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Telugu Historyతెలుగు చరిత్ర

Reddis of Rajahmundry

The eastern Reddi kingdom, centred on Rajahmundry and the Godavari delta. It grew out of the Kondavidu kingdom when Kumaragiri Reddi gave 'the eastern country' to his minister and brother-in-law Kataya Vema in the 1380s. After Kataya Vema's death about 1414–16, his kinsman Allada Reddi fought off the Telugu Choda Annadeva, the Kondavidu king and a Bahmani army. Allada's sons Allaya Vema and Virabhadra ruled jointly until the 1440s, when the Gajapati Kapilesvara of Orissa took the delta. Srinatha wrote his last poems at their court.

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Each bar is a ruling power in its region; time runs left to right. Dashed = approximate dates. Select a bar for details.

13251350137514001425145014751500Kakatiyas (1163–1323 CE)Nayakas, Reddis & Bahmanis (1323–1518 CE)Nayakas, Reddis & BahmanisVijayanagara & the Qutb Shahis (1336–1687 CE)TelanganaMusunuri NayakasGajapatis of OrissaBahmani SultanateRecherla Velamas (Padmanayakas)Shitab Khan (Sitapati) of WarangalCoastal AndhraEastern Gangas of KalingaGajapatis of OrissaHaihayas of Kona and PalnaduReddis of RajahmundryBahmani SultanateVijayanagara EmpireReddis of KondaveeduMusunuri NayakasRayalaseemaHoysalasReddis of KondaveeduVijayanagara Empire13251350137514001425145014751500
Show as a list

Kakatiyas 1163–1323 CE

Telangana
Kakatiyas (c. 1163–1323 CE)
Coastal Andhra
Eastern Gangas of Kalinga (c. 537–1434 CE) · Haihayas of Kona and Palnadu (c. 1073–1364 CE) · Telugu Chodas of Pottapi and Nellore (c. 1106–1316 CE) · Kakatiyas (c. 1185–1323 CE)
Rayalaseema
Hoysalas (c. 1178–1342 CE) · Kakatiyas (c. 1250–1323 CE)

Nayakas, Reddis & Bahmanis 1323–1518 CE

Telangana
Musunuri Nayakas (c. 1336–1368 CE) · Gajapatis of Orissa (c. 1459–1461 CE) · Adil Shahis of Bijapur (c. 1489–1686 CE) · Delhi Sultanate (Tughluqs) (c. 1323–1336 CE) · Bahmani Sultanate (c. 1347–1518 CE) · Recherla Velamas (Padmanayakas) (c. 1361–1475 CE) · Shitab Khan (Sitapati) of Warangal (c. 1504–1516 CE)
Coastal Andhra
Eastern Gangas of Kalinga (c. 537–1434 CE) · Gajapatis of Orissa (c. 1446–1571 CE) · Haihayas of Kona and Palnadu (c. 1073–1364 CE) · Reddis of Rajahmundry (c. 1386–1448 CE) · Bahmani Sultanate (c. 1471–1489 CE) · Delhi Sultanate (Tughluqs) (c. 1323–1326 CE) · Vijayanagara Empire (c. 1350–1579 CE) · Reddis of Kondaveedu (c. 1325–1424 CE) · Musunuri Nayakas (c. 1325–1346 CE)
Rayalaseema
Hoysalas (c. 1178–1342 CE) · Reddis of Kondaveedu (c. 1346–1386 CE) · Vijayanagara Empire (c. 1336–1646 CE)

Vijayanagara & the Qutb Shahis 1336–1687 CE

Telangana
Musunuri Nayakas (c. 1336–1368 CE) · Gajapatis of Orissa (c. 1459–1461 CE) · Adil Shahis of Bijapur (c. 1489–1686 CE) · Bahmani Sultanate (c. 1347–1518 CE) · Recherla Velamas (Padmanayakas) (c. 1361–1475 CE) · Qutb Shahis of Golconda (c. 1518–1687 CE) · Shitab Khan (Sitapati) of Warangal (c. 1504–1516 CE)
Coastal Andhra
Eastern Gangas of Kalinga (c. 537–1434 CE) · Gajapatis of Orissa (c. 1446–1571 CE) · Haihayas of Kona and Palnadu (c. 1073–1364 CE) · Reddis of Rajahmundry (c. 1386–1448 CE) · Bahmani Sultanate (c. 1471–1489 CE) · Vijayanagara Empire (c. 1350–1579 CE) · Reddis of Kondaveedu (c. 1325–1424 CE) · Musunuri Nayakas (c. 1325–1346 CE)
Rayalaseema
Hoysalas (c. 1178–1342 CE) · Reddis of Kondaveedu (c. 1346–1386 CE) · Vijayanagara Empire (c. 1336–1646 CE)
Kingdoms and empires Sultanates Uncertain or debated dates Held another region first This page

Reigns

Each bar is one ruler’s reign; time runs left to right. c. = approximate date.

