhrabad
183 HFZ Hafizpet Hyderabad
184 BKU Bhiknur Bhiknur
185 SMAP Shamnapur Medak
186 LSMP Lakshmapur Medak
187 STDB Sitafalmandi B Cabin Sitafalmandi B
188 MTMI Motumari Junction Motimari
189 DRR Dharur Dharur
190 GDQ Godamgura Godamgura
191 MTV Matalkunta Matalkunta
192 RPK Ravulapalli Kalan Ravalpalli Kala
193 MWY Mailaram Mailaram
194 RRGA Ranga Reddy Guda Rangareddy Guda
195 SRMR Shrirampuram Shrirampuram
196 YADD Yadadri Raigir
197 GGD Gullaguda Gullaguda
198 JNPD Janpahad Janpahad
199 WP Wangapalli Wangapalli
200 TAA Tadla Pusapalli Tadla Pusapalli
201 UPW Uppalavai Uppalavai
202 UMM Umram Umram
203 PJPR Priyadarshini Jurala Project Road
204 PASR Panduranga Swamy Road
205 BRGL Burgula Burgula
206 IDL Indalvai Indalvai
207 YGL Yelgur Yelgur
208 RKO Ramakistapuram Gate Rmkrshnaprmgte
209 KXI Kurumurthi Kurumurthi
210 BMPL Brahmanapalli Brahmanpalli
211 BOZ Bolarum Bazar Secunderabad
212 ALW Alwal Secunderabad

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Telangana Flora and Sacred Groves

Sacred groves (SGs) are small groves that are specific places which are protected and conserved by the local communities as being the sacred residences of local deities and sites for religious and cultural rituals. They serve as valuable storehouses of biodiversity. They are part of biological heritages and systems that have helped to preserve the representative genetic resources existing for generations. Sacred groves are the important places in which biodiversity is preserved in mostly undisturbed condition because of certain taboos and religious beliefs. Sacred groves are ancient natural sanctuaries that have supported the growth of several interesting and rare species of flora and fauna of the past.

Sacred groves represent first major effort in conserving the biodiversity.

They are part of biological heritages and systems that have helped to preserve the representative genetic resources existing in the surrounding regions for the generation. Sacred groves were a feature of the mythological landscape and the cult practice.Altogether the taboos, self-imposed restrictions and extra care exhibited by the community have significantly contributed to preserving the groves intact and in good shape thereby conserving the whole range of biodiversity that is housed in it. The sacred groves offer manifold ecological benefits in the conservation of biodiversity. In fact, the sacred groves represent the first major effort in conserving the biodiversity. The sacred groves also provide an ideal surviving habitat to several species of endemic flora and fauna.

There are 65 sacred groves documented in Telangana but conservationists say the real figure is much larger and government should take up extensive documentation. In Kerala around 1,500 sacred groves have been documented.

1. Adilabad Dankanapally Sacred Grove
2. Adilabad Jainath Sacred Grove
3. Adilabad Keslapur Sacred Grove
4. Adilabad Kunthala Waterfalls Sacred Grove
5. Adilabad Mahagoan Sacred Grove
6. Adilabad Narnoor Sacred Grove
7. Adilabad Pochara Falls Sacred Grove
8. Adilabad Sadalpur Sacred Grove
9. Adilabad Sirichelma Sacred Grove
10. Adilabad Tangri Madra Sacred Grove
11. Adilabad Yekantapur Sacred Grove
12. Asifabad Ginnedhari Sacred Grove
13. Nirmal Basara Saraswati Temple Sacred Grove
14. Hyderabad
15. Babasharfuddin Pahad Sacred Grove miralam tank
16. Chiran Palace sacred Grove{Brahmananda Reddy National Park) 400 acres
17. Guruvayur Temple Sacred Grove, 3ha
18. Maulali Darga Sacred Grove
19. Nowbath Pahad Sacred Grove
20. O.U.Campus Sacred Grove – Nagadevata / Gyanalaxmi temple
21. Karimnagar
22. Kaleswaram Temple Sacred Grove
23. Konda Gattu Sacred Grove
24. Ramagiri Fort Srirama Temple Sacred Grove
25. Vemulawada Temple Sacred Grove
26. Khammam
27. Parnasala Sacred Grove
28. Nugur Fort
29. Sthambhadri, Khammam Fort Sacred Grove
30. Medak
31. AlIadurg Sacred Grove
32. Kumaravelli Sacred Grove Siddipet Mandal, temple of Mallikarjuna Swamy
33. Mallamma Temple Sacred Groves dubbak
34. YedupayaJa Sacred Grove - Durga Devi.
35. Nalgonda
36. Chandrumgutta(Arur) Sacred Grove
37. Ethipothala Sacred Grove nagarjunakonda
38. Narketpalli Sacred Grove - Ramalingeswara swami / Machiyagiri Laxminarayana swami
39. Yadagirigutta Sacred Grove - Narasimha Swamy
40. Nizamabad
41. Vellutla Sacred Grove
42. Rangareddy
43. Alwal temple area Sacred Grove
44. Ananthagiri area Sacred Grove
45. Chilukur Balaji temple area Sacred Grove 6ha
46. Keesaragutta bill area Sacred Grove Kusaiguda village
47. Kharmanghat Hanuman temple Sacred Grove osmania university
48. Maheswaram Sacred Grove
49. Majeedpur Venkateswara Temple Sacred Grove
50. Pahar-e-Sherief Sacred Grove
51. Parameswar Gutta area Sacred Grove – shiva
52. Sanghi temple complex Sacred Grove
53. Warangal
54. Kotilinga Kshetram Sacred Grove 11 acre Bollikunta village
55. Madikonda Sacred Grove Kazipet
56. Padmakshi Gutta Sacred Grove - 1 sq.km.- Padmaksharnrna
57. Mahabubnagar
58. Jellupenta
59. Kadalivanam
60. Koyalakonda area
61. Kurumurthi Konda
62. Maniyamkonda
63. Saileshwaram
64. Singavatnam
65. Umamaheswaram
66. Yettam

Adilabad Sacred Groves

Religious people Vidhyas/ Vejjus/ Pujaris/ Vaddegudus/ Gunyas etc. belonging to Kolams, Naikpods, Pardhans, Gonds, Thotis, Chenchus and Mathuras tribal communities of the district who are still practicing traditional medicine are identified, religious ceremonies were made to collect the information different ethnic group of people who use plants materials in different rituals, ceremonies, and any other religious purposes. The information on medicinal uses of the plants was also gathered from the local and tribal people residing in the interior areas of the district and the published literature. The data on the botanical names, family, vernacular names, religious virtues, parts used and medicinal uses along with active principle and status were also mentioned in the work.

Altogether 47 different plant species have been identified as sacred plants by different ethnic groups of Adilabad district. Though there is many more information about sacred plants but only some of the most commonly used plants having medicinal value are taken into consideration. During this project work, some important information has been unearthed. Fewsuch information are given here below.There is a long experienced traditional belief among the people that they have selected some plants which are edible or not edible during or after the religious works. According to Gautamiya Tantra during the religious works, a person should eat boiled sunned rice and ghee. The Agasthya Samhita opines that the following materials may be eaten during the religious works. These materials are Cocos nucifera, Musa sapientum, Mangifera indica, Phyllanthus emblica, Artocarpus heterophyllus, Terminalia chebula, Oryza sativa, Vigna radiata, Sesamum indicum, Hordeum vulgare, Chenopodium album, Chorcorus capsularis, Raphanus sativa, Citrus aurantifolia, Citrus aurantinum etc. Plants not edible before or during religious works: According to Yoginitantra, the following plants should not be taken before or during the religious works. The plants are Tamarindus indica (Teteli), Cajanus cajan (Urohi), Benincasa hispida, Cocos nucifera (Narikol) etc. The widows should not eat onion, all kinds of spices and chilly.

The study of sacred and religious plants may give an idea about the extent of concern shown by people of different eco-floristic regions about the conservation of plants. IT may be mentioned here that most of the sacred plants usually have great utility value. If every Mandir or Masjid committee, a committee will protect their sacred plant grown around these religious places automatically a gauge number of plant species will be conserved. Many sacred groves of India are the best examples of conservation of Biodiversity. Besides, the plants of the sacred groves or religious places have many plants of medicinal use. People have a belief that using the plants of the religious places can cure any kind of disease. This infusion of superstitious myths or beliefs and medicinal properties of plants plays a very significant role in their conservation and conservation of Biodiversity,The forest is now being maintained by forest management committee comprising of the local people. Maharishi Charak has said that there are no plant on the earth which does not have medicinal value, the same is the belief that if we use any plant for performing Puja the same will definitely have the dysentery.

Below is just provided for information purposes. Need to be taken only under doctor's advice. There were instances where people died with self treatment.

