AdsGadjet1

Thursday 2 February 2012

REDDY COMMUNITY


Nizam period

Raja Bahadur Venkatarama Reddy - Kotwal of Hyderabad 1920 - 1934 CE
Reddys were the landed gentry known as the deshmukhs and part of the Nizam's administration.[69] The Reddy landlords styled themselves as Desais , Doras and Patel. Several Reddys were noblemen in the court of Nizam Nawabs and held many high positions in the Nizam's administrative set up. Raja Bahadur Venkatarama Reddy was made Kotwal of Hyderabad in 1920 CE during the reign of the seventh Nizam Nawab Mir Osman Ali Khan, Asaf Jah VII. Raja Bahadur Venkatarama Reddy was the first Hindu to be made kotwal of Hyderabad as in the late 19th and early 20th century, during the Islamic rule of the Nizams, the powerful position of Kotwal of Hyderabad was held only by muslims. His tenure lasted almost 14 years and he commanded great respect among the public for his outstanding police administration.[70][71] He was conferred the title of Order of the British Empire (OBE) by King George V.[72]
Several Reddys were at the forefront of the anti-Nizam movement. In 1941, communist leaders Raavi Narayana Reddy and Baddam Yella Reddy transformed the Andhra Mahasabha into an anti-Nizam united mass militant organisation and led an armed struggle against the Nizam's regime. A. Lakshmi Narasimha Reddy and Kodanda Rami Reddy were also part of this movement.[73]

 British period

Reddys ruled many local dominions (samsthanams) until the British seized their power.The British appointed Reddys as zamindars and tax collectors. They were also enlisted in the British army. One of most prominent figures from the community during the British period is Uyyalawada Narasimha Reddy. He challenged the British and led an armed rebellion against the British East India company in 1846. He was finally captured and hanged in 1847. His uprising was one of the earlier rebellions against the British rule in India as it was 10 years before the famous Indian Rebellion of 1857.[74][60]

 Zamindaris

Some of the prominent Reddy zamindaris/samsthanams:
  1. Munagala – Gurlapaty clan[41][43]
  2. Gadwal – Raja Somasekhar Ananda Reddy or Somanadri[75][76]
  3. Wanaparthy (Originally known as Sugur) – Founded by Veera Krishna Reddy[77][67]
  4. Domakonda[75]
  5. Amarchinta[77]
  6. Chundi[42][46]
  7. Vardhamanapuram - Gona clan[78]

 Modern history

As one of the prominent land-owning communities of Andhra Pradesh, Reddys have always had a close relationship with land and agriculture. Early 20th century ethnographer Edgar Thurston in his book, Castes and Tribes of Southern India writes -
the Reddis are provident. They spend their money on the land, but are not parsimonious. The gold ornaments worn by the women or the men are of the finest kind of gold. Their houses are always neat and well built, and the Reddis give the idea of good substantial ryots, and are a fine, powerful race.[22]
Presently Reddys are found in various fields such as industry, commerce, and skilled professions.

[edit] Role in politics

Influenced by their long tradition as rulers, military chieftains and village headmen,[79][80] Reddys continue to be very active in local, state and national politics. Reddy community holds the distinction of producing the most number of Chief Ministers for the state of Andhra Pradesh. Particularly in the state of Andhra Pradesh, a number of former chief ministers and business leaders belong to this community. The list of chief ministers include Bezawada Gopala Reddy, Neelam Sanjiva Reddy, Kasu Brahmananda Reddy, Bhavanam Venkataram Reddy, Tanguturi Anjaiah, Marri Chenna Reddy , Nedurumalli Janardhana Reddy, Kotla Vijaya Bhaskara Reddy, Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy and Kiran Kumar Reddy who collectively ruled the state for more than 25 years after the formation of state in 1956.[81][82] Neelam Sanjiva Reddy was the sixth President of India.[83][84

Reddy is a social group or caste found in the Indian states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharastra (old Nizam area i.e.,Marathwada) and Tamil Nadu. Reddy dynasty - belonging to Panta Vamsa Reddys ruled parts of coastal Andhra Pradesh for more than a hundred years (1325-1448 CE).[1] The following list gives the names of noted individuals from the Reddy community.

