Telangana360

Kapuram Fort, also known as Kapuram Khilla, is located in Kapuram village, Malhar Rao Mandal, Jayashankar Bhupalpally district, Telangana State, India. Situated in the dense forest about 42 km from the district headquarters, Kapuram Guttalu (hillocks) or Kapuram Khilla is an intriguing destination that calls for the attention of tourism officials. The area comprises three hillocks ranging from 200 to 250 feet in height, but only one of them is accessible for adventurous scaling, offering a jaw-dropping experience. The unique terrain resembles the landscapes of Utah and Colorado in the USA. Visitors are advised to visit between October and June. The hillocks are inaccessible during the monsoon season due to safety concerns. Expeditions should be undertaken with the help of local Nayakaopodu tribals, who are familiar with the terrain. The forested area surrounding the hillocks is home to wild animals, including sloth bears, and a stream flows adjacent to the hillocks, enhancing the sce...

Kakatiya Hill Fort in Jayashankar Bhupalpally, Telangana Pratapgiri Fort – Kakatiya Hill Fort on Pedda Gutta Pratapgiri Fort is located on Pedda Gutta near Pratapgiri village, Kataram Mandal, Jayashankar Bhupalpally district, Telangana State, India. The undated six-line inscription available on the fort wall tells that the fort was constructed by Muchanayanimgaru, also known as Muppa Nayakudu, a lieutenant of Prola Raja-I. Since Prataparudra, the last king of Kakatiya dynasty, who faced the might of Delhi Sultanate, used the fort frequently, it acquired the name of Pratapgiri Fort. The ramparts of Pratapgiri hill fort, nestled in the impenetrable jungle 240 kilometres northeast of Hyderabad, are a fine example of defensive fortification, aimed at foiling enemy invasions, especially from northern armies approaching the Kakatiya capital, Warangal. Afar and tough to reach even today, the fort, believed to have been built by Kakatiya king Prola Raju-I, is located on a hillock loca...

Kota Gullu – Ganapeshwara Temple Complex Ghanapuram, in Jayashankar Bhupalpally district of Telangana, is a historically significant village renowned for its Kota Gullu temple complex, showcasing exquisite Kakatiya architecture. Built in the 13th century, this site reflects the grandeur of the Kakatiya dynasty, with intricately carved red sandstone temples, fortified enclosures, and beautifully designed pillared halls. The complex offers insights into the spiritual, cultural, and socio-political life of medieval Telangana, making it a must-visit destination for history enthusiasts, architecture lovers, and spiritual travelers alike. Its proximity to Warangal and other natural attractions like waterfalls and wildlife sanctuaries adds to its appeal as a cultural tourism hotspot. Temple Complex & Architecture The complex consists of nearly 22 temples enclosed within a stone boundary. The main temple, Ganapeswaralayam , is dedicated to Lord Shiva and faces east. A grand 60-pil...

Samakka Sarakka Temple – Medaram, Mulugu District Samakka Sarakka Jathara, also called Medaram Jathara, is a biannual tribal festival in Telangana that has grown into one of India’s largest pilgrimages. Held every two years at Medaram village in Tadvai Mandal, deep in the forests of Mulugu district, it draws millions of devotees from across Telangana and neighboring states like Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh. During the festival, Medaram’s population skyrockets from fewer than 300 villagers to over 3.5 million pilgrims. The festival honors the heroic Koya tribal queen Samakka and her daughter Sarakka, who resisted the Kakatiya rulers from Warangal (1000–1380 A.D.). Today, devotees from diverse backgrounds come to pay homage, inspired by their courage and sacrifice. Historical Significance The Telangana region has long celebrated the legacy of Sammakka and Sarakka as symbols of defiance and resilience. Their heroism inspired people’s movements against ...

Scenic Lake and Adventure Destination in Mulugu, Telangana Laknavaram Lake is situated in Mulugu district about 90 km from Warangal, 30 km from Ramappa Temple, 7 km from Govindaraopet, and 5 km from Chalvai. Tourists from Warangal take NH 163 towards Mulugu, then turn right into the forest near Chalvai to reach the lake. Surrounded by green hills forming a bowl-like structure, this pristine lake is also known as ‘Laknavaram Cheruvu’. The lake covers 10,000 acres, holds 2.135 TMCFT of water, and irrigates over 3,500 acres of land. Built by the Kakatiya kings, it features 13 islands and a 160-meter-long hanging bridge connecting three islands. A lake-view resort with amenities makes it a popular weekend and monsoon destination. Activities Boating to explore islands and lake corners Kayaking for adventure enthusiasts Bird watching for migratory flocks Trekking trails around the lake and nearby waterfalls Photography and wildlife spotting, including monkeys and migratory birds ...