1. Uttareni Chettu - Apamarga - Chaff Flower - Achyranthes Aspera (Amaranthaceae) 
• The plant is offered to the Hindu deity Ganesh during the holy month of Badrapada masam
• Whole Tree : Fever, Tooth problem, Scorpion sting 
2. Maredu Chettu - Bilva - Bel or Bael (Stone Apple) - Aegle Marmelos (Rutaceae) 
• Shiva Pooja cannot be performed without its leaf (Bilwa)
• Leaves and Fruits : Diarrhoea, Dysenter and Skin Problems
3. Vepa Chettu - Aristha - Neem tree - Azadirachta Indica A. Juss (Meliaceae) 
• Twigs are used widely in the festival of Bonalu.
• Twigs and Leaves : Tooth Problems, Skin problems
4. Moduga Chettu - Palasa - Palash - Flame of the forest - Butea Monosperma (Papilionaceae)
• In Telangana, these flowers are specially used in the worship of Shiva on occasion of Shivaratri.
• Bark : Piles, Tumors and menstrual disorder, antiseptic and cooling, Fever
5. Erra Jilledu Mokka - Arka - Giant Milkweed or Crown Flower - Calotropis Gigantea (Asclepiadaceae)
high toxin plant, milk of its leaf is poisonous
• Leaves and flowers are used to worship lord Shiva and Ganesha
• Latex : Bone Fever
6. Hunjika Mokka or Bharangi - Bharngi - Tubeflower - Clerodendrum Indicum (L.) Kuntze (Indicum)
• Used for worshiping Fire
• Roots and Leaves : Asthma, Chest pain, Cough, Cholera, and Fever
7. Garika Gaddi - Durva - Bermuda Grass - Cynodon Dactylon Pers. Ln (Poaceae).
• Whole plant : Body Cooling and Diarrhea
8. Jeedi Chettu -  Kajutaka - Cashew - Anacardiaceae (L.)
• Used in death rituals
• Whole Plant : Cough and Fever
9. Marri Chettu - Vatavrksha - Banyan Tree - Ficus benghalensis L. (Moraceae)
• Used in Marriage ceremony
• Leaves and Roots : Hair Growth, Piles
10. Medi Chettu or Athi Chettu - Udumbara - Cluster Fig Tree - Ficus Glomerata Roxb. (Moraceae) or Ficus racemosa
• Stem Bark Fresh Fruits : Snakebite, Red discharge, Diarrhea
11. Ravi Chettu - Asvatta or Ashvattha or Ashwattha- Bodhi tree or Peepal tree - Ficus Religiosa L. (Moraceae) Ln.
• Gautama Buddha is believed to have attained enlightenment under a tree of this species.
• Stem bark : Wounds, Sprains
12. Ficus Retusa L (Moraceae) 
13. Pedda Gumudu Teku or Peggumudu Chettu - Gambhari- Gmelina arborea Roxb. Ln. (Verbenaceae)
• Leaf : Cough and Cold
14. Yavalu - Yava - Barley - Hordeum vulgure L. (Poaceae)
15. Gorinta Chettu - Henna - Lawsonia inermis L (Lythraceae)
16. Ippa Chettu - madhu - Mahua - Madhuca longifolia var. latifolia (Roxb.)AChev (Sapotaceae)
• Stem bark - Body Pains, Dog bite
17. Maamidi Chettu - amram - Mango - Mangifera indica L (Anacardiaceae).
18. Tulasi  Chettu - Tulsi - Holy Basil - Ocimum sanctum L (Lamiaceae)
• Leaves - Coughs, Ringworm, Skin diseases and Earache
19. Kanuga or Kaanuga Chettu - Karanja - Pongam Oil Tree, Indian Beech - Pongamia glabra(L.) Pierre (Fabaceae) or Pongamia pinnata
• Leaves - Fever
20. Jammi Chettu - Sami or Shami - Sponge Tree - Prosopis cineraria(L.) Druce (Mimosaceae)
21. Baranika or Barrenka chettu - Sakotamu Chettu - Shakhotaka or Sihor - Siamee Rough Bush or Sandpaper tree - Streblus asper Lour. (Moraceae)
• Leaves, bark, root - Ulcers, Sinuses, Swellings and boils, fevers, diarrhea and dysentery
22. Madiphalam - Matulunga - Citron - Citrus medica L. (Rutaceae) 
23. Kobbari Chettu - Narikela - Coconut Tree - Cocos nucifera L. Ln. Narikol (Arecaceae)
24. Pasupu Mokka - Haridra - Turmeric - Curcuma longa L. (Zingiberaceae).
25. Ummethu - Datura - Datura metel L. (Solanaceae)
• Poisnous
• Leaves, seeds : Leaves used in Asthama, epilepsy, seeds are used in leprosy and dog bite.

Uttareni - Achyranthes aspera (Amaranthaceae) 

Common Names:  chaff-flower, prickly chaff flower, devil's horsewhip, Sanskrit: apāmārga

Uttareni plant grows as a common weed or wild in India and also considered sacred. The plant is offered to the Hindu deity Ganesh during the holy month of Badrapada masam
Whole plant : Fever, Tooth problem, Scorpion sting.

• Leaves possesses valuable medicinal properties and used in treatment of cough, bronchitis and rheumatism, malarial fever, dysentery, asthma, hypertension and diabetes in Indian folklore.
• Its roots and stems are cleaned and used as tooth brushes. It will clear all mouth problems

Flowering and Fruiting time : September to April

Maredu Chettu - Aegle marmelos (Rutaceae)

Common Name : Bel Patra Bilva Plant, bela, bili, bilva, belo, maredu, vilwam, sriphal, golden apple, indian quince and Bengal quince or stone apple in English, Sanskrit : Adhararutha

Bael tree is considered a sacred tree. Often, it is grown near temple of the Lord shiva in india. Its leaves are offered in prayers. Shiva Pooja cannot be performed without its leaf (Bilwa)

Leaves and Fruits : Diarrhoea, Dysentery and Skin Problems

Leaves should be soaked in water overnight and in the morning strain it and use it as beverage every day. Not only peptic ulcer it relieves dyspepsia, sinusitis, cold, gastritis and indigestion.

Bael Patra is full of nutrients such as vitamins A, C, B1 and B6 along with calcium and fibre. Many don't know, but these leaves are said to be beneficial for several health issues and this is why you must have Bael Patra daily. When you consume it daily, it can help provide relief in stomach-related problems, improve heart health and liver. Health experts also recommend consuming this leaf in the daily diet. Though, this leaf can be consumed any time of the day, but experts agree that when you consume it on an empty stomach, it provides countless benefits. This happens as the body absorbs its nutrients easily. 

Boosts immunity, Get rid of stomach problems, Improves heart health, Keeps blood sugar level under control, Provides coolness to the body

You can take Bael Patra in the form of a decoction in the morning on an empty stomach. For this, boil the Bael Patra in water and then filter it and drink it.
Bael Patra can also be eaten directly by chewing. You can also get many benefits from this.
Bael Patra can also be taken by mixing it with honey. Taking honey and Bael Patra together strengthens the body's immunity.

     

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Telangana Forests

The State of Telangana is endowed with rich diversity of Flora and Fauna. The State has dense Teak forests on the northern part along the banks of river Godavari. As per the Champion & Seth Classification of Forest Types (1968), the forests in Telangana belong to three Forest Type Groups, which are further divided into 12 Forest Types.  

Teak (Tectona grandis) no longer figures in the top five tree species in Telangana. Felling of the timber tree species has increased so much that the inventory indicates that teak no longer figures among the top five species. This is revealed by the latest report ‘State of Environment Report-TS’, sponsored by the ministry of environment, forests, climate changes. The report has recently been released in the state.

Telangana State is known for its rich heritage in biological diversity distributed in 9 agro climatic regions. Among the flora, the state harbours a total of 2,800 taxa belonging to 1,051 genera under 185 families. This accounts for 16% of the Angiosperms known from India. Of these, 2,071 species belonging to 150 families and 796 genera are Dicotyledons and 729 species belonging to 255 genera and 35 families are Monocotyledons.

Among the fauna, Telangana State is rich with 108 species of mammals that include Tiger, Leopard, Sloth Bear, Giant Squirrel, Hyena, Fox, Wild Dog, Wild Boar, Indian Bison(Gaur), Spotted Deer, Barking Deer, Black Buck, Four-horned Antelope, Blue Bull, Sambar, Mouse Deer, Honey Badger, Civets,Jungle Cats, Otter, Pangolin, Bats, Tree Shrew, Common Langur,etc.

Telangana's native vegetation can be broadly categorized into three types:

1. Tropical Deciduous forests
2. Tropical moist deciduous forests
3. Tropical thorn forests

Tropical Deciduous forests
Adilabad, Karimnagar, Warangal, and Khammam are home to tropical dry deciduous woods. Tree species, including teak, bamboo, tamarind, and mango, define these woodlands. During the dry season, the trees in these woods lose their leaves, covering the forest floor with a layer of dried leaves.

Tropical moist deciduous forests
Mahabubnagar, Nalgonda, and Rangareddy are areas of tropical moist deciduous woods. These forests have many different types of trees, including mango, teak, sal, bamboo, and sal. Deer, wild boar, and monkeys are just a few of the many species of fauna that call these forests home.

Tropical thorn forests
The areas around Hyderabad, Medak, and Nizamabad are home to tropical thorn forests. Acacia, Prosopis, and Butea trees distinguish these woodlands. These trees contain thorns, and thorny bushes and shrubs are all over the forest floor.

Telangana is also home to a wide range of additional plants and trees, such as palm trees, banyan trees, and eucalyptus, in addition to these three primary forms of vegetation. Various flora and animals may be found in the state's national parks and wildlife sanctuaries, including the Kinnerasani and Kawal Wildlife Sanctuary. Telangana's natural vegetation is abundant and diversified, essential to the state's ecology and economy. Numerous tree species may be found in the state's woods, including teak, bamboo, sandalwood, and other floral plants, shrubs, and herbs.

The State Government has taken up a massive greening programme, 'Telangana Ku Harita Haram' in the State to plant and protect 230 crore seedlings over a period of 4 years. This initiative aims at achieving the twin objectives of increasing the forest cover and reduce pressure on the existing forest resources, through massive community participation by Vana Samrakshna Samithis (VSS) and Eco-Development Committees (EDCs) in Protected Areas and Watershed Development Committees in the Watershed areas.

