Khajaguda Hills

Khajaguda Hills located in Khajaguda also known as Khojaguda is a Village in Serlingampally Mandal, Rangareddy district, Telangana State, India. It is part of the old city of Hyderabad. The site is a popular spot for outdoor activities, such as hiking and bouldering.

Khajaguda hills is one of the most popular weekend spots near Hyderabad. It is known for its magnificent viewpoint of Golconda and Durgam Cheruvu, peacocks, and naturally formed rocks and boulders that facilitate thrilling activities like rappelling.

The hilltop offers a breathtaking view of the city below with its lush green surroundings. It is a perfect place to spend some quality time with your friends or family away from the hustle and bustle of the city life. The area also has several other attractions such as temples and caves that make it an ideal spot for nature lovers. With its pristine beauty and adventure activities, Khajaguda hills has become one of the most sought-after weekend spots in Hyderabad.

Hidden away from all the hustle and bustle of city life, these majestic hills offer breathtaking views and a chance to explore a fascinating part of history. Get up close and personal with nature while you learn about its ancient origins!

One of the finest prehistoric heritage sites, the Khajaguda Rock Formation is spread across 180 acres in Nanakramguda in Hyderabad, Telangana

The Fakhruddin Gutta granite rock formations, popularly known as the Khajaguda Hills, are a geological marvel that are estimated to be around 2.5 billion years old! It is a part of the Deccan Plateau and is also one of the oldest rock formations in India.

Telangana's Khajaguda Rock Formation is as old as the Earth's crust!

Around 4.4 billion years ago, the formation of Earth’s crust took place and soon after that, the formation of what we know today as the Khajaguda Rock Formation started. One of the oldest forms of rocks, these are formed of gneissic granite, one of the hardest forms of rocks on earth.

Usually, newer rocks form over these tough base rocks over a period of time. But, in Khajaguda, this didn’t happen and the billion years old rocks stand exposed till date, albeit in a poor condition.

As per the geologists researching the area, there are boulders, castle koppies, nubbins, inselberg, peneplains, kluftkarren, corestones, pans, fracture valley, runnels, balancing rocks, pseudobedding, pits, tafoni, plinths, rock doughnuts, caves, splits and wedges, and chaos – all these are different kinds of rock formations. What a field day it would be to get a chance to explore the site with researchers!. While we can’t say much about exploring the area with geologists, what you can certainly do is hike the area and take in the moment as you stand in the presence of something that is as old as our planet!

Khajaguda Lake, also known as Bhagirathamma Cheruvu was built during the reign of 6th Nizam Nawab Mahboob Ali Khan in 1897 and is spread over an impressive 618-acre. Surrounded by lush greenery and open skies, it provides a serene setting for visitors to sit back, relax and take in the natural beauty. Not only that, it also supplied water to 900 acres of Ayakattu in Kamareddy, Sarampally and Narsampally areas!

The tomb of Saint Hazrat Baba Fakhruddin Aulia — spiritual mentor of Ala-ud-Din Bahman Shah (founder of the Bahmani Kingdom) who was buried here in 1353 AD

800-year-old Annatha Padmanabha Swamy Temple and a cave where the revered saint, Meher Baba had meditated are situated on Khajaguda Hills.

The caves in the area are another interesting thing to explore. Remember how we said earlier that these rocks are the hardest forms of granite? Cave formation would be the last thing to expect of these hard rocks. But they are there, much to the surprise of geologists. Something rare, is what they say about these Khajaguda caves.

The forest patch at Khajaguda is home to several species of plants, that just like the rock formations, are difficult to find near Hyderabad. The Nyctanthes arbor-tristis, popularly known as the parijata or the night-flowering jasmine, is found in abundance at Khajaguda (there are three national parks around Hyderabad and the Parijata cannot be found in any of these three parks).

The other important plant species at Khajaguda is the Helicteres isora, also known as the Indian Screw Tree. These trees have not been recorded by the Botanical Survey of India in any areas around Hyderabad. Khajaguda is the only place where these can be found.

Best Time to visit

Sunrise and Sunset. Sunrise as you can enjoy the breathtaking view of the sun rising above the hills with the rays piercing through the morning clouds Relish Sunset at the summit . Sunset point for photoshoot in Hyderabad

Monsoons are the time when nature is at its best. Mercury levels having dropped a few notches and the lush greenery make it the best time to visit any tourist destination. One such place, whose beauty is heightened in the monsoon, is the Khajaguda Hills in Hyderabad. 

How to get there

There are two ways to reach this place: take the ORR and drive to the bottom of the hill or reach Khajaguda village and follow the path that leads to the hills. The trek to the top of the hills is easy and does not require professional hiking gear.

Use Google Maps, not Apple. Map directly to Delhi Public School. If you map to the exact location, you may be brought in the back way, which is not a way at all. Take Old Mumbai Highway or Outer Ring Road to Khajaguda Road. Follow it to Lanco Hills Road (large silver structures on this intersection). Turn onto Lanco Hills Road. When the divided road ends, take the second right (the first is immediately at the ending of the division). After taking this right, take the first left. The road turns dirt here and heads up the hill. The road is rough but passable. If you wish to walk from here, it is maybe a 10-20 minute approach up hill. If you follow the road (by car or foot) stay right at the fork. You'll reach the top and there is an open area. Park here. The approach from here varies, but should be no more than 10 minutes (to the farthest rocks).

Improvements
In October 2023, Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) started work to fence the 2.5 billion-year-old Khajaguda rock formations and limiting access to motorists, visitors, an effort to keep the encroachers at bay.

Outer Ring Road -Lanco Hills link road is under construction as part of Corridor 39B. This 3.89 km long link road is constructed alongside the Khajaguda Heritage Rock Formation.

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/travel/destinations/telanganas-khajaguda-rock-formation-is-as-old-as-the-earths-crust/articleshow/95272121.cms

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Chandlapur Rural Tourism

Chandlapur is a village in Chinna Koduru mandal, Siddipet district, Telangana State, India. Located at a latitude of 17.72692 and a longitude of 78.00892, is renowned for its rich heritage of producing intricate handlooms, particularly Gollabama Sarees.

Weaving has become the primary occupation of many villagers, with these exquisite sarees finding recognition both nationally and internationally. The village boasts a cultural legacy rooted in the traditional art of handloom weaving, preserving ancient techniques and utilizing traditional materials.

The primary theme of tourism in Chandlapur is centered around promoting and showcasing its exceptional Handloom Craftsmanship, with a particular focus on Gollabama Sarees.

Chandlapur has been recognized as Best Tourism Village 2023 in Bronze category.

Chandlapur stands as a living testament to the timeless art of handloom weaving and this enchanting village is a treasure trove of intricate craftsmanship and cultural heritage.

Chandlapur's theme is a symphony of threads and traditions, where every weave tells a story. At its heart lies the exquisite Gollabama Sarees, a testament to the villagers' unwavering dedication to preserving ancient weaving techniques.

Village mesmerizes by its rhythmic clatter of looms, the skilled hands of local artisans, and the vibrant hues of their creations. Beyond the looms, the village also boasts a variety of attractions, from the historic Ranganayakaswami Temple to the tranquil Ranganayaka Sagar Reservoir.

Chandlapur actively participates in the Telangana Harita Haram initiative, passionately engaging in plantation drives and composting to enhance greenery and combat environmental pollution.

Promotion of Handloom Weaving

The village actively promotes and conserves its traditional handloom weaving techniques, with a particular emphasis on Gollabama Sarees.

Development of Ranganayaka Sagar Reservoir

Chandlapur, in cooperation with the Telangana Tourism Department, is developing the Ranganayaka Sagar Reservoir as a significant tourism destination.

Environmental Conservation

Chandlapur participates in the Telangana Harita Haram initiative, focusing on increasing greenery and reducing environmental pollution through plantation drives and composting.

Economic Growth

The tourism ecosystem built around handloom weaving and cultural attractions has contributed to economic growth, generating income for local artisans and service providers.

Employment

The tourism sector has provided both direct and indirect employment opportunities, benefitting the local community, including weavers, craftsmen, and service providers.

Cultural Preservation

Initiatives to promote handloom weaving have helped preserve and promote the village's cultural heritage, ensuring the continuity of traditional crafts.

Environmental Conservation

Measures to ban single-use plastic, increase greenery, and promote sustainable practices have contributed to environmental conservation and awareness.

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Chennur Agastheeswara Swamy Temple

Chennur Shivalyam or Agastheswara Alayam is located in chennur village, Mancherial district, Telangana State, India on the banks of Godavari river around 30 kms from Mancherial town. This temple is dedicated to lord Shiva.

Chennur Sri Agastheeswara Swamy Temple is the ancient shivalayam in this area with very old inscriptions in Dravida language. it is said that Agasthya Mahamuni himself performed puja in this temple, was visited by Srikrishna Devaraya.

Maha Shivaratri is the major annual festival, celebrated with religious gaiety and pomp in Agastheeswara Swamy Temple.

Sage Agasthya Maharshi installed this lingam and did poojas to the Shivalinga’s on his journey from Kasi to Dakshina yatra and named it Agasteshwaram. Hence it was named as Agastheeswara Temple.

