In the previous article - Andhra Pradesh :: Part 1 ( Introduction & Important Tourist Spots ), we've seen some facts about important tourist spots of Andhra Pradesh. In this article let's have a look on kings and kingdoms of the region.
Aitreya Brahmana of Rig Veda, Complied between 800 to 500 BCE first used the word Andhra. We do not have any sources to find about the origins of the word. Although some linguists trace it back to the word Andha, which means blind in Sanskrit and Telugu due to the region's exposure to frequent floods which obstruct the trade routes over land and sea due to darkness.
Coming to the kingdoms and kings various archeological sources point at the Mauryan suzerainty over the region. Dharanikota, Amaravati, and Vaddamanu acted as regional centers. Dharanikota, previously Dhanyakatakam served as the capital of Satavahanas along with Amaravati.
Satavahanas rose to power after the decline of Mauryans and ruled from 1st century BCE to 3rd century CE. Srimukha was the founder of the dynasty. Satavahanas were often referred to as Andhras, Andhra-Jateya, Andhrabhaytyas in various Puranas, although they never referred to themselves in their inscription and coins with such names. Nagarjuna lived in Amaravati during this period. Satavahanas had huge territory under them, which extended up to Gujarat and Malwa Plateau. After their decline, various small kingdoms succeeded them.
Pallavas were executive officers under Satavahanas. They reigned over the Southern regions of Telugu and northern parts of Tamil speaking parts during During 6th, 7th & 8th centuries. They were later succeeded by Cholas in the 8th century. Xuanzang visited Kancheepuram during Pallava reign.
Andhra Ikshvakus ( 225 - 340 CE ) formed one of the successor states of Satavahanas in the Krishna river valley with their capital at Vijayapuri. Their ancestors are traced to Ikshvaku dynasty of Ayodhya in Rig Veda, Atharva Veda, and Jaimanya Brahmana. Vashistiputra Santamula was the founder of this dynasty. Matsya Purana referred them as Shri Parvatiya Andhras.
Vakatakas ( 250 - 500 CE ) formed another important dynasty that succeeded Satavahanas. They were contemporaries of Gupats. Vindhyashakthi was its founder. Vakatak king Harisena built Ajanta Caves. Their capital was at Vastgulma ( Washim, Maharashtra).
Shalankayavas (300- 440 CE) Succeeded Andhra Ikshvakus and ruled from Vengi. Vishnukundinas(420-464 CE) succeeded Shalankayavas. Both dynasties were the vassals of Pallavas. The place name Vinukonda comes from Vishnukundinas.
Venginadu is the region between Godavari and Krishna districts. Pedavengi in Eluru was the capital of Vengi Chalukyas. Pulakesin II of Chalukyas of Badami (Western Chalukyas) Conquered Veni from Vishnukundinas and installed his brother Kubja Vishnuvardhana as the governor in the 7th century. Kubja later gave rise to the Eastern Chalukyan dynasty or Vengi Chalukyas. Vengi Chalukyas were in a continuous struggle with Badami Chalukyas, who wanted to make them subordinates. This brought them closer to Cholas with several martial relationships. In the later years, Chalukyan regions were completely absorbed into Chola Empire. Raja Raja Narendra of Vengi gave patronage to Nannaya Bhattaraka in the 11th century to translate Mahabharata into Telugu.
Ashmaka Janapada, one among the 16 Mahajanapada existed in the region between Krishna and Godavari rivers in 6th - 7th BCE.
Kakatiyas were the vassals of Western Chalukyas and Rashtrakutas. They were military chiefs under Rashtrakutas. They rose to become ruling sovereigns between 11th - 14th Centuries. Durjaya was their mulapurusha. Inscriptions at Bayyaram tank points out that Nripa Verma ( 800 - 815 CE ) born in the family of Durjaya was the original founder of Kakatiya Dynasty. Prola II of the Kakatiyas (1110–1158) expanded Kakatiya territory southward and declared his independence. His successor, Rudra (1158–1195), increased the holdings eastward to the Godavari delta. Rudra built the Warangal Fort as a second capital and countered invasions by the Seuna Yadavas of Devagiri. Much of their information comes from the inscriptions found at various places of Telugu speaking areas. Early Kakatiya rulers referred to themselves as Redi, which evolved from the Telugu word Redu meaning King. Once they turned out to be sovereign, they started adding the title of Deva. Rudramma Devi( d. 1289 CE) is the most famous ruler from this dynasty, she is one among the few women rulers of India. She was succeeded by her grandson Prataparudra II, who was the last ruler of the dynasty, his reign was continuously interrupted by the invasions by Delhi Sultanate. Prataparudra first faced the Allauddin Khilji's army in 1303 CE and was successful in driving them back. The army came back in 1309 CE under the leadership of Malik Kafur. Kafur organized one month seize on the Warangal fort and Prataparudra was made a subordinate of Delhi. He had to pay huge tributes to Delhi. It is said that in one of these payments Koh-i-Noor diamond moved out to Delhi. In 1318 he stopped the payments to Delhi, which forced Mubarak Shah (son of khilji) to send the forces under Khusrau Khan and once again Prataparudra had a humiliating defeat. Whoever, he later declared independence during the time of uncertainty about the succession of Delhi throne.