Recorded Forest Area (RFA) in the State is 26,904 sq km which is 24.00% of its geographical area, of which 20,353 sq km is Reserved Forest, 5,939 sq km is Protected Forest and 612 sq km is Unclassed Forests. In Telangana, during the period 1st January 2015 to 5th February 2019, a total of 9,420 hectares of forest land was diverted for non-forestry purposes

The reserved, protected and unclassed forests are 75.65%, 22.07% and 2.28% of the recorded forest area in the State respectively. However, as the digitized boundary of recorded forest area from the State covers 26,989.00 sq km,

Geographical Area : 11,231 hectares

Forests : 2,540 hectares (22.6%)

State Animal : Jinka (Chital Deer)

State Bird : Palapitta (Indian Roller)

State Flower : Tandgedu (Tanners Casia)

State Tree : Jammi Chettu (Prosopis Cineraria)

State Fruit : Mango

State Fish : Korameenu or Korramatta (Murrel Fish)

State Tree - Jammi Chettu or Prosopis Cineraria
The Jammi Chettu, also called the Prosopis Cineraria, is the state tree of Telangana. This tree is indigenous to the Indian subcontinent and tolerates the hot, dry climate there. The Jammi Chettu is a small to medium-sized tree that can withstand brutal conditions because of its vast root system and rough, greyish-brown bark. Jammi Chettu trees produce tiny, yellow-green blooms in the spring and their fluffy, light green leaves. The wood from the tree is highly prized since it can be used to build, build things, and make furniture. Various animals, including birds and insects, can find shade and shelter under the Jammi Chettu, which is significant for the area's environment.

State animal- Chital or Spotted Dear
The Spotted Deer, often called the Chital or Axis Deer, is the state animal of Telangana. Native to the Indian subcontinent, this beautiful mammal is easily identified by its characteristic white spots on its reddish-brown coat. The spotted deer's main foods are grass, leaves, and fruits. It is a gregarious creature that gathers in herds of up to 30 people. The Spotted Deer plays a significant role in Telangana's ecology by regulating specific plant species' growth, and maintaining the ecosystem's equilibrium. Deer are hunted for their meat and hide and are another well-liked game animal. The Spotted Deer has been designated as the state animal of Telangana.

Three National Parks and nine Wildlife Sanctuaries constitute the Protected Area network of the State covering 5.08% of its geographical area.

National Parks 

1. Mahavir Harina Vanasthali National Park
2. Mrugavani National Park
3. Kasu Brahmananda Reddy National Park

Wild Life Sanctuaries

1. Eturnagaram Wildlife Sanctuary
2. Kawal Wildlife Sanctuary
3. Kinnerasani Wildlife Sanctuary
4. Manjeera Wildlife Sanctuary
5. Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve or Amrabad Tiger Reserve
6. Pocharam Wildlife Sanctuary
7. Shivaram Wildlife Sanctuary
8. Paakhal Wildlife Sanctuary
9. Pranahita Wildlife Sanctuary

Sacred grove

Sacred groves are small patches of native vegetation traditionally been protected on the grounds of religious faith, these are dedicated to deities, protected by the local communities considering it as the abode of their ancestral deities or spirits. 

There are 65 sacred groves documented in Telangana but conservationists say the real figure is much larger and government should take up extensive documentation. In Kerala around 1,500 sacred groves have been documented.

1. Adilabad Dankanapally Sacred Grove
2. Adilabad Jainath Sacred Grove
3. Adilabad Keslapur Sacred Grove
4. Adilabad Kunthala Waterfalls Sacred Grove
5. Adilabad Mahagoan Sacred Grove
6. Adilabad Narnoor Sacred Grove
7. Adilabad Pochara Falls Sacred Grove
8. Adilabad Sadalpur Sacred Grove
9. Adilabad Sirichelma Sacred Grove
10. Adilabad Tangri Madra Sacred Grove
11. Adilabad Yekantapur Sacred Grove
12. Asifabad Ginnedhari Sacred Grove
13. Nirmal Basara Saraswati Temple Sacred Grove
14. Hyderabad
15. Babasharfuddin Pahad Sacred Grove miralam tank
16. Chiran Palace sacred Grove{Brahmananda Reddy National Park) 400 acres
17. Guruvayur Temple Sacred Grove, 3ha
18. Maulali Darga Sacred Grove
19. Nowbath Pahad Sacred Grove
20. O.U.Campus Sacred Grove – Nagadevata / Gyanalaxmi temple
21. Karimnagar
22. Kaleswaram Temple Sacred Grove
23. Konda Gattu Sacred Grove
24. Ramagiri Fort Srirama Temple Sacred Grove
25. Vemulawada Temple Sacred Grove
26. Khammam
27. Parnasala Sacred Grove
28. Nugur Fort
29. Sthambhadri, Khammam Fort Sacred Grove
30. Medak
31. AlIadurg Sacred Grove
32. Kumaravelli Sacred Grove Siddipet Mandal, temple of Mallikarjuna Swamy
33. Mallamma Temple Sacred Groves dubbak
34. YedupayaJa Sacred Grove - Durga Devi.
35. Nalgonda
36. Chandrumgutta(Arur) Sacred Grove
37. Ethipothala Sacred Grove nagarjunakonda
38. Narketpalli Sacred Grove - Ramalingeswara swami / Machiyagiri Laxminarayana swami
39. Yadagirigutta Sacred Grove - Narasimha Swamy
40. Nizamabad
41. Vellutla Sacred Grove
42. Rangareddy
43. Alwal temple area Sacred Grove
44. Ananthagiri area Sacred Grove
45. Chilukur Balaji temple area Sacred Grove 6ha
46. Keesaragutta bill area Sacred Grove Kusaiguda village
47. Kharmanghat Hanuman temple Sacred Grove osmania university
48. Maheswaram Sacred Grove
49. Majeedpur Venkateswara Temple Sacred Grove
50. Pahar-e-Sherief Sacred Grove
51. Parameswar Gutta area Sacred Grove – shiva
52. Sanghi temple complex Sacred Grove
53. Warangal
54. Kotilinga Kshetram Sacred Grove 11 acre Bollikunta village
55. Madikonda Sacred Grove Kazipet
56. Padmakshi Gutta Sacred Grove - 1 sq.km.- Padmaksharnrna
57. Mahabubnagar
58. Jellupenta
59. Kadalivanam
60. Koyalakonda area
61. Kurumurthi Konda
62. Maniyamkonda
63. Saileshwaram
64. Singavatnam
65. Umamaheswaram
66. Yettam

 

Plants
Total plant species 2800
Plants used in traditional medicine 1800
Rice (Vadlu) 150
Jowar (Jonnalu) 75
Bornyard millets (Odalu) 5
Italian millets (Korralu) 10
Little millets (Samalu) 7
Kodo millets (Arikelu) 10
Pearl millets (Sajjalu) 10
Proso millets (Varigelu) 2
Finger millets (Ragulu) 7
Gingelly (Nuvvulu) 15
Chickpea (Sanagalu) 8
Green Gram (Pesalu) 8
Black Gram (Minumulu) 10
Cowpea (Alasandalu) 10
Pigeon Pea (Kandulu) 15
Horse Gram (Ulavalu) 6

Animals
Annelids 163
Arthropods 1337
Molluscs 480
Freshwater fish 180
Amphibians 22
Reptiles 103
Birds 486
Mammals 108