135013751400142514501475Kataya Vema · c. 1386–1415 CE · c. 29 yrsKataya Vemac. 1386–1415 CE · c. 29 yrsAllada Reddi · c. 1416–1420 CE · c. 4 yrsAllada Reddic. 1416–1420 CE · c. 4 yrsAllaya Vema and Virabhadra · c. 1423–1448 CE · c. 25 yrsAllaya Vema and Virabhadrac. 1423–1448 CE · c. 25 yrs
  1. Kataya Vemac. 1386–1415 CE · c. 29 yrs
  2. Allada Reddic. 1416–1420 CE · c. 4 yrs
  3. Allaya Vema and Virabhadrac. 1423–1448 CE · c. 25 yrs
Reign · c. = approximate date

Approximate years from the dated records as discussed by M. Somasekhara Sarma (1948): Kataya Vema's records run from 1385–86 to 1414–16 (the Godavari gazetteer says 1385–1422); Allada's from 1415 to 1420; Allaya Vema's and Virabhadra's from 1423 to 1434, with private records naming them to 1437 and a record of 1444; a Gajapati record of 1448 marks the end. Kataya Vema's young son Kumaragiri and Allada's nephews Komaragiri and Anavota held the throne briefly between these reigns.

Family tree

The rulers and the relatives who explain the succession. Every line rests on a cited statement on a person page; the sources are listed below the tree. Select a card to open that page.

  • parent and child
  • marriage
  • adoption
  • the sources disagree (see below)
  • order of succession
Family tree: Reddis of RajahmundryDodda (Doddaya)Of the Panta family; sonof Perumadi Reddi ofDuvvuruAllada Reddi (regent)c. 1416–1420 CE2VemambikaDaughter of Bhima of theChoda familyAllaya VemaJoint ruler atRajahmundryVirabhadra ReddiCrowned king ofRajahmundry; patron ofSrinathaDodda (AllayaDodda)Donor of the KonkuduruplatesAnnaYoungest son of AlladaKataya Vemac. 1386–1415 CE1AnitalliDaughter of Kataya Vema;heir to the easternkingdomKumaragiriSon of Kataya Vema, namedafter Kumaragiri ofKondavidu

  1. Generation 1

    • Dodda (Doddaya)Of the Panta family; son of Perumadi Reddi of Duvvuru
    • 1Kataya Vemac. 1386–1415 CE

  2. Generation 2

    • VemambikaDaughter of Bhima of the Choda familyWife of Allada Reddi (regent)
    • 2Allada Reddi (regent)c. 1416–1420 CESon of Dodda (Doddaya)Husband of Vemambika
    • KumaragiriSon of Kataya Vema, named after Kumaragiri of KondaviduSon of Kataya Vema
    • AnitalliDaughter of Kataya Vema; heir to the eastern kingdomDaughter of Kataya VemaWife of Virabhadra Reddi

  3. Generation 3

    • Allaya VemaJoint ruler at RajahmundrySon of Allada Reddi (regent) and Vemambika
    • Virabhadra ReddiCrowned king of Rajahmundry; patron of SrinathaSon of Allada Reddi (regent) and VemambikaHusband of Anitalli
    • Dodda (Allaya Dodda)Donor of the Konkuduru platesSon of Allada Reddi (regent) and Vemambika
    • AnnaYoungest son of AlladaSon of Allada Reddi (regent) and Vemambika
Sources for every line of the tree
  • Dodda (Doddaya) → Allada Reddi (regent) (parent and child)
  • Allada Reddi (regent) · Vemambika (marriage)
  • Allada Reddi (regent) and Vemambika → Allaya Vema, Virabhadra Reddi, Dodda (Allaya Dodda) and Anna (parent and child)
  • Kataya Vema → Kumaragiri and Anitalli (parent and child)
    • He named a son Kumaragiri after his master. →
      1. E. Hultzsch, Three Inscriptions of Kataya-Vema, Saka-Samvat 1313, 1336 and 1338, Epigraphia Indica IV (1896–97), p. 328 (archive.org (opens in a new tab)).
      2. Hultzsch, Three Inscriptions of Kataya-Vema (1896–97), p. 330 (archive.org (opens in a new tab)).
    • His daughter Anitalli married Virabhadra, a son of Allada Reddi. →
      1. G. V. Ramamurti, Konkuduru Plates of Allaya-Dodda, Saka-Samvat 1352, Epigraphia Indica V (1898–99), p. 56 (archive.org (opens in a new tab)).
  • Virabhadra Reddi · Anitalli (marriage)

A line from one parent only means that the cited sources name no other parent.

