Telangana History Musunuri Nayakas

Telangana History Musunuri Nayakas

The chief sources of Musunuri family history are the Vilasa’ copper inscription of Prolaya nayaka and the ‘Polavaram’ inscription of Kapayanayaka. In 1323 A.D., Mohammed Bin Tuglaq defeated the Kakatiyas and began the rule of Muslims. After the fall of Kakatiya kingdom, the Kamma, Reddy and Velama dynasties established independent kingdoms. The Kamma community founded the Musunuri nayaka kingdom with Rekhapalli (Bhadrachalam taluq) as their capital. In the revolt against Muslim rule in the Deccan, the Musunuri riayakas played a key role. The ‘Kaluvacheru’ inscription of Anitalli reveals that 75 nayakas came together under the leadership of Prolaya nayaka to save the Andhradesa from Muslim rule.

Prolaya nayaka was helped by his cousin Kapaya nayaka, Prolaya vemareddy, Recharla Singama nayaka and Kolani Rudradeva in this movement.

Prolaya nayaka (1325-1333 A.D.)

Prolaya nayaka was the founder of Musunuri nayaka kingdom. His father’s name was Pothi nayaka. The capital of Musunuri dynasty was Rekhapalli (Bhadrachalam).
‘Vilasa’ copper inscription narrates the victories and valor of Prolaya nayaka. Prolaya nayaka donated the ‘vilasa’ village of Amalapuram taluq in 1330 A.D. to Vennayya, son of Annayya mantri of Bharadwaja gotra and issued the Vilasa inscription. As Prolaya nayaka had no offspring, his cousin Kapayanayaka succeeded him as ruler.

Kapaya nayaka (1383-1368 AM.)

Kapaya nayaka was the son of Devanayaka (brother of Prolayanayaka’s father) and played a prominent part in the establishment of Musunuri kingdom in Rekhapalli and in chasing away the Muslim rulers. He ruled Orugallu region previously and to took the titles of ‘Andhra Desadhiswara’ and ‘Andhra Suratrana’. Kapaya nayaka helped the Bahmani leader ‘Hasan Gangu’ in establishing the Bahmani kingdom. But later, in 1350 Hasan Gangu tried to conquer Warangal and sent an army led by Sikander Khan. Sikander Khan defeated Kapaya nayaka and occupied Nizamabad (koulas fort). Kapaya nayaka was also defeated by Singama nayaka of Recharla Padma nayakas in a conflict, According to the ‘Ganapeswara’ inscription, Kapaya nayaka again gained upper hand on Recharla Padma nayaka rulers in 1346. The Pillalamarri and Ganape swara inscriptions called Kapayanayaka with the title- ‘Anumaganti Puravaradhiswara’.

But in 1356, Kapaya nayaka was again attacked and defeated by the Bahmani ruler; and had to offer the Bhuvanagiri fort into Bahmani Sultan to make peace with him. In 1368, Anavota nayaka, Recharla Padma nayaka ruler fought with Kapaya nayaka in the ‘Bhimavaram’ battle, and killed him. With that the Musunuri dynasty ended. Kapaya nayaka issued the ‘Polavaram’ inscription. In the ‘pentapadu’ inscription issued by Chadaparti king, names of Prolaya and Kapaya nayaka were mentioned. Muslim rulers called Kapaya nayaka as ‘Krishna nayak’ Kanya nayak and Kaba nayudu’.

Bit Bank

★ Who is the founder of Musunuri Nayaka kingdom? – Prolaya nayaka
★ The capital of Musunuri nayakas: • Rekhapalli (Bhadrachalam taluq)
★ The ruling period of Musunuri nayakas; –1326-1369 A.D.
★ The inscriptions which tells about the history of Musunuri nayakas:- Polavaram, Kaluvacheru and Ganapeswar inscriptions
★ Name of the title got Prolaya nayaka for the fighting against muslims in the liberation movement: –Andhra Bhumandaladhyaksha Simhasana
★ The inscription which informs about the victories of Prolaya nayaka: – Vilasa Copper edict
★ Who occupied the throne after Prolaya nayaka? – Kapaya nayaka
★ The titles of Kapaya nayaka: – Andhra Suratrana, Andhra Desadhiswara
★ The capital of Kapaya nayaka: – Orugallu
★ At first Musumui nayakas were the feudatory kipgs of: – Kakatiyas
★ Who occupied Warangal, after the downfall of Musunuri nayaka dynasty? – Recharla Padma nayakas
★ The last ruler in Musunuri dynasty: – Kapaya nayaka
★ The inscription which says that 75 members of Andhra nayakas served under Kapaya nayaka: – Anitalli ‘kaluvacheru’ inscription
★ The son of Prolaya nayaka who died in the war of ‘Velam pattam’ against Bahmani king Mohammed Shah-I: – Vinayaka deva
★ In which year Prolaya nayaka laid the Vilasa copper edict: –1330 A.D.
★ Who is caused to inscribe the Polavaram inscription? – Kapaya nayaka
★ The inscription of PillalamaJrfi and Ganapeswara. referred Kapaya nayaka with which title? – Anumaganti Puravaradhiswara
★ In which year Recharla Padma nayaka king Anavota nayaka killed Kapaya nayaka in the ’Bhimavaram’ war near Orugallu? –1388 AD.

Objective Bits

1.Who established the dynasty of Musunuri nayaka?
1. Prolaya nayaka
2. Kapaya nayaka
3. Deva nayaka
4. Pothi nayaka
Ans. 1

2. The capital of Musunuri nayaka kingdom?
1. Orugallu 2. Rekhapalli *
3. Rachakonda 4. Kaulas fort
Ans. 2

3. Musunuri nayakas were the feudatory kings of:
1. Reddy kings
2. Recharla Padma nayakas
3. Kakatiyas
4. Bahmani sultans
Ans. 3

4. The ruling period of Musunuri nayakas:
1. 1326-1369 A.D.
2. 1335-1359 A.D.
3. 1314-1345 A.D.
4. 1326-1376 A.D.
Ans. 1

5. The last one in Musunuri dynasty:
1. Kapaya nayaka
2. Prolaya nayaka
3. Pothi nayaka
4. Deva nayaka
Ans. 1

6. In the year 1368, who killed Kapaya nayaka in ‘Bhimavaram war?
1. Singama nayaka -I
2. Sarvajna Singabhupala
3. Anavota nayaka -II
4. Anavota nayaka -I
Ans. 4

7. Who occupied Warangal after the downfall of Musunuri nayaka dynasty?
1. Reddy kings
2. Kakatiyas .
3. Recharla Padma nayakas
4. Bahmani Sultans
Ans. 3

8. The inscription which informing about the history of Musunuri nayakas:
1. Polavaram
2. Kaluva cheru
3. Vilasa copper edict
4. All the above
Ans. 4

9. Musunuri nayakas who ruled Telangana region with titles like ‘Andhra Desadhiswara, Andhra Suratrana’:
1. Kapaya nayaka
2. Prolaya nayaka
3. Deva nayaka
4. Meda nayaka
Ans. 1

10. Who issued the vilasa copper edict while donating the village called ‘vilasa’ in Amalapuram to Vennaya:
1. Kapaya nayaka 2. Prolaya nayaka
3. Pothi nayaka 4. Deva nayaka
Ans. 2

11 When did Musunuru nayaka dynasty came to an end?
1. 1368 A.D.
2.1370A.D.
3. 1372A.D.
4. 1374A.D.
Ans. 1

12. The inscription which informs about the victories of Prolaya nayaka:
1. Kaluvacheru 2. Polavaram
3. Pentapadu 4. Vilasa copper edict
Ans. 4