Urban Forest Blocks Developed/In Progress

1. Adilabad 
• Mavala 
• Kadam 
2. Bhadradri Kothagudem Punukula 
• Chatakonda 
• Uragutta 
• Suraram 
• Rathamgutta 
3. Hyderabad 
• Jublee Hills 
4. Jagtial 
• Venkatraopet
• Jagtial 
5. Jayashankar Bhupalpally 
• Kompally extn. 
• Mahadevpur 
• Jakaram-I 
6. Kamareddy 
• Lingareddy 
7. Khammam 
• Velugumatla 
• Lankapally 
8. Kumarambheem
1. Asifabad Ada RF 
2. Vempally 
9. Mahabubabad 
• Jammandlapally 
10. Mahabubnagar 
• Appannapalli 
11. Mancherial 
• Chennur 
• Rally 
• Indaram 
• Tandur 
12. Medak 
• Narsapur 
• Manoharabad 
• Wadiaram & Polampally 
• Parkibanda-I 
13. Medchal Malkajigiri 
1. Chengicherla
2. Medpally -I & II
3. Narepally - I & II 
4. Dulapally 
5. Kandlakoi 
6. Nagaram 
7. Yadgarpally-I & Yadagarapalli - II (UN)
8. Dharmaram & Upperpally (UN) Cluster 
9. Keesara 
10. Gajularamaram, Borampet 
11. Turkapally 
12. Lalgadi-Malakpet 
13. Gowdepally
14. Pochampally Kalan & Pochampally Khurd Cluster 
15. Tumkunta & Shamirpet (UN) Cluster 
16. Yellampet (UN) 
14. Mulugu 
• Tadwai 
• Nuguru 
• Laknavaram 
15. Nagarkurnool 
• Kollapur 
16. Nalgonda 
• Nellikal 
• Gollaguda I 
• Gollaguda II 
17. Narayanapet 
• Eklaspur 
18. Nirmal 
• Chincholi 
• Jam 
• Maskapur 
19. Nizamabad 
• Sarangapoor 
• Mamidipally 
20. Peddapally 
• Kundanpally 
21. Rajanna Sircilla 
• Pothireddypally 
22. Rangareddy 
1. Gurramguda 
2. Chilkur 
3. Maajidgadda 
4. Jalpally 
5. Gandiguda 
6. Hayatnagar, Kuntloor, Mansoorabad & Quttabulapur Cluster 
7. Domnair 
8. Mudmiyal 
9. Nadergul I & II 
10. Madannguda 
11. Kamadhan 
12. Sirigiripur 
13. Pallegadda 
14. Manyamkancha 
15. Amberpet Kalan 
16. Bacharam 
17. Srinagar & Padmati Kancha Cluster 
18. Maisaram, Nagaram & Nandpally Cluster 
19. Turkayamjal 
20. Gollur 
21. Kothaguda 
22. Mangalpally (RR) 
23. Gaganpahad 
24. Eliminedu, (RR) Gutalakancha, Kongarakalan (UN), Kongarakalan & Salonidubba Cluster 
25. Tummaloor 
26. Kawadipally 
23. Sangareddy 
1. Zaheerabad 
2. Jukal Khurd 
3. Mambapur & Nallavally Cluster 
4. Khazipally & Kistaipally Cluster 
5. Bonthapally, Jinnaram, Mangapet, Nagawaram, Palam & Rayapally Cluster 
24. Siddipet 
1. Marpadaga 
2. Chintamadaka 
3. Gajwel Shareef, Dharmareddypally, & Mailaram Cluster 
25. Suryapet 
1. Indragonda 
26. Vikarabad 
1. Ananthagiri 
2. Nagasamundar-I 
3. Anantharam 
4. Jafferpally 
27. Wanaparthy 
1. Wanaparthy 
28. Warangal 
1. Khanapur 
29. Hanumakonda
1.  Elkathurthi 
30. Yadadri Bhuvanagiri 
1. Lakkaram II 
2. Somajipalli 
3. Raigiri - I 
4. Raigiri - II 
5. Parvathapur 
6. Rachakonda 
7. Bibinagar 
8. Kondamadugu 
9. Jalalpur 
10. Choutuppal

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Dandari-Ghusadi Festival

The Dandari-Ghusadi or Gussadi festival of Telangana is celebrated by the tribal communities of the Raj Gond and Kolam tribes. The Dandari-Ghusadi season is all about a robust dance festival that is celebrated for about 10 days during Deepavli.  The festival ends on Diwali day with the Ghusadi tado taking off their attire ritualistically.

The celebrations usually begin with the tribals visiting the Padmalpuri Khako shrine at Gudirevu village of Dandepalli mandal in Mancherial district, on the banks of the Godavari river. On the occasion, the Adivasis present offerings to the river. They also end the festival at the Padmalpuri Khako as the shrine is of great importance for the people belonging to ethnic groups

It starts on the day we see a crescent moon and end on the dark moon day. We start the festival by performing the Sakshe Akadi and end it on the Devadi day. Once the Sakshe Akadi is performed, the tribals would attain the festive spirits and the entire week would witness the fervour of the fest.

The tribals’ love for music also becomes so evident during the festival time that one, if they visit to one of these villages, can find several instruments — like thudum, pepera, kalikom, dappu, ghumela, dhol, vetti and karra — that are not easily findable in our markets.

During the festive season, the Dandari and Gussadi dance troupes tour the tribal villages, stay there overnight, and perform traditional rituals. 

Adivasis celebrate Gussadi-Dandari dance festival with drums and rituals. They worship Yethmasarpe or god of soul. 

During the 10 days preceding Diwali, every Adivasi village across the four northern most districts of Telangana gets transformed into a festive arena where the Raj Gond and Kolam aboriginal tribes celebrate the exuberant Dandari-Ghusadi dance festival.  

The Dandari-Ghusadi dance festival, is an opportunity for the eligible bachelors to find their life partners and some 100 marriages are finalised in this manner in the Agency villages of Adilabad, Kumram Bheem Asifabad, Mancherial and Nirmal districts, which were part of the undivided Adilabad.

The ethnic dance is an exhilarating visual display of tribal culture through which these ethnic tribes also look to foster marital alliances; it also provides a platform to promote awareness on key contemporary issues faced by the Adivasis.

The first day, we reached the village of Mallapur, where the Bhogi pooja was scheduled to start in the morning. As soon as we reached, the masks, dance sticks, peacock crowns and musical instruments, collectively known as Dandari-pen (pen meaning God in Gondi), were brought in front of the village head’s home and ceremoniously worshiped. After the rituals were complete all the men of the village came together to offer prayers and seek blessings.

Soon after, the women too gathered around the Dandari-pen and performed rituals of lighting lamps, incense sticks and breaking coconuts.

The Ghusadi-thado or Ghusarks, are a personification of the God of Creation and, as per Raj Gond mythology, are said to protect the marriage procession of Yetma, the daughter of the God of Creation. When she marries a Raj Gond, the procession travels through dense forests and hence the Ghusarks accompany her. The Dandar-Ghusadi is a re-enactment of this marriage procession in every Raj Gond/Kolam village in Northern Telangana.

Pittabongaram is another village a little over 5 km away from Mallapur. We were told that the Dandari-Ghusadi troupe from a village called Kannapur were visiting, and were guided to the scene of action. In front of the Dandari-pen, about 8 Ghusadi-thados were having their meal from the same plate. As soon as they were done, the hosts offered prayers to the Dandari-pen, and a Ghusarks donned their peacock crowns. A bugle made of the horns of an Indian bison was sounded, indicating start of the proceedings.

Ghusadi Dance

As the resounding beats of traditional percussion instruments coupled with tunes flowing out of the pepre (a smaller shehnai like wind instrument) waft around, the Ghusarks enter the arena in a line taking simple steps. With live music playing at a fairly even tempo, the dance sequences were characterised by simple repetitive steps with equally simple formations. And an energy had pervaded around leaving the entire audience eagerly waiting the next routine.

Needless to say, the performance was extremely engrossing, with the gentle swaying of the peacock crowns following the footsteps of the dancers, as well as the shadows they made on the ground beneath, all adding up to the audio-visual spectacle.

Later that evening, we revisited Mallapur, where the Ghusadi–thados were getting ready with help from para-poriks. Para-poriks are young adolescent boys who are also part of Dandari-Ghusadi troupe, but dressed in women’s clothing, as they are said to represent Yetma. Madavi Babu Rao, a Ghusark , was busy getting into his elaborate costume. His legs, hands and torso are smeared with ash and designs are also made. At times, Ghusarks also wear false moustaches and beards, but Babu Rao wasn’t going to sport them. Large strings of beads are placed around his neck and bells are tied around his waist as well as feet.

In addition to hundreds of peacock feathers, his extraordinary headgear also had a pair of ram horns, a small mirror and was decorated with colourful shiny flecks all around.

Throwing light on his role during the Dandari-Ghusadi festival, his mother explains, “This ritual is like a deeksha. He leaves home today and will probably return only after five days (at least). He will travel to the designated villages and during this period he must sit or sleep only on the deer-skin and will not even take a bath.”

“The Ghusarks are an embodiment of God and because God is pure and omnipotent, what is the need for a bath” Pusam Anand Rao, an elder reasons out why Ghusarks are not expected to sleep or wash themselves.

The entire village assembled around Durva Shambhu Patel’s home as they reverently wished the Ghusarks and the Dandari troupe the best for their onward journey. As the mood of celebration spread around, a few dances were performed first by the Ghusarks, and later by the women of the village.

The next morning, we headed to Pittabongaram once again, this time the arena shifted as another Ghusadi troupe from the village of Marutiguda was visiting.

The dance moves of the Ghusarks are but an imitation of the movement of the wild animals and cattle, more specifically the deer, peacock, rabbit, nilgai and bison. Having dwelt in the forests and sharing the habitat with wild life as well as domestic animals, these have also become an integral part of their rituals.

After the Ghusadi dance, the stage was cleared, and Mesram Raju and a group walked in to perform a skit. It revolved around a conversation between an elderly Adivasi couple and some officials from the revenue department, peppered with doses of humour that had the audience in splits.

The play was about the impact of the Purification of Land Records, an ongoing programme undertaken by the Telangana government for making necessary correction in records pertaining to agricultural lands. The performers tried to drive home the point that the correction of the land records will reveal the Adivasis as the true owners of the lands which had been encroached upon by non-tribals.

“We hope to get justice through the land record purification. The exercise should reveal the extent to which the lands of our gullible ethnic people is under encroachment,” Raju sounded optimistic. 

Dandari Dance

It was now the turn of Dandaris to take centre stage, as they stand in a large circle with sticks in their hand. The lilting music is dotted intermittently with the dancers tapping each other’s sticks.

The Ghusarks make an inner circle while the Dandaris dance in the outer periphery. When a routine is soon to change, the leader hums “Cha-choi Cha-choi” and the rest of dancers respond by humming “chaah-ve”, in acknowledgement.

It is noteworthy that both the Dandari-Ghusadi troupes (host and visiting) dance together effortlessly as if they had rehearsed sufficiently. No dancer in either troupe misses a step or a beat nor does he move out of a formation.

The Dandari dance offers the eligible bachelors of the visiting troupe an opportunity to impress and draw the attention of the parents of unmarried girls with their dancing skills. A girl watching the courtship dance, which runs for a night and a day, can inform their parents if a boy catches her fancy. After the conclusion of the festival, the families of the girls and boys follow up on the nuptials mutually.

