History of Warangal District

One of the 16 Mahajanapadas. The region formed part of this early kingdom. Languages: Prakrit. Religions: Buddhism, Jainism, Hinduism.

Founded by Chandragupta Maurya. Under Ashoka, Buddhism spread. Prakrit was the court language. The region came under Mauryan influence after the conquest of the Deccan.

Founder: Simuka. Languages: Prakrit, Sanskrit, Telugu. The Satavahanas ruled much of the Deccan, including the Warangal region, as vassals of the Mauryan Empire initially.

Brief rule following the Satavahanas. Their influence extended into the region.

Founder: Vindhyashakti. Capital: Vatsagulma (Washim, Maharashtra). Languages: Maharashtri Prakrit, Sanskrit. Religion: Buddhism, Hinduism.

Founder: Indravarma. Capitals: Amrabad, Bhuvanagiri, Keesaragutta. Languages: Telugu, Sanskrit. Religion: Hinduism (Vaishnavism). The region was under their rule before the Chalukyas.

Founder: Pulakeshin I. Pulakeshin I took parts of Telangana from Vishnukundins in c. 550 CE, and Pulakeshin II completed the conquest in 611 CE. Languages: Kannada, Sanskrit. Religion: Jainism, Hinduism.

Founder: Dantidurga. Capital: Manyakheta. Languages: Kannada, Sanskrit. Religion: Jainism, Hinduism. The Kakatiyas ruled as vassals to the Rashtrakutas. Sankaraganda (848–888 CE) built many Jaina Basadis in Kolanupaka during this period.

Founder: Tailapa II. Capitals: Manyakheta, Kalyani (Basavakalyan, Bidar, Karnataka). Languages: Kannada, Sanskrit. Religion: Jainism, Hinduism. The Kakatiyas ruled as vassals to the Western Chalukyas with capitals at Kakatipura, Anumakonda (Hanumakonda), and Orugallu (Warangal).

Kajipet, Warangal District: Dated Nandana (A.D. 932–33). Records some awards to local officials and specifications of fines for offences. The king's feudatory Satyasraya Bhimarasa is referred to as Mahamandalesvara.

Narayanagiri (1004 CE): Inscription states that Chief Gunagarasa, bearing titles Ekkala-sahasa, mahasamantadhipati, Satyagraha kulanvaya, was ruling the kingdom. His subordinate Gamgeyarasar granted a gift to the god Mallikarjuna installed by his padida Samkamayya.

Narayanagiri (1006 CE): In Kannada and dated Saka 928 (A.D. 1006), records the conservation of the deity Mallikarjuna by Gangeyya, the Sumka-verggade of kings. King Gunagarasa is eulogised as Raja Vidyadhara, Tumgavedanga, and Ekkalasahasa.

On a rock near a tank. Records the construction of a tank by a certain Samkaraganda of the Panara-kula, a subordinate family of the Rashtrakutas.

Banajipe, Narsampet (25 Dec 1082 CE): Pillar near Central Primary School records the gift of land and house sites by Mahamandalesvara Kakatya Betarasa to Vir[ai]kamala Jinalaya, built by Mahamandalesvara Madarasa of Uravadi, a subordinate of Tribhuvanamalla Vikramaditya VI.

Kumarapalli (26 Dec 1079 CE): Near Malapochamma temple. States that on the occasion of Solar eclipse in S. 1001, Siddharthi (A.D. 1079, December 26), Mahamandalesvara Betarajulu (bearing title Vikramachakri) made a gift of land, a house, and an oil mill for maintaining perpetual lamps in the shrines of Prolesvara and Betesvara.

Son of Beta II, brother of Durgaraja.

Matedu (4 March 1120 CE): Telugu inscription on a stone in front of the Gopalaswamy temple. Records the gift of lands for offerings to the temples of Mahadeva, Vinayaka, and Kesavadeva, consecrated by Mahasamanta Vemabola Boddama-Mallenayaka, the servant (bantu) of Mahamandalesvara Kakatiya Prolaraja on Vaddvaru su 3, of Chaitra in the year Sarvari, corresponding to Saka year 1042.

Govindapur, Narsampet Taluk (11 Feb 1122 CE): Stone pillar erected in the tank called Komaticheruvu. Traces the genealogy of the chiefs Meda and Gunda belonging to Madhavavarmman's family. Introduces Nagadeva, minister of Gunda, described as a follower of Meghachandra Siddhanta Deva, a Jaina pontiff, who constructed the temple of Parsva Jinesvara and donated lands with the consent of Medaraja. Also records gifts of lands by merchants belonging to Vaji-kula of Sanagara.

Son of Prola II. First independent Kakatiya ruler. Expanded the kingdom and consolidated power.

Brother of Rudradeva. Briefly ruled after his brother's death.

The greatest Kakatiya ruler. Expanded the empire to its zenith, ruling over most of Telangana and parts of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.

One of the few female rulers in Indian history. Successfully defended the kingdom against multiple invasions.

Last Kakatiya ruler. 1310 CE: Malik Kafur of Delhi Sultanate defeated him, forcing annual tribute. The Koh-i-Noor diamond passed to Alauddin Khalji. 1323 CE: Ulugh Khan (Muhammad bin Tughluq) captured Warangal, ending the Kakatiya dynasty.

Ulugh Khan (Muhammad bin Tughluq) captured Warangal in 1323 and took over the Governorship of "Teling" (Telangana). Gannaya (Gona Gannaya III) was captured, converted to Islam, and named Malik Maqbul. Ulugh Khan later became Sultan Muhammad bin Tughluq.

