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 ...

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...

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...

The Bahmani Kingdom or Bahmani Sultanate (1347 CE to 1527 CE) arose in the Deccan in the mid-14th century and became the first independent Muslim state with sustained power in the Deccan plateau and ruled Telangana from 1350 CE - 1518 CE. Founded by Zafar Khan (commonly known as Hasan Gangu, Alla-ud-Din Bahman Shah or Ala-ud-Din Bahman Shah), it established Persianate court culture in south India, patronized Persian, Arabic and Deccani literature, introduced new administrative practices, and acted as the principal rival of Vijayanagara for over 150 years. Its later political fragmentation (early 16th century) produced the five Deccan sultanates — Bijapur, Ahmadnagar, Berar, Golconda (Qutb Shahi) and Bidar/Barid which dominated later medieval Deccan politics. Significance: institutionalised Indo-Islamic rule in the Deccan, patronage of Deccani Urdu/Dakhini and Persian culture, innovations in administration and land revenue, and long-term geopolitical impact by spawning the five successo...

The Khilji dynasty (1290–1320 CE) extended its influence over Telangana between 1310 and 1320 CE, when Prataparudra II of the Kakatiya dynasty was compelled to accept vassalage. As the second ruling family of the Delhi Sultanate, the Khiljis were highly expansionist and militarily aggressive. Their southern campaigns repeatedly brought them into conflict with the Kakatiyas of Warangal, the most powerful Telugu kingdom of the time. 1310 CE: Alauddin Khilji’s general Malik Kafur invaded Warangal, forcing Prataparudra II to submit and pay tribute. Warangal thus became a tributary state, though the Kakatiyas retained their throne. After Alauddin’s death (1316 CE), the Khiljis weakened. In 1318 CE, Prataparudra stopped paying tribute, asserting independence. Finally, in 1320 CE, Khilji rule in Delhi ended when Qutbuddin Mubarak Shah was killed by Khusro Khan, paving the way for the Tughlaq dynasty. Thus, the Khilji period in Telangana was marked by tribute, resistance, and renewed independe...

The Tughlaq Dynasty (1320–1414 CE) ruled presence in Telangana  (1323 CE - 1336 CE)  was brief but highly consequential. In 1323 CE, Ulugh Khan (later Muhammad bin Tughluq) conquered Warangal, bringing an end to the illustrious Kakatiya dynasty. The capital city was renamed Sultanpur, marking the incorporation of Telangana into the Delhi Sultanate’s expanding dominion. To secure the region, Ulugh Khan appointed Malik Maqbul (formerly Gona Gannaya III, a Kakatiya commander) as governor. For over a decade (1323–1336 CE), Telangana functioned as a provincial frontier of the Sultanate, subject to new administrative structures, revenue demands, and cultural influences. However, this period was also one of resistance and rebellion. The harsh taxation policies and imposition of imperial control provoked widespread discontent among the Telugu warrior clan Musunuri Nayakas, and Recherla Nayaks who spearheaded uprisings. By 1336 CE, these local forces successfully expelled the Tugh...

The Musunuri Nayaks (1325 CE - 1368 CE) were Telugu warrior-chiefs belonging to the Durjaya clan, who emerged as the first native resistance against the Delhi Sultanate after the fall of the Kakatiya Empire in 1323 CE. Rising from their base in Rekhapalli in the Bhadrachalam forests, they rallied the surviving Kakatiya Nayakas and reclaimed Warangal in 1336 CE under the leadership of Kapaya Nayaka. They played a decisive role in reviving Telugu power, defending Hindu traditions, and resisting northern and later Bahmani incursions until their decline in 1368 CE. Founder : Prolaya NayakaCapital (under Kakatiyas): Musunuru (Krishna district, Andhra) Telangana Base: Rekhapalli Fort (near Bhadrachalam, on Godavari) – used as a defense outpost. Later Capital (after 1325 CE): Warangal itself (Kapaya Nayaka). Father: Pochi / Pochaya Nayaka Brothers: Raja nayaka, Kamma nayaka and Deva nayaka Territory: Musunuru (Nuzvid, Krishna district) → extended into Rekhapalli (Bhadrachalam forests) and Tel...

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

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

The Kakatiya dynasty (895 CE / 1151 CE - 1323 CE) was a powerful South Indian dynasty that ruled over most of the eastern Deccan, comprising present-day Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, and parts of eastern Karnataka and southern Odisha between the 12th and 14th centuries. They are descendants of the Karikala Chola King of the Durjaya clan and also traced their ancestry to the Solar dynasty (Suryavamsa) of the Ikshvaku Kshatriyas. Initially starting as vassals of the Rashtrakutas and later the Western Chalukyas, they emerged as a sovereign power. Their capital was initially at Anmakonda (Hanumakonda) and later shifted to Orugallu / Ekasilanagara (Warangal). The Kakatiya period is rightly called the brightest period of Telugu history, known for valor, architectural innovation, and extensive irrigation works. The dynasty famously possessed the Koh-i-Noor diamond before it was seized by the Delhi Sultanate. Founder : Venna Capitals : Anmakonda (Hanumakonda), Orugallu / Ekasilanagara (Waran...