For about ten days before Diwali, the Dandari-Ghusadi troupes in every tribal village make it a point visit as well as host troupes from other villages. The villages they visit are where their sisters or daughters have been given in marriage. All these visits are decided before hand and the troupes from other villages are welcome with great fanfare. The Dandari-Ghusadi festival is a fine example of how the tribal men keep in touch with the women from their family even after she leaves after marriage. These rituals of the forest dwellers help them stay interconnected and also underscores the importance they attached to fostering marital ties and maintaining kinship.

https://floatstheboat.wordpress.com/2017/10/23/dandari-ghusadi-the-dance-of-the-tribals-from-telangana/

Raj Gonds – Reflections in a Peacock Crown

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Telangana

Telangana State is India's 29the State formed on June 2, 2014.

The name "Telangana" refers to the word Trilinga Desa, earned due to the presence of three ancient Shiva Temples at Kaleshwaram, Srisailam, and Draksharamam. A more historical reasoning is that during the reign of Nizams, the region was known as Telugu Angana to differentiate it from the areas where Marathi was spoken.

Events Leading to Telagana State 

Created : June 2, 2014
Capital : Hyderabad
Districts : 33
Area : 1,14,840 sq. km (44,340 sq. mi)
Population : 3.52 crore or 3,52,86,757 (2011)
Minerals :
Languages : Telugu, Urdu
Emblem : Kakatiya Kala Thoranam and Charminar
Song : Jaya Jaya He Telangana Janani Jayakethanam
Bird : Indian Roller or Blue jay (Palapitta)
Animal : Spotted Deer (Jinka)
Tree : Shami Tree or Prosopis Cineraria(Jammi chettu)
Sport : Kabaddi
Flower : Tangedu Flowers or Tanner’s Cassia or Senna Auriculata
Fruit : Mango
Literacy : 66.46%
Rivers : Godavari, Krishna, Manjira and MusiHighest Waterfall : Kuntala Waterfall - 45 metres (148 ft)
Highest Peak : Doli Gutta - 965 meters (3166 ft)
Vehicle Registration : TS

Bhadradri is the largest district with an area of 8,062 km2 (3,113 sq mi) and Hyderabad is the smallest with 217 km2(84 sq mi).

Hyderabad district is the most populated district with a population of 35,269,257 and Rajanna Sircilla district is the least populated with 546,694.

Telangana is the twelfth largest state in India, and the twelfth most populated state in India.

Telangana is bordered by the states of Maharashtra to the north and north west, Chhattisgarh to the north, Karnataka to the west, and Andhra Pradesh to the east and south.

Telangana state Geyam(song) "Jaya Jaya he Telangana Janani Jaya ketanam" is written by Andesri

Telangana Tourism

Telangana Culture
The region’s vast exposure to Persian tradition has long been a meeting place for diverse cultures by acting as a link between North and South of India.
GeographyTelangana is a state in India situated on the centre-south stretch of the Indian peninsula on the high Deccan Plateau. The terrain of Telangana region consists mostly of hills, mountain ranges, and thick dense forests covering an area of 27,292 km2 (10,538 sq mi).
State BordersMaharashtra to the north, Chhattisgarh to the east, Karnataka to the west, and Andhra Pradesh to the east and south.

Telangana Districts

Telangana is divided into 33 districts The districts are divided into 70 revenue divisions which are further divided into 584 mandals. It is the twelfth largest state and the twelfth-most populated state in India.
Geology

Telangana Rivers
Godavari and Krishna are the two main rivers which flows through this region and main sources for irrigation.

History

Timeline for History of Telangana
Telangana History is very rich and ancient. This region was ruled by Asmakas, Mauryas, Satavahanas, Ikshvakus, Abhiras or Abheeras, Vakatakas, Vishnukundins, Durjaya, Badami Chalukyas, Rashtrakutas, Vemulavada Chalukyas, Mudigonda Chalukyas, Western Chalukyas or Kalyani Chalukyas, Polavasa chiefs, Kanduru Cholas, Kakatiyas, Gonds of Adilabad, Khiljis, Musunuri Nayaks, Recherla Padmanayakas, Qutb Shahis, Mughals and Asaf Jahis.

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Satavahana Dynasty

c. 232 BC - c. 208 AD: Satavahana Dynasty and Pre-Satavahana Rulers came after Mauryan Empire

The various Puranas give different lists of the Satavahana rulers. The Matsya Purana states that 30 Andhra kings ruled for 460 years, but some of its manuscripts name only 19 kings whose reigns add up to 448.5 years. 

The Vayu Purana also mentions that there were 30 Andhra kings, but its various manuscripts name only 17, 18, and 19 kings respectively; the reigns add up to 272.5, 300, and 411 years respectively. 

Matsya Purāņa (460 years); Brahmānda Purāņa (456 years);
Vāyu Purāņa (411 years) and Vishnu Purāņa (300 years). 

Excavations in kotilingala found punch marked coins of Pre Satavahana rulers Gobhada, Siri Kamvaya, Vayasiri and Samagopa

Satavahanas were also called Salivahanas and Satakarnis. The coins issued by the Satavahana kings Simuka, Siri Satavahana, Satakani I, Satasiri, Satakani II, Vasittiputta Pulumayi, Vasittiputta Satakani and their governors were discovered in Kotilingala. These discoveries testify the fact that Telangana was the nucleus of Satavahana Empire.Though Satavahanas conquered the above kingdom, they left the kingdom of Maharathi dynasty at Nalgonda and Mahabubnagar districts region alone.

Maharathis, Mahabhojas, Mahasenapatis stood high in the social order, only next below the king. Rajamatyas (royal ministers), Amatyas (officers), Mahamatras (ministers), Bhandagarikas (treasury officers) must have ranked next below them.

Thanks to the numerous donative records, we get a fairly good glimpse into the different cross-sections of the trading community-Traders in corn (dhanikas), perfumes (gandhikas), and jewels (manikaras) are frequently referred to. Garland-makers (malakaras), iron-smiths (lohavanijakas) or (kammaras), goldsmiths, (suvarna-karas), braziers (kasakaras), stone-cutters (Silavanijakas) artisans (avesanis), carpenters (vadhikas), weavers (kolikas), potters (kularikas), hydraulic workers (odayantrikas) and oil-mongers (tilapisakas)

Among the Smrtis the present Manusmrti was probably composed in c. 200 B.C. and Yajnavalkya-smrti in c. 200 A.D. The Carakasamhita and the Susrutasamhita assumed their present form in c. 200 A.D.

Maharathi Dynasty
Ruled regions of Khammam, Nalgonda and Mahabunagar. Declared independence after fall of Mauryan empire.When studies were conducted on the rulers of Nelakondapally, Khammam district, and some regions of Karnataka, the name of a dynasty called ‘Maharathi’ was revealed. Ashoka’s stone inscriptions called them as ‘Rathikas’. Historians opined that they were kings of subordinate kingdoms at different regions during the Mauryan rule. They declared independence after the fall of Mauryan empire in Telangana and Karnataka regions. They ruled some regions of Telangana and Karnataka until 100-150 A.D.
It is said that Simukha married a woman of Maharathi dynasty; and also his daughter-in-law was a Maharathi princess. That might be the reason for him to not to conquer their kingdom

Prakrit was the official language of communication used by the Satavahana Kings.
Literature like Gathasaptashati, painting like Ajanta flourished during the Satavahana rule.
The Satavahanas patronized Hinduism. They formed a cultural link and played a very important part in trade and the transfer of ideas and culture.

To establish their rule, they had to compete with the Sungas and after that the Kanvas of Magadha. Later, protected a huge part of India against foreign attackers like the Pahlavas, Yavanas and Sakas. The rulers of the Satavahana Dynasty, Sri Yajna Satakarni and Gautamiputra Satakarni defeated the overseas invaders such as the Western Kshatrapas and stopped their expansion. The Empire was split into smaller states in the 3rd century CE.

The Satavahanas ruled a powerful and large empire which withstood the attacks from Central Asia. Apart from their military power, their naval activity and commercialism helped them to establish Indian colonies in Southeast Asia.

c. 232 BC : Sri Satavahana
Copper coins found in Kondapur, Hyderabad in Telangana and Aurnagabad, Akola in Maharashtra. Lead Coins found in Nevasa and Kondapur (Telangana).

c. 231 BC - 208 BC :  Sri Chimuka Satavahana (23 Years)
As a coin with the name ‘Simukha’ was found along with the coins of gobhadra and Samagopa, it is concluded that Simukha conquered their kingdom. That is why the upper layers at Kotilingala revealed the coins of Satavahanas.

5 Copper and 1 Potin coins found in current Kapparaopet village located in Velgatur Mandal of Jagitial District in Telangana .

A Satavahana inscription found on a slab of the upper drum (medhi) of the Kanaganahalli mahastupa mentions year 16 of Vasisthiputra Sri Chimuka Satavahana's reign, which can be dated from ca. 110 BCE

Simuka appears to have been a very shrewd politician. He realised that to overthrow the Kanvas was a difficult task and hence entered into an alliance with maharathi Tranakayira whose daughter was married to his son Satakarni. Tranakayira was a Naga, possibly, a vassal under the last Kanva ruler.