Contents

 [show] 

 Awardees

 Padma Vibhushan

 Padma Bhushan

 Padma Sri

[edit] Dada Saheb Phalke award

Jnanpith Award

 Sahitya Akademi Award

 Academics

 Medicine

  • Muthulakshmi Reddi - Adyar Cancer Institute is a cancer specialty hospital situated in the city of Chennai, India
  • E. Premkumar Reddy - Oncologist and Director of Fels institute of cancer research and molecular biology at Temple University
  • Dr.H. Sudarshan- Recipient of the Right Livelihood Award 1994 - Considered as Alternative Nobel prize
  • D. Nageshwar Reddy - World famous Gastroenterologist. Founder of Asian inst. of Gastroenterology
  • V. Mohan Reddy - Paediatric Cardiothoracic Surgeon at Stanford
  • K. Srinath Reddy - Cardiologist with focus on preventive cardiology and public health.
  • A.V.Guruva Reddy - Famous Orthopaedician. Founder of Sunshine hospitals.

 Scientists

  • Dr Raj Reddy - Artificial Intelligence and Computer Science) and academician. Chairman of IT Advisory committee to Bill Clinton and Director on Microsoft Board. Winner of ACM Turing Award, USA (Highest award in Computer Science), Legion of Honour from French government, Shimon Peres Peace award from Israel
  • Dr. D. Bap Reddy - . Deputy Regional Representative (Diplomatic status level position) of Asia and Pacific for the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations(FAO) - From 1978 to 1982. FAO Representative in Indonesia - From 1982 to 1986 FAO Representative in Nepal - 1987

 Civil servants

 Business leaders and entrepreneurs

 Politicians

 Entertainment

 Leaders, activists, reformers and philanthropists

 Poets and writers

 Sports

 Other Famous Personalities



Reddy dynasty

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search
Reddy Kingdom
రెడ్డి సామ్రాజ్యము
← 1325–1448 →

→
Maximum extent of the Reddy Kingdom, 14th Century CE
Capital Addanki (initial)
Kondavidu
Rajahmundry
Language(s) Telugu
Religion Om.svg Hinduism
Government Monarchy
Historical era India Medieval India
 - Established 1325
 - Disestablished 1448
Part of a series on
History of Andhra Pradesh
Warangal fort.jpg
Chronology of Telugu & Andhra history
Andhra States
Geography  ·   Political history
Satavahanas
Ikshvakus
Salankayanas
Vishnukundinas
Eastern Chalukyas
Kakatiyas
Musunuri Nayaks
Reddy dynasty
Vijayanagaras
Madurai Nayaks
Tanjore Nayaks
Bahmanids
Qutb Shahi
Mughals
Hyderabad Nizams
This box:
The Reddy kingdom (Telugu: రెడ్డి సామ్రాజ్యము) (1325 - 1448 CE)[1][2][3][4] was established in southern India by Prolaya Vema Reddy.[5] The region that was ruled by the Reddy dynasty is now part of modern day coastal and central Andhra Pradesh. Prolaya Vema Reddy was part of the confederation that started a movement against the invading Muslim armies of the Delhi Sultanate in 1323 CE and succeeded in repulsing them from Warangal.[6] Reddy is a social group or caste of India, predominantly inhabiting Andhra Pradesh.

Contents


The first of the Reddy clans came into prominence during the Kakatiya period. The Reddy chiefs were appointed as generals and soldiers under the Kakatiyas. Reddys were among the feudatories of Kakatiya ruler Pratapa Rudra. During this time the Reddys carved out feudal principalities for themselves. The Reddy feudatories fought against the invading Muslim sultans and defended the region from coming under Muslim rule.[7] Eventually, the Muslim army of the Delhi Sultanate invaded Warangal and captured Pratapa Rudra. In 1323 CE, after the death of Pratapa Rudra and the subsequent fall of the Kakatiya empire, the Reddy chiefs became independent. Prolaya Vema Reddy proclaimed independence and established the Reddy kingdom in Addanki.[4][8] The Reddy dynasty that first rose to power came from the Pantakula or the Panta Vamsa Reddys.[3]

