Andhra Pradesh consists of three distinct regions, namely, Andhra, Rayalaseema and Talangana. Andhra and Rayalaseema were part of Madras province of the British empire. For approximately 400 years, Telangana was part of Hyderabad State, an independent kingdom ruled by Muslim Qutub Shahi and Nizam dynasties.
The history of Telengana began with the spread of Aryan civilization into this region. Early settlements in this region according to Buddhist works were along the banks of river Godavari in continuation with Mulaka around Paithan in Aurangabad district of Maharashtra and Asmaka with Podana or Bodan as capital. Bodan was a sacred place according to Jaina literature. There were many local chieftains or kings in this region in the historic period and they came under the rule of Mauryan Empire. It is only after Asoka the concept of sovereignty came to be known in this area. Asoka introduced a highly organized system of administration based on the concept of central authority. It took two more centuries for Telugu people to unite under the leadership of Chimuka the first ruler of Satavahana dynasty. The first major dynasty to rule the region was the Stavahana. Before the Satavahanas, there were many local rulers in different parts of Telengana such as Gobada, Narana, Kamvayasa, Sirivayasa and Samagopa. Samagopa ruled a large area for very long time. He issued a variety of coins of different denominations and in different metals. His rule was followed by that of Chimuka and coins with counter struck marks confirm this fact. All these local kings ruled from Kotalingala and early rulers of the Satavahana dynasty also ruled from here.
The Satavahana rule commenced around 30 BC and it spread far wide. There were great kings like Satakarni I, Pulumavi I, Hala, Gautamiputra Satakarni, Yajana Satakarni etc who by virtue of their political conquests, efforts to promote trade and commerce and patronage of arts left a rich legacy of their rule. It was during this period, the famous Buddhist stupas at Amaravati, Battiprolu, Gudivada, Pedda Ganjam, Dhulikatta, Kondapur in Andhra and cave temples at Karla, Nasik, in the Maharastra and great stupa at Sanchi in Malva were built. The rule is believed to have received royal patronage from Yajana Satakarni. The Satavahana rule ended in 230 AD. The large number of Satavahana coins found in various parts of Decan bear testimony to the enormous trade activity during their period. This includes trade with Roman Empire in the beginning of Christian era, which earned large quantities of gold in exchange for cotton, pepper, ivory, aromatics and precious stones. It is interesting to recall that Magavahana dynasty ruled north coastal Andhra when Satavahasnas were ruling Telengana and Vidarba.
The Satavahanas were followed by Vakatakas and Sakas of the Kardamaka family in the upper Deccan, the Ikshvakus in the Krishna valley and Chutus in the karanataka region. It seems that that northern Telengana was included in the Vakartaka kingdom until the arrival of Vishnukundins. The Ikshvaku rule in the Krishna valley was marked by hectic activities of the Buddhist missionaries. It is worth noting that during the post Satavahna period, the whole of Andhra Pradesh and particularly coastal tract was dotted with Buddhist stupas. Andhra desa became the center for the growth of Mahayana Buddhism and during this period trade contacts also developed with Burma, Malaya, Cambodia, Indonesia, Japan etc. It was again during this period distinctive Andhra art and architecture developed and this can be viewed in art galleries of Amaravati in Chennai and London. Andhra region became the center for Mahayana Buddhism, which propounded the madhyamika theory of Sunyavada School, which produced books on logic and philosophy. Sri Lanka was influenced by these contacts with Andhra, which is evident in their script and in the language. In the latter half of the fourth century AD, the Vishnukundins in Telegana and Pallavas in southern Andhra rose to power. Vishnukundin Madhavavarman was a great conqueror who brought much of the Decan lying to the north of Krishna under his rule. Their rule continued until the last quarter of the sixth century. Their copper coins were unique and had a core of iron, a metal that was not used again for making coins until 1980’s. Their contemporaries in southern Andhra were Pallavas and their founder was Virakurcha who was a subordinate under Satavahanas. An early member of this family Vishnu Gopa witnessed the invasion of Samudra Gupta in 370AD. The Gupta invasion of south was not to occupy land and subjugate kings but to revive Brahmanism. Sanskrit replaced the Prakrit language introduced by Buddhist missionaries. Thus started the decline of Buddhism from 5th century onwards in Andhra. Construction of temples for the gods and goddesses of the Puranic cult and celebration of Hindu festivals continued thereafter. These major changes brought about an integrated socio-religions culture in Andhra, which dominated all spheres of social life.