Public from different communities come from far places to immerse the remnant of the dead bodies in the form of ashes, in holy river Godavari which is called Ash Visarjan and have darshan of lord shiva.

Akhanda Jyothi is continuously glowing from almost 410 years. It was first lightened by a brahmin priest named as jakkepalli Sadashivayya. He used to offer prayers regularly in this temple. Later his sons and grandsons took the responsibilities of Akhanda Jyothi and present, his fourth generations grandson name Himakar sharma took the responsibility of Akanda Jyothi

Construction

In 1289 AD during Kakatiya reign King Pratap Rudra had reconstructed this temple and then after 20 years in the time of Alauddin Khilji Senani Malik kafur had destroyed the pyramidal tower of the temple. Later Sri Krishan Deva rayalu visited this place and he again reconstructed the temple. All these had been written in front of the temple in Telugu and Kannada languages

Panchkosha Uttara Wahini

Generally Godavari flows from west to east but the Godavari river in Chennur flows towards the north for 5 Kosa (15 km) hence it is known as "Panchkosha Uttara Wahini".

Temple Timings : 6.00 AM to 8.00 PM

Godavari Pushkaralu takes place once every 12 years, when the Jupiter is in the Leo sign. The Maha Pushkaram ("Great Pushkaram") takes place once every 144 years.

The last pushkaram is from July 14 - 25, 2015. This year it marks the ‘Maha Pushkaram’, which comes once in 144 years. Astrologically, Brihaspati (Jupiter) enters Simha rasi (Leo). It is called Maha Pushkaram as it is the 12th time, the 12-year Pushkaram cycle is being held starting with Ashadha month on Chaturdashi. The next Godavari Pushkaram is in 2027 and Maha Pushkaram will be celebrated in 2159.

Pushkaras are celebrated at 12 rivers, 1 river per year, according to which rasi Jupiter enters that year. Though the festival is theoretically ongoing throughout the year, only the first 12 days of Jupiter entering the rasi are celebrated. The last 12 days of Jupiter leaving the rasi are also considered auspicious.

The 12 rivers are: Ganga, Narmada, Saraswati, Yamuna, Godavari, Krishna, Kaveri, Bhima (tributary of Krishna), Tapti, Tungabhadra, Sindhu, Pranhita (tributary of Godavari)

Pranahita Pushkaralu is a festival of River Pranahita normally occurs once in 12 years. The Pushkaram is observed for a period of 12 days from the time of entry of Jupiter into Pisces (Meena rasi).Pranahita Pushkaralu was celebrated from April 13 - 24, 2022

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Pratapgiri Fort

Pratapgiri Fort is located on Pedda gutta near prathapgiri 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 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 Pratapagiri fort.

The ramparts of Pratapagiri hill fort nestled in the impenetrable jungle 240 kilometres northeast of Hyderabad is one such a fortification aimed at foiling enemies' invasions especially the Muslim armies on Kakatiya capital, Warangal.

Afar and tough to reach even today, the Pratapagiri fort, believed to have built by Kakatiya king Prola Raju-I, located on a hillock locally known as Pedda Gutta, is said to be the first line of defence before the invading forces make any surge onto the terrain. The fort is strategically located to keep a round-the-clock surveillance of enemies invading from the north India. The hill fort offered a superb view of enemies crossing the River Godavari, which is 3 kilometres, so that they could plan an attack.

The fort has a tunnel, an escape route used by the kings in case of emergency in those days. The exit of the tunnel, which was filled with vegetation and silt, is only seen these days. The locals believe that the Kakatiya kings hid treasure in the tunnel fearing invasions from Delhi Sultanate – Alauddin Khalji. 

The fortification strategies of Kakatiyas, who sagely used forests, hillocks and river banks, indicate the kind of warfare they adopted, he said. The Gonthemmagutta (hillock), which is three kilometres away from Pratapagiri fort, also has 1.5 kilometre fortification wall. It's easy to scale and deal for adventure sports, Aravind said.

Pratapgiri fort is located about 35km from the District headquarters Jayashankar (Bhupalpally) town in the dense forests of Kataram and Mahadevpur area near prathapagiri and and Rapallekota villages

Visitors have to walk at least 5km from Prathapagiri village through dense forest to reach the hillock,

it is referred to as Vana Durgam and also Giri Durgam.

https://www.thehansindia.com/telangana/an-impregnable-fort-amid-dense-forest-in-bhupalpally-525904

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Zaffergadh Fort and Velpugonda Narasimha Swamy Temple

Zaffergadh Fort is located in Zaffergadh village and a mandal in Jangaon district of Telangana state in India. The original name of Zaffargadh was Velpugonda. 

Zaffergadh got its name from a Muslim ruler Zaffarudhaula who made this place capital of his dynasty.

The village of Zaffargadh is situated in the valley between the hills on eastern and western sides. The hills are known as Chinnagutta and Peddagutta. There is a self manifested Lakshminarasimha Swamy Temple on Peddagutta. 

The village and the hills are surrounded by a rampart, 5 km in circumference. Around the rampart there is a deep moat. Three darwazas (inlets) were constructed to regularize the incoming and outgoing traffic. The darwazas are namely the Khammam darwaza Patnam darwaza and Hanamkonda darwaza. The doors of the darwazas are 10 feet wide and 20 feet in height. The bastions and gates are mounted with huge iron cannons.

According to a Rashtrakuta inscription carved on the rock wall of the tank of the Lakshminarasimha Swamy hillock (Peddagutta) here, Sankaraganda of Rashtrakuta line of chiefs is believed to have constructed the tank on the hillock. On the back side of the hillock a Trikuta Temple, Garuda pillar and a Vishnu temple of Kakatiya period and a mosque are located. This area was occupied by Muslim rulers in the medieval times after the fall of Kakatiyas of Warangal in 1323 CE. 

Zaffruddoula, a Subedar of Golconda Nawabs (1760 AD) was the ruler of this area. With the aim of becoming an independent ruler of this area he had constructed an impregnable fort. Before his designs could be fructified, the Nawabs of the Golconda reportedly came to know about his plans and put him to death.

Trekking

Historical Zaffergadh Twin Forts an ideal Spot for Trekking with great atmosphere. The climb up the hill presents you with panoramic views of nature.

Swayambhu Sri Velpugonda Narasimha Swamy Temple 

Historic Swayambhu Sri Velpugonda Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple on Top of the Hill with a Beautiful Small Pond.

This temple has a sacred story associated with it. According to a legend there was a pandit in this town of Zaffargadh who in his dream saw Narashimha Swamy who telling him that Lord manifested himself on this hill. Pandit was given the detailed position of manifestation by Narshimha Swamy himself and was asked to spread this to people to this town. Pandit then followed his dream and went to the location on this hill where he located Narashimha Swamy's idol at the location of manifestation. After this, people in this town constructed a temple where they found Sawmy's idol. There is a water sources on this hill where exactly at noon Narashimha Sawmy takes dip in the water and does Surya namaskara by standing at the same place every day. You can see Swamy's footprints at this location. You can actually hear the sound of Swamy taking the dip at noon every day and thereafter you can notice that these foot prints are wet. There is no proper steps/way to get to this temple and that is one of the reason why it did not become popular and not lot of people know about this temple outside of people around this area. You have to literally climb through this hill to get to this temple. No one is supposed to be staying on the hill after dark.

Renovation

Develop Zaffargadh Fort into a tourist destination: Villagers

Built in the 17th century, the Zaffargadh Fort in Jangaon district lies in a dilapidated condition. Cracks have begun to appear in the stone structure of the fortification bastions. Residents have asked the State government to start renovation works at the fort and develop it into a tourist spot. The Zaffargadh Fort was built by Zaffarudhaula, a subedar of the Golconda Nawabs, who was planning to become an independent ruler of the area. He constructed the impregnable fort to fortify his stance. However, he was killed before the entire fort could be completed. 

Cracks have also appeared on the gateways and a portion of the walls, which connects the fort to another structure, has gaping holes. The Zaffargadh village is situated in the valley between the hills on the eastern and western sides. The villagers call the hills Chinnagutta and Peddagutta. The fort was constructed with stones having massive bastions and gateways at four corners of the fortifications with mounted iron cannons.

Three darwaza (inlets) — Khammam darwaza, Patnam darwaza and Hanamkonda darwaza — were constructed. A Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple is situated on Peddagutta. The State Archaeology Department has declared Zaffargadh Fort as an ancient monument and notified it as a protected structure under Section 30(1) of the State Archaeological and Remain Act, 1960. No efforts have been made to either protect or renovate the monument.

History

996 AD - 1052 AD : Recherla Brahma or Bamma
Founder : General of Beta I (996 AD - 1052 AD)
Defeated a Choda King and carried away as a trophy of war the doors of kanchi.

1052 AD - 1076 AD : Recherla Muccha
General of Prola I (1052 AD - 1076 AD)

1076 AD - 1108 AD : Recherla Kata I / Kataya

Sura senani killed Kataya nayaka ( Kata I / Kataya Recherla General of Beta II :1076 AD - 1108 AD) and made a person called Rawanrupa  or Ravva Nripa as the ruler of Velpugonda.