Ghaysuddin Thuglaq sent his son Ulugh Khan ( Mohammed Bin Thuglaq ) in 1321 to regain the control of Deccan, but faced the stiff resistance from Prataparudra and had to move back to Devagiri ( Daulatabad ). The forces regrouped and came back in 1323 CE inflicting great defeat on Kakaytias. Prataparudra committed suicide near Narmada, while he was being taken to Delhi as a prisoner. Despite the continuous disruptions Prataparudra introduced sound administrative measures and expanded his empire to south and east. After a brief period of confusion, Musunuri Nayakas emerged as powerful rulers in the region, although they lasted only around 50 years.
Kakatiyas encouraged small temples that were less cosmopolitan in origin and funding. Such temples cannot be found in earlier times when huge and extravagant temples were in fashion.
Musunuri Nayakas regains Andhradesha from Delhi Sultanate in 1326 CE without much resistance. Musunuri Prolaya Nayakas was its founder. After their brief reign, their territories were taken over by various dynasties like Reddy kings and Velama kings.
Prolaya Vema Reddy was the founder of Reddy dynasty ( 1325 - 1448 CE ) with capital as Kondaveedu of Guntur district. He constructed Kondaveedu fort which became strategically important for many later kingdoms for which many wars were fought.
Hari Hara and Bukka Raya also laid the foundations of the great Vijayanagar Empire during this time. They belonged to the Sangama Dynasty. They were treasury officers of Kakatiyas. Vijayanagara empire rose to be the dominant player in the region along with others like Bahamanis and Qutub Shahis. Hari Bara and Bukka were taken as prisoners to Delhi and converted to Islam. They were appointed as the governors to Kampili and expected to suppress the revolt there, but after reaching here they came under the influence of Vidyaranya and established Vijayanagara empire in 1336 CE.
Vidyaranya was 12th Jagadguru of Shri Shringeri Sharada Peetham, Patron saint and high priest of Hari Hara and Bukka Raya. Panchadasi is his famous work.
Vijayanagara empire lasted till 1565 when it was defeated in Battle Of Thallikota against the combined forces of Ahmadnagar, Bijapur, Berar & Qutubsahi forces. Qutub Shahis of Golconda held complete sway over the Telugu region till Mughal forces under Aurangzeb annexed it in 1687. Tana Shah was the last Qutub Shahi ruler ruled for 14 years. Asaf Jahis were initially governors under Mughals and later declared their independence. The authority of the founder of the State of Hyderabad, Asaf Jah I, extended from the Narmada to Trichinapally and from Machilipatnam to Bijapur. Large parts of territories were given away to British & Fresh at various times
After Nizam I, Asaf Jah died in AD 1748, there was a tussle for power among his son, Nasir Jung, and grandson Muzaffar Jung. The English supported Nasir Jung whereas Muzaffar Jung got support from the French. These two heirs were subsequently killed by Nawabs of Kurnool and Cuddapah, one after another, in AD 1750 and AD 1751 respectively. The third son of Nizam I, Salabat Jung became the ruler as Nizam under the support of the French.
Finally, Nizam of Hyderabad was left with territories of present-day Telangana, and few parts of Maharashtra and Karnataka. And present-day Andhra Pradesh was the part of Madras Presidency. Andhra region was called as Northern Circars during British rule.
Potti Sriramulu fasted on to death in 1952 for the demand to separate Telugu speaking regions of Madras Presidency with Madras city as its capital. Andhra State was carved out with Kurnool as its capital on 1st October 1953. Andhra Pradesh was formed on 1st November 1956. Again in 2014, Andhra Pradesh was reorganized into Telangana and residuary Andhra Pradesh state.
