Telangana History: Recherla Padmanayakas

Telangana History: Recherla Padmanayakas (రేచర్ల పద్మనాయకులు)

Introduction

• This lecture covers the Recherla Padmanayakas, a significant dynasty in Telangana History.
• They ruled the Telangana region extensively after the decline of the Kakatiyas.
• They belong to the Recherla Gotra, hence also known as Recherla Velamas (రేచర్ల వెలమలు).

Post-Kakatiya Context (కాకతీయ అనంతరం పరిస్థితులు)

1. AD 1323: Fall of the Kakatiya dynasty.
2. Delhi Sultan Muhammad bin Tughlaq captured Orugallu (Warangal).
3. Muhammad bin Tughlaq renamed Orugallu as Sultanpur (సుల్తాన్ పూర్).
4. AD 1324: Muhammad bin Tughlaq established "Mohammadiya Palana" (Muslim rule) in Telangana and Andhra regions.
5. Governors:
   • Malik Burhanuddin, the governor of Devagiri, gained dominance over Telangana.
   • He appointed Malik Maqbul as his representative (తెరఫ్ దార్) in Orugallu/Sultanpur.
6. Malik Maqbul:
   • Originally a Brahmin named Jagannatha Panditudu (జగన్నాథ పండితుడు).
   • Converted to Islam during Muhammad bin Tughlaq's reign and took the name Malik Maqbul.
   • Used the signature "Slave of Muhammad bin Tughlaq, Malik Maqbul," which impressed the Sultan.
   • Was appointed governor of the Orugallu region.
7. Conditions under Malik Maqbul:
   • Telugu people faced extreme poverty.
   • The rule was characterized by anarchy (అరాచకం).
   • Law and order deteriorated significantly.
   • Muslim rule became unbearable (అసహనం) for the local population.
8. Historical Sources describing conditions:
   • Vilasā Tamra Shasanam (విలాస తామ్ర శాసనం)
   • Kaluva Cheruvu Shasanam (కలువ చెరువు శాసనం)
   • Gangadevi's Madhura Vijayam (గంగాదేవి మధురా విజయం)

Musunuri Nayaka Revolt & Rise of Padmanayakas

• Musunuri Prolaya Nayaka

  • A former Kakatiya Nayankara.
  • United 77 Nayankaras against Muslim rule.
  • Led a liberation movement (విప్లవోద్యమం / విమోచనోద్యమం).
  • Key supporters: Annaya Mantri, Recherla Singama Nayaka, Addanki Vemareddy, Kolani Rudradeva, Manchikonda Ganapati Nayaka.

• Outcome

  • Malik Maqbul was driven out.
  • Prolaya Nayaka fought at Rekapalle (near Bhadrachalam) and established the Musunuri kingdom with Rekapalle as capital (AD 1325).
  • By AD 1326, Muslims were completely expelled from Telugu lands.

• Kapaya Nayaka

  • Nephew (sister's son) of Prolaya Nayaka.
  • Continued the fight with support from other Nayankaras.
  • Ensured freedom for the entire Telugu region.

• Emergence of New Kingdoms

  • Recherla Padmanayaka kingdom established in Telangana.
  • Addanki Reddy kingdom established in Andhra.

Recherla Padmanayaka Dynasty

• Origin & Founder

  • Lineage Founder (వంశస్థాపకుడు): Bethala Nayaka (బేతాల నాయకుడు).
  • Original Name: Chevvi Reddy (చెవ్వి రెడ్డి). (Note: "Reddy" was initially a title/post, later evolving).
  • Birthplace: Amanaganti Puramu (ఆమనగంటి పురము) near Pillalamarri (పిల్లలమర్రి) in Nalgonda district.
  • Known for intelligence (ప్రజ్ఞ) and valor (పరాక్రమం).
  • Recognized by Kakatiya Ganapatideva (around AD 1252-53), appointed ruler of Amanagantipura, given title Bethala Nayaka.

• Bethala Nayaka's Sons

  • Dama Nayaka, Prasaditya, Rudra Nayaka served as commanders under Kakatiyas. (Recherla Prasaditya helped Rudramadevi).

• Dama Nayaka

  • Served under Ganapatideva.

• Venna Nayaka

  • Son of Dama Nayaka; served in Prataparudra's court; helped defeat the first Muslim invasion (AD 1303).

• Erradacha Nayaka

  • Son of Venna Nayaka; served Prataparudra; defeated Pandyas at Kanchi.
  • Titles: Kanchi Kavata Churakara, Pancha Pandya Dala Vibhala, Pandya Gaja Kesari.

• Mudadati Singama Nayaka I (First Singama Nayaka) (AD 1326-1361)

  • Son of Erradacha Nayaka.
  • Founder of the Recherla Padmanayaka Kingdom (రాజ్యస్థాపకుడు).
  • Assisted Musunuri Prolaya Nayaka.
  • Capital: Amanagallu (ఆమనాగల్లు), Nalgonda Dist.
  • Expanded kingdom to the Krishna River.
  • Killed by Somavamsa Kshatriyas while besieging Jallipalli fort.

