Kaloji Narayana Rao

A giant of Telugu letters Kaloji Narayana Rao (9 September 1914 – 13 November 2002) born in Madikonda village of Warangal district Telangana. Real name is Raghuveer Narayan Lakshmikanth Srinivasa Ramraja Kaloji popularly known as Kaloji or Kalanna is a well known freedom fighter of India and a political activist of Telangana. He is known for his contributions in the social and literary. 

Honoured with the Padma Vibhushan in 1992, the second highest civilian honour in India for his excellent service in the literary and social, Kaloji brings grace and distinction to the award. He is a recipient of Tamrapatra in 1972. He received the award for the best translation of the 'Jeevana Gita' work in 1968 and Ramakrishna Rao Burgula first posthumous tribute was congratulated in 1981. He was honored with 'Praja Kavi' title.The Telangana government honored kaloji birthday September 9 as Telangana Language Day

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Bidri Craft

Bidriware is a renowned metal handicraft that derives its name from Bidar, presently in Karnataka. It was believed to have originated in 14th century AD during the reign of Bahamani Sultans.

The term 'Bidriware' therefore represents the manufacture of a unique metalware that is named after

the region of Bidar. The Bahamani sultans had ruled Bidar in the 14th–15th centuries. Bidriware was first practised in ancient Persia and then it was brought to India by Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti’s followers. The art form developed due to a mix of Persian and Arabic cultures and after the fusion with local style, a new and unique style of its own was created. The Nizam of Hyderabad introduced the art form in Aurangabad, which was part of Nizam’s Hyderabad state before 1947.

Bidriware is an eight-stage process. Those are moulding, smoothening by file and the process of designing by chisels. It is then followed by engraving using chisel and hammer where pure silver inlaying is done. It is subjected to smoothening again, followed by buffing and finally oxidising by making use of soil and ammonium chloride. Bidriware is therefore manufactured from an alloy of copper and zinc metals, in the ratio 1:16 by means of casting.

Initially the presence of zinc ushers alloy a deep black color. Firstly, a mould is created using soil and this is made malleable by adding castor oil and resin. The molten metal is later poured to create a cast piece followed by smoothened through filing. The casting is further coated with a strong copper sulphate solution to gain a temporary black coating. Then the designs are etched freehand over this using a metal stylus.This is eventually secured in a vise and the Bidri craftsmen make use of small chisels to engrave the designs over this freehand etching. Fine wire or even flattened strips of pure silver are clearly hammered into the grooves.The item is then filed and buffed, as well as smoothed to remove the temporary black coating. This results in a silver inlay that is not that clearly distinguishable compared to the gleaming metallic surface, which is now completely silvery white.

The Bidriware item is now completely set for a final blackening process. Here, makers use a special variety of soil that is available only in select places. This is mixed with ammonium chloride and water for producing a paste. The mixture is further rubbed onto a heated Bidri surface that darkens the body without affecting the silver inlay.The paste is clearly rinsed, revealing a shiny silver design looking stunning and resplendent against the rest of black surface. The oil is applied as a finishing touch for the product to strengthen the matt coating. The finished product is now shining black with a brilliant silver inlay.

The makers of Bidriware create designs like flowers, leaves and also geometric designs, stylized poppy plants, human figures etc. In some countries there is a great demand for the design of Persian roses and also the passages from the Holy Quran in the Arabic script.Bidriware was also used for making paanholders, hookahs, and vases as well as bowls, ornament boxes, earrings, trays and other jewelry and showpiece items.

The world famous artistic metallic Work which was on a decline few decades ago is currently on the revival path following the introduction of several innovative designs and new patterns.The designs represent Indian to international themes in tune with latest home and lifestyle needs and interior spaces. Bidar in Karnataka state and Hyderabad in Telangana are the popular centres for Bidriware in India and it is also practised in some of the other centres across India. Due to the striking inlay artWorks, Bidriware is considered an important export handicraft item from India’s handicraft market and seen as a prized symbol of wealth. This native art form has also gained the Geographical Indications (GI) registry.

http://www.telanganatourism.gov.in/partials/about/arts-crafts/bidri-craft.html

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Palakuriki Somantha

Name: Palakuriki Somantha or Palakurti Somanatha (1160 AD to 1240 AD)
Birth Place and Residence : Palakurthi Village, Palakurthi Mandal, Jangaon District in Telangana State.
Parents: His father was Siva and his mother Parvati.
Teacher : Ivatuuri Somana
Books : Basava Purana and Panditaradhya Charitamu.

In his first book Anubhavasara in Telugu and even in his other Telugu work Basavapurana he mentions his mother is Parvati and father is Siva. 

Somanatha mentions in his Basava Purana Avatarika that he was a disciple of Kattakuri Potidevara. In the Introductory passages of his Panditaradhya Charitra, Somanatha mentions that he was the disciple of grand son of Balideva Vemaradhya.Somanatha's literary guru was Karasthali Viswanatha.

Life Period of Somantha

Maha Kavi Palkuriki Somanatha lived in Palakurthi between 1160 AD to 1240 AD. He was one of the most noted Telugu language writers of the 13th century. He was also an accomplished writer in Kannada and Sanskrit languages and penned several classics in those languages.