1108 A.D : Rawanrupa  or Ravva Nripa

This Viriyala Sura was the son of Erra and Kāmasāni . Sura senani had become famous after Erra Narendra. According to the Gudur inscription, Sura senani killed Kataya nayaka ( Kata I / Kataya Recherla General of Beta II :1076 AD - 1108 AD) and made a person called Rawanrupa  or Ravva Nripa as the ruler of Velpugonda.

1124 AD : Viriyala Malla

Records the endowment of village Bammera in the Velupugonda 24 division by Malla of this family who was the son of Beta and grand son of Sura

1116 AD - 1157 AD : Kama Chamupati
General of Prola II (1116 AD - 1157 AD)

1760 AD : Zaffarudhaula

https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/telangana/2021/Aug/23/develop-zaffargadh-fort-intoa-tourist-destination-villagers-2348449.html

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Kapuram Fort

Kapuram Fort or Kapuram Khilla is located in Kapuram village, Malhar Rao mandal in Jayashankar Bhupalpally district, Telangana State, India.

Situated in the dense forest about 42 km away from the district headquarters, Kapuram Guttalu (hillocks) also known as Kapuram Khilla is calling for the attention of tourism officials.

While there are three hillocks with a height ranging between 200 to 250 feet, people can scale only one of them with difficulty, for a jaw-dropping experience. The hillocks resemble landscapes of Utah, Colorado, in the USA.

From October to June, people can visit these hillocks. But one should take the help of local residents (Nayakaopodu tribals) during this expedition. The hillocks are not accessible during the monsoon season,” he said, adding that it was not safe to visit the place without the help of the locals as these hillocks are the habitat of some wild animals like sloth bears and others. A stream also flows adjacent to these hillocks.

According to archaeology enthusiast Aravind Arya Pakide, the hillocks were used as a military base during the reign of the Kakatiyas. “We can see the remnants of the fort on the hillocks,” Aravind said.

The hillocks, which are part of the deciduous scrub forests, are the habitat of 80 species of hawks, eagles apart from rare species of butterflies including Banded peacocks. The place is also known for medicinal plants.

Aravind said that the Kapuram Fort (Khilla) needs to be identified as a historical site and steps must be taken to conserve it besides promoting eco-tourism activities by providing road facilities.

Former DFO K Purushotham, who also worked as the DFO of Bhupalpally district, said that the place was once a habitat of the big cat.

When contacted, Kalyanapu Suman who is the Eco-Tourism manager for erstwhile Warangal district said he had made a presentation at the DTPC on the tourism potential following the directions from the then-District Collector and chairman of DTPC, Mohammad Abdul Azeem, and were chalking out plans to promote eco-tourism activities at the Kapuram hills along with other places including Nainpaka temples, Boggulavagu project and Prathapagiri Fort.

 

https://telanganatoday.com/call-to-conserve-ancient-hillocks-in-bhupalpally

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Komaram Bheem Asifabad District History

Kumuram Bheem Asifabad District is carved out of erstwhile Adilabad District. It is surrounded by Adilabad, Mancherial, Nirmal districts and the boarders of Maharashtra state. Kumuram Bheem Asifabad District comprises 15 mandals and has two revenue divisions – Asifabad and Kaghaznagar.

Known as Jangam or Jungam in the early years of the last century, Asifabad town was the headquarters of the district by the same name before it became part of Adilabad district with Adilabad town as its headquarters in 1905.

Sirpur-Tandur was originally a district in Maratwada region. Later it was merged with Adilabad district of Telangana. In 2016, Komaram Bheem district was carved out of Adilabad district, and consequently, Sirpur now is in Komaram Bheem district.

1199 AD : Kakatiya king Ganapatideva granted land to a certain Brahmin named Manchibhattopadhyaya for establishing Sirpur taluk in Adilabad district by Chennur Allumprola Raja.

The Gonds of Chanda originated from Sirpur in what is now northern Telangana and were said to have overthrown the previous rulers of the country, called the Mana dynasty

According to Gond legends, a Gond chief, Bhim Ballal Singh, organized the Gonds and established his rule in Sirpur in 870 AD. The legend also names 19 Gond rulers.

1310 AD : Ananir (or Ananur)

The same day Malik Kafur reached Bavagarh, he led a cavalry unit to besiege Sabar, a fort located within the Kakatiya frontier region. Historian Kishori Saran Lal identifies Sabar with modern Sirpur. Khusrau's account suggests that this was a surprise attack for the defenders: faced with a certain defeat, some of them committed suicide with their wives and children in a jauhar fire. Some others, probably including the fort's commander, were killed after Kafur's soldiers entered the fort. The surviving defenders were ready to fight to death, but then a truce was negotiated because of intervention by Khwaja Haji. Ananir (or Ananur), a brother of the fort's commander, was found hiding in a field. He surrendered to the invaders, and was appointed as the fort's new governor by Malik Kafur. Some of the refugees from Sabar fled to Warangal

c. 1330 AD - 1751 A.D: Sirpur-Chanda Gond Dynasty of Gondwana Kingdom

Founder : Kol Bhill or Kol Bheel or Kolkhil

Capitals : Sirpur (modern Komaram Bheem Asifabad district, Telangana), Ballarsha, Chanda (Chandrapur district, Maharashtra)
Languages : Gondi language is known as ‘Koyator’ among Gonds. Southern Gondi, Adilabad Gondi, Northern Gondi, Aheri Gondi are variants of the language.
Religion : Brahmanical Hinduism or Cult of the Persa Pen (clan deities); ancestor spirit worship
Royal Emblem : Lion and Elephant
Family Name: Singh, Shah

Bhim Ballal Singh
Contemporary of Kakatiya Ganapatideva Bhim Ballal Singh actually started the Sirpur-Chanda Gond Kingdom. His capital was at Sirpur, on the right bank of the Wardha river, and his chief stronghold was the fortress of Manikgarh, in the hills behind Sirpur. For the first eight generations these Gond kings reigned at Sirpur, in the modern State of Telangana.

The Gond King, Bhim Ballal Sing built Sirpur Fort

Kharja Bhallal Singh 
Son of Bhim Ballal Singh

Hira or Heera Singh

Andia Bhallal Singh

Talwar Singh

Kesar Singh

Dinkar or Dinakar Singh

Ram Singh

1405 AD - 1437 AD - Surja Ballal Singh alis Ser Shah

1472 AD - 1497 AD : Khandkia or Khandkya Ballal Shah

Changed Capital from Sirpur to first Ballarsha and later to Chanda.

1497 AD - 1522 AD: Heer Shah
Hira or Heera Singh Conspicuous amongst these rulers was Hir Singh the grandson of Bhim Ballal Singh. Brave in war and wise in administration he was the first to persuade his wild fellow-countrymen to cultivate the land. To him is attributed some- thing like a rudimentary land-revenue system. First to levy tax on occupied lands.

1522 AD - 1542 AD : Bhuma and Lokba

1542 AD - 1572 AD : Kam Shah

1572 AD - 1597 AD : Babaji Ballal Shah

Babji Ballal Shah, the Ain-i-Akbari records the kingdom as being fully independent, and it even conquered some territory from nearby sultanates. 
Seldom is any mention made of these jungle kingdoms in the annals of the Imperial Court at Delhi but so prosperous and important had Southern Gondwana become at this period that in the Ain-i-Akbari or Chronicles of Akbar it is recorded of Babaji Ballal Shah Kam Shah's son that he paid no tribute to Delhi and possessed an army of 10,000 cavaliy and 40,000 infantry." In his reign the city of Wairagarh— the capital of their hereditary foes was added to the kingdom of Chanda.

However, during Akbar's rule, Babji Shah began paying tribute after the Mughals incorporated territory to their south into the Berar Subah

1597 AD - 1622 AD : Dhundia Ram Shah
it was during his reign that the city - walls surrounding Chanda were completed and , as such , inaugurated by him with due ceremonies , which included , among other things .

1611 AD : Govind Rao
1611 AD: During the reign of emperor Jahangir grants to Govind Rao sardeshmukh of the domain of Raja Birshah and Raja Ballashah zamindari and jagir rights that is the rights of revenue collection and local administration in the five villages of Sirpur, Pangri, Kanchapalli, Jainur and Chorpalli.

1622 AD - 1640 AD : Krishna Shah 
Son. Extended territory to Nagpur.
The custom of sacrificing cows to the gond god pharsa pen was abolished by him and it was substituted with goat.
1637 A.D - In January of 1637, Deogarh was invaded by Khan-i-Dauran joined by Krishna Shah of Chanda, who had an enmity with the Deogarh kings since the reign of Jatba. Kok Shah was defeated in the siege of the Nagpur fort and submitted to Khan-i-Dauran on 16 January 1637.

1640 AD - 1691 AD : Bir ShahBir Shah discontinues tribute to the Moghuls following the house arrest of Shah Jahan, but Aurangzeb sends an army under the command of Diler Khan to attack the Gonds, forcing them to sue for peace.