Next article - Andhra Pradesh :: Part III ( Hills ) (geographic features)
Aitreya Brahmana of Rig Veda, Complied between 800 to 500 BCE first used the word Andhra. We do not have any sources to find about the origins of the word. Although some linguists trace it back to the word Andha, which means blind in Sanskrit and Telugu due to the region's exposure to frequent floods which obstruct the trade routes over land and sea due to darkness.
Coming to the kingdoms and kings various archeological sources point at the Mauryan suzerainty over the region. Dharanikota, Amaravati, and Vaddamanu acted as regional centers. Dharanikota, previously Dhanyakatakam served as the capital of Satavahanas along with Amaravati.
Satavahanas rose to power after the decline of Mauryans and ruled from 1st century BCE to 3rd century CE. Srimukha was the founder of the dynasty. Satavahanas were often referred to as Andhras, Andhra-Jateya, Andhrabhaytyas in various Puranas, although they never referred to themselves in their inscription and coins with such names. Nagarjuna lived in Amaravati during this period. Satavahanas had huge territory under them, which extended up to Gujarat and Malwa Plateau. After their decline, various small kingdoms succeeded them.
Pallavas were executive officers under Satavahanas. They reigned over the Southern regions of Telugu and northern parts of Tamil speaking parts during During 6th, 7th & 8th centuries. They were later succeeded by Cholas in the 8th century. Xuanzang visited Kancheepuram during Pallava reign.
Andhra Ikshvakus ( 225 - 340 CE ) formed one of the successor states of Satavahanas in the Krishna river valley with their capital at Vijayapuri. Their ancestors are traced to Ikshvaku dynasty of Ayodhya in Rig Veda, Atharva Veda, and Jaimanya Brahmana. Vashistiputra Santamula was the founder of this dynasty. Matsya Purana referred them as Shri Parvatiya Andhras.
Vakatakas ( 250 - 500 CE ) formed another important dynasty that succeeded Satavahanas. They were contemporaries of Gupats. Vindhyashakthi was its founder. Vakatak king Harisena built Ajanta Caves. Their capital was at Vastgulma ( Washim, Maharashtra).
Shalankayavas (300- 440 CE) Succeeded Andhra Ikshvakus and ruled from Vengi. Vishnukundinas(420-464 CE) succeeded Shalankayavas. Both dynasties were the vassals of Pallavas. The place name Vinukonda comes from Vishnukundinas.
Venginadu is the region between Godavari and Krishna districts. Pedavengi in Eluru was the capital of Vengi Chalukyas. Pulakesin II of Chalukyas of Badami (Western Chalukyas) Conquered Veni from Vishnukundinas and installed his brother Kubja Vishnuvardhana as the governor in the 7th century. Kubja later gave rise to the Eastern Chalukyan dynasty or Vengi Chalukyas. Vengi Chalukyas were in a continuous struggle with Badami Chalukyas, who wanted to make them subordinates. This brought them closer to Cholas with several martial relationships. In the later years, Chalukyan regions were completely absorbed into Chola Empire. Raja Raja Narendra of Vengi gave patronage to Nannaya Bhattaraka in the 11th century to translate Mahabharata into Telugu.
Ashmaka Janapada, one among the 16 Mahajanapada existed in the region between Krishna and Godavari rivers in 6th - 7th BCE.
Kakatiyas were the vassals of Western Chalukyas and Rashtrakutas. They were military chiefs under Rashtrakutas. They rose to become ruling sovereigns between 11th - 14th Centuries. Durjaya was their mulapurusha. Inscriptions at Bayyaram tank points out that Nripa Verma ( 800 - 815 CE ) born in the family of Durjaya was the original founder of Kakatiya Dynasty. Prola II of the Kakatiyas (1110–1158) expanded Kakatiya territory southward and declared his independence. His successor, Rudra (1158–1195), increased the holdings eastward to the Godavari delta. Rudra built the Warangal Fort as a second capital and countered invasions by the Seuna Yadavas of Devagiri. Much of their information comes from the inscriptions found at various places of Telugu speaking areas. Early Kakatiya rulers referred to themselves as Redi, which evolved from the Telugu word Redu meaning King. Once they turned out to be sovereign, they started adding the title of Deva. Rudramma Devi( d. 1289 CE) is the most famous ruler from this dynasty, she is one among the few women rulers of India. She was succeeded by her grandson Prataparudra II, who was the last ruler of the dynasty, his reign was continuously interrupted by the invasions by Delhi Sultanate. Prataparudra first faced the Allauddin Khilji's army in 1303 CE and was successful in driving them back. The army came back in 1309 CE under the leadership of Malik Kafur. Kafur organized one month seize on the Warangal fort and Prataparudra was made a subordinate of Delhi. He had to pay huge tributes to Delhi. It is said that in one of these payments Koh-i-Noor diamond moved out to Delhi. In 1318 he stopped the payments to Delhi, which forced Mubarak Shah (son of khilji) to send the forces under Khusrau Khan and once again Prataparudra had a humiliating defeat. Whoever, he later declared independence during the time of uncertainty about the succession of Delhi throne.