The beginning of the seventh century is another landmark in the Andhra history. Politically leaving the Pallava rule in the south the rest of Andhra Desa was brought under the rule of Pulakesi II of Badami Chalukyas. Having acquired a vast empire Pulakesi II conferred on his younger brother Kubja Vishnu Vardana the real authority over Vengi territory of Andhra and retained Rayalaseema and Telengana under his direct rule. Thus, coastal Andhra became the kingdom of the Vengi Chalukyas and remained so until the advent of Kakatiyas. There were many great rulers of this dynasty such as Jayasimha Vallabha I, Vijayaditya II, Raja Raja Narendra and Kulattunga I. The latter also ascended Chola throne after marrying Chola emperor’s daughter Ammanga Devi, Under Badami Chalukyas Saivism spread and the temple at Alampuram, Mahanadi, Satyavolu etc were built.
The Badami Chaulukyas were overthrown by Rashtrakkutas in 750 AD. A subordinate family was named by historians as Chalukyas of Bodhan or Vemulavada ruled over northern Telengana for two centuries. Arikesari II (930-955 AD) was a powerful king and was a patron of men of letters. The renowned Kannada poet Pampa and Jinavallabha were in his court. Vikramarjunavijaya, the great Kannada work was written at Vemulawada. During Rashrakuta rule many Jain centers flourished like Kolanupaka, Bairanpally etc.
During the period between 600-1000AD Rayalaseema area was ruled by Telugu Choda, Banas, Vaidumbas and other chiefs. In the history of Andhradesa 978 AD is another landmark, Chalukyas of Kalyani ousted the Rashtrakutas. During the later part of Chalukya local chiefs or petty mandaliks rule Andhra desa and especially in the 12th century, there was no effective central authority.
After 1156 AD, the Chalukyan power at Kalyani was overthrown by Bijjala. Kakatiyas gained superiority over other subordinates of Chalukyas in Telengana. They did not yield to Bijjala. Kakatiya Rudradeva proclaimed his independence in 1163 AD. Thus started Kakatiya rule from Orugallu. Their rule extended form Telengana to coastal region and in the south unto Kanchi. This was perhaps for the first time after Satavahana rule, that major part of Telugu speaking people were brought under one political authority. The Kalinga part of Andhra was continuosly under the rule of Eastern Gangas. During the rule of Ganga King Ananthavarma Choda Ganga (1076-1148) famous temple at Mukhalingam, Narayanapuram, Simhachalam, Bhuvaneshvar, Puri and Konarak were built. Art flourished during the rule of Ganga kings. Kakatiya Ganapatideva introduced uniform administration throughout his kingdom. Foreign trade flourished during Kakatiya rule. Motupalli near Chirala was a major port in those days, which was visited by Venecian traveler Marco Polo. Temple building was other important activity during this period. Several monuments of the times were at Pillalamarri, Palampet, Hanumakonda and Warangal fort that bear testimony to the artistic skills of artisans. The fall of Kakatiyas led to political turmoil. Some local chiefs formed a confederacy under the leadership of Kapaya nayaka and expelled Musilms form Warangal. Two separate kingdom, one by Reddy Chief Prolaya Vema in the coastal region with Kondavidu as capital and other by Velama chief Anapota Nayudu in Telengana were founded. They survived the onslaughts of Bahmanis for over hundred years and during that time great achievements in Telugu literature and culture occurred. The famous Telugu poets of the period were Srinatha, Errapradaga and Pothana. Vijayanagara and Gajapati rulers conquered the Reddy kingdom while Velama kingdom succumbed to Muslims.
The Decan in the middle of the fouteenth century was politically bisected roughly along the river Krishna, the north occupied by the Bahmanis and the south by Vijayanagara. This lasted unto 1565 AD, which marked the fall of Vijayanagara after the battle of Rakshasha Tangadi, Gajapati rulers of Orissa ruled the coastal Andhra. In 1515 AD, Qutub Shahi kingdom started with Golconda as capital. Aurangajeb defeated Qutub shahis in 1687 AD starting Mughal authority. In 1724 AD, Asaf Jahi rule commenced under Nizamulmulk but his successors lost vast areas to the East India Company and subsequently to the British. Telengana alone of Andhradesa remained with the Hyderabad state. Asaf Jahi rule ended in 1948 AD after police action. Andhra state formed in 1953 and Andhra Pradesh in 1956.