The main historical evidence for determining the date of Somanatha, remains his literary works and the works of his disciples like Pidaparti Somanatha, and others.
Basava Purana is a 13th-century Telugu epic poem. It was written by Palkuriki Somanatha. It is a sacred text of Lingayat. The epic poem narrates the life story of philosopher and social reformer Basava or Basavaṇṇa (c.1106–67/8), the founder of Lingayatism. Basaveswara was the Prime Minister in the court of Kalachuri Bijjala (1130–1167 CE) who ruled Kalyana Kataka. Bijjala in turn was originally a subordinate officer in the court of Kumara Tailapa III (1151 - 1156 AD) during the reign of Someswara III (1126 - 1138 AD) of Chalukya dynasty who was defeated and captured in 1137 A.D and later released by Prola II (1116 - 1158) of Kakatiya dynasty. This is clearly known from the Hanumakonda inscription. Therefore It Is evident that Sijjala and Basaveswara, Tailapa and Prola were contemporaries in 1137 A.D Ganapatideva (1199 - 1262) mentioned Somanatha in his "Sivayogasara".

Basava Puranam: In fact, Somanatha was a rebel poet and wrote literary works in original Telugu (Janu Telugu) neglecting the grammatical rules prescribed by Nannaya, the ‘Aadikavi’, during his days. Janu Telugu is Telugu that has the least Sanskrit diction and can be easily understood by commoners. Before Somana, there was no single poetic work in Telugu on contemporary social events. He wrote ‘Basava Puranam’ which was in ‘Janu Telugu’ in Dwipada (two lined verse) with the inspiration of Veera Saivism. It was a masterpiece appreciated by all poets and was translated into Kannada.

Panditaradhya Charitamu: Telugu book written by famous Saiva Poet Palakurki Somantha. This is a biography of saiva preacher Panditaradhya. This book gives some religious perspective during that period.

The presence of the samadhi at Palkuriki indicates that Somanatha led his last days in his native place and after his death a samadhi was constructed and a temple was made on it. Inside this temple a linga and nandi are installed. This linga is known as Somanatha linga.

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Samudra lingapur waterfalls

Samudralingapur waterfalls is located near samudralingapur Village in Yellareddipet Mandal in Rajanna Sircilla District of Telangana State, India.

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Vontimamidi or Ontimamidi lodhi waterfall

Vontimamidi lodhi or Ontimamidi lodhi waterfall is located in Mangavaigudem village, Venkatapuram mandal of Mulugu district in Telangana State.

“People who want to visit this waterfall must take the help of the local tribals as they are aware of the paths in the forest. The tourists must also be prepared to walk in knee-deep slush and through the slippery boulders carefully to reach to this ‘heaven on earth’,”






https://telanganatoday.com/one-more-stunning-waterfall-comes-to-light-in-mulugu-district

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Parkal Massacre - September 2, 1947

On September 2, 1947, a patriotic desire to hoist national flag in

Parkal, then a small village in Warangal district, had ended a brutal massacre committed by Razakars.

Nizam’s men pumped bullets into people who had gathered in the town to hoist the tri-colour

The memories of the carnage are still remembered by the elders who witnessed the incident at that time. The incident has been referred to as the ‘Jallianwala Bagh’ of the south by former Premier P V Narasimha Rao.

It may be recalled that after Indian Independence on August 15, 1947, erstwhile Nizams of Hyderabad denied joining Indian Union and also enforced suppression against hoisting the tri-colour employing tyrannical army of Razakars. Anguished at not being allowed to hoist the national flag, the residents of Parkal and surrounding villages planned to raise the flag on September 2 to celebrate the Independence and gathered near a ground in Parkal. But an official of Nizams’ regime Ziauallah Khan cautioned the public to disperse.

But the public charged with patriotic fervour went ahead to hoist the flag. Then the Nizam’s police resorted to lathi charge and then opened fire killing people indiscriminately, explained nonagenarians Basani Murari and Reguri Chandra Reddy who witnessed the incident. “The Razakars ambushed those who wanted to hoist the flag and fired at them killing about 13 persons at Parkal and nine persons at other places,” they told The Hans India recalling the tales of dictatorial rule of Nizams.

“Everyone wanted to be liberated from Nizam’s tyranny as they are not allowed to hoist the national flag though the country was liberated from the rule of the British,” said freedom fighters P Veeraswamy and P Vaikuntam. According to Vaikuntam, Razakars tied three people to a tree and shot them brutally at Rangapuram village and they looted gold and money and molested women at Laxmipuram and set the village on fire.

“The history of Parkal massacre and other such incidents has to be included in the school text books and Telangana Liberation Day should be celebrated officially. The State government should take initiative in this direction,” they urged. “Successive governments have failed to acknowledge the Telangana Liberation Movement and honour the martyrs by officially celebrating Telangana Liberation Day. It is sad that even in separate Telangana it is not happening,” they lamented.

In 2003, former Union minister and present Maharashtra Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao had built a memorial called ‘Amaradhamam’ at Parkal paying tributes to the massacre victims. The memorial was built in memory of his mother by Chennamaneni Chandramma Trust of Karimnagar. Incidentally, the back cover of the book titled ‘Uniki’ authored by Vidyasagar Rao and released by President Pranab Mukherjee some time back, features a picture of ‘Amaradhamam’ as a mark of respect to those who laid down their lives to fulfil their desire to hoist the national flag.






http://www.thehansindia.com/posts/index/Commoner/2016-09-02/Nizams-tyranny-recalled/251862
http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-andhrapradesh/when-razakars-unleashed-terror/article5087486.ece
http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Hyderabad/elders-recount-parkal-massacre/article611312.ece

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Gollavagu River

Origin : Mamidighat, Mandamarri Mandal, Mancherial District in Telangana
Outflow : Godavari River

Length : Around 40 Km
District : Mancherial

Mandals : Mandamarri, Naspur, Bheemaram, Chennur, Nennel

Start : Mamidighat

End : Konampet Village

Gollavagu river is in Mancherial District and it flows through below Villages. It also has several streams as tributaries.