The Reddis of Rajahmundry ruled the Godavari delta and the coast to the north of it for about sixty years, from the 1380s to the 1440s. Their kingdom began as the eastern half of the kingdom of the Reddis of Kondavidu.1 Kataya Vema’s Tottaramudi plates say that Kumaragiri gave him “the eastern country, of which Rajamahendranagari (the modern Rajahmundry) was the capital”.1

Two houses held it in turn: Kataya Vema and his children, and then Allada Reddi and his sons.23 The second house claimed the throne through Kataya Vema’s daughter.23 A heading in the margin of the Godavari gazetteer dates “the Rajahmundry Reddis” to 1422–50.2 Its text notes that members of the family appear in the inscriptions at Draksharama “until as late as 1447”.2 See Rajahmundry.

Whether this was a separate dynasty or a branch is a matter of naming. Robert Sewell treated the two houses as branches “A” and “B” of the Reddis of Rajahmundry.4 G. V. Ramamurti in 1899 treated it as a separate dynasty, related to the Kondavidu house by marriage.3

M. Somasekhara Sarma called it the Rajamahendra Rajya or Eastern Kingdom.56 He described it as at first a military fief (land held for military service) of Kondavidu.56 Its kings issued their own grants, kept their own court and fought the Kondavidu king, so it is treated here on its own page.78

Two families

Kataya Vema’s family appears in his grants as Kata (I), his son Mara, Mara’s son Kata (II), and Kata II’s son Kataya Vema.9 The Pithapuram and Draksharama inscriptions open with a verse on his family.10 It calls Vema “the great-grandson of Kataya … the grandson of Mara, the son of the lord Kata, (and) the son-in-law of the heroic prince Annavota”.10 Kata II married Doddamba, a daughter of Prolaya Vema of Kondavidu.9 So Kataya Vema was both a grandson of the founder and the son-in-law of Anavota.9

Allada’s family is known from his sons’ grants and from Srinatha’s poems. Ramamurti summarised Srinatha’s Kasikhandam.8 In the Panta division of the Shudra caste, it says, “Perumadireddi, of the village Duvuru, became celebrated as a devotee of Siva”.8 His fourth son Doddaya had three sons, and the last of them, Allada, “is described as a great conqueror”.8

The Konkuduru plates make Allada’s wife Vemambika a daughter of Bhima of the Choda family.113 The Kasikhandam calls her a granddaughter of king Anavema.113 Ramamurti suggested she was Anavema’s daughter’s daughter.113 Somasekhara Sarma identified her father with Bhimadeva Choda, son of the Telugu Choda chief Bhaktiraja.12

Kataya Vema’s kingdom

Kataya Vema’s inscriptions begin in 1385–86. In Saka 1308 (1386; Saka is an Indian way of counting years) he gave gold to the Simhachalam temple for the merit of his parents Katamareddi and Doddasani.13 In the same year a minister of his gave a flower garden to the Amaresvara temple at Amaravati.14 In December 1391 he built a stone enclosure for the Kuntimadhava temple at Pithapuram.1510

Somasekhara Sarma held that Kataya Vema and Kumaragiri’s son Anavota led the eastern conquest that made his kingdom, as far as Simhachalam and beyond, about 1390.126 He also held that Kataya Vema received the province after the young Anavota’s death.126 Ramesan says that the conquered forts named in Kataya Vema’s commentary on Shakuntala included Bendapudi and Ramagiri.16

The Tottaramudi plates of 1411 gave a village on the Vriddha-Gautami in the Konasima.17 The village was renamed Mallavaram after his wife Mallambika.17 In 1410 he gave villages at Ahobilam for the merit of Kumaragiri.18 See the Tottaramudi plates.