The several servants combined together to overthrow the Kanva regime and the powerful among them ultimately won the crown. He is named as Balipuccha in some texts

The Puranas suggest that the last king of the Kanva dynasty was killed by Balipuccha, who founded the Andhra dynasty, but there is a lack of numismatical and archaeological evidence to support this.

c. 208 BC - c. 190 BC : Krsna or Krishna (18 Years)
Krishna Brother of Simuka

Earliest Inscription of Satahavana in Nasik (Prakrit language in Brahmi script)

king Kanha in cave No.19, Nasik Caves. Inscription of Sramaņa, mahāmata (mahamätra) in the reign of “King Krsna of the Sātavāhana family" (sādavāhanakule kanhe rajini samanena mahāmāteņa lena karita. 

c. 190 BC - 172  BC : Sri Satakarni or Satakarni I (18 Years)
Satakarni I son of Simuka
Coins found in Hyderabad.Naneghat inscription. in the reign of Satakarni I
Sanchi inscription of the time of Satakarni. Records the donation of the south gate (torana) at Sanchi by Vasisthiputra Ananda, the foreman of artists for King Sri Satakami (raño sirisätakanisa avesanisa väsithiputasa anamdasa danam). 

The Naneghat inscription describes the achievements of the ruler Satakarni - I. Devi Naganika was the widow of one of the greatest kings of the early Satavahana king, Satakarni-I. 

 
Naneghat statue-gallery label inscriptions. Reading: rāya simuka sātavāhano sirimato, devi-nāyanikaya raño ca siri-sátakanino, kumāro bhāya ..., mahārathi tranakayiro, kumāro hakusiri, kumāro sātavāhano. Ca. 

Yavana era actually started in 174 BCE, based on a reevaluation of the Azes era which is now thought to have started in 47/46 BCE

The Yavanarajya inscription, carved on a block of red sandstone, is dated to the 1st century BCE, and is currently located at the Mathura Museum in Mathura. The inscription is important in that the Mathura sculptors mention the date of their dedication as "The last day of year 116 of Yavana hegemony (Yavanarajya)". It is considered that this inscription is attesting the control of the Indo-Greeks in the 2nd and 1st centuries BCE in Mathura, a fact that is also confirmed by numismatic and literary evidence.The new dates for the Yavana era (174 BCE) would give a date of 58 BCE for the Yavanarajya inscription, as 174 minus 116 equals 58

Patanjali, the second great grammarian of Ancient India, was a contemporary Pushyamitra Sunga (185 BC - 151 BC)

172 BC - 154 BC : Vedi Sri or Purnotsanga and Sakti Sri or Haku Sri (18 Years)

As per inscriptions, his son Vedi Sri succeeded Satakarni and his mother Naganika daughter of Maharathi Tranakayira of Angiya family and Naga race acted as regent in his early years.
Younger brother Sakti Sri. Naneghat inscriptions no doubt refer to Kumara Satavahana as one of the sons of Satakarni, but he does not figure in the Puranic’ list. It is not unlikely that Kumara Satavahana of the Naneghat inscriptions survived his elder brother, who died in his minority, and ascended the throne with the biruda of Purnotsanga, which alone is preserved by the Puranas. 

An inscription found in Gattusingaram in Peddapalli confirms that Asmaka Janapada which consists of combined Karimnagar and Nizamabad in Telangana part of Satavahana Dynasty. The text in Prakrit is incomplete and mentions Haritiputra and a friend of Kumara Hakusiri (son of Naganika and Satakarni).

Inscription of Satavahana kumaro (prince) Hakusiri or Saktisiri (Son of Satakarni I & Queen Naganika) recovered from Mukkataraopeta near the Kotilingala (mint capital of Satavahana's') of Asmaka janapada.

Copper Coin of Sakti found in Besnagar (ancient Vidisha) and Ujjain. Lead Coin found in Satanikota (current Kurnool district, AP)

c. 154 BC - 98 BC : Sri Satakarni or Satakarni II (56 Years)

Satakarni II conquered eastern Malwa from the Shungas, following the conquest of western Malwa by early Satavahana kings. This allowed him access to the Buddhist site of Sanchi, in which he is credited with the building of the decorated gateways around the original Mauryan Empire and Sunga stupas

c. 109 BC - c. 89 BC : Contemporary of Kharavela

107 BC : The inscription describes that in the second year of his reign he set his powerful mission against king Satakarani of Satavahana dynasty and terrorized the city of Musika or Asika nagara. (Musikanagara is somewhere on the river Musi in current hyderabad, Telangana)
105 BC : In the fourth year of his reign Kharavela led the army against Rathikas and Bhojakas, who were also known as the Maharathis and Mahabhojas; were undoubtedly two great forces of Deccan. 

104 BC : Fifth regnal year, Kharavela brought to his capital from the road of Tanasuliya the canal which had been excavated by the Nandraj. According to the inscription, this canal had been dug "ti-vasa-sata" years ago: the term is variously interpreted as "three hundred" or "one hundred and three". 207 B.C./404 B.C

Kalinga war ended in 261 B.C. and Ashoka engraved his rock edicts at Dhauli and Jaugada in about 257 B.C.

101 BC : 8th Year : The Hathigumpha inscription of the Kalinga king Kharavela mentions that fearing him, a Yavana (Greek) king or general retreated to Mathura with his demoralized army. The name of the Yavana king is not clear, but it contains three letters, and the middle letter can be read as ma or mi.

97 B.C : Year 12 : Bahasmita : Kharavela sends his troops to Uttarpatha (the north), and subdues the king of Magadha Bahasmita. King Kharavela, a devout follower of Jainism rescued the Kalinga Jina by defeating Bahasatimita of Magadha in his 12th regnal year. King Brihaspatimitra of Magadha who was a contemporary of Kharavela is no other than Bahasatimitta of the Pabhosa inscription and of the Kausambi and Ahichhatra. Brihaspatimitra (Bṛihaspatimitra), also known as Bahasatimita and Bahasatimitra, was a king of Kosambi in India. He was part of the Mitra dynasty of Kosambi.  Mitras of Kaushambi also appear to have extended their hegemony over Magadha (including Pataliputra), and possibly Kannauj as well.

96 BC : This inscription dated the 165th year of "ràja-muriyakàle" which corresponds to the 13th year of the reign of Khàravêla, king of Kalinga, gives us very valuable information about the reign of this king.

261 BC :  Ashoka (268 B.C.E to 232 B.C.E) conquered the Kalinga country (modern Odisha state) in the eighth year of his reign.

c. 98 BC - 80 BC : Lambodara  (18 Years)
After Satakarni-II, Satavahana Kings seemed to have left Kotalingala, Dhulikatta and Peddabunkur, but appeared to have stayed at Kondapur.

c. 80 BC - 68 BC : Apilaka (12 Years)
In 1937, Copper coin was found at Balpur on the bank of Mahananadi in Chattisgadh. Used bird Sivasri.

c. 68 BC - 50 BC : Meghasvati (18 Years)

His successor Meghasvati is known from a single coin with the fragmentary legend ghasada

c. 50 BC - 38 BC : Svati (12 Years)

c. 38 BC - 31 BC : Skandasvati (7 Years)

c. 31 BC - 28 BC : Mrigendra Satakarni (3 Years)

28 BC : The Puranas suggest that the last king of the Kanva dynasty was killed by Balipuccha, who founded the Andhra dynasty, for which there is no evidence yet.
c. 28 BC - 20 BC : Kuntala Satakarni  (8 Years)
Vatsyayana mentions how Satakarni of Kuntala killed his queen Malayaevati with an instrument called kartari by striking her in the passion of love and vatsyayana quotes this case to warn people of the danger arising from some old customs of striking women when under influence of passion.

c. 20 BC - 21 BC : Svatikarna or Satakarni III (1 Year)
c. 21 BC - 3 AD : Pulumavi I (24 Years)

Roman merchants visiting the Satavahana city - port of Kalliena offered local traders Italian wine , lead ingots and antique bronze objects .

c. 3 AD - 28 AD - Gaura Krishna or Arishta Satakarni (25 Years)

Puloma’s successor was Aristakarna, and he had also a long reign of 25 years. It was towards the end of his reign that Bhumaka, the Saka Ksatrapa, succeeded in establishing his rule in Gujarat and Kathiavad.

Western Satraps invasion 
c. 28 AD - 32 AD : Hala
Hala was probably a king in the Kuntala Janapada, southwest region of former Hyderabad state. A number of Puranas mention his name as the Andhra king in the list of thirty. According to the list, he was the seventeenth Satavahana ruler and ruled for five years sometimes in the first century CE. Other well-known literary references to Hala appear in the Harshacarita of Banabhatta [c.620 CE] and in the Kuvalayamal of Uddyotana [ c.779 CE] The Deccan region appears to be the genesis zone of the Gatha. The geography of the poets and the poetry can be gauged from references to the rivers such as Godavari, Tapti and Murala (in Kerala) and, also Karanja tree of the Western Ghats. Among all the rivers mentioned, Godavari is the most frequently referred river. Godavari river bank emerges as a well frequented spot by the lovers. The Vindhyanchal hill range has also been mentioned in at least six of the verses.

Famous author of Gatha Sapthasati. Hala patronises literature and the arts, and the Prakrit work, Saptasati, is ascribed to him.
Gunadhya, the author of Brihat Katha, is his contemporary. As he is a patron of poets, he is known by the title 'Kavivatsala'.
He marries a Ceylonese princess on the banks of the River Sapta-Godavari-Bhima.

Mandalaka aka Puttalaka 

Purindrasena 

Sundara Satakarni
Chakora Satakarni 

c. 32 AD - c. 60 AD : Shivasvati (28 Years)
Gauthami Balasri probably was his queen. she is described as mama devi in Nasik inscription.