• Mandamarri
• Mamidighat
• Naspur Mandal
• Singapur
• Bheemaram / Bhimaram Mandal
• Reddipalle
• Dampur
• Burugupalle
• Bheemaram / Bhimaram
• Ankushapur
• Maddikal
• Kothapalle
• Chennur Mandal
• Suddal
• Kachanpalle
• Angarajpalle
• Raipet
• Nennel Mandal
• Konampet

GOLLAVAGU PROJECT
This is a Medium Irrigation project constructed across Gollavagu near Bheemaram Village & Mandal, Mancherial district under G basin. The main objective of the Project is to irrigate 9,500 Acres of ayacut in Bheemaram and Chennur mandals.

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Durjaya Dynasty

c.500 AD - c.611 AD : Durjaya Dynasty
Founder : Rana Durjaya was a descendant of Karikala, the great Chola monarch who started as vassals to Vishnukundins. 

Capital : Pistapura (Identified as modern Pithapuram)

The Durjayas were a brach of early cholas.The Garvapadu grant of Ganapati states that Ranadurjaya, the founder of Durjaya dynasty, was a descendant of Karikala, the great Chola Monarch.

Many ruling dynasties in Andhra and Telangana, such as the Kakatiyas , Malyalas, Viryalas, the Konakandravadis, the Ivani Kandravadis, the Kondapadumatis, the Paricchedis and the Chagis, are claimed to be his descendants.

It is likely that Maharaja Ranadurjaya, the first ruler of this SriramakaSyapa family , was a contemporary of Vishnukundin Madhavavarman II (456-503 A.D.) and his subordinate for some time. 

Tandivada grant reveals that he was able to establish himself as a paramount king at Pistapura Vasista king Anantavarman who had issued his Srungavarapukota inscription from Pistapura 

Vikramendra 

565 AD  - 615 AD : Prithvi Maharaja ruled over a vast kingdom extending from Jajpur (Vaitarani) to the river Godavari in the south. 

569 AD : This King defeated Vishnukundin king Vikramendra Varma II (555-569).
592 AD : In his 27th year he extended his sway unto the river vaitarani in the north defeating the eastern Ganga, Sailodbhava and the Mudgals kings.

611 D : Tandivada Grant of Prithivi Maharaja - 46th Year - The object of the record is to register a grant of the agrahara village Tandivada in Pagupara-vishaya made from Pishtapura by Prithivi-Maharaja of the Kasyapa-gotra who bore the biruda Srirama, son of Vikramendra and grandson of Maharaja Ranadurjjaya, to Bhavasarman of the Kamakayana-gotra, who was the son of Prithivivarman and grandson of Vishnuvarman and was a resident of Kondamanchi, on the full-moon day of Karttika in the 46th year of his reign. About this time he also defeated the sailodbhava king Ayososbhita of Kongada, the father of Madhavaraja II.

C. 611A. D  may be approximately fixed as the date of Badami Chalukyas (543 AD - 753 AD) Pulakesin II's victory over Prithvimaharaja. We get a reference to the horrors of the battle evidently fought between Pulakesin II and Prithvi Maharaja on the bank of the Kunala or the Kolleru on the left bank of which stood the fortress of Pistapura.

In 49th year he issued the paralakhimedi plates from his military camp at Viranja-Nagara modern Jajpur for Cuttack district. 

It seems that in his 50th regnal year (615 A.D) he was defeated and killed by Sasanka in battle near Viraja. 

Budharaja, a successor of Prithvi Maharaja, ruled under Kubja Vishnuvardhana

After their defeat at the hands of Sasanka the Durjayas fled away to Pistapura and took shelter under Pulakesin II. Pulakesin II allowed his younger brother, Kubja Vishnuvardhana to rule Pistapura. This Kubja Vishnuvardhana founded the famous line of the Eastern Chalukyan dynasty in the Vengi region.

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Abhira Dynasty

c.208 AD - c.280 AD : Abhiras / Abheeras (c. 208 - c. 375 AD) were subordinate rulers of Western Satraps and declared independence after fall of Satavahanas. 

Founder : Isvarasena

Language : Sanskrit
Religion : Hinduism (Saivism)

The Abhiras were in power for 67 years according to most puranas and one hundred and 67 years according to Vayu purana. 

Around 280 A.D Abhiras lost sovereign status due to the rise of Chutus in Western Deccan and Ikshavakus in Eastern Deccan.

The Abhiras were from the Yaduvanshi Kshatriya clan. Some of them entered the military service of the Western Satraps (Sakas), and helped them in conquest of new territories. By 181 A.D, the Abhiras had gained considerable influence at the Kshatrapa court. Some of them were even serving as generals. 

Jaithraka

Varahadeva

Regaresvaradeva

84 A.D : Daulatpur Yashti Inscription of Regaresvaradeva during the reign of Chastana 6th year

General Bapaka

181 A.D : General Rudrabhuti

The Gunda Stone inscription dated Saka year 103 (181 CE) refers to Abhira Rudrabhuti as the senapati (commander-in-chief) of the Saka satrap (ruler) Rudrasimha (178 - 197 AD).