In October 1414 an officer of his built an asthana-mandapa (hall of audience) at Draksharama.1519 He built it for the merit of Kataya Vema, his queen, his son Komaragiri and his son’s queen.1519 The officer’s wife added an enclosure in March 1416.1519

He spent his last years at war. V. Appa Rao edited the Rajahmundry Museum plates of the Telugu Choda chief Annadeva in 1927.202122 The plates claim that Annadeva “protected the family of Kataya Vema as they prostrated at his feet”.202122 Appa Rao read this as a sign that Annadeva defeated Kataya Vema’s house, but he rejected the view that Annadeva ruled Rajahmundry afterwards.202122

Somasekhara Sarma placed these wars, with Annadeva’s victories at Attili and Kakaraparti on the Godavari, between 1404 and 1416.232425 He made Annadeva an ally of Peda Komati Vema of Kondavidu.232425 He connected Kataya Vema’s death with the claim of the Koppunula chiefs, who served under Peda Komati Vema, to have taken his head.232425

Allada Reddi

According to the Godavari gazetteer, on Kataya Vema’s death “one Allada the son of Dodda Reddi obtained (it is not clear how) the throne of Rajahmundry”.2 His inscriptions appear from 1415–17 at Palakollu, Palivela and Draksharama.2 In them he is shown “as being the friend or servant of Kataya Vema, whose enemies he claims to have ‘uprooted’”.2

Appa Rao also read the Kaluvacheru inscription of Anitalli.2627 In his reading, after the death of Kataya Vema’s son Kumaragiri, Allada, “the relative (Bandhu) of Kataya Vema”, rescued the land from a sea of rebellious chiefs.2627 Allada then gave the kingdom to Anitalli.2627 Appa Rao identified the rebels with Annadeva and his son.2627

Somasekhara Sarma read the same record as showing that Allada ruled as regent, first for the boy Kumaragiri and then for Anitalli.2829 Anitalli was the wife of Allada’s own son Virabhadra.2829 See Allada Reddi.

Allada’s sons’ grants credit him with wide wars. L. D. Barnett’s summary of the Vemavaram grant of 1434 says that he “conquered Alpakhana, made an alliance with the Gajapati who was the lord of Karnata”.7 It adds that he “defeated Komati Vema at Ramesvaram and established a powerful kingdom”.7

The Godavari gazetteer reads the same claims as:2

  • friendship with the Gajapati and with the king of Vijayanagara2
  • victory over “a Musalman general called Alpa Khan”2
  • victory over the Reddis of Kondavidu2

Sewell connected the claim over Alp Khan with the Bahmani Firuz Shah’s march towards Rajahmundry about 1417.30 Barnett identified Alp Khan with Hoshang Ghori, who ruled Malwa from 1405, and Somasekhara Sarma agreed.3132 Somasekhara Sarma placed Allada’s death early in 1420.3334 At that time Allada’s commander set up a linga (stone emblem of Siva) named after him at Palakollu.3334

Allaya Vema and Virabhadra

Somasekhara Sarma argued that Allada’s nephews Komaragiri and Anavota held Rajahmundry for a short time.343536 After that short interval, Allada’s sons took the throne about 1423.343536 The Konkuduru plates say that the eldest, Allaya Vema, had his capital at Rajamahendranagara.337

The plates add that his brother Virabhadra “was also anointed to the kingdom”, so the two apparently ruled jointly.337 Ramamurti summarised Srinatha’s statement that Virabhadra “was crowned during the life-time of Vemareddi”.337 Virabhadra married Anitalli, the daughter of Kataya Vema.3

The third brother, Dodda, gave the village of Gumpini to Brahmans on 14 January 1431.837 The village was renamed Alladareddidoddavaram.837 See the Konkuduru plates.

Allaya Vema’s Vemavaram grant is dated 7 June 1434, a day of total solar eclipse.731 It claims that he cancelled taxes on the estates of gods and Brahmans and performed many great gifts at Draksharama.731 It also claims that he conquered the kings of the “Sapta-madiya” and set up pillars of victory at Simhadri and Purushottama.731 See the Vemavaram grant.

According to Ramamurti’s summary, Srinatha’s Kasikhandam makes these claims:83

  • Vema led an expedition as far as the Vindhyas.83
  • Virabhadra brought under control the chiefs of Kasimkota, Elamanchili and other places.83
  • Dodda conquered Oddadi and other places to the north.83

The poet wished that his patron might rule “the whole country including Chikati, Kalinga, Chilkasamudra and Simhasaila” from Rajamahendra.83 Virabhadra gave a village, a golden vessel, pearl necklaces and cows to the god of Simhachalam.38 A damaged Oriya inscription of Kapilesvara’s twenty-seventh year is cut at the bottom of the same stone.38

The brothers’ wives also made gifts, and in 1434 Vema’s queen gave land to the Bhimesvara temple at Bhimavaram.39 The Velama chronicle claimed victories over them. J. Ramayya retold its story: “Lingamanayudu of that family having killed Vema-Reddi of Rajahmundry in battle and taken his sword”, Virabhadra sent Srinatha.40 Srinatha won the sword back by praising Lingama in three verses.40 See Lingama Nayaka.