 Extent of rule

Water colour painting - Kondavidu fort, Reddy Kingdom.
They ruled coastal and central Andhra for over a hundred years from 1325 to 1448 CE.[1][9] At its maximum extent, the Reddy kingdom stretched from Simhachalam to the north, Kanchi to the south and Srisailam to the west.[4] The initial capital of the kingdom was Addanki. Later, it was moved to Kondavidu and subsequently to Rajahmundry.[10][11] The Reddys were known for their fortifications. Two major hill forts, one at Kondapalli, 20 km north west of Vijayawada and another at Kondavidu about 30 km west of Guntur stand testimony to the fort building skill of the Reddy kings.[4][12] The forts of Bellamkonda, Vinukonda and Nagarjunakonda in the Palnadu region were also part of the Reddy kingdom.[4][13] The dynasty remained in power till the middle of the 15th century and was supplanted by the Gajapatis of Orissa, who gained control of coastal Andhra.[3] The Gajapatis eventually lost control of coastal Andhra after the death of Gajapati ruler Kapilendra. The territories of the Reddy kingdom eventually came under the control of the Vijayanagara Empire.[14][15]

 Prolaya Vema Reddy

Kondapalli fort built by Prolaya Vema Reddy, Reddy Kingdom.
Prolaya Vema Reddy was the first king of the Reddy dynasty. Vema assembled a large army of peasants and herdsmen, and adopted guerrilla warfare. It is said that when he attacked the Muslim army, Vema Reddy had their water supply lines contaminated with sewage leading to dysentery in their ranks. Veera Ballala III of Dwarasamudra helped the coalition of Vema Reddy and Kapaya Nayaka. Vema chased the general of the Tughlaq army, Malik Maqbul to the Warangal fort and Kapaya Nayaka then stormed it and took control. Vema then led a blitzkrieg on the Kondavidu fort and hacked off the head of Maliq Gurjar, the Muslim commander there and liberated Nidudavolu, Vundi, and Pithapuram after pitched battles. Vema then defeated an army of Jalaluddin Shah in a raid on Tondaimandalam, while Veera Ballala engaged the Sultan himself. Veera Ballala was finally defeated and skinned alive, and his dry skin was hung from the walls of Madurai where Ibn Battuta reportedly saw it later. Undaunted, Vema continued his lightning raids on the Muslim-occupied forts of Bellamkonda, Vinukonda and Nagarjunakonda and captured them all. He then declared himself Raja (king) with Kondavidu as his capital. The Kondapalli fort was built by him.[4]
His famous inscriptions from this period state:
“ I restored all the agraharas of Brahmins, which had been taken away by the evil Muslim kings. I am indeed an Agastya to the ocean which was made of the Muslim.[16][17] ”

Prolaya Vema Reddy bestowed a number of agraharas on the Brahmins. He was revered by the title of Apratima-Bhudana-Parasurama.[17] He commissioned major repairs to the Srisailam Mallikarjuna Swami temple, and had a flight of steps built from the Krishna river to the temple. The Narasimha Swamy temple at Ahobilam was built during his reign. He built 108 temples for Lord Shiva. The restoration of peace starting with his reign brought about a revival of literature and the arts. Errana, the translator of the Mahabharata, lived during his period.[4]
Kondapalli fort, Reddy kingdom 
Kondavidu fort, Reddy kingdom 
A carved Gopuram of Narasimha Temple, Ahobilam 
Water colour painting - Bellamkonda fort, Reddy Kingdom 

 Later kings

Reddy Kings 1325-1448
Prolaya Vema Reddy 1325–1335
Anavota Reddy 1335–1364
Anavema Reddy 1364–1386
Kumaragiri Reddy 1386–1402
Kataya Vema Reddy 1395–1414
Allada Reddy 1414–1423
Veerabhadra Reddy 1423–1448
Sanskrit-Telugu on copper plates, 1358 CE, Anavota Reddy