The history of the Abhiras is shrouded in much obscurity. The Abhira dynasty was founded by Ishwarsena. The branch came to power after the demise of the Satavahanas in the Nasik region of Maharashtra, with the help and consent of the Western Satraps (Sakas). They were known as Gavali rajas indicating that they were cowherds by profession before becoming kings. Ten Abhira kings ruled in the Maharashtra region of the Deccan, whose names have not been mentioned in the Puranas. An Abhira king is known to have sent an embassy to the Sassanid Shahanshah of Persia, Narseh, to congratualte him on his victory against Bahram III.

 Gupta Empire, a period that oriental historians have named the "Golden Age of India." recorded Abhira as a "frontier kingdom" which paid an annual tribute. This was recorded by Samudragupta's Allahabad Pillar inscription

The following is the list of the sovereign and strong Abhira rulers

188 A.D : Abhira Sivadatta

A general in the service of Rudrasimha I who deposed his master in 188 A.D and ascended the throne. Rudrasimha I soon deposed him and regained the throne in 190 A.D.

c. 208 -  228 A.D - Mathariputra Svami Sakasena alias Saka Satakarni

Another king claiming to be a son of Mathari besides Abhira Ishwarsena is Sakasena. He was likely the older brother of Ishwarsena, who succeeded him on his death. He is identified with Saka Satakarni, whose coins have been found over Andhra Pradesh

Kanheri Cave Inscription in Year 8

He seems to be ruling Maharashtra and also some copper coins found in Peddabankur, Peddapalli district, Telangana.

Abhira Kottaraja
Vatsyayana (between c.200 - c. 300 A.D) mentions Abhiras and Andhras ruling side by side. He Speaks of Abhira Kottaraja, king of kotta in Gujarat, who was killed by Washerman employed by his brother. Then again in the chapter on conduct of Woman confined to Harems, he describes the sexual abuses practiced in the seraglio of the Abhira kings among others. Kottaraja was probably his personal name. 

228 A.D - c.248 A.D - Abhira Ishwarsena alias Mahaksatrapa Isvaradatta 

Coin found of his 4th regnal year and 154 assumed to be Saka 154. (232 AD)

236 - 239 AD : Defeated Western Kshatrapas. According to the coins he was ruling between 236 A.D and 239 A.D when he usurped the throne of Western Kshatrapas

Ishwarsena was the first independent Abhira king. He was the son of Abhira Sivadatta and his wife Mathari. 

237 AD : Isvarasena an Abhira Chief, known from an inscription in Cave X at Nasik regnal year 9. was the founder of this kingdom. Sivadatta, the father of Rajan Isvarasena, bears no title in the epigraph, which indicates that he was not a king. The record is dated on the thirteenth day of the fourth fortnight of the season Grīshma in the ninth (regnal) year of the Ābhīra king Īśvarasēna. 

Ishwarsena started an era which later became known as the Kalachuri-Chedi era. His descendants ruled for nine generations.Ishwarsena's coins are dated only in the first and second years of his reign and are found in Saurashtra and Southern Rajputana.

In the Nashik Inscription Abhira king names Madhariputra Isvarasena, Madhariputra Isvarasena is described as the son of sivadatta. It records the gift of sakani visnudatta, daughter of saka Agnivarman, wife of the Ganapaka Rebhila and mother Ganapaka visvavarman, of three investments of 2000,1000 and 500 Karspanas in the trade guilds of Govardhana for the purpose of providing medicines for the sick buddhist monks living at the monestery on mount Trirasmi.

c.248 A.D - c. 280 A.D : Abhira Vashishthiputra Vasusena 

After the death of Abhira Vashishthiputra Vasusena, the Abhiras probably lost their sovereign and paramount status. The Abhiras lost most of their domains to the rising Vakatakas (north) and the Kadambas (south-west).The Abhiras were finally supplanted by their feudatories, the Traikutakas. But still many petty Abhira chieftains and kings continued to rule until the fourth century, roughly till 375 AD, in the Vidarbha and Khandesh region. They continued to rule, but without sovereignty, until they came into conflict with the Kadamba king Mayurasarman and were defeated.

278 AD: Astbhujasvamin Nagajunakonda Inscription

Year 30 (variously read as 9, 20, 30 of King King Vasisthiputra Vasusena the Abhira fortnight 6 of the rainy season 2 day 1 which is 257, 268 or 278 

By the great village chief, the great talavara, the great commander, Sivaseba of the Peribidehas of the Kuasika gotra this image of lord Astbhujasvamin, made from udeumbara wood, which had never been moved from Sanjayapuri from its place, by the kings Saka Rudradaman of Avanti and Visnurudra Sivalanda Sataakrni of Vanavasa has been installed on Sedagiri. 

The engraver is Vardhamanaka belonging to sembaka family 

280 AD : Yasobhuti

A potin coin of a chief Yasobhuti was been reported from Hyderabad.

Around 280 AD Haritiputra Vinhukada Chutukulananda Satakarni might have defeated and occupied telangana region

Abheeras ruled the Telangana region contemporary to Ikshvakus. 