Sirpur (often written Sirpur (T) or Sirpur-Tandur) is an ancient town and former feudal estate in the Deccan that later became part of the Nizam’s dominions. The settlement grew around a historic fort and was an administrative sub-unit (taluk/sub-district) in Nizam-era revenue arrangements; in later British/Nizam administration Sirpur-Tandur appears as a carved-out sub-district and taluk. The area was initially carved out as a sub-district called Sirpur-Tandur in 1872 during the Asaf Jahi rule, which included taluks like Edlabad (Adilabad), Rajura, and Sirpur. This administrative name is why the Samsthanam is often referred to as "Sirpur (Tandur)." Modern Location: The town of Sirpur (T) is now a mandal in the Komaram Bheem district of Telangana. The name Kaghaznagar is often associated with the area due to the Sirpur Paper Mills established during the Nizam's time. 1. Origins and Rise The local Gond lineage in Sirpur continued to hold the status of Tutelary Rajas (Zamin...

Name: Komaram Bheem or Kumram Bheem (October 22, 1901 – October 27, 1940) Born: October 22, 1901 into a Gondi family in Hyderabad State, British India — present-day Sankepally village, Asifabad Mandal, Komaram Bheem District. Died: October 27, 1940. However, the Gondi people consider April 8, 1940 as the death date of Komaram Bheem in Jodeghat village, Hyderabad State — now Jodeghat, Kerameri Mandal, Komaram Bheem Asifabad District. Father: Komaram Chinnu Spouse: Som Bai Siblings: Younger Brother: Kumra Jangu; Sister-in-law: Kumram Tuljabai Early Life Komaram Bheem was a revolutionary tribal leader who fought against the Asaf Jahi Dynasty for the freedom and rights of Adivasis. He gave the slogan “Jal, Jungle, Jameen” (Water, Forest, Land) — symbolizing that forest dwellers have rights over the resources of their land. Bheem remains an icon of the Adivasi struggle and the heart of the Gond tribes whose lives were deeply tied to the forests of present-day Asifabad. Pers...

On October 5, 1940 , a tragic event unfolded in the forests of Adilabad that would change the course of tribal resistance in India. The Babejheri Revolt , led by Gond tribal leader Kumaram Bheem, ended in a brutal massacre at Jodeghat, marking a turning point in the relationship between the tribal communities and the Nizam's government. Between 1935 and 1940 , the Forest Conservancy Policy threatened the very survival of the Gonds, and their grievances finally found expression in a spontaneous outbreak of armed resistance under the leadership of Komaram Bheem. The rebellion reflected the strained relations between the tribal population and the authorities of the Nizam’s regime. This uprising, known as the Babejheri Revolt —named after the village where it began—was not a sudden occurrence. It was the culmination of decades of oppression, exploitation, and land alienation faced by the Gonds under Nizam’s rule. Though brutally suppressed, the revolt forced the government to reconsid...

Another Turning Point in Telangana’s Tribal History The Indravelli Firing Incident , also known as the Indravelli Massacre , occurred on April 20, 1981 , in Indravelli village of Adilabad district (now part of Telangana state). During this event, police opened fire on thousands of Gond Adivasis who had gathered for a peaceful rally organized to demand land rights and protection from exploitation. The tragedy marked one of the most significant and controversial episodes in post-independence Telangana, symbolizing both the assertion of tribal identity and the state’s repressive response to people’s movements. Date: April 20, 1981 Location: Indravelli (Indervelly) village, Adilabad District of Andhra Pradesh (now Telangana). Victims: Gond Adivasis Estimated Death Toll: 60–250 (official 13 Gonds and 1 police constable, eyewitnesses 60+, EPW ~250) Key Figures: Tanguturi Anjaiah (Chief Minister), K. Venkata Reddy (Home Minister), R. Bhaskar Rao (SP, Adilabad), M. V. S. Subba ...

