Telangana360

Insights from Epigraphia Telanganica 📜 Inscriptions across all four volumes | Western Chalukya & Kakatiya dynasties | Compiled from Vol-I to Vol-IV The inscriptions across all four volumes of Epigraphia Telanganica provide a detailed view of the complex taxation and revenue systems of medieval Telangana, particularly under the Western Chalukya and Kakatiya dynasties. Taxes were categorized as land revenue, trade and customs duties, professional levies, and miscellaneous social fees 1. Major Tax Categories The sources distinguish between several primary types of revenue: Siddaya: A fixed land tax or revenue assessment. 📖 Siddaya was a fixed land tax assessed as a consolidated cash payment per unit of land, not a percentage of the harvest. Unlike ari (which could be ad valorem or produce-based), siddaya remained constant regardless of crop yield — predictable for the state but burdensome for farmers in poor har...

The merchant aristocracy of medieval Telangana 📜 Based on epigraphic records — trade guilds, irrigation tanks, temple patronage, and taxation rights (1067–1336 CE) In the medieval inscriptions of Telangana, the title Setti (alternately spelled Sethi, Setty, or Chetty ) refers to a powerful merchant and trading class. Far from ordinary traders, the Settis dominated economic life through organized guilds ( Nakara ), funded massive irrigation works, built temples, and held direct control over trade taxes. 📌 Epigraphic insight: “The Setti community was not only vital to the economy through the Nakara (merchant guilds) but was also a primary source of civic and religious patronage, responsible for constructing irrigation works, temples, and managing trade-related taxation.” The "Setti" title identifies them as merchant leaders or guild heads, and they did not act alone — they established the temples on behalf of the entire devoted Saliya community...

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

Kamareddy district is a district located in the northern region of the Indian state of Telangana. The district shares boundaries with Medak, Nizamabad, Sangareddy, Siddipet and Rajanna Sircilla districts and with the state boundary of Maharashtra and Karnataka. Kamareddy was named after Chinakamireddy who ruled the region in the 17th century. He was also the ruler of the popular Domakonda fort. Old name of this place is KODURU Banswada is a Town and Revenue division in Kamareddy district of the Indian state of Telangana. In olden times it's called Banavasavadi-70 and is part of Sabbisayira or Sayiri, which is now part of Kamareddy district. The District is bifurcated from residual District of Nizamabad and formed as Kamareddy District from 11-10-2016 with ( 3 ) Revenue Divisions viz., Kamareddy, Banswada and Yellareddy and ( 22 ) Mandals including ( 1 ) Municipality i.e., Kamareddy. Rajampet, Bibipet, Ramareddy, Peddakodapgal and Nasrullabad are formed as new mandals apart from exi...

The Natavadi Chiefs (1104 CE - 1269 CE) were a significant feudal dynasty that ruled over the Natavadi Vishaya (region) in present-day Telangana and coastal Andhra Pradesh from the early 12th to the late 13th century (1104 AD - 1269 AD). Initially feudatories of the mighty Western Chalukyas of Kalyani, they navigated the complex political landscape of the Deccan to become important allies and vassals of the rising Kakatiya Empire. Their history is primarily reconstructed from inscriptions found at sites like Nidikonda, Tripurantakam, Draksharama, and Simhachalam. Founder : Durgaraja (Duggabhupa) 1104 AD - 1157 AD  Capital : Madhira (Modern Khammam) Geographica Area Core Area Modern District: Khammam district Key Towns: Madhira: This was one of their capitals, specifically mentioned as Madapalle (which is the ancient name for modern-day Madhira). This town is located in the southeastern part of Khammam district. The surrounding areas of Khammam district would have formed the adminis...

Mancherial district was created out of Adilabad district in 2016 during the general reorganization of districts in Telangana. The district headquarters is located at Mancherial town. It is surrounded by Komaram Bheem, Nirmal, Jagtial, Peddapalli and Bhupalpally districts of Telangana and with Maharashtra state. Mancherial is said to get its name from the term ‘Manchi Revu’ as the place is on the banks of river Godavari. It is believed that later Manchi Revu was westernized as Mancherial. Mancherial is previously called as "GARMILLA".  Jurassic Period Yamanapalli or Vemanpalli Dinosaur Fossil Yamanapalli Dinosaur Fossil of Kotasaurus Yamanpalliensis, 16-foot-high (over 5 metres in height) and 14 metres in length from Jurassic age, dating back to about 160 million years was found during an excavation by the Geological Survey of India (GSI) in Yamanapalli region of Mancherial District, Telangana State, India. Negligent Telangana government has no plans for a fossil park While a ...

The Meluganti Nayaks: Feudatory Warriors of the Kakatiya Empire A 13th-century military lineage from the Nalgonda and Khammam regions Introduction The Meluganti (Melugantu/Meluguntu) family were a prominent clan of high-ranking military subordinates ( Nayakas ) who served the Kakatiya dynasty during the 13th century, primarily under the great King Ganapatideva . Their history, reconstructed from stone inscriptions, reveals their role as dedicated feudatories, temple patrons, and loyal servants to both the Kakatiya throne and their own family lineage in present-day Telangana. 1. The Meluganti Brothers at Vadapalli (A.D. 1211) The most detailed record of the family comes from an inscription at Vadapalli (Miryalaguda Taluk, Nalgonda District). Dated to A.D. 1211 (Saka 1133, Pramoduta) , the inscription lists five brothers : Melugantu Komare-nayaka Devare-nayaka Ede-nayaka Bete-nayaka Rudre-nayaka These brothers constructed the temple of Bradukesvara (also called Brad...