• Mudadati Anapota Nayaka I (First Anapota Nayaka) (AD 1361-1384)

  • Son of First Singama Nayaka.
  • Avenged father's death by defeating Somavamsa Kshatriyas at Jallipalli (with brother Mada Nayaka).
  • Title: "Somakula Parasurama" (సోమకుల పరుశురామ).
  • AD 1368: Attacked Orugallu, defeated Kapaya Nayaka at the Battle of Bhimavaram (near Warangal).
  • Titles: Andhra Desadhisvara, Khadga Narayana, Hindu Raya Suratrana, Vayu Govaladi.
  • Captured Orugallu.
  • Builder of Rachakonda fort (రాచకొండ రాజ్య నిర్మాత); made it impregnable.
  • Shifted capital from Amanagallu to Rachakonda.
  • Defeated Kondaveeti Reddi king Anapota Reddy at the Battle of Dharanikota.
  • Title: "Jagannobba Ganda" (జగనొబ్బ గండ).
  • Divided the kingdom: Rachakonda for himself, Devarakonda for brother Mada Nayaka. Ruled cooperatively.
  • Conquered Bhuvanagiri fort; Title: "Tribhuvani Raya Ravu" (త్రిభువనీ రాయ రావు).
  • Visited Ayyanavolu (ఐనవోలు); issued inscription in AD 1369 (composed by Naganaatha in Sanskrit - Ayyanavolu inscription).
  • Built tanks: Rayasamudram, Anapota Samudram near Rachakonda.
  • Built Virabhadraswamy and Ramaswamy temples; renovated Durga Devi temple.
  • Built ramparts for Rachakonda fort and steps for Srisailam.
  • Court Poets:
    • Visveswara Kavi: Wrote "Chamatkara Chandrika" (Sanskrit Alankara Shastra).
    • Bommakanti Appayamatyudu: Commentary on Amarakosha (Sanskrit).
    • Vedānta Desikudu: Tatva Sandesham, Rahasya Sandesham, Subhashita Nivi.
    • Naganaatha: Composed Ayyanavolu inscription.

• Rendava Singama Nayaka II (Second Singama Nayaka) (AD 1384-1399)

  • Elder son of First Anapota Nayaka.
  • Conquered Kalyana Durga as Yuvaraja; erected victory pillar.
  • Title: "Kalyana Bhupati" (కళ్యాణ భూపతి). (Victory mentioned by Visveswara in Chamatkara Chandrika).
  • Titles: Sarvajna Chakravarti, Sarvajna Chudamani, Khadga Narayana, Andhra Mandaladhisvara, Pratidanda Bhairava.
  • He was a poet himself.
  • Works (Sanskrit): Sangita Sudhakaram (music), Rasarnava Sudhakaram (poetics), Ratna Panchalika / Kuvalayavali (drama).
  • Ratna Panchalika performed during Vasantotsavalu at Prasanna Gopaladeva temple, Rachakonda.
  • Court Poets (associated): Visveswara, Bommakanti Appayamatyudu, Vedānta Desikudu, Shakalya Ayyalaraju, Gaurana, Koravi Goparaju, Pothana.
    • Gaurana: Lakshana Dipika, Navanatha Charitra, Harischandropakhyanam.
    • Koravi Goparaju: Simhasana Dvatrimsika (first analysis of dreams).
    • Pothana: Wrote Bhogini Dandakam, later regretted it, left court. Wrote Virabhadra Vijayamu, Narayana Satakamu, Bhagavatam (dedicated to Sri Rama).
  • Visveswara described him as "Sahitya Silpavadi".
  • Srinatha visited his court, tried mediation with Reddi kings.

• Mudadava Singama Nayaka III (Third Singama Nayaka) (AD 1430-1475)

  • Son of Second Anapota Nayaka's elder brother (Anna Kumarudu).
  • Titles: Mummadi Singama Nayaka, Sarvajnaravu Singama Nayaka.
  • Ruled for 45 years.
  • Last ruler of the Rachakonda branch (చివరి రాచకొండ పద్మనాయక పాలకుడు).
  • Inscriptions: Kanchivaram (AD 1437, by brother Vasantha Neni), Bellamkonda (AD 1453), Shayampeta (AD 1464, by brother Ravu Dharmanidu), Tirupati (AD 1475).

• Devarakonda Branch

  • Mada Nayaka: Founder, brother of First Anapota Nayaka. Capital: Devarakonda. Expanded to Srisailam. Built northern gateway (Uma Maheswaram) for Srisailam temple, mandapa, Shiva temple. Built Madhavapuram near Devarakonda.
  • Peda Vedagiri (1384-1410): Son of Mada Nayaka. Shiva devotee, patron of poets. Court poet: Shakalya Ayyalaraju (Bhaskara Ramayanam).
  • Lingamanedu: Last ruler of Devarakonda kingdom.

Socio-Economic and Religious Conditions

• Economy

  • Main occupation: Agriculture. Brahmins also farmed.
  • Main revenue: Land tax (1/6th of produce).
  • Tax exemptions: Agrahara and temple lands.
  • Irrigation: Provided by kings (Etham, Ratnamu methods).
  • Crops: Rice, Jowar, Millets, Sesame, Sugarcane, Cotton, Chillies.
  • Industries: Textiles, Kalamkari (Centers: Orugallu, Devarakonda, Golkonda). Carpet (Ratna Kamballu), Tivachi making.
  • Trade: Vaisyas, Telagas, Balijas involved. Domestic & Foreign trade.
  • Ports/Trade Hubs: Wadapalli (Odapalli) on Krishna river - major trade hub, water fort (Jaladurgam). Trade via ships (river route).

• Religion

  • Shift: Padmanayakas initially Shaivites, later adopted Vaishnavism.
  • Influence: Strong influence of Virashaivism (Basaveswara).
  • Practices: Radical Shaivism prevalent. Many Bhairava and Mailaru temples.
  • Ranam Kudupu: Practice arose from Bhairava worship; offering food mixed with blood/flesh of the dead to appease war deities and spirits (bhūta-preta-piśāca).
  • Mantras and Tantric practices were common.