Commander of the Kakatiya Empire under Prataparudra. Described in Marana's Markandeya Puranamu as "Gannavibhudu" and commander (Kataka paludu) of Warangal Fort. The term "Mala Devudu" implies he was very high in the hierarchy. 1336 CE: Kapaya Nayaka took control of Warangal.

1328 CE: Movement started at Rekapalli under Musunuri Prolaya Nayaka and his cousin Kapaya Nayaka. Kapaya Nayaka became ruler in 1333 CE and captured Warangal in 1336 CE. 1350 CE: Bahman Shah forced him to cede Kaulas Fort. 1364 CE: Warangal was ceded to the Bahmani Sultanate as part of a treaty. Signed a treaty with 300 elephants, thirteen lakh of huns, and 200 horses. Presented a precious turquoise throne of Warangal (jeweled throne) to Muhammad Shah.

1368 CE – Anavotha Nayaka: Killed Kapaya Nayaka and conquered Warangal, Panagallu, and Bhuvanagiri forts. Took the title "Tribhuvana Rayarao".

1383–1399 CE – Singama Nayaka II: Continued the dynasty.

1399–1421 CE – Anavotha Nayaka II: Mounted a successful campaign in 1417 CE against Panugallu. Died during the battle at Panagallu fort in 1421 CE.

1421–1430 CE – Mada Nayaka II: Brother of Anavotha Nayaka II. 1425 CE: Azam Khan captured Warangal and many forts in Rachakonda and Devarakonda kingdoms.

1430–1458 CE – Singama Nayaka III: Son of Anavotha Nayaka II. Supported various powers—Bahmanis, Vijayanagara, and Gajapatis of Orissa—fighting their respective enemies.

1460–1464 CE – Dharma Nayaka: Brother of Singama Nayaka III, appointed ruler of Warangal by the Gajapatis of Orissa. 1464 CE (Shayampet Inscription): Records the gift of villages Maccherla and Mada to God Tiruvengaleswara and 24 Ayyangars and Mahajanas.

1347 CE: Bahmani Dynasty formed by Ala-ud-Din Bahman Shah. 1350 CE: Bahman Shah led his first campaign against Warangal and forced Kapaya Nayaka to cede Kaulas Fort. 1364 CE: Warangal was ceded to the Bahmanis. 1457 CE: Sanjar Khan was appointed Governor of Telingana.

2 February 1460 CE: Warangal Fort was conquered by Kapileswara's son Hambira (Ambira) and Raghudeva. Inscriptions found on the eastern and western gates of the Warangal fort confirm the conquest. Warangal was referred to as Varumgallu.

Also known as Sitadu or Sitapati Raju. Ruled from Rachakonda, Warangal, and Khammam forts. 1504 CE: Defeated by Sultan Quli Qutb-ul-Mulk. 21 January 1504 CE: Inscription records the capture of Warangal and restoration of temples by Sitapa-Khana of the Bhogi family. 21 January 1564 CE: Inscription near the Southern Torana, Sambunigudi, records his exploits. He conquered Rajadri forts, vanquished Muhammadans, and wrested Ekasilapuri (Warangal) from them. Reinstalled images of god Panchalaraya (Krishna), goddess Kakati, and Siva in their respective shrines.

1518 CE: Sultan Quli Qutb-ul-Mulk declared independence from the Bahmanis, establishing the Golconda Sultanate. 1512 CE: He defeated Shitab Khan to capture Khammam fort. 1636 CE: Shah Jahan forced the Qutb Shahis to recognize Mughal suzerainty, which lasted until 1687 CE.

1687 CE: Mughal emperor Aurangzeb conquered the Golconda Sultanate. 1713 CE: Mir Qamaruddin Siddiqi was appointed governor by the Mughals. 1724 CE: He was granted control of Hyderabad with the title Nizam-ul-Mulk Asaf Jah, establishing the Asaf Jahi dynasty.

1798 CE: Hyderabad became the first Indian royal state to accede to British protection under the Subsidiary Alliance. 1946–1951: Telangana Rebellion. 15 August 1947: Indian Independence; Nizam Osman Ali Khan chose to remain independent. 17 September 1948: Operation Polo integrated Hyderabad into India. Major General J.N. Chaudhuri served as Military Governor.

26 January 1950 – 31 October 1956: Hyderabad State with Nizam as Rajpramukh. 6 March 1952 – 31 October 1956: Dr. Burgula Ramakrishna Rao was elected Chief Minister. 1 November 1956: Andhra State and Telangana region of Hyderabad State were merged to form Andhra Pradesh State.

2 June 2014: Telangana was formed as the 29th state of India. Warangal became one of the key districts of the new state.

Records awards to officials and fines for offences. Refers to Satyasraya Bhimarasa as Mahamandalesvara.

Records of Gunagarasa, his subordinate Gamgeyarasar, and gifts to god Mallikarjuna. In Kannada, dated Saka 928.

Records gift of land by Kakatya Betarasa to Vir[ai]kamala Jinalaya. Mentions Tribhuvanamalla Vikramaditya VI.

Records gift by Betarajulu for maintaining lamps in shrines of Prolesvara and Betesvara.

Records gift of lands by Vemabola Boddama-Mallenayaka, servant of Kakatiya Prolaraja.

Traces genealogy of Meda and Gunda. Records construction of Parsva Jinesvara temple and land donations.

Records gift of villages Maccherla and Mada to God Tiruvengaleswara by Dharmanayaka. Lists 34 vrittis to the god, Ayyangars, and Mahajanas.

Records capture of Warangal by Sitapa-Khana of the Bhogi family. Details his victories and restoration of temples.