1691 AD - 1735 A.D - Ram Shah
Famous for wisdom and uprightness was Ram Shah, one of the last kings of Chanda, that it is reported of him that when Raghuji Bhonsla, the Maratha leader, visited Chanda, with a view to seeking a pretext for a quarrel, he ended his visit by almost worshipping him as a god. " Well would it have been, so Canon Wood writes in his article on Chanda, 'if the fast failing thread of the Gond rule had been severed at Ram Shah's death."

Mubariz Khan

1724 AD : Nizam-e-Mulk
In 1724 AD, Nizam-e-Mulk defeated Mubariz Khan and took possession of the Deccan and began to rule.

1735 AD - 1751 A.D - Neelkanth Shah
For Ram Shah's son and successor, Nilkanth Shah, was an evil and cruel ruler, who dismissed his father's most trustworthy councillors, ground down his subjects, and interfered foolishly and needlessly in the political disputes of Deogarh. And all the time the Maratha foe was but waiting for his opportunity, and when he again approached the gates of the royal city of Chanda, it was not by force of arms, but by the treachery of a discontented people, that he triumphed.

1751 AD : The last Gond Raja Nilkanth Shah was defeated and imprisoned by Raghoji Bhonsla of Nagpur in 1751 AD and merged into Nagpur.

1751 AD - Bhonsale dynasty

1751 AD - 14 Feb, 1755 AD : Raghoji I Bhonsle (1739 – 14 Feb 1755)

14 Feb, 1755 AD - 21 May 1772 AD : Janoji Bhonsle

21 May 1772 AD - 19 May 1788 AD : Mudhoji Bhonsle

1773 AD : Entered into an agreement with Nizam Ali Khan, Nizam of Hyderabad by which he agreed to cede Manikgarh (Rajura of Chandrapur) with surrounding territories south of Penganga to the Nizam, in return for the forts of Gavilgarh and Narnala of Amaravati district - Berar.

19 May 1788 AD - 1803 AD : Raghoji II Bhonsle (19 May 1788 AD - 22 Mar 1816 AD)

1795 AD : Jukut Rao

In 1795 the nizams of Hyderabad were at war with Marathas, who’s power reached Zenith in 18th C.AD Gond chief, Jukut Rao, held the district a djoining the maratha territory a s Jagir from the Bhonsles ( Marathas). 

1803 AD : Marathas occupied Adilabad district till Nirmal from Nizam. In 1803 AD as a result of war between the British and Raghoji Bhonsle II, under the treaty of Deogaon, the latter ceded the territory of Berar to the British who in turn passed it on to their ally, the Nizam under treaty obligations for his co-operation in the war. Consequently, Sirpur, the ancient seat of the Gond rulers, passed into the hands of the Asaf Jahi rulers till the state of Hyderabad joined the Indian Union

c. 1840 AD - 9th April 1860 AD : Ramji Gond

Ramji Gond ruled Asifabad wich comprised some parts of Nirmal and Adilabad areas. At that time the area was known as Jangam.

Gonds under Ramji Gond's leadership revolted against the British, which was suppressed by the then administrators at Nirmal.

1864 AD : When from 1864 onwards the ryotwari system was implemented in Hyderabad state by its prime minister Salarjung I (1853-1883), the Gond Rajas and chiefs all lost their jagirs (land grants) and watan (revenue collectiion) rights.

Only the Raja of Sirpur was honoured with a jagirdari right and Raja of Utnur with maqta (estate) right over five villages

1867 AD : Yadav Shah

1869 AD : The tutelary Rajas (zamindars) who hitherto had symbolic rights of land were given proprietary rights to their estates in a settlement in 1869. In this way 20 zamindaris were created in the Chanda of which 17 were Gonds, two were Hindus and one muslim.

1872 AD : Under Asaf jahis a sub district by name Sirpur-tandur was created in 1872 with three talukas namely Edulapuram (Adilabad), Rajura and Sirpur.

1905 AD : Ram Shah

By 1905 full-fledged district was created by name Adilabad, with Adilabad town as its head quarters by including Nirmal, Nasspur talukas from Nizamabad (Indur) and C hennur, Luxetipet talukas from Elagandla ( Karimnagar) districts. By bifurcating Nasspur taluka a new Kinwat taluka was created and remaining villages of the Nasspur taluka were added to Nirmal taluka. 

1907 AD : In 1906 Janagaon taluka was created. 1907 it was renamed as Asifabad, in this few villages of Sirpur and Luxetipet talukas w ere a dded. Thus A dilabad district was formed with eight talukas ( Rajura, 

Sirpur, Asifabad, Adilabad, Luxetipet, Chinoor, Nirmal, and Kinwat)

1905 AD - 1906 AD : Deo Shah uncle of Ram Shah

1906 AD : Govind Shah brother of Ram Shah

1907 AD : In 1906 Jangam taluka was created. 1907 it was renamed as Asifabad, in this few villages of Sirpur and Luxetipet talukas were added. Thus Adilabad district was formed with eight talukas ( Rajura,
Sirpur, Asifabad, Adilabad, Luxetipet, Chinoor, Nirmal, and Kinwat)

1906 AD - 1918 AD : Dinker Shah son of Govind Shah

In 1913-14 AD headquarter was shifted to Asifabad from Adilabad and was once again shifted back 
to Adilabad by 1940-41

1918 AD - 1947 AD : Yadav Shah

As late as the 1940 the Raja Akbar Shah of Chanda, who was of Atram clan, occupied the highest position within the traditional feudal system

Atram Rajas of Sirpur

Rajas of Atram clan whose descendants possess still the original sanad- documents granted by the Emperor Aurangzeb in 1611 AD.

The Atram Rajas of Sirpur in Utnur taluk were related and subordinate to Atram Rajas of Chanda.

Raja Atram Jangu Bapu

Atram Jangu Bapu, the raja of Kanchanpalli who set up the village Kanchanpalli dug up the well for the villagers. 

Narsing Rao

Recognized as Deshmukh. Lived in Mamidpalli at the end of his life and not in Sirpur.

Sitagondi rajas ruled also over part of the present Asifabad taluk and gave to the ancestor of the Maravi rajas the village of Borda (Borjam) near Dorli between Asifabad and Tilani.

Govind Rao

In the year 1914 , two important changes were made in the Adilabad District ; first one was the transfer of headquarters of the District from Adilabad to Asifabad

Rajesh Rao

Accepted the offer of Bhim Rao of Kanchanpalli to help him in the administration of Sirpur Patti.

1942 AD : Bheemrao Senior

It was in 1942 that Ethnographer Haimendorf and his wife Elizabeth had first come to Kanchanpalli, situated in Sirpur (U) mandal about 12 km from Jainoor mandal headquarters village, seeking help from Bheem Rao senior for their research work.

Ethnographer is a person who studies and describes the culture of a particular society or group

Bhagwant Rao 

As late as the 1950s the Gonds of Sirpur occasionally approached the Zamindar of Ahiri for the settlement of disputes , and he fulfilled certain functions of a tribal head 

Atram Bheemrao
Atram Bheemrao, of the present 6th generation of the family, told Decan Chronicle that Raja Jangu Bapu belonged to the family’s first generation.

Atram Bheem Rao, inheritor of the Gond Raja of Kanchanpalli title, remembers Christoph von Fürer-Haimendorf and his contributions to improving the lives of the Raj Gond and other Adivasi tribes of the Adilabad region. When he does, he visits a 250-metre high hill near his village, atop which is a small platform made of stones, to pay his respects to the memory of the legendary Austrian ethnographer.

Sitagondi Branch

Israi Jangu Babu 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kumuram_Bheem_Tribal_Museum

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April 20, 1981 Indervelly or Indravelli massacre

The Indravelli or Indervelly massacre was an incident on April 20, 1981 in Indervelly village Adilabad District. 

The Gond tribals of the agency area were largely dependent on agriculture, podu cultivation and collection of the forest produce for their livelihood. In the absence of legal rights on the lands cultivated by the tribals, the landlords held sway over them through their henchmen. The innocent tribals were left with no option except selling their produce to the landlords at throwaway prices. The landlords amassed riches by fleecing the tribals. Hundreds of poor tribals who borrowed money from the landlords for their family needs were caught in a debt trap.

The rally was organised to demand land certificates for Adivasis, and to protest encroachments by non-Adiviasis.

The meeting was called by the Radical Youth League's Girijan Rythu Coolie Sangham led by Kondapalli Sitarayamayya sometime in March and a massive poster campaign was carried out to publicise it.

While initially granted permission to assemble, this was later revoked in fear of agitation by Naxalites

and a "Society for the protection of Rights of Non-Tribals" had complained to the police that the tribals had planned to bum and loot their houses besides harming their person and hence also wanted to hold a counter meeting that very day. 

On April 19 the police went round Indravelli in the evening announcing that section 144 Criminal Procedure Code was imposed in the area, effectively banning the meeting on April 20.

A majority of tribals who already left their villages on foot or on bullock-carts to reach Indravelli, were not aware of the last minute cancellation of permission for the meeting and promulgation of prohibitory orders at the venue. Detention of tribals and preventive arrests were also made to thwart the public meeting.

According to the Chief Minister T. Anjaiah, the Gonds were armed with spears, sickles, sticks; and according to the Adilabad District Superintendent of Police, they also carried with them chili powder.

