Telangana360

Warangal (Orugallu-Sime): The Unabridged Dynastic & Administrative Record 1. Asmaka Mahajanapada (c. 700 – 300 BCE) Central Godavari Core — Potana (Bodhan) In the early Iron Age, the Warangal-Karimnagar sector was the industrial heart of Asmaka . Governance was decentralized, led by a council of elders who managed the first large-scale irrigation and iron-smelting operations in South India. The First Local Rulers: Gana-Mukhyas The plateau was governed by the Gana-Mukhyas (Clan Leaders), who held ancestral rights to specific territories: The Clan Elders: Based in fortified settlements like Kotilingala and early sites in Hanumakonda . They were the primary decision-makers for resource sharing and tribal defense. Lords of the Smelters: They controlled the early iron foundries of the Mulugu forests. The surplus iron produced here was traded with the Northern Mahajanapadas (Magadha, Avanti) in exchange for ...

First martyr of the armed phase of the Telangana Peasant Movement Full Name: Doddi Komarayya (also spelled Komaraiah / Komraiah) Birth: Early 1920s (exact date unknown) Death: 4 July 1946 Place of Birth: Kadavendi (Kadivendi) village, Nalgonda district (now part of Warangal district), Telangana Occupation: Peasant, grassroots activist, local leader of Andhra Mahasabha (AMS) and Communist Party of India (CPI)  Early Life and Political Awakening Doddi Komarayya was born into a poor peasant family belonging to the Kuruma/Golla (shepherd) community in Kadavendi village. The region was under feudal control of the Nizam of Hyderabad, and peasants faced severe exploitation, including forced labor and high rents. Growing up amidst these conditions, Komarayya became politically aware and joined the Andhra Mahasabha (AMS), advocating for peasant rights and social justice. He later aligned with the Communist Party of India (CPI), which emphasized land reforms and anti-feudal ideologies. Ro...

The People's Poet (Praja Kavi) of Telangana  A giant of Telugu letters, Kaloji Narayana Rao (9 September 1914 – 13 November 2002), popularly known as Kaloji or Kalanna, was a freedom fighter, poet, and political activist from Telangana whose life embodied the spirit of truth, justice, and compassion. Born in Madikonda village, Warangal district (then part of Hyderabad State, now Telangana), his real name was Raghuveer Narayan Lakshmikanth Srinivasa Ramraja Kaloji. Over the course of nearly nine decades, Kaloji witnessed and shaped India’s journey from colonial rule to democracy, and his words became the conscience of Telangana. A poet of the people (Praja Kavi), Kaloji used literature as a weapon of truth and humour as a means of awakening. His poetry, written in the everyday idiom of Telangana Telugu, spoke directly to the hearts of common people. “Kaloji was not just a poet of words, but of conscience. His life itself was his greatest poem.” Early Life and Education Kaloji was ...

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 ...

Warangal Durries are a celebrated craft from the Deccan region of India, with a tradition tracing back to the Mughal era. These geometric-patterned rugs are a hallmark of the country's rich handloom practice and are highly sought after in both national and international markets. The craft is centered in Warangal, Telangana, and was officially granted the Geographical Indication (GI) tag in March 2018, protecting its unique identity. Despite their renown and the skill of the artisans, the industry faces challenges related to branding, marketing, and ensuring the craft's continuation. The Craft and Its Heritage History and Significance The tradition of durry-making in Warangal dates back to the Mughal army's arrival in the Deccan region. Artists and craftsmen accompanying the army began making carpets, and the local population soon adopted it as a source of income, passing the skill down through generations. Today, it remains a highly labour-intensive, rural-based cottage ind...