 Anavota Reddy

Anavota Reddy (1335-1364 CE) was the son and successor of Prolaya Vema Reddy. During his reign, he was continuously engaged in wars against the Bahmanis, the Recharla Velamas and the Vijayanagara kings who often encroached on his territories. He changed the capital from Addanki to the more impregnable Kondavidu fort. He led his troops into Kalinga country along with his ally Choda Bhaktiraja. He conquered many small kingdoms like Nirvadyapura (present day Nidadavolu) ruled by Vengi Chalukyas, Vundi ruled by Suryavamsa Kshatriyas, Korukonda ruled by Kondaya Nayakas and Pithapuram ruled by Koppularajus by 1356 CE. He successfully resisted the advances of the Bahmanis and the Recherla Velamas. Bukkaraya I of Vijayanagara took advantage of his preoccupations with the Bahmanis and Recherla Velamas and occupied Srisailam and Markapuram. In spite of constant threats to his kingdom from these invaders, Anavota promoted prosperity. He collected reasonable taxes from the merchants and was an able ruler and protector of Hindu dharma like his father, Prolaya Vema Reddy.

 Anavema Reddy

Anavema Reddy (1364-1386 CE) was the younger brother of Anavota Reddy and succeeded the latter as Anavota’s son was quite young at the time of Anavota Reddy’s death. Anavema Reddy was considered the greatest ruler of the Kondavidu line. He defeated the traditional rivals, Recherla Velamas in a pitched battle and conquered some of their territory. He reconquered Srisailam which was lost to Vijayanagara. He occupied the Panara and Kona kingdoms of the Godavari delta. He wrested Rajahmundry from the Muslims and razed down a Muslim Mazar (shrine) which was built on top of a Hindu Temple. He then scaled the Korukonda fort by night with a small force and freed it from Muslim control.The Reddy army went as far north as Simhachalam. He conquered the Simhachalam fort and parts of the Kalinga kingdom. He led successful campaigns under his Brahmin general Chennama Nayaka against the local chiefs like the Manchikonda, Koppula, Chalukya and the Matsya families. Anavema's brother-in-law Choda Bhima was expelled from the Vengi Chalukyan kingdom by his brother Choda Annadeva. Anavema captured the fortress of Divi. He then marched to Nirvadyapura (Nidadavolu), defeated Choda Annadeva and instilled Choda Bhima in Nirvadyapura. He built the Vira Siromandapam at the Srisailam temple. His inscription from Srisailam states that their family belongs to the 'Vellacheri' gotram. He extended the dominion of the kingdom to Rajahmundry on the north, Kanchi on the south and Srisailam on the west.[4]

 Kumaragiri Reddy

Kumaragiri Reddy (1386-1402 CE) was the son of Anavota Reddy and nephew of Anavema Reddy. Kumaragiri's accession to the throne was challenged by his cousins Vema and Macha, sons of Pedakomati Vemareddy. There was discord and the kingdom plunged into civil war. Kumaragiri emerged victorious and was supported by his brother-in-law Kataya Vema Reddy. However peace was restored only after Pedakomati Vemareddy was promised that he would become Kumaragiri's successor at Kondavidu. Kumaragiri was an easy going ruler who enjoyed a life of comfort and luxury. The governance of the kingdom was entrusted to his brother-in-law and senapati Kataya Vema Reddy. Kumaragiri Reddy had two daughters, Anitalli and Hariharamba.[18]