The end

The last records of the family are few. Inscriptions at Draksharama dated 1433 and 1437 name Allaya Vema and Virabhadra.41

Somasekhara Sarma found that private records of 1437 still named both brothers.4243 He also found an inscription of 1444 at Draksharama, issued by a minister of Deva Raya II of Vijayanagara.4243 According to a fuller copy in the Mackenzie manuscripts, it was made at Allaya Vema’s command.4243

According to the Godavari gazetteer, Kapilesvara founded the Gajapati dynasty of Orissa in 1434.2 He had shortly before been allied with the Rajahmundry Reddis and the Vijayanagara king against the Muslims.2 But “by 1454 he was recognized as suzerain as far south as Kondavid”, that is, as overlord as far south as Kondavidu.2 The gazetteer adds that “a minister of his was ruling at Rajahmundry in 1458”.2

Somasekhara Sarma took an inscription of 1448 at Penugonda in the Tanuku taluk, which names the rule of the Gajapati, as the end of Reddi rule.43 Ramamurti, in 1899, wrote only that “the Gajapatis of Orissa or the kings of Vijayanagara must have driven the Reddis from Rajamahendra”.44 See the Gajapatis.

Literature at Rajahmundry

Ramamurti thought the support these Reddis gave to Telugu poets “one noteworthy fact of their short-lived government”.44 He wrote that it “entitles them to the gratitude of posterity”.44 In J. Ramayya’s words, Srinatha, after the fall of Kondavidu, “seems to have gone to Rajahmundry where he was patronised by Vema-Reddi and Virabhadra-Reddi”.45

He dedicated his Kasikhandam to Virabhadra and his Bhimakhandam to Virabhadra’s minister Bendapudi Annayya.8 The opening verses of both are a main source for the family’s history.8 The 1928 History of Telugu Literature says that his Vidhinataka “contains mostly descriptions of street scenes of Rajahmundry”.4647

Kataya Vema himself was a scholar.1 He wrote a commentary on Kalidasa’s three plays, which was named after Kumaragiri.1

Evidence and disagreements

  • When the eastern kingdom began. Ramayya puts it not later than Saka 1308 (1386).48 Sewell puts it about 1380.49 Somasekhara Sarma has a province formed about 1390 and given to Kataya Vema before 1395.126
  • Kataya Vema’s last years. The Godavari gazetteer has his records to 1422.2 The published inscriptions end in 1414–16.15
  • Kataya Vema’s wife. The Tottaramudi plates call her Mallambika, a daughter of Anavota.17 Somasekhara Sarma, with V. Prabhakara Sastri, held that Anavota’s daughter was called Doddambika.50
  • Hariharamba. Barnett read the Vemavaram grant as making Allaya Vema’s wife Harihara-amba a daughter of Kataya Vema.7 In his reading, her mother was a daughter of the Vijayanagara king Harihara.7 Ramesan has Harihara II give his daughter Hariharamba to Kataya Vema himself.51
  • Alp Khan. The Godavari gazetteer makes him a Muslim general.2 Sewell links him with Firuz Shah’s invasion of 1417.30 Barnett and Somasekhara Sarma make him Hoshang, sultan of Malwa.3132
  • Annadeva Choda. Appa Rao denied that Annadeva ever ruled Rajahmundry.22 Somasekhara Sarma held that he occupied much of the eastern kingdom for a time.28
  • The end. The Godavari gazetteer has records to 1447.2 Somasekhara Sarma has a Gajapati record of 1448.43 Sewell’s pedigree gives the brothers’ last dates as 1434 and 1437.4

Footnotes

  1. J. Ramayya, Tottaramudi Plates of Kataya-Vema, Saka-Samvat 1333, Epigraphia Indica IV (1896–97), p. 319 (archive.org (opens in a new tab)). ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4

  2. F. R. Hemingway, Madras District Gazetteers: Godavari, Vol. I (1907), p. 26 (archive.org (opens in a new tab)). ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6 ↩7 ↩8 ↩9 ↩10 ↩11 ↩12 ↩13 ↩14 ↩15 ↩16 ↩17 ↩18

  3. Ramamurti, Konkuduru Plates of Allaya-Dodda (1898–99), p. 56 (archive.org (opens in a new tab)). ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6 ↩7 ↩8 ↩9 ↩10 ↩11 ↩12 ↩13 ↩14 ↩15

  4. Sewell, Historical Inscriptions (1932), p. 386 (archive.org (opens in a new tab)). ↩ ↩2

  5. Somasekhara Sarma, History of the Reddi Kingdoms (1948), p. 172 (archive.org (opens in a new tab)). ↩ ↩2

  6. Somasekhara Sarma, History of the Reddi Kingdoms (1948), p. 174 (archive.org (opens in a new tab)). ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5