Ghaysuddin Thuglaq sent his son Ulugh Khan ( Mohammed Bin Thuglaq ) in 1321 to regain the control of Deccan, but faced the stiff resistance from Prataparudra and had to move back to Devagiri ( Daulatabad ). The forces regrouped and came back in 1323 CE inflicting great defeat on Kakaytias. Prataparudra committed suicide near Narmada, while he was being taken to Delhi as a prisoner. Despite the continuous disruptions Prataparudra introduced sound administrative measures and expanded his empire to south and east. After a brief period of confusion, Musunuri Nayakas emerged as powerful rulers in the region, although they lasted only around 50 years.
Kakatiyas encouraged small temples that were less cosmopolitan in origin and funding. Such temples cannot be found in earlier times when huge and extravagant temples were in fashion.
Musunuri Nayakas regains Andhradesha from Delhi Sultanate in 1326 CE without much resistance. Musunuri Prolaya Nayakas was its founder. After their brief reign, their territories were taken over by various dynasties like Reddy kings and Velama kings.
Prolaya Vema Reddy was the founder of Reddy dynasty ( 1325 - 1448 CE ) with capital as Kondaveedu of Guntur district. He constructed Kondaveedu fort which became strategically important for many later kingdoms for which many wars were fought.
Hari Hara and Bukka Raya also laid the foundations of the great Vijayanagar Empire during this time. They belonged to the Sangama Dynasty. They were treasury officers of Kakatiyas. Vijayanagara empire rose to be the dominant player in the region along with others like Bahamanis and Qutub Shahis. Hari Bara and Bukka were taken as prisoners to Delhi and converted to Islam. They were appointed as the governors to Kampili and expected to suppress the revolt there, but after reaching here they came under the influence of Vidyaranya and established Vijayanagara empire in 1336 CE.
Vidyaranya was 12th Jagadguru of Shri Shringeri Sharada Peetham, Patron saint and high priest of Hari Hara and Bukka Raya. Panchadasi is his famous work.
Vijayanagara empire lasted till 1565 when it was defeated in Battle Of Thallikota against the combined forces of Ahmadnagar, Bijapur, Berar & Qutubsahi forces. Qutub Shahis of Golconda held complete sway over the Telugu region till Mughal forces under Aurangzeb annexed it in 1687. Tana Shah was the last Qutub Shahi ruler ruled for 14 years. Asaf Jahis were initially governors under Mughals and later declared their independence. The authority of the founder of the State of Hyderabad, Asaf Jah I, extended from the Narmada to Trichinapally and from Machilipatnam to Bijapur. Large parts of territories were given away to British & Fresh at various times
After Nizam I, Asaf Jah died in AD 1748, there was a tussle for power among his son, Nasir Jung, and grandson Muzaffar Jung. The English supported Nasir Jung whereas Muzaffar Jung got support from the French. These two heirs were subsequently killed by Nawabs of Kurnool and Cuddapah, one after another, in AD 1750 and AD 1751 respectively. The third son of Nizam I, Salabat Jung became the ruler as Nizam under the support of the French.
Finally, Nizam of Hyderabad was left with territories of present-day Telangana, and few parts of Maharashtra and Karnataka. And present-day Andhra Pradesh was the part of Madras Presidency. Andhra region was called as Northern Circars during British rule.
Potti Sriramulu fasted on to death in 1952 for the demand to separate Telugu speaking regions of Madras Presidency with Madras city as its capital. Andhra State was carved out with Kurnool as its capital on 1st October 1953. Andhra Pradesh was formed on 1st November 1956. Again in 2014, Andhra Pradesh was reorganized into Telangana and residuary Andhra Pradesh state.
Next article - Andhra Pradesh :: Part III ( Hills ) (geographic features)