 Kataya Vema Reddy

Kataya Vema Reddy (1395-1414 CE) the senapati of Kumaragiri Reddy led a large army against Vijayanagara ruler Harihara II who had invaded the Reddy kingdom and wrested Tripurantakam and Vinukonda. In the ensuing battle, the Vijayanagara forces suffered a severe defeat. However both parties reached a compromise and decided to become allies against their common archrivals – the Bahmani sultans and the Recherla Velamas of Rachakonda who had formed an alliance. This political alliance between Vijayanagara and the Reddy kingdom was cemented further by a matrimonial alliance. Harihara II of Vijayanagara gave his daughter in marriage to Kataya Vema Reddy’s son Kataya. An agreement was reached that Harihara II should give up Tripurantakam and Vinukonda, while retaining Srisailam for himself. Kataya Vema suppressed the Padmanayaka Velama chieftains of Telangana and embarked on a extensive eastern campaign. He was ably assisted by Vema Reddy and Dodda Reddy, the two princes of the Rajahmundry kingdom. He led his forces up to Simhachalam and annexed it to the Reddy kingdom. Thereafter he constituted the eastern kingdom - the Rajamahendravara ( Rajahmundry) Rajya and declared it a province of the Reddy kingdom of Kondavidu. Kumaragiri conferred the rank of viceroy to Kataya Vema for the newly formed eastern Reddy Kingdom. This division of the kingdom resulted in widespread discontent. Kataya Vema had a son named Kumaragiri Reddy II.

 Pedakomati Vemareddy

Pedakomati Vemareddy (1403-1420 CE). Taking advantage of the chaotic state of affairs, Pedakomati Vemareddy challenged the authority of Kumaragiri Reddy in Kondavidu. Kumaragiri Reddy could not withstand the might of Pedakomati. He retired to Rajahmundry in 1402 CE, shortly after which he died. Pedakomati Vemareddy assumed control at Kondavidu. Kumaragiri's deposition by Pedakomati was resented by Kataya Vema Reddy. Kataya Vema defied the central authority of Pedakomati Vemareddy and asserted his independence in Rajahmundry. Pedakomati tried to bring back Rajahmundry into his fold but could not succeed. This internal war between the two factions considerably weakened the Reddy power and made the Reddy kingdom vulnerable to neighbouring rulers. In 1408 CE, with the help of Velamas of Devarakonda, Choda Annadeva was able to recover his principality which was annexed by Kataya Vema. Devaraya I of Vijayanagara occupied Motupalli, the famous sea port. According to Velugotivari Vamsavali (a Velama chronicle of medieval period), Pedakomati Vemareddy avenged his brother Macha Reddy's death by slaying Kumara Vedagiri, the Recherla Velama chief of Devarakonda in a battle. Pedakomati Vemareddy fought the battle of Gundugolunu with Kataya Vema Reddy in 1414 CE in which Kataya Vema was slain by Pedakomati Vema's able general Gajarao Tipparao. Pedakomati Vemareddy was killed in 1420 CE in the battle of Kondavidu with Lingama Nayaka, the Velama prince of Devarakonda.

] Racha Vema Reddy

Pedakomati Vema was succeeded by his son Racha Vema Reddy (1420-1434 CE) at Kondavidu. Racha was a cruel ruler and oppressed his subjects. He was murdered by one of his own subjects. The death of Racha Vema ended the Reddy kingdom of Kondavidu. However the eastern branch of the Reddy kingdom in Rajahmundry was still in power.

Allada Reddy

Allada Reddy (1414-1423 CE), a near relative of Kataya Vema Reddy succeeded to the throne of Rajamahendravara Rajya (Rajahmundry) after the death of Kataya Vema. Allada ruled on behalf of the young Kumaragiri Reddy II - son of Kataya Vema Reddy who was only 10 years old at the time. Allada Reddy defended the Rajahmundry kingdom against his enemies. He killed Choda Annadeva in 1415 CE. He inflicted a humiliating defeat on Pedakomati Vemareddy. He died in 1420 CE.

 Veerabhadra Reddy

Veerabhadra Reddy (1423-1448 CE), son of Allada Reddy succeeded to the throne of Rajamahendravaram (Rajahmundry). He and his brother Allaya Vema continued their father's policy of annexation and invasion of Kalinga. However, the suzerainty of Kalinga rulers was to be recognized. In 1443 CE, determined to put an end to the aggressions of the Reddy kingdom, the Gajapati ruler Kapilendra of Kalinga formed an alliance with the Velamas and launched an attack on the Reddy kingdom of Rajahmundry. Veerabhadra Reddy allied himself with Vijayanagara ruler Devaraya II and defeated Kapilendra. After the death of Devaraya II in 1446 CE, he was succeeded by his son, Mallikarjuna Raya. Overwhelmed by difficulties at home, Mallikarjuna Raya recalled the Vijayanagara forces from Rajahmundry. Veerabhadra Reddy died in 1448 CE. Seizing this opportunity, the Gajapati ruler Kapilendra sent an army under the leadership of his son Hamvira into the Reddy kingdom, took Rajahmundry and gained control of the Reddy kingdom. The Gajapatis eventually lost control of coastal Andhra after the death of Kapilendra. The territories of the Reddy kingdom eventually came under the control of the Vijayanagara Empire.[19]