  7. L. D. Barnett, Vemavaram Grant of Allaya-Vema Reddi: Saka 1356, Epigraphia Indica XIII (1915–16), p. 238 (archive.org (opens in a new tab)). ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6 ↩7 ↩8

  8. Ramamurti, Konkuduru Plates of Allaya-Dodda (1898–99), p. 55 (archive.org (opens in a new tab)). ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6 ↩7 ↩8 ↩9 ↩10 ↩11 ↩12 ↩13

  9. Ramayya, Tottaramudi Plates of Kataya-Vema (1896–97), p. 321 (archive.org (opens in a new tab)). ↩ ↩2 ↩3

  10. Hultzsch, Three Inscriptions of Kataya-Vema (1896–97), p. 329 (archive.org (opens in a new tab)). ↩ ↩2 ↩3

  11. G. V. Ramamurti, Konkuduru Plates of Allaya-Dodda, Saka-Samvat 1352, Epigraphia Indica V (1898–99), p. 54 (archive.org (opens in a new tab)). ↩ ↩2 ↩3

  12. Somasekhara Sarma, History of the Reddi Kingdoms (1948), p. 173 (archive.org (opens in a new tab)). ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4

  13. Rangacharya, Topographical List, Vol. III (1919), p. 1678, Vizagapatam No. 105 (archive.org (opens in a new tab)). ↩

  14. Rangacharya, Topographical List, Vol. II (1919), p. 824, Guntur No. 625 (archive.org (opens in a new tab)). ↩

  15. E. Hultzsch, Three Inscriptions of Kataya-Vema, Saka-Samvat 1313, 1336 and 1338, Epigraphia Indica IV (1896–97), p. 328 (archive.org (opens in a new tab)). ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5

  16. Ramesan, Copper Plate Inscriptions, Vol. I (1962), p. 169 (archive.org (opens in a new tab)). ↩

  17. Ramayya, Tottaramudi Plates of Kataya-Vema (1896–97), p. 320 (archive.org (opens in a new tab)). ↩ ↩2 ↩3

  18. Rangacharya, Topographical List, Vol. II (1919), p. 975, Kurnool No. 598 (archive.org (opens in a new tab)). ↩

  19. Hultzsch, Three Inscriptions of Kataya-Vema (1896–97), p. 330 (archive.org (opens in a new tab)). ↩ ↩2 ↩3

  20. V. Appa Rao, “Rajahmundry Museum Plates of Annadeva Choda”, Journal of the Andhra Historical Research Society I, No. 4 (1927), p. 176 (archive.org (opens in a new tab)). ↩ ↩2 ↩3

  21. Appa Rao, “Rajahmundry Museum Plates of Annadeva Choda” (1927), p. 177 (archive.org (opens in a new tab)). ↩ ↩2 ↩3

  22. Appa Rao, “Rajahmundry Museum Plates of Annadeva Choda” (1927), p. 178 (archive.org (opens in a new tab)). ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4

  23. Somasekhara Sarma, History of the Reddi Kingdoms (1948), pp. 175–176 (archive.org (opens in a new tab)). ↩ ↩2 ↩3

  24. Somasekhara Sarma, History of the Reddi Kingdoms (1948), pp. 178–179 (archive.org (opens in a new tab)). ↩ ↩2 ↩3

  25. Somasekhara Sarma, History of the Reddi Kingdoms (1948), p. 180 (archive.org (opens in a new tab)). ↩ ↩2 ↩3

  26. Appa Rao, “Rajahmundry Museum Plates of Annadeva Choda” (1927), p. 179 (archive.org (opens in a new tab)). ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4

  27. Appa Rao, “Rajahmundry Museum Plates of Annadeva Choda” (1927), p. 180 (archive.org (opens in a new tab)). ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4

  28. Somasekhara Sarma, History of the Reddi Kingdoms (1948), p. 181 (archive.org (opens in a new tab)). ↩ ↩2 ↩3

  29. Somasekhara Sarma, History of the Reddi Kingdoms (1948), pp. 182–183 (archive.org (opens in a new tab)). ↩ ↩2

  30. Sewell, Historical Inscriptions (1932), p. 212 (archive.org (opens in a new tab)). ↩ ↩2

  31. Barnett, Vemavaram Grant of Allaya-Vema Reddi (1915–16), p. 239 (archive.org (opens in a new tab)). ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5