The SP, Adilabad, claims that the police fired on the crowd after a few rounds of teargassing proved ineffective and after it attacked the 30 policemen and five officials, spearing to death one policeman and seriously injuring all the officials (who were however not treated medically). According to the Chief Minister Tanguturi Anjaiah, the police resorted to firing after the lathi-cliarge proved in- effective; and the Home Minister has claimed that the officials had first persuaded the Gonds to disperse, but that the Gonds had regrouped and attacked the policemen and officials, being insstigated to do so by the 'extremists' hiding in the nearby villages. All these versions were doled out separately on different occasions.

In support of the claim that 'extremists' had instigated the attack, the authorities flaunted copies of pamphlets and the 'extremist' group's official mouthpiece, Kranti. Indeed, the Home Minister has claimed that the residents of Utnoor taluk have been clamouring for declaring the taluq as a 'disturbed area', and that government would favourably consider the request. The Chief Minister too has said that frustrated by the massive efforts of the government to uplift the Gonds through their numerouis development
programmes, the 'extremists' had instigated the Gonds to violence. In fact, pamphlets only demand return of lands snatched away by the non-Gonds and the forest department; right to tree felling and cultivation in forests; and implementation of the 1964 Act banning tribals selling their lands to non-tribals in notified tribal areas. Both the pamphlets and the magazine contain references to the exploiting sections of non-tribals in harsh terms as well as anti-CPI and anti-CPI(M) references and their collusion with the exploiters. But there is no incitemenit to violence even against the non-tribals in the village.

Lies Galore
A week spent by this correspondent in the troubled area and nearby villages gave the lie to all these inconsistent stories doled out by theofficial sources and vested interests.

Contrary to these reports, there were nearly two dozen armed police camps of six to ten platoons each in the district. In fact, an armed camp of seven platoons has been located in the local Zilla Parishad High School on the main road passing through the village, since early this year. 

The entire police force in the district was sumnmoned to Indravelli village on April 19. The alleged failure of police intelligence is also not borne out by facts. The police measures in the virtually detribalised Indravelli village, as also in the nearby taluqs, on the day of the firing are particularly interesting in this context. The shops were,ordered that morning to be closed and the weekly shandy on Moniday was can-
celled. The bus stand was shifted a little away from the village and nobody was allowed to get down except a handful of employees working in the banks and government offices. All the entry points into the village were guiarded by the police and those, especially Gonds, entering the village were beaten up. The fate of Gonds coming to the shandy for their essential purchases from nearbv villages and those coming to attend the meeting was the same in the main junctions and cross country tracks.

While the police prevented the Gonds from entering the village and even fired on them, they personally
escorted some non-tribal leaders of the Congress(I) led by a licensed quack. He and his followers were allowed to proceed towards Adilabad town and instigate the non-tribal traders and lower caste Hindus to come and fight the Gonds "Hirning and looting their houses in Indravelli".

The actual sequence of events that led to firing are even more shocking. The SP asked the Revenue Divisional Officer (who is the ex-offiicio Executive Magistrate) to sign the firing orders after issuing them himself, following his fuitile attempts at pistol-point intimidation. Even as the Gonds, bewildered by the sudden cancellation of permission for the meeting, were pleading and insisting on their right to go ahead with their meeting, the SP forced the RDO to order firing. When they tried to run away in panic and confusion, they were met head on by an open police jeep emerging from the local high school whose
armed police occupants fired at point blank range upon the fleeing Gonds. The policemen hiding in the trees and haystacks nearby also opened up their trained gulls to add to the toll.

How many died

Home Minister has stated that because identification of the victims was not possible since none of them were from villages within a five kilometers radius of the firing spot. 

According to official records, 13 tribals, all Raj Gonds belonging to surrounding villages of the Indravelli mandal centre, were killed in the firing.

However, according to Raghuram's report, witnesses believed that more than 60 bodies were left on the spot that day, later secretly cremated at Abilabad. Many of the seriously injured were piled on top of each other in two vans and taken to the Adilabad District Hospital. Hospital staff claimed that at least ten of the injured died en route with more than 20 dying at the hospital. Witnesses in nearby towns, including Congress(I) members reported dead bodies on the roadside left by the fleeing Gonds, or shot by pursuing police, with totals as follows. Utnoor town (30-40), Ichoda town (25) and Muthnoor village (30). Still others were said to have died hiding in the jungle, with bodies being recovered as late as April 26. 

During the inquiries conducted by the fact finding panels of the Civil Liberties Committee and people’s organisations, it was revealed that more than 60 innocent tribals lost their lives and over 1,000 people were injured in firing and lathi-charge. Many tribals were also injured while they were fleeing by trekking rough terrains and crossing ravines and streams in the deep forest. Some of them succumbed to injuries later due to lack of proper medical aid. The massacre received nationwide condemnation from civil rights groups and people's organisations.

The final death toll was estimated by the Andhra Civil Liberties Committee at over 100, and by EPW at nearly 250. Many contemporary reports cite the death toll at 60. 

According to former People's War Group (PWG) Abilabad district committee member Nayannagari Ravi, the massacre resulted in many Adivasis joining the armed wings of Naxalite groups. For example, the PWG which had been formed only a year prior, saw their formerly largely non-Adiviasi local "dalam" membership increase from a few dozen to over 250. In 1983 a memorial to the victims was constructed by GRCS president Ganji Rama Rao

Tanguturi Anjaiah (1919–1986), popularly known as T. Anjaiah, was an Indian politician who served as the 7th Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh from October 1980 to February 1982.

Chowti Jagannatha Rao (1924 – 23 January 2012) was Home Minister in the Cabinet of T. Anjaiah in 1980

Carnage is French for “bloodshed” and massacre is French for “butchery. A massacre is when many people are killed.

Carnage at Indravelli: A Report
M. Raghuram

https://www.jstor.org/stable/4369932

https://www.thehansindia.com/posts/index/Telangana/2016-04-20/35-years-on-misery-still-haunts-Indravelli-victims-kin/222839

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Dandari-Ghusadi Festival

The Dandari-Ghusadi or Gussadi festival of Telangana is celebrated by the tribal communities of the Raj Gond and Kolam tribes. The Dandari-Ghusadi season is all about a robust dance festival that is celebrated for about 10 days during Deepavli.  The festival ends on Diwali day with the Ghusadi tado taking off their attire ritualistically.

The celebrations usually begin with the tribals visiting the Padmalpuri Khako shrine at Gudirevu village of Dandepalli mandal in Mancherial district, on the banks of the Godavari river. On the occasion, the Adivasis present offerings to the river. They also end the festival at the Padmalpuri Khako as the shrine is of great importance for the people belonging to ethnic groups

It starts on the day we see a crescent moon and end on the dark moon day. We start the festival by performing the Sakshe Akadi and end it on the Devadi day. Once the Sakshe Akadi is performed, the tribals would attain the festive spirits and the entire week would witness the fervour of the fest.

The tribals’ love for music also becomes so evident during the festival time that one, if they visit to one of these villages, can find several instruments — like thudum, pepera, kalikom, dappu, ghumela, dhol, vetti and karra — that are not easily findable in our markets.

During the festive season, the Dandari and Gussadi dance troupes tour the tribal villages, stay there overnight, and perform traditional rituals. 

Adivasis celebrate Gussadi-Dandari dance festival with drums and rituals. They worship Yethmasarpe or god of soul. 

During the 10 days preceding Diwali, every Adivasi village across the four northern most districts of Telangana gets transformed into a festive arena where the Raj Gond and Kolam aboriginal tribes celebrate the exuberant Dandari-Ghusadi dance festival.  

The Dandari-Ghusadi dance festival, is an opportunity for the eligible bachelors to find their life partners and some 100 marriages are finalised in this manner in the Agency villages of Adilabad, Kumram Bheem Asifabad, Mancherial and Nirmal districts, which were part of the undivided Adilabad.

The ethnic dance is an exhilarating visual display of tribal culture through which these ethnic tribes also look to foster marital alliances; it also provides a platform to promote awareness on key contemporary issues faced by the Adivasis.

The first day, we reached the village of Mallapur, where the Bhogi pooja was scheduled to start in the morning. As soon as we reached, the masks, dance sticks, peacock crowns and musical instruments, collectively known as Dandari-pen (pen meaning God in Gondi), were brought in front of the village head’s home and ceremoniously worshiped. After the rituals were complete all the men of the village came together to offer prayers and seek blessings.

Soon after, the women too gathered around the Dandari-pen and performed rituals of lighting lamps, incense sticks and breaking coconuts.

The Ghusadi-thado or Ghusarks, are a personification of the God of Creation and, as per Raj Gond mythology, are said to protect the marriage procession of Yetma, the daughter of the God of Creation. When she marries a Raj Gond, the procession travels through dense forests and hence the Ghusarks accompany her. The Dandar-Ghusadi is a re-enactment of this marriage procession in every Raj Gond/Kolam village in Northern Telangana.