293 A.D : Paikali inscription of persia mentions Abhiran Sah (Abhira king) who deputed embassy to congratulate the Sasanian Naresh on his victory over Varhran III. Narseh was the seventh Sasanian King of Kings of Iran from 293 to 303

Lakshmideva

A stone inscription at Āmbē in the Hyderabad State records that Khōlēśvara, a general of the Yādava king Simhana, exterminated Lakshmīdēva, the lord of Bhambhāgiri, who belonged to the Ābhīra dynasty.3 Bhambhāgiri is probably identical with Bhāmēr, four miles south of Nizampur in the Pimpalner tālukā of the West Khandesh District. Near Bhāmēr is a great fortified hill which has many ruined gateways, gates, towers and also some old caves locally known as a Raja’s houses. The fort was probably known as Bhambhāgiri. The aforementioned Āmbē inscription describes Khōlēśvara as a very wild fire which burned the forest of the family of Lakshmīdēva, the Ābhīra king of Bhambhāgiri, and a similar statement occurs about Simhana in the Uddari stone inscription. This plainly indicates that the whole family of Lakshmīdēva was exterminated, and his kingdom was annexed by the Yādava king Simhana.

Kampala
Another king named Kāmapāla, who was vanquished by the Krishna, the grandson and Successor of Simhana, probably belonged to the Ābhīra dynasty; for, his defeat is said to have delighted the cowherds, who may have been oppressed by him. The Tāsgaon plates of Krishna's reign intimate that Krishna's feudatory Kesava obtained a victory over a chief of the cowherds, who may have been identical with the aforementioned Kāmapāla. He also may have been ruling in some part of Khandesh.

Vapa

352 AD : Vasuraka

Mewasa inscription, Gujarath 103 year (249 + 103) 

Kadamba King Mayurasarma (340-360AD) refers to a fight with Abhiras and Trikutakas 

The Abhiras were later supplanted by their feudatories, the Traikutakas around 375 AD

375 AD : Excavations at Devni-Mori near the village samlaji in Sabarkamth district of Gujarat a inscription of 127 year of kathika kings on the fifth day of the month of Bhardrapada during the reign of Rudrasena.

The Kalachuri Era, also called the Chedi Era, was a Hindu system of year numbering started by the Abhira King Ishwarsena in which the year numbering started in September 248 the year that began with the month of Asvina

https://www.jstor.org/stable/44148188

https://www.jstor.org/stable/24665991

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Telangana Timeline

 

Telangana is separated from Andhra Pradesh and became 29 state of India on June 2 2014 with Hyderabad as it capital. Kalvakuntla Chandrasekhar Rao popularly known as KCR became the first chief minister.

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Damascus or Wootz steel of Telangana

Iron Age may have come into existence in Telangana much before the rest of the world. At least that's   the conclusion reached by archaeologists excavating the University of Hyderabad campus who found iron artifacts dating back to roughly 2,200 BC has a long tradition of metallurgy.

One of the noteworthy scientific and technological products of old India was Telangana steel, also called Wootz, Ukku or Damascus steel. Its origins can be traced back as far as 500 A.D. Apparently, The Raw Ore Used To Make The Legendary 'Damascus Steel' Came From Telangana! 

Known for their skills since 300 AD, blacksmiths of Telangana had a glorious past. Interestingly, a team of researchers that was fascinated by the high quality of Tipu Sultan’s sword that was put for Sotheby’s auction in 2012 in London wanted to find out the origin of the majestic sabre. The sword was auctioned for an enormous 502,500 pounds.

The team comprised of Bangalore-based National Institute for Advanced Studies (NIAS) and UK’s Exeter University finally traced the origins of the metal used to make the Sultan’s sword, which was known for its toughness due to high carbon content. To their utter surprise, they found out that the sword was made by blacksmiths of Telangana, maybe someone who lived between Nizamabad and Hyderabad.

Additionally, they were given access to a number of blades thought to have been produced from steel from this region, so they could attempt to match components and qualities of the steel in the blades with the materials found at the old sites.

They were able to confirm that Tipu Sultan’s blade was indeed made with steel from this region, and further delved into the nature and qualities of Telengana steel and its historic production. Their results have been collected and are available in the report:  Pioneering Metallurgy: Origins of Iron and Steelmaking in the Southern Indian Subcontinent, which explores the ways in which they collected, analyzed and matched the samples.

Remnants of iron ore smelting found at many places demonstrate the hoary roots of artisanship and tool making in Telangana for at least two thousand years.

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Chityala Ailamma

Name : Chityala Ailamma or Chakali Ailamma (1919–1985)
Born : 1919, Krishnapuram, Raiparthy Mandal, Warangal
Died : Sep 10, 1985 Palakurthi, Jangaon.
Spouse : Chityala Narsaiah
Children : 4 Sons and 1 Daughter Somu Narsamma.
Profession : Farmer, Social Activist, Social Reformer

She belongs to Rajaka caste so her name became Chakali Ailamma.Poor with no formal education, a legend in the Telangana armed struggle.

Chityala Ailamma's struggle to establish her right to cultivate her own landmarks in a sense was the beginning of the Telangana Peasant Struggle.

She became an inspiration for many people in Telangana region.

She took 4 acres of land for rent (koulu) to cultivate land from a local landlord kondala rao. But, Patwari Veeramaneni Sheshagiri rao did not like that and started giving trouble to leave the land and asked her to come work in his own field.

Around the same time Andhra Maha Sabha led by Communits gave a call to revolt conducted many militant struggles against zamindars and deshmukhs,against the practices of vetti (beggar – forced labour), against illegal exactions and against evictions of cultivators from their lands.

She joined Andhra Maha Sabha and inspired her whole family, her sons and daughters to be with the Party throughout, through thick and thin. Her house had been the centre of Andhra Mahasabha and Communist Party activities against the landlords. She fought not only for her personal case – this only symbolised and signalled the beginning of the mighty struggle of the Telangana peasant for land.