It was probably during the reign of Sivasvati that the Western Satraps invaded Northern Maharastra and Vidarbha and occupied the districts of Pune and Nashik, forcing the Satavahanas to abandon their capital Junnar and to move to Prastisthana (modern Paithan) in the vicinity of Aurangabad.

50 AD : Around 50 AD  Nahapana might have seized port of Kalliena.

Kochiputra Satakarni , Kosikiputra Satakarni , Gotamiputra Satakarni , Vasisthiputra Satakami , Pulumavi. These are some of the names of Satavahana kings that we find both in inscriptions and coins . Kochi, Kosiki, Gotami, Vasisthi these king mothers were certainly crowned queens of the dynasty.

c. 60 - c. 84 AD : Gautamiputra Satkarni (24 years)

Svatis son and successor Gautamiputra Satakarni was a great military commander. In the first fifteen or sixteen years of his reign he consolidated his rule and increased his military power.
The inscriptions of Gautamiputra Satakarni indicate that his empire was divided into units known as āhāras. Each āharā was governed by an amātya or amaca. Three types of settlements are named in the inscriptions: nagara (city), nigama(town) and gama (village).

Gautamiputra drove the Sakas from Malwa and Western Maharashtra, forcing Nahapana west to Gujarat.
Around 65 AD Satavahanas might have reclaimed port of Kalliena.

The Nasik prasasti describes Gautamiputra Satakarni as the ruler of Asika(Rishika, between the Godavari and the Krishna), Asaka (Asmaka to the north of Rishika), Mulaka (area around Pratishthana in the central Deccan), Kukura (northern Kathiawad), Anupa (Mahishmati to the south of the Narmada), Vidabha(Vidarbha in Nagpur), and Akaravanti (Avanti located around Ujjaini in western Malwa and Akara in eastern Malwa around modern Sanchi-Vidisa-Bhopal region in MP). He is also praised as the lord of the following mountains (pavata-pati):Vijha (Vindhya or the eastern part of the Vindhya range), Achhavat (Rikshavat, part of the Vindhya to the north of the Narmada), Parichata (Paripatra or the present Aravalli mountains), Sahya (Sahyadri or the Western Ghats), Kanhagiri (Kanheri near Mumbai), Mahendra (Eastern Ghats) and Setagiri (the hill near Nagarjunakonda in the Guntur area of Andhra Pradesh).

174 BC : Yavana Era

Azes era started 128 years after the beginning of the Yavana era
58 BC : Vikram Era

78 AD : Saka Era
127 AD : Kanishka Era

c. 84 BC - 47 BC : Maues

c. 47 BCE  Azes Era

year 1 of Azes corresponding exactly to year 201 of the Arsacid era

Barygaza was ruled by a dynasty of Saka kings who came from homelands on the Asian steppe. The Roman Emperor Augustus received envoys from these Sakas in 26 BC, when he was campaigning in Spain.

Western Satraps of Maharashtra

The capital city of Sakas was Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh. Later it was shifted to Bharuch, Gujarat.
Abhiraka

58 BC : The Yavanarajya inscription, also called the "Maghera inscription", discovered in Mathura, suggests that the Indo-Greeks were in control of Mathura. The inscription is important in that it mentions the date of its dedication as The last day of year 116 of Yavana hegemony (Yavanarajya)

c. 25 AD Bhumaka

coins have been found in the regions of Gujarat, Kathiawad and Malwa

c. 32 AD : Nahapana

The Tiloya Pannatti records that 461 years after the death of Mahavira the Sakas came into prominence. History says Mahāvīra died in c. 425 BCE at Pāvāpurī, in Magadha. It's located in present day Nalanda district of Bihar. Probably around 36 AD Nahapanna might have occupied Ujjain and ruled until 76 AD as Jain Works are unanimous in that Nahapana ruled Ujjain for 40 years.

Nahapana held sway over Malwa, Southern Gujarat, and Northern Konkan, from Broach to Sopara and the Nasik and Poona districts. His son-in-law, the Saka Ushavadata (married to his daughter Dakshamitra), is known from inscriptions in Nasik and Karle to have been viceroy of Nahapana, ruling over the southern part of his territory. 

Western Satraps of Ujjain

c.76 AD : Yasamotika was the first great satrap of Ujjain who can be said to be founder of the Saka rule in Malwa .

78 AD : Chastana
He reigned over Ujjain as a Shaka monarch of the western Kshatrapas dynasty. Chastana Inscriptions Year 6 and 11 ruling over Kachchha and Kathiawad

An ivory statuette carved by an Indian craftsman was found in the remains of a moderately sized Roman townhouse in Pompeii buried by volcanic ash in the Vesuvius eruption of AD 79. The statuette depicts a semi-naked Indian female standing with her arms raised and two tiny acolytes by her side. A hole drilled down through the centre of the object suggests that it was once part of a larger piece, perhaps the handle of a mirror, or the leg of a small decorative table or stool. Perhaps the figure was brought back as a souvenir from India, or maybe some citizen of Pompeii purchased this object as an attractive piece of exotic art.

The Periplus of the Erythraean Sea mentions one Nambanus as the ruler of the area around . This person has been identified as Nahapana by modern scholars. One historical analysis, published by Schoff in 1912, narrowed the date of the text to AD 59 - 62.

c. 78 AD : The Nashik inscription dated to the 18th year of Gautamiputra's reign states that he reaffirmed a grant of land to Buddhist monks living at the Triraśmi peak. This land was earlier in the possession of Nahapana's son-in-law Rishabhadatta (also known as Ushavadata), who had donated it to the monks

Gautamiputra Satakarni defeated the Western Satrap ruler Nahapana ( c.32 - 78 AD) restored the status of his dynasty by recapturing a large part of the former dominions of the Satavahanas. He first invaded Vidharbha and then he marched against Nahapana. He defeated him in a fierce battle fought in the vicinity of Govardhana near Nasik. The battle of Govardhana was fought just before the second fort night of the the rainy season in the eighteenth regnal year. Last known date of Nahapana is the year 46

Destroyer of Sakas (Western Kshatrapas), Yavanas (Indo-Greeks) and Pahlavas (Indo-Parthians)" in his inscriptions.

In the Nashik inscription dated to his 18th regnal year, he is described as the "Lord of Benakataka".
Regranting of a village once owned by Ushavadata, a son-in-law of the Western Satraps ruler Nahapana to the monks at Triraśmi (Pāņdulena).

Karle inscription of Gautamiputra Sri Sätakami (?), year 18 (?). Grant of the village Karajaka to the Mahāsamghika monks at Valūraka .

Nasik inscription of Gautamiputra Sri Satakarni, year 24. Instead of the village granted in (9), which did not generate any income, the monks at Tiranhu (Pandulena) are granted a new piece of land. Issued jointly with Gautamiputra Satakarni's mother, Gautami Balasri.

Gautamiputra was the first Satavahana ruler to issue the portrait-type coins.
He was succeeded by his son, Vashishtiputra Pulumavi.

c. 84 - c. 120 AD : Vasisthiputra Pulumavi or Pulumavi II (36 years)
Maharathi : Vasisthiputra Somadeva son of Maharathi Kasuikaputra Mitradeva
Mahasenapathi : Medhuna

Pulumavi is a contemporary of Chastana (78-130 CE)

Sannati inscription of the time of Vasişthīputra Sivasri Pulumāvi.
Banavāsi inscription of Vasisthiputra Sivasri Pulumävi This is a memorial stone (chaa-pattharo) to the chief queen of Vasişthiputra Sivasri Puļumāvi (raño vasithiputasa sivasiri-pulumävisa mahadeviya)

Nasik inscription of the time of Vasisthiputra Sri Pulumavi, year 2. Records a private donation. Note the title raño vāsithiputasa sāmisiripulumaisa.

Karle inscription of the time of Vāsişthiputra Sri Puumavi (?), year 5. Records a private donation. Ca. 88 CE.

Nasik inscription of Vasisthiputra Sri Pulumavi, year 6.

Myākadoni inscription of (Vasisthiputra) Sri Puumavi, year 6. Excavation of a tank by Samba in a locale called sätavāhanihāra. Note that the king is called rano sātavāhananam (si) ripulum.

Karle inscription of the time of Vasişthiputra Sri Pulumavi, year 7. Records the donation of a village to the monks at Valūraka (Kärle) by Mahāratthi Väsişthiputra Somadeva, son of Mahārathi Kausikiputra Mitradeva.

Nasik inscription of Väsisthiputra Sri Pulumävi, year 19 = Gautami Balasri's praśasti of Gautamiputra Sri Satakarņi.

Nasik inscription of Vasisthiputra Sri Pulumavi, years 19 and 22. Grant of another village for the upkeep of the Queen's Cave, in place of the village mentioned in (18).

Karle inscription of the time of Vasisthiputra Sri Pulumavi, year 24.. Private donation; the donors have Iranian names (Harapharana and Setapharana).

Kanaganahalli inscription of the time of Vāsişthiputra Sri Puļumāvi, year 35. Records a private donation.

Dharanikota inscription of the time of (Vasisthiputra Sri Pulumavi], [year 35).
Väsana inscription of Vasisthiputra Sri Pulumāvi. 

The Amaravati inscription was written by Pulumavi II and is the first inscription of Satavahanas in Andhra Pradesh. This indicates that the Satavahana empire spread to Andhra during the Pulumavi II period. Private donation. The king is referred to with the Saka title svāmi (ra[ño] vā[ sithi]puta [sa] [sä]mi-siri-pulumävisa). 