The history of Telengana began with the spread of Aryan civilization into this region. Early settlements in this region according to Buddhist works were along the banks of river Godavari in continuation with Mulaka around Paithan in Aurangabad district of Maharashtra and Asmaka with Podana or Bodan as capital. Bodan was a sacred place according to Jaina literature. There were many local chieftains or kings in this region in the historic period and they came under the rule of Mauryan Empire. It is only after Asoka the concept of sovereignty came to be known in this area. Asoka introduced a highly organized system of administration based on the concept of central authority. It took two more centuries for Telugu people to unite under the leadership of Chimuka the first ruler of Satavahana dynasty. The first major dynasty to rule the region was the Stavahana. Before the Satavahanas, there were many local rulers in different parts of Telengana such as Gobada, Narana, Kamvayasa, Sirivayasa and Samagopa. Samagopa ruled a large area for very long time. He issued a variety of coins of different denominations and in different metals. His rule was followed by that of Chimuka and coins with counter struck marks confirm this fact. All these local kings ruled from Kotalingala and early rulers of the Satavahana dynasty also ruled from here.
The Satavahana rule commenced around 30 BC and it spread far wide. There were great kings like Satakarni I, Pulumavi I, Hala, Gautamiputra Satakarni, Yajana Satakarni etc who by virtue of their political conquests, efforts to promote trade and commerce and patronage of arts left a rich legacy of their rule. It was during this period, the famous Buddhist stupas at Amaravati, Battiprolu, Gudivada, Pedda Ganjam, Dhulikatta, Kondapur in Andhra and cave temples at Karla, Nasik, in the Maharastra and great stupa at Sanchi in Malva were built. The rule is believed to have received royal patronage from Yajana Satakarni. The Satavahana rule ended in 230 AD. The large number of Satavahana coins found in various parts of Decan bear testimony to the enormous trade activity during their period. This includes trade with Roman Empire in the beginning of Christian era, which earned large quantities of gold in exchange for cotton, pepper, ivory, aromatics and precious stones. It is interesting to recall that Magavahana dynasty ruled north coastal Andhra when Satavahasnas were ruling Telengana and Vidarba.
The Satavahanas were followed by Vakatakas and Sakas of the Kardamaka family in the upper Deccan, the Ikshvakus in the Krishna valley and Chutus in the karanataka region. It seems that that northern Telengana was included in the Vakartaka kingdom until the arrival of Vishnukundins. The Ikshvaku rule in the Krishna valley was marked by hectic activities of the Buddhist missionaries. It is worth noting that during the post Satavahna period, the whole of Andhra Pradesh and particularly coastal tract was dotted with Buddhist stupas. Andhra desa became the center for the growth of Mahayana Buddhism and during this period trade contacts also developed with Burma, Malaya, Cambodia, Indonesia, Japan etc. It was again during this period distinctive Andhra art and architecture developed and this can be viewed in art galleries of Amaravati in Chennai and London. Andhra region became the center for Mahayana Buddhism, which propounded the madhyamika theory of Sunyavada School, which produced books on logic and philosophy. Sri Lanka was influenced by these contacts with Andhra, which is evident in their script and in the language. In the latter half of the fourth century AD, the Vishnukundins in Telegana and Pallavas in southern Andhra rose to power. Vishnukundin Madhavavarman was a great conqueror who brought much of the Decan lying to the north of Krishna under his rule. Their rule continued until the last quarter of the sixth century. Their copper coins were unique and had a core of iron, a metal that was not used again for making coins until 1980’s. Their contemporaries in southern Andhra were Pallavas and their founder was Virakurcha who was a subordinate under Satavahanas. An early member of this family Vishnu Gopa witnessed the invasion of Samudra Gupta in 370AD. The Gupta invasion of south was not to occupy land and subjugate kings but to revive Brahmanism. Sanskrit replaced the Prakrit language introduced by Buddhist missionaries. Thus started the decline of Buddhism from 5th century onwards in Andhra. Construction of temples for the gods and goddesses of the Puranic cult and celebration of Hindu festivals continued thereafter. These major changes brought about an integrated socio-religions culture in Andhra, which dominated all spheres of social life.