Patwari Veeramaneni Sheshagiri rao complained to Visunur Deshmukh Ramachandra Reddy that she joined communists and got her husaband an d sons arrested.

Being independent minded and courageous, she resisted the attempts of the notorious deshmukh to occupy her land and merge it with his own. 

In the summer of 1946, Visunuru landlord planned to take away the harvest and evict her from the land, planned to seize the harvest directly from the fields. Just before this at a public meeting held in that village, he had sent his goondas to murder the Sangham leaders. But the people had foiled his plans and had beaten black and blue the goonda leader, Onamala Venkadu. On this pretext, the landlord arrested 14 of the Sangham leaders and lodged a case for attempted murder against them. Involved in this case were the leaders of the Sangham from that village, taluka and district. People were scared. Under these circumstances, Visnur Ramachandra Reddy thought that no one would obstruct him from taking possession of Ailamma’s lands.

He sent 100 goondas and 100 farm servants, men and women, to gather the harvest. Then the Sangham leaders and 28 volunteers, staking their lives, and armed with lathis and shouting slogans attacked the goondas. Hundreds of peasants, women as well as men, helped her to gather them and defended them with slings, stones, chilli powder and pounding sticks, Seeing these volunteers marching in formation with lathis and with fierce determination on their faces, the goondas ran for their lives. No one was left behind. The harvest was gathered and was sent to Ailamma’s house. The same night police from Visnur arrived but they dared not touch the harvested grain stored in Ailamma’s house. This incident roused the spirit of the people.

Next morning, 6 leaders including Bheemireddi Narasimha Reddy, Chokilam Yadagiri Rao, Nallu Pratapa Reddy, Katkur Ramachandra Reddy were arrested and taken to Visnur police station. At mid-night, they were taken with shackles on their hands and feet to the kutcheri house, there they were beaten severely, their heads were thrust in the ovens, chilli powder was thrust in their anus, urine was poured into their mouths and many other acts of fascist brutality were committed. But in spite of all this, Ailamma’s harvest and lands could not be seized. This victory over Visnur Ramachandra Reddy, the notorious deshmukh, enthused and gave courage to the people of the whole of Telangana. Long after this, the people used to describe this heroic struggle and sing songs about it.
But in spite of all this, Ailamma's harvest and lands could not be seized.

Songs were written on the incident of Ailamma’s land struggle attracted the women a lot. For the first time, the problem of land, eviction and vetti and forcible grain levies which had become the problems of their life, were connected with the slogan of abolition of zamindari, and that was the main feature of this period.

My daughter's name is Somu Narasamma. She had two children. She had a small infant, new-born, they beat her up and raped and my son-in-law did not take her back. May he be ruined. The sangham people could not do anything when my daughter was ruined said Ailamma.

Today if you help one person it is as if you have done a great thing.

It is my name that has stood. Wherever I go the [party] folk come and say, 'one should be like Ailamma'”

How can the dream of a new order that the Sangham (organiz- ation) spoke ofever leave us and how can that hope die?' asks Chityala Ailamma.




TELENGANA PEOPLE’S STRUGGLE AND ITS LESSONS P. SUNDARAYYA
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chityala_Ailamma

Myth and reality: the struggle for freedom in India, 1945-47 - Page 474

http://sambatecks.blogspot.com/2015/09/about-chityala-ailamma-or-chakali.html

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Mauryan Empire

Mauryan Empire 

Founder : Chandragupta Maurya (320 BC - 298 BC) 

Capital : Pataliputra
Languages : Prakrit
Religion : Budhism, Jainism, Brahmanism

300 BC : Bindusura (298 BC – 272 BC) son of Chandragupta (320 - 298) of Mauryan Empire conquered Asmaka Janapada territory in vast deccan plateau of peninsular India (the modern states of Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh) 

Came to power by overthrowing the Nanda Dynasty in 322 BC.

One of the first five disciples of the Buddha, Kondanna is a typical name from Telangana and though there is no exact information about his native place, the earliest known Buddhist township of Kondapur in Medak district is believed to be after him. The Buddha himself famously acknowledged that it was Kondanna who understood him properly. The Buddhist sources say that Bavari, a Brahmin from Badanakurti in Karimnagar sent his disciples to all the way to north India to learn Buddhism and spread the message in this region.

The Satavahanas rose to a political power, after the fall of the Mauryan Empire.

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Ramappa Temple Inscriptions

 Inscriptions carved on a square pillar of highly polished black basalt, standing in front of a square chhatri to the north-east of the temple 

Translation of inscription in the Great Temple, recording grant of Recherla Rudra in A. D. 1213.
(By Dr. L. D. Barnett, Litt. D.)

Obeisance to the blessed Rudresvara!