Pittabongaram is another village a little over 5 km away from Mallapur. We were told that the Dandari-Ghusadi troupe from a village called Kannapur were visiting, and were guided to the scene of action. In front of the Dandari-pen, about 8 Ghusadi-thados were having their meal from the same plate. As soon as they were done, the hosts offered prayers to the Dandari-pen, and a Ghusarks donned their peacock crowns. A bugle made of the horns of an Indian bison was sounded, indicating start of the proceedings.

Ghusadi Dance

As the resounding beats of traditional percussion instruments coupled with tunes flowing out of the pepre (a smaller shehnai like wind instrument) waft around, the Ghusarks enter the arena in a line taking simple steps. With live music playing at a fairly even tempo, the dance sequences were characterised by simple repetitive steps with equally simple formations. And an energy had pervaded around leaving the entire audience eagerly waiting the next routine.

Needless to say, the performance was extremely engrossing, with the gentle swaying of the peacock crowns following the footsteps of the dancers, as well as the shadows they made on the ground beneath, all adding up to the audio-visual spectacle.

Later that evening, we revisited Mallapur, where the Ghusadi–thados were getting ready with help from para-poriks. Para-poriks are young adolescent boys who are also part of Dandari-Ghusadi troupe, but dressed in women’s clothing, as they are said to represent Yetma. Madavi Babu Rao, a Ghusark , was busy getting into his elaborate costume. His legs, hands and torso are smeared with ash and designs are also made. At times, Ghusarks also wear false moustaches and beards, but Babu Rao wasn’t going to sport them. Large strings of beads are placed around his neck and bells are tied around his waist as well as feet.

In addition to hundreds of peacock feathers, his extraordinary headgear also had a pair of ram horns, a small mirror and was decorated with colourful shiny flecks all around.

Throwing light on his role during the Dandari-Ghusadi festival, his mother explains, “This ritual is like a deeksha. He leaves home today and will probably return only after five days (at least). He will travel to the designated villages and during this period he must sit or sleep only on the deer-skin and will not even take a bath.”

“The Ghusarks are an embodiment of God and because God is pure and omnipotent, what is the need for a bath” Pusam Anand Rao, an elder reasons out why Ghusarks are not expected to sleep or wash themselves.

The entire village assembled around Durva Shambhu Patel’s home as they reverently wished the Ghusarks and the Dandari troupe the best for their onward journey. As the mood of celebration spread around, a few dances were performed first by the Ghusarks, and later by the women of the village.

The next morning, we headed to Pittabongaram once again, this time the arena shifted as another Ghusadi troupe from the village of Marutiguda was visiting.

The dance moves of the Ghusarks are but an imitation of the movement of the wild animals and cattle, more specifically the deer, peacock, rabbit, nilgai and bison. Having dwelt in the forests and sharing the habitat with wild life as well as domestic animals, these have also become an integral part of their rituals.

After the Ghusadi dance, the stage was cleared, and Mesram Raju and a group walked in to perform a skit. It revolved around a conversation between an elderly Adivasi couple and some officials from the revenue department, peppered with doses of humour that had the audience in splits.

The play was about the impact of the Purification of Land Records, an ongoing programme undertaken by the Telangana government for making necessary correction in records pertaining to agricultural lands. The performers tried to drive home the point that the correction of the land records will reveal the Adivasis as the true owners of the lands which had been encroached upon by non-tribals.

“We hope to get justice through the land record purification. The exercise should reveal the extent to which the lands of our gullible ethnic people is under encroachment,” Raju sounded optimistic. 

Dandari Dance

It was now the turn of Dandaris to take centre stage, as they stand in a large circle with sticks in their hand. The lilting music is dotted intermittently with the dancers tapping each other’s sticks.

The Ghusarks make an inner circle while the Dandaris dance in the outer periphery. When a routine is soon to change, the leader hums “Cha-choi Cha-choi” and the rest of dancers respond by humming “chaah-ve”, in acknowledgement.

It is noteworthy that both the Dandari-Ghusadi troupes (host and visiting) dance together effortlessly as if they had rehearsed sufficiently. No dancer in either troupe misses a step or a beat nor does he move out of a formation.

The Dandari dance offers the eligible bachelors of the visiting troupe an opportunity to impress and draw the attention of the parents of unmarried girls with their dancing skills. A girl watching the courtship dance, which runs for a night and a day, can inform their parents if a boy catches her fancy. After the conclusion of the festival, the families of the girls and boys follow up on the nuptials mutually.

For about ten days before Diwali, the Dandari-Ghusadi troupes in every tribal village make it a point visit as well as host troupes from other villages. The villages they visit are where their sisters or daughters have been given in marriage. All these visits are decided before hand and the troupes from other villages are welcome with great fanfare. The Dandari-Ghusadi festival is a fine example of how the tribal men keep in touch with the women from their family even after she leaves after marriage. These rituals of the forest dwellers help them stay interconnected and also underscores the importance they attached to fostering marital ties and maintaining kinship.

https://floatstheboat.wordpress.com/2017/10/23/dandari-ghusadi-the-dance-of-the-tribals-from-telangana/

Raj Gonds – Reflections in a Peacock Crown

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Sirpur Fort

Sirpur Tandur or Sarbar or Sirbar, formerly known as Suryapuram, is a town and a mandal in Komaram Bheem district of the Indian state of Telangana.

In very early days, a great Hindu city Bhadravati, dedicated to Bhadra (a name for the god Shiva), the capital of the Vakataka kings.

Hiuen Tsang a Chinese Buddhist pilgrim thought fit to give of it when writing in A.D. 639. One hundred monasteries are here and ten thousand Buddhist priests are among its inhabitants and in due course Kosala, and its Buddhist rulers, faded away, to be replaced by the Manas or Nagvansi (snake worshippers) kings of Wairagarh.

1199 AD : Kakatiya king Ganapatideva granted land to a certain Brahmin named Manchibhattopadhyaya for establishing Sirpur taluk in Adilabad district by Chennur Allumprola Raja.

The Gonds of Chanda originated from Sirpur in what is now northern Telangana and were said to have overthrown the previous rulers of the country, called the Mana dynasty

According to Gond legends, a Gond chief, Bhim Ballal Singh, organized the Gonds and established his rule in Sirpur in 870 AD. The legend also names 19 Gond rulers.

1310 AD : Ananir (or Ananur)

The same day Malik Kafur reached Bavagarh, he led a cavalry unit to besiege Sabar, a fort located within the Kakatiya frontier region. Historian Kishori Saran Lal identifies Sabar with modern Sirpur. Khusrau's account suggests that this was a surprise attack for the defenders: faced with a certain defeat, some of them committed suicide with their wives and children in a jauhar fire. Some others, probably including the fort's commander, were killed after Kafur's soldiers entered the fort. The surviving defenders were ready to fight to death, but then a truce was negotiated because of intervention by Khwaja Haji. Ananir (or Ananur), a brother of the fort's commander, was found hiding in a field. He surrendered to the invaders, and was appointed as the fort's new governor by Malik Kafur. Some of the refugees from Sabar fled to Warangal

c. 1330 AD - 1751 A.D: Sirpur-Chanda Gond Dynasty of Gondwana Kingdom

Founder : Kol Bhill or Kol Bheel or Kolkhil

Capitals : Sirpur (modern Komaram Bheem Asifabad district, Telangana), Ballarsha, Chanda (Chandrapur district, Maharashtra)
Languages : Gondi language is known as ‘Koyator’ among Gonds. Southern Gondi, Adilabad Gondi, Northern Gondi, Aheri Gondi are variants of the language.
Religion : Brahmanical Hinduism or Cult of the Persa Pen (clan deities); ancestor spirit worship
Royal Emblem : Lion and Elephant
Family Name: Singh, Shah

Bhim Ballal Singh
Contemporary of Kakatiya Ganapatideva Bhim Ballal Singh actually started the Sirpur-Chanda Gond Kingdom. His capital was at Sirpur, on the right bank of the Wardha river, and his chief stronghold was the fortress of Manikgarh, in the hills behind Sirpur. For the first eight generations these Gond kings reigned at Sirpur, in the modern State of Telangana.

The Gond King, Bhim Ballal Sing built Sirpur Fort

Kharja Bhallal Singh
Son of Bhim Ballal Singh

Hira or Heera Singh

Andia Bhallal Singh

Talwar Singh

Kesar Singh

Dinkar or Dinakar Singh

Ram Singh

1405 AD - 1437 AD - Surja Ballal Singh alis Ser Shah

1472 AD - 1497 AD : Khandkia or Khandkya Ballal Shah

Changed Capital from Sirpur to first Ballarsha and later to Chanda.

1497 AD - 1522 AD: Heer Shah
Hira or Heera Singh Conspicuous amongst these rulers was Hir Singh the grandson of Bhim Ballal Singh. Brave in war and wise in administration he was the first to persuade his wild fellow-countrymen to cultivate the land. To him is attributed some- thing like a rudimentary land-revenue system. First to levy tax on occupied lands.