According to Ptolemy (85-165 CE) , Chashtana (78-130 CE) directly ruled Ujjain, while Paithan (Pratisthana) continued to be ruled by Siroptolemaios or Siropolemaios (identified with Sri Pulumayi, son of Gautamiputra Satakarni)

Sannati prasasti of Gautamiputra Sri Satakarni. Probably earlier than the Nāsik prasasti reading: [s]iri sátakanisa samuditabalavahanasa abhagavahanasa sätavahanasa benäkata-vidabha-uparigiräparanta-asaka-müdakasa jayavi-cakora-vala-rathadakhina (path ... su]súsakasa pitu-satu-vera-niyatakasa aneka-sam)gamavijita-vijayasa khakharata-kula-ghātakasa aneka-rāja-mathaka-patigahitasa padana-säsanasa ekakusasa eka-dhanudha[ dharasa]. "KI restores the metro nymic of the king as väsethi, although I would expect gotami. Sannati prasasti [of Gautamiputra Sri Sätakarni).. This inscription is in Sanskrit and in the vasantatilaka meter. Probably belongs with the preceding inscription (11).

Meritorious gift of the upper most slab (agatuko-pata) and its line by the nun Dharmasri of the Kotujila family on the l0th day of 2nd fortnight of summer in the 35th (regnal) year of king Vasisthiputra Sri Pulumavi along with her parents, all the preceptors, group of elders and ascetics for the well being and happiness of all creatures.

The other rulers whose bust type silver coins have been found are Vasishthiputra Sivasri Pulumavi , Vasishthiputra Satakarni, Vasishthiputra Vijaya Satakarni, Vasishthiputra Skanda Satakarni and Yajnasri Satakarni.

A one line inscription from a panel of the Mahā Stūpa in Kanaganahalli reveals the giving away of the city of Ujjain by a King Pudumāvi. King Pudumāvi is handing Pudumāvi Ajayatasa Ujeni deti (King Pudumāvi is handing over Ujjayini to Ajayata)

There was probably a prolonged struggle between Puḷumāvi and Chashṭana. During the last years of Chashṭana’s reign when he must have been extremely old after a lengthy rule he would have been just a nominal monarch. The crown prince of the Kārdamakas, Jayadāman, must have held the reins of the administration and led the attack on the Sātavāhanas. It is possible that Puḷumāvi succeeded in gaining
an upper hand but opted for a more practical decision.

Knowing that Ākarāvanti was difficult to hold and for years was the bone of contention between the two powers he agreed for a treaty where he ‘gifted’ Ujjain to Jayadāman and got married his younger brother, the Sātavāhana Crown prince, to Kārdamaka’s crown prince’s grand daughter. This gesture by Puḷumāvi must have established harmony between the two powers and secured the northern border allowing Puḷumāvi to conquer and consolidate territories in the south of his dominion.

c. 120 AD - c. 145 A.D : Vasisthiputra Sivasri Satakarni 
Wife : Satareka 

The fragment of stone discovered in Phanigiri where only three lines can be seen, records the reign of Sivasri Satakarni of the Satavahana dynasty, and also describes him as the son of Vasishthiputra Pulumavi.

Coins found in Krishna and Godavari districts of Rano Vasisthiputra Siva Siri Satakanisa

The Andhau Inscription of year 52 (130 AD) mentions Chashṭana and, associated with him, his grandson Rudradāman (130 CE - 150 CE)

Kanaganahalli label inscriptions. The historical kings mentioned are Asoka (räyä asoko); Chimuka Sātavahana (raja siri chimuka sådavähano); Sātakami (raya sätakansi mahāce) - (t)[i]yasa r(u)pāmayāni payumāni on(o)yeti “King Satakami donates silver lotus flowers to the Great Caitya"); Mantalaka (raya matalako); Sundara Satakami (rāyā sudara sätakani:); Puļumāvi (rāya pulumāvi ajayatasa ujeni deti). These are all inscribed on the upper drum (medhi), which was first encased during the reign of Chimuka Satavahana (see [1]) and renovated during the reign of Väsişthiputra Sri Satakarņi.
Kanaganahalli inscription of the time of Vasisthiputra Sri Satakarni, year 6.. Records a donation by a caravan trader.
Sannati inscription of the time of Vasisthiputra Sri Satakami.
Känheri inscription of Vāsisthiputra Sri Sätakarni. This is one of the only Sanskrit inscriptions of the Sātavāhanas , and records the donation of a cistern by a minister of the queen of Vāsişthiputra Sri Satakarņi, who is also the daughter of the Mahäkşatrapa Ru (dradāman). Since Rudradāman bears the title Mahäkșatrapa, this must date to after (when Rudradāman still had the lower title Kșatrapa).

Satakarni, married the daughter of Kardamaka Rudradaman I (130 - 150 AD) of the Western Satraps dynasty. Rudradaman maintained matrimonial relationships with Sātavāhanas and conceded the country of Aparanta to Satakarni, his son-in-law as dowry.

two inscriptions of Vasishthiputra Satakarni from Nasik and Naneghat in his year 13 have been found https://egyankosh.ac.in/bitstream/123456789/67706/1/Unit-2.pdf

https://sahitya.marathi.gov.in/scans/The%20History%20and%20Inscriptions%20of%20The%20Satavahanas%20and%20The%20Western%20Kshatrapas.pdf

c. 145 A.D - 152 A.D : Sivaskanda Satakarni (7 Years)
As a consequence of his victories, Rudradaman recaptured all the former territories previously controlled by Nahapana. Satavahanas were restricted to their original base in the Deccan and around Amaravati. 

150 AD : Saka 72 : The Junagadh rock inscription of Rudradaman which was also known as the Girnar Rock inscription is basically prose inscribed on a rock located near Girnar hill near Junagadh, Gujarat. In the inscription, he had mentioned about the defeat of Satakarni, lord of Dakshinapatha. 

In spite of the matrimonial link, at least two wars took place between them where in he defeated Sātavāhanas but spared the life of Satakarni, essentially because of their relationship.

In spite of the heavy losses suffered in later years due to Rudradaman’s conquest, the Satavahanas somehow managed to retain their control over their primary stronghold in Nasik and western Deccan

c.152 - 181 AD : Gautamiputra Sri Yajna Satakarni ( 29 Years)

Mahasenapathi : Bhavagopa and his wife is Vasu
Yajna Sri Satakarni, the last great king of this dynasty, recaptured their southern regions in western and central India. The Satavahanas regained some prosperity during the reign of Sri Yajna Satakarni but around the middle of the 3rd century, the dynasty ended.

Nasik inscription of the time of Gautamiputra Sriyajna Satakarni, year 7. Donation of a cave begun by a monk Bopaki and completed by the Mahāsenapatini Vāsu.
Kanaganahalli inscription of the time of Gautamiputra Sriyajña Satakarni, year 10-19
Kanaganahalli inscription of the time of Gautamiputra Sriyajña Satakarni, year 11.
Känheri inscription of the time of Gautamiputra Sriyajña Satakarni, year 16.. Donation and endow ment of a cave by a merchant layman.

178/79 AD : Chinaganjam inscription of Gautamiputra Sriyajña Satakarni, year 27, vasasataya . The king is called rano gotamiputasa araka-siri-yana-sātakanisa, perhaps employing the Tamil aracan as the equivalent of Sanskrit

Amaravati inscription of the time of Gautamiputra Sriyajña Satakarni. This is one of the very few Sanskrit inscriptions from within the Satavahana empire.
Kanheri inscription of the time of Gautamiputra Sriyajña Sätakarni. Donation of a cave. Uses the title sāmi-siri-yana.

c. 181 - 187 AD : Gautamiputra Vijaya Satakarni ( 6 Years)
c. 186 AD : Chebrolu inscription in Guntur, Andhra Pradesh of Satavahana king Vijaya issued in his 5th regnal year is also the earliest datable Sanskrit inscription from South India so far.

Nagarjunakonda inscription of the time of Gautamiputra Srivijaya Sätakami, year 6. This is one of the earliest instances of writing double consonants (sätakannisa).

c. 187 - 198 AD : Vasisthiputra Sricanda Satakarni or Chandra Sri Satakarni  (11 Years)

Kanaganahalli inscription of the time of Vāsişthiputra Canda Satakami, year 11.
Kodavali inscription of the time of Vasisthiputra Sricanda Sväti, year 11 Donation of a minister. The reading of the inscription is very doubtful.

The coins of Chandasri are found in the Krishna and Godavari districts.

Contemporary of Western Kshatrapa ruler Rudrasimha I (178 to 197).

c. 198 - 208 AD : Mathariputra Sri Pulumavi (10 Years)
Mahasenapathi : Skandanaga
Around 203 AD Abhiras captured parts of Western Deccan.
Kanaganahalli inscription of the time of Māthariputra Sri Puļumāvi, year 10.

Contemporary of Saka King Rudrasena I 200–222 CE

Around 208 AD : Vashishthiputra Sri Santamula (Santamula I) founder of Ikshvakus and the general of Satavahanas declared his independence from Satavahanas.

Inscription of King Sivamaka Sada in Amaravati.

Vassals of Satavahanas who replaced them
Mahisha or Chutus of Banavasi
Ikshvakus to the east
Abhiras to the west
Vakatakas
Pallavas of Kanchipuram.

Western Satraps in the northwestern part of the kingdom.


http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/107159028.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst
Some Early Dynasties of South India By Sudhakar Chattopadhyaya
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satavahana_dynasty
http://asiasworld.net/india/royal-dynasties-in-india/satavahana-dynasty/index.cfm

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