The beginning of the seventh century is another landmark in the Andhra history. Politically leaving the Pallava rule in the south the rest of Andhra Desa was brought under the rule of Pulakesi II of Badami Chalukyas. Having acquired a vast empire Pulakesi II conferred on his younger brother Kubja Vishnu Vardana the real authority over Vengi territory of Andhra and retained Rayalaseema and Telengana under his direct rule. Thus, coastal Andhra became the kingdom of the Vengi Chalukyas and remained so until the advent of Kakatiyas. There were many great rulers of this dynasty such as Jayasimha Vallabha I, Vijayaditya II, Raja Raja Narendra and Kulattunga I. The latter also ascended Chola throne after marrying Chola emperor’s daughter Ammanga Devi, Under Badami Chalukyas Saivism spread and the temple at Alampuram, Mahanadi, Satyavolu etc were built.
The Badami Chaulukyas were overthrown by Rashtrakkutas in 750 AD. A subordinate family was named by historians as Chalukyas of Bodhan or Vemulavada ruled over northern Telengana for two centuries. Arikesari II (930-955 AD) was a powerful king and was a patron of men of letters. The renowned Kannada poet Pampa and Jinavallabha were in his court. Vikramarjunavijaya, the great Kannada work was written at Vemulawada. During Rashrakuta rule many Jain centers flourished like Kolanupaka, Bairanpally etc.
During the period between 600-1000AD Rayalaseema area was ruled by Telugu Choda, Banas, Vaidumbas and other chiefs. In the history of Andhradesa 978 AD is another landmark, Chalukyas of Kalyani ousted the Rashtrakutas. During the later part of Chalukya local chiefs or petty mandaliks rule Andhra desa and especially in the 12th century, there was no effective central authority.
After 1156 AD, the Chalukyan power at Kalyani was overthrown by Bijjala. Kakatiyas gained superiority over other subordinates of Chalukyas in Telengana. They did not yield to Bijjala. Kakatiya Rudradeva proclaimed his independence in 1163 AD. Thus started Kakatiya rule from Orugallu. Their rule extended form Telengana to coastal region and in the south unto Kanchi. This was perhaps for the first time after Satavahana rule, that major part of Telugu speaking people were brought under one political authority. The Kalinga part of Andhra was continuosly under the rule of Eastern Gangas. During the rule of Ganga King Ananthavarma Choda Ganga (1076-1148) famous temple at Mukhalingam, Narayanapuram, Simhachalam, Bhuvaneshvar, Puri and Konarak were built. Art flourished during the rule of Ganga kings. Kakatiya Ganapatideva introduced uniform administration throughout his kingdom. Foreign trade flourished during Kakatiya rule. Motupalli near Chirala was a major port in those days, which was visited by Venecian traveler Marco Polo. Temple building was other important activity during this period. Several monuments of the times were at Pillalamarri, Palampet, Hanumakonda and Warangal fort that bear testimony to the artistic skills of artisans. The fall of Kakatiyas led to political turmoil. Some local chiefs formed a confederacy under the leadership of Kapaya nayaka and expelled Musilms form Warangal. Two separate kingdom, one by Reddy Chief Prolaya Vema in the coastal region with Kondavidu as capital and other by Velama chief Anapota Nayudu in Telengana were founded. They survived the onslaughts of Bahmanis for over hundred years and during that time great achievements in Telugu literature and culture occurred. The famous Telugu poets of the period were Srinatha, Errapradaga and Pothana. Vijayanagara and Gajapati rulers conquered the Reddy kingdom while Velama kingdom succumbed to Muslims.
The Decan in the middle of the fouteenth century was politically bisected roughly along the river Krishna, the north occupied by the Bahmanis and the south by Vijayanagara. This lasted unto 1565 AD, which marked the fall of Vijayanagara after the battle of Rakshasha Tangadi, Gajapati rulers of Orissa ruled the coastal Andhra. In 1515 AD, Qutub Shahi kingdom started with Golconda as capital. Aurangajeb defeated Qutub shahis in 1687 AD starting Mughal authority. In 1724 AD, Asaf Jahi rule commenced under Nizamulmulk but his successors lost vast areas to the East India Company and subsequently to the British. Telengana alone of Andhradesa remained with the Hyderabad state. Asaf Jahi rule ended in 1948 AD after police action. Andhra state formed in 1953 and Andhra Pradesh in 1956.