1522 AD - 1542 AD : Bhuma and Lokba

1542 AD - 1572 AD : Kam Shah

1572 AD - 1597 AD : Babaji Ballal Shah

Babji Ballal Shah, the Ain-i-Akbari records the kingdom as being fully independent, and it even conquered some territory from nearby sultanates. 
Seldom is any mention made of these jungle kingdoms in the annals of the Imperial Court at Delhi but so prosperous and important had Southern Gondwana become at this period that in the Ain-i-Akbari or Chronicles of Akbar it is recorded of Babaji Ballal Shah Kam Shah's son that he paid no tribute to Delhi and possessed an army of 10,000 cavaliy and 40,000 infantry." In his reign the city of Wairagarh— the capital of their hereditary foes was added to the kingdom of Chanda.

However, during Akbar's rule, Babji Shah began paying tribute after the Mughals incorporated territory to their south into the Berar Subah

1597 AD - 1622 AD : Dhundia Ram Shah
it was during his reign that the city - walls surrounding Chanda were completed and , as such , inaugurated by him with due ceremonies , which included , among other things .

1611 AD : Govind Rao
1611 AD: During the reign of emperor Jahangir grants to Govind Rao sardeshmukh of the domain of Raja Birshah and Raja Ballashah zamindari and jagir rights that is the rights of revenue collection and local administration in the five villages of Sirpur, Pangri, Kanchapalli, Jainur and Chorpalli.

1622 AD - 1640 AD : Krishna Shah
Son. Extended territory to Nagpur.
The custom of sacrificing cows to the gond god pharsa pen was abolished by him and it was substituted with goat.
1637 A.D - In January of 1637, Deogarh was invaded by Khan-i-Dauran joined by Krishna Shah of Chanda, who had an enmity with the Deogarh kings since the reign of Jatba. Kok Shah was defeated in the siege of the Nagpur fort and submitted to Khan-i-Dauran on 16 January 1637.

1640 AD - 1691 AD : Bir ShahBir Shah discontinues tribute to the Moghuls following the house arrest of Shah Jahan, but Aurangzeb sends an army under the command of Diler Khan to attack the Gonds, forcing them to sue for peace.

1691 AD - 1735 A.D - Ram Shah
Famous for wisdom and uprightness was Ram Shah, one of the last kings of Chanda, that it is reported of him that when Raghuji Bhonsla, the Maratha leader, visited Chanda, with a view to seeking a pretext for a quarrel, he ended his visit by almost worshipping him as a god. " Well would it have been, so Canon Wood writes in his article on Chanda, 'if the fast failing thread of the Gond rule had been severed at Ram Shah's death."

Mubariz Khan

1724 AD : Nizam-e-Mulk
In 1724 AD, Nizam-e-Mulk defeated Mubariz Khan and took possession of the Deccan and began to rule.

1735 AD - 1751 A.D - Neelkanth Shah
For Ram Shah's son and successor, Nilkanth Shah, was an evil and cruel ruler, who dismissed his father's most trustworthy councillors, ground down his subjects, and interfered foolishly and needlessly in the political disputes of Deogarh. And all the time the Maratha foe was but waiting for his opportunity, and when he again approached the gates of the royal city of Chanda, it was not by force of arms, but by the treachery of a discontented people, that he triumphed.

1751 AD : The last Gond Raja Nilkanth Shah was defeated and imprisoned by Raghoji Bhonsla of Nagpur in 1751 AD and merged into Nagpur.

1751 AD - Bhonsale dynasty

1751 AD - 14 Feb, 1755 AD : Raghoji I Bhonsle (1739 – 14 Feb 1755)

14 Feb, 1755 AD - 21 May 1772 AD : Janoji Bhonsle

21 May 1772 AD - 19 May 1788 AD : Mudhoji Bhonsle

1773 AD : Entered into an agreement with Nizam Ali Khan, Nizam of Hyderabad by which he agreed to cede Manikgarh (Rajura of Chandrapur) with surrounding territories south of Penganga to the Nizam, in return for the forts of Gavilgarh and Narnala of Amaravati district - Berar.

19 May 1788 AD - 1803 AD : Raghoji II Bhonsle (19 May 1788 AD - 22 Mar 1816 AD)

1795 AD : Jukut Rao

In 1795 the nizams of Hyderabad were at war with Marathas, who’s power reached Zenith in 18th C.AD Gond chief, Jukut Rao, held the district a djoining the maratha territory a s Jagir from the Bhonsles ( Marathas).

1803 AD : Marathas occupied Adilabad district till Nirmal from Nizam. In 1803 AD as a result of war between the British and Raghoji Bhonsle II, under the treaty of Deogaon, the latter ceded the territory of Berar to the British who in turn passed it on to their ally, the Nizam under treaty obligations for his co-operation in the war. Consequently, Sirpur, the ancient seat of the Gond rulers, passed into the hands of the Asaf Jahi rulers till the state of Hyderabad joined the Indian Union

9th April 1860 AD : Ramji Gond

1864 AD : When from 1864 onwards the ryotwari system was implemented in Hyderabad state by its prime minister Salarjung I (1853-1883), the Gond Rajas and chiefs all lost their jagirs (land grants) and watan (revenue collectiion) rights.

Only the Raja of Sirpur was honoured with a jagirdari right and Raja of Utnur with maqta (estate) right over five villages

1867 AD : Yadav Shah

1869 AD : The tutelary Rajas (zamindars) who hitherto had symbolic rights of land were given proprietary rights to their estates in a settlement in 1869. In this way 20 zamindaris were created in the Chanda of which 17 were Gonds, two were Hindus and one muslim.

1872 AD : Under Asaf jahis a sub district by name Sirpur-tandur was created in 1872 with three talukas namely Edulapuram (Adilabad), Rajura and Sirpur.

1905 AD : Ram Shah

By 1905 full-fledged district was created by name Adilabad, with Adilabad town as its head quarters by including Nirmal, Nasspur talukas from Nizamabad (Indur) and C hennur, Luxetipet talukas from Elagandla ( Karimnagar) districts. By bifurcating Nasspur taluka a new Kinwat taluka was created and remaining villages of the Nasspur taluka were added to Nirmal taluka. 

1907 AD : In 1906 Janagaon taluka was created. 1907 it was renamed as Asifabad, in this few villages of Sirpur and Luxetipet talukas w ere a dded. Thus A dilabad district was formed with eight talukas ( Rajura, 

Sirpur, Asifabad, Adilabad, Luxetipet, Chinoor, Nirmal, and Kinwat)

1905 AD - 1906 AD : Deo Shah uncle of Ram Shah

1906 AD : Govind Shah brother of Ram Shah

1906 AD - 1918 AD : Dinker Shah son of Govind Shah

In 1913-14 AD headquarter was shifted to Asifabad from Adilabad and was once again shifted back
to Adilabad by 1940-41

1918 AD - 1947 AD : Yadav Shah

As late as the 1940 the Raja Akbar Shah of Chanda, who was of Atram clan, occupied the highest position within the traditional feudal system

Atram Rajas of Sirpur

Rajas of Atram clan whose descendants possess still the original sanad- documents granted by the Emperor Aurangzeb in 1611 AD.

The Atram Rajas of Sirpur in Utnur taluk were related and subordinate to Atram Rajas of Chanda.

Raja Atram Jangu Bapu

Atram Jangu Bapu, the raja of Kanchanpalli who set up the village Kanchanpalli dug up the well for the villagers. 

Narsing Rao

Recognized as Deshmukh. Lived in Mamidpalli at the end of his life and not in Sirpur.

Sitagondi rajas ruled also over part of the present Asifabad taluk and gave to the ancestor of the Maravi rajas the village of Borda (Borjam) near Dorli between Asifabad and Tilani.

Govind Rao

Rajesh Rao

Accepted the offer of Bhim Rao of Kanchanpalli to help him in the administration of Sirpur Patti.

1942 AD : Bheemrao Senior

It was in 1942 that Ethnographer Haimendorf and his wife Elizabeth had first come to Kanchanpalli, situated in Sirpur (U) mandal about 12 km from Jainoor mandal headquarters village, seeking help from Bheem Rao senior for their research work.

Ethnographer is a person who studies and describes the culture of a particular society or group

Bhagwant Rao 

As late as the 1950s the Gonds of Sirpur occasionally approached the Zamindar of Ahiri for the settlement of disputes , and he fulfilled certain functions of a tribal head

Atram Bheemrao
Atram Bheemrao, of the present 6th generation of the family, told Decan Chronicle that Raja Jangu Bapu belonged to the family’s first generation.

Atram Bheem Rao, inheritor of the Gond Raja of Kanchanpalli title, remembers Christoph von Fürer-Haimendorf and his contributions to improving the lives of the Raj Gond and other Adivasi tribes of the Adilabad region. When he does, he visits a 250-metre high hill near his village, atop which is a small platform made of stones, to pay his respects to the memory of the legendary Austrian ethnographer.

Sitagondi Branch

Israi Jangu Babu

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Kingri

The Kingri, also known as Khikri, is a unique string instrument as its three strings and the bowstring are made of horse hair. 

The Kingri is mentioned in the Sanskrit epic Mahabharata, in many Ancient Indian Brahmin's tales. and in Punjab's folk music. The kingri is also used in traditional death ceremonies, marriages and religious festivals in Telangana and Maharashtra.

The most important possession of a Pardhan is his kingri, and a square wooden sound box covered by a skin membrane. On this fiddle Pardhans play during the Persa Pen rites and accompany themselves while singing hymns or reciting epics. The two instruments they play are the kingri, a three stringed violin and a small harp called a bana.