1. May that Ganadhisa protect you on whose cheek, besprinkled with rutting ichor, the line of bees appears distinctly like a streak of musk.
2. May the goddess Sarada, giver of boons, whose lotus-feet are adored by the troops of gods and demons, ever grant you joy.
3. May that god Siva, whose diadem is the moon, at whose pair of lotus-feet the mass of quivering rays from the sapphires in the crest of obeisant lords of the gods assumes the semblance of gadding bees, be for your prosperity.
4. May that lord Sripati, in sport (assuming the form of) a Boar, be for your happiness—he Avhose body, covered with all the waters of the ocean like drops of sweat and holding the earth fixed on the tip of his tusk, appears like the sky (studded) with many stars and having a cloud standing at the point of the crescent moon.
5. Victorious is the puissant blessed king Ganapati, in whose spirit dwells without abandoning his achalasthiti (dwelling on the mountains, or immovable condition).
6. When he takes the field, the thick dust arising from the, ground split open by the hoofs of his squadrons of horses, and advancing in front (of him) because of the wind moving forward in a favourable direction, appears like the Earth herself, who, constantly protected by that master of all policy, is furiously marching in the van in order to slay the monarchs his foes for his pleasure.
7. The people going about in the courts of his palaces have their limbs well cooled even in the season of intense heat by being bathed with drops of water streaming forth from the tips of the trunks of elephants ridden by kings who have come to do service to him.
8. The sacrificial Fire, delighted at obtaining most abundant obla-tions in the many sacrifices undertaken by the congregations of great Brahmans pleased by the magnificence displayed in the endless largesses bestowed by him, (but also) suffering much toil in carrying to the company of the gods the series of oblations, assuredly feels always joy mingled with pain.
9. I will tell of the famous and most noble hneage of the hero devoted to him, the blest General Rudra, the lord of Recherla.
10. There was a general named the blest Brahma, possessing many virtues, who protected the earth by the rampart of his majesty.
11. As soon as his musical instruments had pealed forth he swiftly flung open the doors of the city of Karichi like a curtain, and promptly brought about there the marriage of the Kakati monarch with the Fortune of heroes.
12. In his family was born the General named Kataya, conqueror of foes, enjoying brilliant fortunes, dear to good men.
13. The passionate bee of his spirit day after day freely and plainly haunted with joy Srikantha’s blessed lotus-feet, which are ruddily radiant from the lines of large jewels, massive and bright, that are strung on the tips of the crests of obeisant Brahman and all the other immortals.
14. His son was the General named Kama, brilliant in conduct, whose mind was pure in worship of the lotus-feet of the Lord of the world.
15. When he, the commander of the blest king Prola's army, renowned for valour, great of strength, smote in battle king Manthanya-Gunda, the other hostile monarchs instantly fled away in every direction, like the other lesser elephants when the chief elephant (of the herd) has been laid low by a lion.
16. Of him was born a son, the General Kataya, truthful of speech and adorned with unswerving valour praised by heroes.
17. He was an ocean (producing) a multitude of the gems of virtues, a unique kinsman to the good, a celestial tree in largesse, a destroyer of hostile factions, possessing renowned flawless intelligence, attaining the accomplishment of his desires, having the lauded form of Pa£upati, enjoying famous and end-less glory.
18. From him was born the blest General Rudra, conqueror of foes, as from the great mountain Rohana (is produced) the brilliant beryl.
19. The Lotus-dweller (Brahman) created firmness in Meru, which is without tenderness, beauty in the Mind-born (Kama), who is a rebel against lsa, profundity in (the ocean, which is) the source of visha (poison, or water), mobility in the thunderbolt, which is gross, and bounty in the celestial tree, which is beyond the reach of the needy ; being dissatisfied with these, he created-him, Kamambika’s son, who is a mine of virtues untouched by faults.
20. The heat of the majesty of this (Rudra), who is a sun (scattering) the darkness consisting of valiant hostile kings,—wonderful to relate !—certainly causes the multitude of (white) lotuses which are the bright faces of his foemen's mistresses to fade, yet plainly brings into flower the grove of (libif-) lotuses which are the eyes of celestial damsels whose hearts are possessed with joy at obtaining their lovers.
21. When the blest king Rudra, who was a thunderbolt upon the mountains that are hostile monarchs, and who drew to himself the hand of the bright Earth destined to be enjoyed by the Kakati Lord, had gone to heaven, the hostile princes whom he, renowned for valour, had conquered on the fields of battle sprang up together hastily in panic.
22. He forsooth cut off the head of a haughty feudatory, and set it up for public view, stuck on the top of a lofty flag-staff, in his lord’s city, that field for the harvest of universal prosperity, (as a scarecrow) to frighten the flocks of the wild beasts that are hostile monarchs.
23. Threatened by the pennons on the top of his army’s flag-staffs, king Nagati speedily took to flight.
24. Recherla Rudra, a hero loyal to his lord, right resolute of mind, when the Fortune of the Kakati Monarch through error had set her foot among many sharp thorns and for the moment the triple lore was disturbed, himself by the might of his arm forcibly crushed and removed those (thorns), and very firmly established that (Fortune) in security.
25. Owing to the damaged state of the stone this verse is only partially intelligible; it refers to Rudra’s military exploits.
26. His sharp arrows on the battlefields, though piercing monarchs, to whose bodies no blood clings, shine with averted faces, owing forsooth to their intense shame because (they think): “We have in vain inflicted wounds upon these men, who at the mere sight of us have instantly gone to heaven.”
27. The crowd of parasols of enemy kings, having their poles split by him with his arrows, laid low, and covered with dust, appears on the field of battle like their halo of glory deprived of lustre.
28. Rival kings, fleeing from dread of him, in their desire to become equal to him walk forsooth manifestly at the same moment, owing to his might of arm, over vast katakas (slopes, or camps) of bhumibhrits (mountains, or monarchs), which are thickly set with broad Salas (sal trees, or ramparts), inaccessible to others, thronged with bands of most noisy ndgas (barbarians, or elephants), and which have flocks of vdfis (birds, or horses) grazing over them.*
29. His arrows, golden-tailed and keen of point, obedient to his unswerving valour, instantly in battle pierce the crowd of enemy monarchs and enter the earth, in order forsooth to say to’ the serpent who supports the world: “By overcoming wicked men this day we. have relieved the burden of the earth.”
30. In battle the dust that arises from the ground split open by the hoofs of his squadron of harnessed coursers, and which spreads abroad over the sky, being cut off at its root by the water, . consisting of the abundant rutting ichor of lordly elephants, appears like a curtain spread out for the marriage of the damsels of heaven with the valiant hostile kings slain by the blows of the sword swung in his pole-like arm.
31. Shattering great hosts of heroic foes, the sword-blade of (Rudra who is) burning with majesty plainly assumes the hue of smoke; and the masses of gore arising from enemies’ limbs wear the aspect of fire; and the bloodstained pearls falling from the temples of foemen’s elephants upon the earth have the semblance of coals.
32. A string of pearls, though very bright, is placed upon arandhra (crifice of the body, or weakness); Sakra’s elephant, though white of body, is foul with the oozing of rutting ichor; the swan, though white plainly delights in jada (water, or stupidity); the moon, though stainless of lustre, is a doshdkara (maker of night, or mine of faults): thus these things are not equal to his fame, which is faultlessly bright in character.
33. And this blest General Rudra, a man of skill, made a consecration of the god Rudresvara in the city of Orugallu.
34. And the sage son of Kamiimba then granted to this Siva, for the accomplishment of enjoyment of theatrical performances and bodily pleasure, the village named Nekkonda.
35. By him was built a city brilliantly shooting up lofty pinnacles, in which are delightful palaces, constant fortunes of every kind.
36. It is for ever a blest Dvaravati, an Ayodhya. together with Girivraja, and a blest Visala, and a Mathura manifestly, and a Bhogavati.
37. Here in one part (is heard) the sound of mighty roaring of towering lordly elephants, in another part the multitudinous clattering of the hard hoofs of squadrons of horses, in another the sportive clamour of warlike exercises carried on by troops of warriors, in another the mutual altercation of numerous libertines in gambling companies.
38. In another part the sound of damsels’ songs mingled with the tones of the lute and pipe, in another the declamation of verses accompanied by the sweetness of novel musical performances, in another the recitation, of the Four Vedas clearly rendered by congregations of Brahmans, in another the brilliance of goodly discourses by ardent students of the sciences.
39. As if on purpose to behold the splendour of this city, the betel-creepers quickly climb up to the top of the shoulders of the areca-palms in the parks all around.
40. He constructed a pond, which stands like an ocean that has come thither from fear of the Submarine Fire, and looks like a mirror for that city.
41. In this (pond) the banks, covered with rows of waves and underlined with foam all along the water-edge, suggest a resemblance to the ocean, being like in aspect to rows of shells of quivering lustre.
42. All the clouds certainly take up its water, not that of the ocean, for they everywhere carry sweet water,
43. All the stainless stars in the nights, entering its exceedingly pure waters in the form of reflected images (of themselves), ever freely perform in sooth the austerity of water-dwelling in order to be united with the full moon.
44. At this (pond), which is loved by troops of birds delighted at the swinging play of the lines of gently rising, abundant, sportive, quivering waves, the chcUaka-birds all around in the hot season drink the pure water drops dashed up by the fishes’ tails as they fall far away, imagining them to be rain.
45. In this exceedingly brilliant city this (Rudra), who was a terror to rival warriors, performed a consecration of Rudresvara which was extolled by great Brahmans.
46. On the top of the temple of this (god) shines distinctly a golden cupola, illumining the space of the sky, always having the brilliance of a vast sun’s orb standing on the lofty peak of the Eastern Mountain.
47. In the Saka year numbered as “earth, moon, worlds, arrows" [1135], (the cyclic year) Srimukha, in (the month of) Madhu, on the eighth day of the bright fortnight, a Sunday, and under the nakshatra Pushya, he, great of mind.
48. Granted respectfully to Rudresvara together with Gaurisa, Upparlapalli and Borlapalli for their enjoyment.