The Saka Era , also known as Shalivahana Era or Sakabda , is used in Hindu calendars, the Indian National Calendar, and the Cambodian Buddhist calendar. It has been an important system for measuring years and religious dates in India for centuries. Origin and History The Saka Era began in 78 A.D. , which is widely accepted by historians as the foundation year. The Saka Era was initiated by the Saka ruler Chastana, founder of a new dynasty known as the Bhadramukhas or Kardamaka dynasty. This dynasty was named after Kardhaman, the son of Raja Dhaj. While earlier sources often attributed the start of the era to the Satavahana king, evidence from coins and inscriptions shows that Chastana and his descendants used the Saka era, beginning with his accession, which is widely believed to have occurred in 78 CE. This makes Chastana the true founder of the Saka calendar, Satavahana victories over Sakas, occurring independently of its origin. Introduction into Indian Civil Calendar The...

Kolanupaka, also known as Kollipaka, Bimbavatipuram, Kottiyapaka, Kollihaka, Kollipaka, Kolanpak, and Kollipakanadu, is located in Yadadri Bhuvanagiri district . Kollipaka served as an important administrative and military center under the Rashtrakutas (753 AD – 982 AD) and the Kalyani Chalukyas (973 AD – 1163 AD). The Rashtrakutas had their main capital at Manyakheta (Malkhed) , while the Western Chalukyas ruled from Kalyani (Basavakalyan) . Kollipaka functioned as a regional center governed by Mahamandalesvaras and feudatories. Rashtrakuta Period The Ratta Dynasty (875-1250), a branch of the Rashtrakutas ruling over Belagavi (modern Karnataka), administered parts of this region. They are believed to descend from Hem Ratti and spoke Kannada, with some using Telugu. 846–888 AD: Sankarganda I administered areas including Jaffarghad, Warangal. 25th September, 846 AD: Land grants at Mallikarjuna Palli, Medak. 888 AD: Jain inscription at Mettugutta hillock, Kazipet. Many ru...

The Telangana Peasant Movement ( 4 July 1946 – 25 October 1951 ) — also called the Telangana Armed Struggle — was one of India’s most significant agrarian uprisings. It unfolded between 1946 and 1951 in the princely state of Hyderabad, under the rule of the Nizam. To understand this movement, one must first understand how the rural system worked: the rule of deshmukhs and doras , the structure of land, and the everyday lives of peasants and labourers who lived under feudal control. Babejheri Revolt of 1940 and Gond Rebellion (1935 - 1940) Between 1935 and 1940, the Forest Conservancy Policy threatened the very survival of the Gonds, and their grievances finally found expression in a spontaneous outbreak of armed resistance under the leadership of Komaram Bheem. The Babejheri or Babejhari revolt some times mentioned as Bhabe Jhari revolt of 1940 is considered a precursor to the Telangana Peasant Movement. These early uprisings laid the groundwork for the more coordinated Telangana P...

First martyr of the armed phase of the Telangana Peasant Movement Full Name: Doddi Komarayya (also spelled Komaraiah / Komraiah) Birth: Early 1920s (exact date unknown) Death: 4 July 1946 Place of Birth: Kadavendi (Kadivendi) village, Nalgonda district (now part of Warangal district), Telangana Occupation: Peasant, grassroots activist, local leader of Andhra Mahasabha (AMS) and Communist Party of India (CPI)  Early Life and Political Awakening Doddi Komarayya was born into a poor peasant family belonging to the Kuruma/Golla (shepherd) community in Kadavendi village. The region was under feudal control of the Nizam of Hyderabad, and peasants faced severe exploitation, including forced labor and high rents. Growing up amidst these conditions, Komarayya became politically aware and joined the Andhra Mahasabha (AMS), advocating for peasant rights and social justice. He later aligned with the Communist Party of India (CPI), which emphasized land reforms and anti-feudal ideologies. Ro...

A jagir was a feudal land grant assigned by a ruler to a noble, official, or soldier (a jagirdar) in return for administrative or military service. The jagirdar had the right to collect land revenue from the assigned area, which was his income, but he did not own the land itself.  T his system was inherited from Mughal times by the first Nizam and continued until it was abolished by the Hyderabad Jagirdar Abolition and Regulation Act of 1949 after the state's merger with the Indian Union. Sarfa Khas Jagirs (Crown Lands) Purpose : Lands directly managed by the Nizam's own revenue department. The entire income from these lands went to the Nizam's personal treasury (Sarfa Khas), used for the royal household, court expenses, and the sovereign's personal troops. Management : Had its own separate administration, often considered the most efficiently managed part of the state. Assigned Land 1. Service Jagir (Mukhasa) Paigah (Elite Service) Paigah Jagirs are a supreme subtype o...