The Telugu Rajyam has volumes of history to share with the world. And of that the royal history has its own huge chapter. While the empires of ages past have their own stories to tell, the Telugu Samsthanalu, that aren’t as old also exist to date, some in the form of ruins and some in the form of its descendants. Here are the 10 major samsthanalu of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana which boasted a grand past!
1. Venkatagiri: Venkatagiri Samsthanam when it was a part of erstwhile Madras Presidency consisted of 736 Villages in addition to that it consisted 617 majara villages. Chevireddy was the origin person of Venkatagiri Velugoti dynasty of Padma Nayaka Velama Tribe, and his story is straight out of storybooks!
The Venkatagiri Fort.
2. Pusapati: Pusapati or Poosapati was the ruling clan of the Kalinga Vizianagaram, founded in late 16th century AD. The Paricchedi Kings were ancestors of the Pusapati royal family who built Bezawada (Modern Vijayawada) off the river Krishna by 626 AD.
West Entrance of the Vizianagaram fort.
3. Bobbili: The Bobbili kingdom was founded by Pedda Rayudu the 15th descendent of Venkatagiri Raja, in the 17th Century. It was originally named Pedda Puli after the Nawab Sher Muhammad Khan, who gifted the town to Venkatagiri Raja. It derived into Pebbuli, Bebbuli, and Bobbili eventually.
Thandra Paparayudu
4. Wanaparthy: This too was one of the grandest samsthanalu of the Telugu land. It was one of the major zamindari segments of Telangana. The estate was taken over by Raja Rameshwar Rao II’s son after the former’s passing. He was only a child then and he also passed before he attained adulthood.
Raja Bahadur Venkatarama Reddy
5. Rajapeta: Also known as the Telangana Dakshina Mahadwaram, the Raja Pet fort, in the Nalgonda district is combination of Glass buildings, Internal Roads, Gardens and Huge Walls called as BURJ. The kingdom was originally called Raja Rayanna Pet and eventually became Rajapet.
Rajapeta Fort
6. Devarakonda: Devarakonda samsthanam was in the stronghold of the Recherla Velama Kings of the 14th Century. Although the fort is now in ruins, it does attract a lot of archaeological interest.
The Fort atop Devarakonda
7. Domakonda: From the Nizamabad district, this samsthanam of the 18th century, still exudes its glory in the form of its fort. To this day, the royal families of Domakonda exercise administrative control on the fort.
8. Gadwal: Gadwal samsthanam of Mahbubnagar district, was around even before the foundation of the Hyderabad State. It initially issues its own coins and paid the tribute of Rs 86, 840 to the Nizams.
Gadwal Fort
9. Peddapuram: The town Peddapuram is founded by Maharaja Vatsavai Pedda Pathrudu. For 300 years the estate of Peddapuram was ruled by Vatsavai Jagapathi Maharaja’s . The dynasty was started by Sri Raja Vatsavai Chathurbhuja Thimma Jagapathi Bahadhur.
An old palatial house in Peddapuram.
10. Jetprole: It was one of the most ancient and historic Samasthans in the dominion of Nizam of Hyderabad. It is said that Pillalamarri Bethala Reddy was the founder of not only the Jetprole family but also the families of the rajas of Bobbili in Ganjam District.
Kollapur Palace, which was home to the Jetprole dynasty.
The Venkatagiri Fort.
2. Pusapati: Pusapati or Poosapati was the ruling clan of the Kalinga Vizianagaram, founded in late 16th century AD. The Paricchedi Kings were ancestors of the Pusapati royal family who built Bezawada (Modern Vijayawada) off the river Krishna by 626 AD.
West Entrance of the Vizianagaram fort.
3. Bobbili: The Bobbili kingdom was founded by Pedda Rayudu the 15th descendent of Venkatagiri Raja, in the 17th Century. It was originally named Pedda Puli after the Nawab Sher Muhammad Khan, who gifted the town to Venkatagiri Raja. It derived into Pebbuli, Bebbuli, and Bobbili eventually.
Thandra Paparayudu
4. Wanaparthy: This too was one of the grandest samsthanalu of the Telugu land. It was one of the major zamindari segments of Telangana. The estate was taken over by Raja Rameshwar Rao II’s son after the former’s passing. He was only a child then and he also passed before he attained adulthood.
Raja Bahadur Venkatarama Reddy
5. Rajapeta: Also known as the Telangana Dakshina Mahadwaram, the Raja Pet fort, in the Nalgonda district is combination of Glass buildings, Internal Roads, Gardens and Huge Walls called as BURJ. The kingdom was originally called Raja Rayanna Pet and eventually became Rajapet.
Rajapeta Fort
6. Devarakonda: Devarakonda samsthanam was in the stronghold of the Recherla Velama Kings of the 14th Century. Although the fort is now in ruins, it does attract a lot of archaeological interest.
The Fort atop Devarakonda
7. Domakonda: From the Nizamabad district, this samsthanam of the 18th century, still exudes its glory in the form of its fort. To this day, the royal families of Domakonda exercise administrative control on the fort.
8. Gadwal: Gadwal samsthanam of Mahbubnagar district, was around even before the foundation of the Hyderabad State. It initially issues its own coins and paid the tribute of Rs 86, 840 to the Nizams.
Gadwal Fort
9. Peddapuram: The town Peddapuram is founded by Maharaja Vatsavai Pedda Pathrudu. For 300 years the estate of Peddapuram was ruled by Vatsavai Jagapathi Maharaja’s . The dynasty was started by Sri Raja Vatsavai Chathurbhuja Thimma Jagapathi Bahadhur.
An old palatial house in Peddapuram.
10. Jetprole: It was one of the most ancient and historic Samasthans in the dominion of Nizam of Hyderabad. It is said that Pillalamarri Bethala Reddy was the founder of not only the Jetprole family but also the families of the rajas of Bobbili in Ganjam District.
Kollapur Palace, which was home to the Jetprole dynasty.