  32. Somasekhara Sarma, History of the Reddi Kingdoms (1948), p. 185 (archive.org (opens in a new tab)). ↩ ↩2

  33. Somasekhara Sarma, History of the Reddi Kingdoms (1948), p. 186 (archive.org (opens in a new tab)). ↩ ↩2

  34. Somasekhara Sarma, History of the Reddi Kingdoms (1948), p. 187 (archive.org (opens in a new tab)). ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4

  35. Somasekhara Sarma, History of the Reddi Kingdoms (1948), p. 188 (archive.org (opens in a new tab)). ↩ ↩2

  36. Somasekhara Sarma, History of the Reddi Kingdoms (1948), pp. 189–190 (archive.org (opens in a new tab)). ↩ ↩2

  37. Ramamurti, Konkuduru Plates of Allaya-Dodda (1898–99), p. 67 (archive.org (opens in a new tab)). ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5

  38. Rangacharya, Topographical List, Vol. III (1919), p. 1687 (archive.org (opens in a new tab)). ↩ ↩2

  39. V. Rangacharya, A Topographical List of the Inscriptions of the Madras Presidency, Vol. II (1919), p. 714, Godavari No. 20 (archive.org (opens in a new tab)). ↩

  40. Ramayya, Three Inscriptions of the Reddis of Kondavidu (1911–12), p. 316 (archive.org (opens in a new tab)). ↩ ↩2

  41. Rangacharya, Topographical List, Vol. II (1919), p. 742, Godavari Nos. 329–332 (archive.org (opens in a new tab)). ↩

  42. Somasekhara Sarma, History of the Reddi Kingdoms (1948), p. 192 (archive.org (opens in a new tab)). ↩ ↩2 ↩3

  43. Somasekhara Sarma, History of the Reddi Kingdoms (1948), p. 193 (archive.org (opens in a new tab)). ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5

  44. Ramamurti, Konkuduru Plates of Allaya-Dodda (1898–99), p. 57 (archive.org (opens in a new tab)). ↩ ↩2 ↩3

  45. J. Ramayya, Three Inscriptions of the Reddis of Kondavidu, Epigraphia Indica XI (1911–12), p. 315 (archive.org (opens in a new tab)). ↩

  46. P. Chenchiah and Raja M. Bhujanga Rao, A History of Telugu Literature (1928), p. 60 (archive.org (opens in a new tab)). ↩

  47. Chenchiah and Bhujanga Rao, History of Telugu Literature (1928), p. 61 (archive.org (opens in a new tab)). ↩

  48. J. Ramayya, Madras Museum Plates of Vema, A.D. 1345, Epigraphia Indica VIII (1905–06), p. 12 (archive.org (opens in a new tab)). ↩

  49. Robert Sewell, The Historical Inscriptions of Southern India (1932), p. 202 (archive.org (opens in a new tab)). ↩

  50. M. Somasekhara Sarma, History of the Reddi Kingdoms (1948), p. 48 (archive.org (opens in a new tab)). ↩

  51. N. Ramesan, Copper Plate Inscriptions of Andhra Pradesh Government Museum, Hyderabad, Vol. I (1962), p. 168 (archive.org (opens in a new tab)). ↩

People

Kataya Vema

c. 1386–1415 CE

Minister and brother-in-law of Kumaragiri of Kondavidu. He received 'the eastern country' with Rajahmundry as its capital in the 1380s, and ruled the Godavari delta and the coast to Simhachalam until about 1414–16. A grandson of Prolaya Vema through his mother, he was also a Sanskrit scholar. He wrote the Kumaragirirajiyam, a commentary on Kalidasa's plays.

Allada Reddi

c. 1416–1420 CE

Reddi noble of the Duvvuri branch of the Panta family who took control of the Rajahmundry kingdom after Kataya Vema's death (c. 1416–1420). It seems he ruled first as regent for Kataya Vema's son and daughter. His sons' grants credit him with victories over the Kondavidu king Peda Komati Vema and over 'Alpa Khan', and with friendship with the Gajapati and the king of Vijayanagara. His sons Allaya Vema and Virabhadra ruled Rajahmundry after him.

Inscriptions

Tottaramudi plates of Kataya Vema (1411)

1411 CE

Three copper plates of Saka 1333 (1411–12), found at Tottaramudi in the Amalapuram taluk and now in the Madras Museum. By them Kataya Vema of Rajahmundry gave the village of Mallavaram, named after his wife, to a Brahman. They give the family tree of the Kondavidu kings down to Kumaragiri. They also tell how Kataya Vema, Kumaragiri's minister, received the eastern country with Rajahmundry as its capital.