(Verses 49—52). (Four hortatory stanzas).

(Verses 53—54). The blest General Rudra, the sage, rejoicing granted to the god who is well established in the ever fortunate goodly town of Atukuru, to Katesvara and Kamesvara and Rudresvara, the excellent village of Nadikudi for their enjoyment.





Reference: Temples at Palampet by GHULAM YAZDANI

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Chandraghad Fort & Temple

Chandraghad Fort is located at Chandraghad Village in Narva Mandal in Narayanpet District of Telangana. It is on the banks of River Krishna. 

This Hill Fort is located close to Jurala Dam. The picturesique Hill fort is located on the banks of river Krishna. This Fort was built during Peshwas and belongs to Chandrasena Jilledar. 

The fort had been constructed in a very strong way so as to act as the store house of grains and taxes collected from people before transferring them to Peshwas. 

The Hill fort presents a very picturesque view. There are 5 ponds existing in the fort and the ancient Shiva Temple. The Hill fort is so grand that one may see the fort even from a few kilometers away.

At a distance of 1.3 km from Chandraghad, 8 km from Jurala Dam, 74 km from Mahabubnagar Bus Station and 163 km from Hyderabad,

The Sri Ramalingeshwara Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva is located in the fort. There are several water bodies exist in the fort. It requires about one km walk from the nearest road point to trek to the hilltop.

Chandraghad is about 2 km from the main road between Jurala and Atmakur. Public transport to Chandraghad is very poor.

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