Like Raj gonds, Pardhans principle deity is also Persapen. They worship the same gods as the Gonds and attend most of their religious ceremonies. At Festivals it is usually the most prominent Prardhan who plays the Kingri (a musical instrument like crude form of veena or lute generally with three cords/strings), while younger men blow trumpets and beat drums. 

Among the aboriginal tribes of Adilabad district, Pardhans occupy important place. But t he census of 1921 gives very contradictory data and figure 416 as total pardhans population in the di strict. Generally, t his community is known for their priestly activities. They are the helots of the gonds and serve as geneologists and bards to the Raj Gonds, singing the exploits and great deeds of their rajas by producing m usic from a kind of violin called ‘Kingri’. They a re even known as craftsmen of the Gonds. The songs and stories that they preserve by oral transmission are the most important depositories o f Gond history, culture and tradition. But it is also said t hat they acted more as musicians rather than priest. 

Anthropologist Haimendorf in his study found that no marriage ceremony of a Raj Gond is celebrated, nor the death rites performed, unless Pardhan is present to receive the marriage presents or to claim the remainents of the dead and all rites in honor of each Persa Pen. Where a s R .V. R ussel perception on pa rdhans as priest of gonds in Adilabad contradicts and he says pardhans acted a s only musicians and never as priests as most of the rituals were obligatory in nature.

Pardhan (bard) Mesram Tukdoji sings Nagoba Bhidi or the legend of the Nagoba using the traditional string instrument called kingri, every night for four days before the Mahapuja.

When Mesram Tukdoji and his team begin their chorus “Aska ad ghat rai’t ropo....” to the accompaniment of music from his Kingri, listeners are transported to a different world. No, the latter is not required to be versed in Gondi to experience the magic of the Adivasi folk tradition which was in full flow during the recently-concluded Nagoba jatara at Keslapur in Indervelli mandal.

The younger generation of Pardhan Adivasis, who function as bards of the Gonds preserving their myths and stories through singing, are moving away from tradition

Since ages, the Pardhan Adivasis have functioned as bards of the Gonds preserving their myths and stories through oral tradition. In many instances, they even serve as priests and are an integral part of most of the important religious-cum-cultural affairs like the ongoing Nagoba jatara, the annual pilgrimage of the Mesram clan of Gonds.

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/telangana/simply-out-of-this-world/article6828565.ece

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Nirmal District History

The Nirmal district is etched out of erstwhile Adilabad District. The district is located in northern Telangana and borders Maharashtra and the Telangana districts of Asifabad

(Komuram Bheem) Adilabad Mancherial Jagtial and Nizamabad. The district has two revenue divisions Nirmal and Bhainsa and 19 mandals while the district headquarters is located at Nirmal town.

Nirmal District derives its name from the king Nimma Rayudu, who played a pivotal role in the development of the region.

700 BC - 300 BC : Asmaka (One of the 16 Mahajanapadas)
Founder : Unknown (Believed to be Asmaka)
Capitals : Potana or Potali or Paudanya of Mahabharata or today's Bodhan.
Languages : Prakrit
Religion : Budhism, Jainism, Hinduism

c.300 BC - 232 BC : Mauryan Empire (322 BC –185 BC)
Founder : Chandragupta Maurya (320 BC - 298 BC)
Capital : Pataliputra
Languages : Prakrit
Religion : Budhism, Jainism, Brahmanism

c. 232 BC - c. 208 AD : Pre-Satavahana and Satavahana Dynasty
Excavations in kotilingala found punch marked coins of Pre Satavahana rulers
Rano Gobhadasa, Siri Kama, Sirivaya, Siri Naransa, Rano Sama Govasa
Siri Satavhanasa, Rano Siri Sataka Rinisa, Rano Siri Simukha Satavahanasa, Rano Siri Satakanasa, Rano Siri Pulomavisa, Mahatalavarasa, Maha Senapthi Sagamanasa, Salakasa, Mahatalavara Sivakhada, Maharathi Sivakanasa

c.208 AD - c. 280 AD : Abhiras / Abheeras (c. 208 - c. 375 AD)
Founder : Isvarasena
Language : Sanskrit
Religion : Hinduism (Saivism)

c. 208 AD - 320 AD : Mahisha Saka Chutu Dynasty
Capital : Banavasi or Vanavasi in present-day Karnataka state.
Founder : Rano Chutukulanda
Langauges : Prakrit
Religion : BudhismEmblem : Chutu inscriptions contain the emblem of the cobra hood implying Chutu meant the "cobra crest"

c. 320 AD - 340 AD : Pallava Dynasty (275 AD - 897 AD)
Pallavas were initially feudatories of Satavahanas and later ruled independently from Kanchipuram.

c. 340 - 477 A.D : Vakataka Dynasty (250 AD - 500 AD)
Founder : Vindhyashakti (250 AD - 270 AD)
Capitals : Vatsagulma, the present day Washim in Maharashtra.
Languages : Maharashtri Prakrit, Sanskrit
Religion : Budhism, Hinduism

c. 477 AD -  611 AD : Vishnukundins (c.380 AD - c.611 AD)
Founder : Indravarma/Maharajendrvarma (380 AD - 394 AD)
Capitals : Amrabad in Mahaboonagar and extended it to Bhuvanagiri, Ramannapeta in Nalgonda and Keesaragutta in Rangareddy. Built Indrapala in Nalgonda. Eluru, Amaravati in Andhra Pradesh
Languages : Telugu, Sanskrit
Religion : Hinduism (Vaisnavism)

611 AD - 753 AD : Badami Chalukyas (543 AD - 753 AD)
Founder : Pulakeshin I
Capitals : Badami
Languages : Kannada, Sanskrit
Religion : Jainism, Hinduism

753 AD - 973 AD : Rashtrakuta Dynasty
Founder : Dantidurga Capitals : Manyakheta
Languages : Kannada, Sanskrit
Religion : Jainism, Hinduism

c.753 AD to 973 AD : Vemulavada Chalukyas (vassals to Rashtrakuta Dynasty) ruled Karimnagar and Nizamabad. One of the famous chalukya dynasties, who ruled the North-Western part of Telangana region as feudatory kings of the Rashtrakutas, were the vemulawada chalukyas. Pulakesin-II, the Badami Chalukya king was the originator of this dynasty. Ten generations of this dynasty ruled the region with vemulawada of Karimnagar district as their capital. Their kingdom began with the Rashtra kutas and ended also with Rashtrakutas.

973 AD - 1158 AD : Western Chalukyas / Kalyani Chalukyas (973 AD - 1189 AD)
Founder : Tailapa II Capitals : Manyakheta, Kalyani (Basavakalyan in Bidar , Karnataka)
Languages : Kannada, Sanskrit
Religion : Jainism, Hinduism

Bhasia, Mudhol Taluk, Adilabad District.
Reign of : Mahamandalesvara Ranaka Devapala.
Language : Sanskrit and Nagari : This inscription is on a slab fixed on a pillar in the temple of Mahadeva. Records the dharmakarya of [Na]gama-ravuta, a subordinate of Devapala. 

1158 AD - 1323 AD : Kakatiya Dynasty
Founder : Venna
Capitals : Anumakonda(Hanumakonda), Orugallu / Ekasilanagara (Warangal)
Languages : Telugu, Sanskrit, Kannada
Religion : Jainism, Hinduism (Saivism)

1323 AD - 1336 AD : Tughlaq Dynasty
Ulugh Khan (also known as Muhammad bin Tughluq), the general that conquered Warangal, renamed it "Sultanpur" and remained as the governor of the region for a short period, thus ending the Kakatiya dynasty.

1350 AD – 1518 AD : Bahmani Sultanate (1347 AD - 1527 AD)
Founder : Ala-ud-Din Bahman Shah
Capital : Daulatabad, Gulbarga

1518 AD – 1687 AD : Qutbshahis / Golconda Sultanate
1636 AD : In 1636 AD Shah Jahan appointed Aurangzeb as the Viceroy of the Deccan and forced the Qutb Shahis to recognize Mughal suzerainty, which lasted until 1687 when the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb conquered the Golcondan sultanate.

1687 AD - 1724 AD : Mughal Empire
1713 : Mir Qamaruddin Siddiqi was appointed governor by the Mughals.
1724 : Mir Qamaruddin Siddiqi was granted the control of Hyderabad by the Mughal emperor Muhammad Shah with the title Nizam-ul-Mulk Asaf Jah after defeating the rival from Maratha Empire.

1724 AD - 1948 AD : Asaf Jahis
1798 : Hyderabad became the first Indian royal state to accede to British protection under the policy of Subsidiary Alliance instituted by Arthur Wellesley.

Nirmal: A.D. 1771-72.
Language : Arabic and Persian.
Of the five guns found at different places, two mention the name of their manufacturer Muhammad (son of) Qasim and the rest mention the name Zafaru'd-Daula, the companion of Ruknu'd-Daula and the date A.H 1185 (AD 1771-72). According to an inscription from the same place, a mosque was constructed in A.H 1195 (AD 1780-81).

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