Konkuduru plates of Allaya Dodda (1431)

1431 CE

Seven copper plates found in 1887 at Konkuduru, near Ramachandrapuram in the Godavari district. In them Dodda, a son of Allada Reddi of Rajahmundry, gave the village of Gumpini, renamed Alladareddidoddavaram, to Brahmans on 14 January 1431. They give the family tree of Allada's family. Their editor compared it with the accounts in Srinatha's Kasikhandam and Bhimakhandam.

Vemavaram grant of Allaya Vema (1434)

1434 CE

Eight copper plates in the British Museum, received from Rajahmundry. They record a grant by Allaya Vema, son of Allada Reddi, on the day of a total eclipse of the sun, 7 June 1434. The grant founded the village of Allada-Reddi-Vemavaram near Ramachandrapuram. It describes the wars of Allada and the conquests and gifts of Vema.

References

Sources (13)
  1. F. Kielhorn (articles); E. Hultzsch (ed.), Epigraphia Indica, Vol. IV (1896–97) (opens in a new tab), Archaeological Survey of India, 1897, pp. 318–321, 328–330. J. Ramayya, Tottaramudi plates of Kataya-Vema (No. 46); E. Hultzsch, three inscriptions of Kataya-Vema (No. 47). [Public domain]
  2. E. Hultzsch (ed.), Epigraphia Indica, Vol. V (1898–99) (opens in a new tab), Office of the Superintendent of Government Printing, Calcutta (scan of the 1959 Government of India Press facsimile reprint), 1899, pp. 53–57, 67. G. V. Ramamurti, Konkuduru plates of Allaya-Dodda (No. 9). [Public domain]
  3. Sten Konow (ed.), Epigraphia Indica, Vol. XIII (1915–16) (opens in a new tab), Archaeological Survey of India, Calcutta, 1916, pp. 237–240. L. D. Barnett, Vemavaram grant of Allaya-Vema Reddi (No. 23). [Public domain]
  4. Sten Konow (ed.), Epigraphia Indica, Vol. XI (1911–12) (opens in a new tab), Office of the Superintendent of Government Printing, Calcutta (scan of the ASI 1981 facsimile reprint), 1912, pp. 315–316. J. Ramayya on Srinatha, with the Phirangipuram inscription (No. 33). [Public domain]
  5. Archaeological Survey of India, Epigraphia Indica, Vol. VIII (1905–06) (opens in a new tab), Archaeological Survey of India, 1906, pp. 12. J. Ramayya, Madras Museum plates of Vema (No. 3). [Public domain]
  6. F. R. Hemingway, Madras District Gazetteers: Godavari, Vol. I (opens in a new tab), Government Press, Madras, 1907, pp. 25–26. [Public domain]
  7. V. Rangacharya, A Topographical List of the Inscriptions of the Madras Presidency (collected till 1915), with Notes and References, Vol. II (opens in a new tab), Government Press, Madras, 1919, pp. 713–714, 742–744, 903, 975. [Public domain]
  8. V. Rangacharya, A Topographical List of the Inscriptions of the Madras Presidency (collected till 1915), with Notes and References, Vol. III (opens in a new tab), Government Press, Madras, 1919, pp. 1678, 1687. [Public domain]
  9. Robert Sewell (ed. S. Krishnaswami Aiyangar), The Historical Inscriptions of Southern India (Collected till 1923) and Outlines of Political History (opens in a new tab), University of Madras, 1932, pp. 202–203, 210, 212, 217–218, 386. Paraphrased. [Public domain in India]
  10. Not Available, The Andhra Historical Research Society, Rajahmundry, Vol.1,pt.2 (opens in a new tab), 1926, pp. 176–180. V. Appa Rao, 'Rajahmundry Museum plates of Annadeva Choda', JAHRS I No. 4 (1927). [Public domain]
  11. P. Chenchiah and Raja M. Bhujanga Rao, A History of Telugu Literature (The Heritage of India Series) (opens in a new tab), Association Press (Y.M.C.A.), Calcutta / Oxford University Press, London, 1928, pp. 60–61. [Public domain]
  12. N. Ramesan, Copper Plate Inscriptions of Andhra Pradesh Government Museum, Hyderabad, Vol. I (Andhra Pradesh Government Archaeological Series No. 6) (opens in a new tab), Government of Andhra Pradesh, Hyderabad, 1962, pp. 168–169. Paraphrased. [Public domain in India]
  13. M. Somasekhara Sarma, History of the Reddi Kingdoms (circa 1325 A.D. to circa 1448 A.D.) (opens in a new tab), Andhra University, Waltair (Andhra University Historical Series No. 38), 1948, pp. 172–193. Cite-only; paraphrased. [All rights reserved (cited, not reproduced)]

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