 Religion

Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple, Srisailam
Lord Narasimha, Narasimha Swamy Temple, Ahobilam
The Reddy rulers played a prominent part in post-Kakatiya Andhradesa. The Kakatiya empire came to an end in 1323 CE after the Muslim army of the Delhi sultanate invaded Warangal and captured Kakatiya ruler Pratapa Rudra. Warangal fell to the Muslim invaders and Ulugh Khan commanded Warangal and Telangana. During this time of foreign invasion and chaos in Telugu country, seeds of revolt were sown by two patriotic souls, Annaya Mantri and Kolani Rudradeva. They united the Telugu nobles with the singular purpose of rescuing Telugu country from Muslim domination and re-establish Hindu Dharma. Musunuri Prolaya Nayaka, Prolaya Vema Reddy, Recharla Singama Nayaka, Koppula Prolaya Nayaka and Manchikonda Ganapatinayaka were the prominent nobles. Musunuri Prolaya Nayaka was the chosen leader of this confederation of Telugu nobles who united and vowed to put an end to Muslim rule. They succeeded in repulsing the Muslim forces from Warangal and then established independent kingdoms of their own.[20]
It was during this chaotic period in Andhra history that Prolaya Vema Reddy established the Reddy kingdom in 1325 CE as a bulwark of Hinduism against the Islamic invaders. The Reddy rulers patronised and protected Hinduism and its institutions. The Brahmins were given liberal grants by the Reddy kings and the agraharas of Brahmins were restored. Vedic studies were encouraged. The Hindu temples of Srisailam and Ahobilam were provided with more facilities. Prolaya Vema Reddy bestowed a number of agraharas on the Brahmins. He was revered by the title of Apratima-Bhudana-Parasurama.[17] He commissioned major repairs to the Srisailam Mallikarjuna Swami temple, and had a flight of steps built from the Krishna river to the temple. The Narasimha Swamy temple at Ahobilam was built during his reign. He built 108 temples for Lord Shiva.

 Literature

Telugu literature blossomed during the period of stability under the Reddy kings. The Reddy kings also patronized Sanskrit, the sacred Hindu language. Several of the Reddy kings themselves were distinguished scholars and authors. Kumaragiri Reddy, Kataya Vema Reddy and Pedakomati Vemareddy were the most outstanding among them. Errapragada (Errana), Srinatha and Potana were the remarkable poets of this period. Errapragada, the last of the Kavitraya (Trinity of Poets) was the court poet of Prolaya Vema Reddy. He completed the Telugu translation of the Mahabharata. He completed the rendition of the Aranya Parva of Mahabharata left incomplete by Nannaya Bhattu (Aadi Kavi who started the translation of Mahabharata into Telugu). He wrote Hari Vamsa and Narasimha Purana. Errana's translation of the Ramayana in Chapu form (a style of poetry) has been lost.[21]
Srinatha was considered the most distinguished writer of the Reddy period. He was the court poet of Pedakomati Vemareddy.[22] He wrote 'Palnadu Viracharitra' which chronicles the Reddy dynasty. His other works include 'Pandita-radhya Charita', 'Sivaratrimahatmya,' 'Haravilasa', 'Bhimakhanda' and 'Kasikhanda'.
Gona Buddha Reddy lived during the 13th century so actually belonged to the Kakatiya period. He is famous for his Ranganatha Ramayanam. His translation of the Ramayana was a pioneering work and is still used during puppet shows.[23]
Source:en.wikipedia.org

Posted by at

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)