Brief history of the district

The history of West Godavari district may be traced to the period when Chandragupta, the founder of
Mauryan dynasty, overthrew the Nandas and assumed control over the empire which included a large
portion of the Deccan. He was succeeded by his son Bindusara who conquered the Andhra territory
which lay to the south of kalinga. Bindusaras son and successor, Asoka claimed the Andhras one among
those subjected to his authority.

After the death of Asoka, the Mauryan empire disintegrated and this district passed under the
Satavahanas who established their sovereignty over the Deccan. Their sway over the district can be
traced from the time of Gautamiputra Satakarni, the later Satavahana ruler. The Salankayanas who were
the next to hold sway over West Godavari district and the adjoining territory, appear to have
acknowledged the suzerainty of the later Satavahanas. The first chief of of the dynasty, Maharaja
Devavarma, led successful campaigns against his enemies and performed the Asvamedha sacrifice. He
was succeeded by Hastivarman-I. During his reign, Samudragupta, the Gupta monarch, invaded his
kingdom. Despite forming a strong confederacy of all South Indian powers, Hastivarman was not able to
stem the tide of the Gupta invasion. But, Samudragupta allowed him to retain his kingdom.

Hastivarman-I was succeeded by his son Nandivarman-I. His kingdom included the Vishaya of Kudrahara
on both sides of the Krishna river. The portion to the south was subsequently conquered by the
pallavas, who named it Vengirashtra. Nandivarman-I was followed on the throne by his son and
grandson, Hastivarman-II and Skandavarman respectively, in succession.Skandavarman was followed by
Chandavarman, the second son of Nandivarman-I and the latter by his son Nandivarman- II, the last
known king of the line.

The district then passed into the hands of the Vishnukundins. These rulers ruled for over two centuries
from the first quarter of the 5th Century A.D. Madhavavarma, the first illustrious ruler of the
Vishnukundin dynasty, drove out the Salankayanas from the region to the south of the Krishna and even
threatened to invade and conquer their capital Vengi. To commemorate his victory, he performed the
Asvamedha sacrifice.

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The Salankayanas were completely wiped out from Vengi and their kingdom became a hunting ground
for adventurers like the Matharas of pistapura (pithapuram). The early Varman kings of Kalinga and the
Vakatakas. The area comprising of West Godavari district, however passed into the hands of the
Vishnukundins. Vikramendravarman-II of this dynasty was associated with the administration of the
district. It is presumed that Vikramendravarma-II had shifted his capital from Vijayawada to Lenduluru to
facilitate the defence of the country from the depradations of the Gangas and other rulers of the
eastern region. By the time, Madhavavarma-III, the last important ruler of this family, ascended the
throne, the Vishnukundin power had received a severe set-back and his authority was confined to Vengi
region only.

Madhavavarma-III was succeeded by his son Manchannabattaraka. During his reign, his vassala took
advantage of the disturbed political situation and asserted their Independence. The Durjayas about
whom nothing is known are said to have ousted their overlords Vishnukundins and occupied Vengi
Vishaya.

The district passed under the Chalukyas of Badami during the reign of Pulakesin-II who was an ambitious
monarch and followed a vigorous policy of aggression. In his task of conquering the east, Pulakesin-II
was helped by his brother Kubjavishnu. In appreciation of the services rendered by Kubjavishnu he was
given the newly conquered territories in the east.

This vice royalty developed into an independent kingdom known as the Vengi Kingdom and Kubjavishnu
or Vishnuvardhana become the founder of a dynasty known as the Eastern Chalukyas. The kingdom of
vengi comprised of the whole area between the Mahendra mountains in Kalinga and the Manneru river
in Nellore; its western boundary ran along the foot of the Eastern Ghats. Many rulers held sway over the
Kingdom and their history is, at times, largely the record of disputes about the succession. Kubja
Vishnuvardhana was followed on the throne by Jayasimha-I, Indira Bhattaraka, Vishnuvardhana-II,
Mangi Yuvaraja and Jayasimha-II in succession. After Jayasimhas reign there arose a dispute over
succession between his surviving half brothers wherein Vishnuvardhana-III came out victoriously.
Towards the beginning of his sons (Vijayadityas) reign, there arose a political revolution by which the
Chalukyas of Badami were ousted by the Rashtrakutas.

Vishnuvardhana-IV, the son and successor of Vijaditya-I gave support to Rashtrakuta Govinda-II against
his brother Dhruva in the dispute for succession to the throne. Dhruva in the dispute for succession to
the throne.

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Dhruva, however came out victoriously and subsequently led an expedition against Vengi and defeated
its ruler. The subjection of the Vengi to the Rashtrakutas continued till 814 A.D. Govinda-III died. Leaving
a small child named Amoghavarsha-I on the Rashtrakuta throne. The Eastern Chalukya ruler, Vijayaditya-
II, taking advantage of the situation regained the kingdom and over ran considerable parts of the
Rashtrakuta territory. He was followed by Kali Vishnu Vardhana and Gunaga Vijayaditya-III in succession.
Gunaga Vijayaditya-III is believed to be the greatest monarch of Vengi. The Eastern Chalukya kingdom
extended from the Mahendragiri in the north to the Pulicat Lake in the south.

With the death of Gunaga Vijayaditya-III in 892 A.D. there was political turmoil in the Kingdom. Gunaga
Vijayaditya-III was succeeded by his nephew Bhima-I. His agnate, Yuddhamalla-I with the help of
Rashtrakuta Krishna-II ousted him from power, but he was also driven out and the throne was occupied
by Chalukya Bhima-I. Krishna-II dispatched an expedition headed by his General Dandena Gundaya. The
Eastern Chalukya army, under Irimartiganda the Kings son and heir apparent inflicted a defeat on them.
The remaining years of Chalukya Bhima-Is reign were uneventful. He died in 921 A.D. and Vijayaditya-IV,
the eldest of his surviving sons, succeeded him and ruled for just six months. His untimely death marked
the beginning of a period of struggles for supreme power and civil war. Within a period of twelve years,
as many as six rulers ruled Vengi. As all these kings were inefficient, foreign invaders tried to profit by
the disturbed political situation. Chalukya Bhima-II is belived to have liberated the country from the
clutches of Rashtrakuta domination and ruled for 12 years. His second son Amma-II succeeded to the
throne. His ruled intermittently till 970 A.D. when he was slain by his halfbrother Danarnava. Danarnava
ruled only for a short period of three years. He was killed in a battle by Jata Choda Bhima of Pedakallu in
Kurnool district. He ruled from 973 A.D. to 1000 A.D The later Eastern Chalukya Inscriptions describe this
period as an interregnum.

The two sons of Danarnava, Saktivarman-I and Vimaladitya took refuge in the court of the Chola king,
Rajaraja-I. Kundavai, the daughter of Rajaraja who was waiting for an opportunity to extend his
influence over the coastal area, was given in marriage to Vimaladitya. Rajaraja invaded Vengi on behalf
of the sons of Danarnava. In this war, jata Choda Bhima was defeated and the vengi Kingdom came
under the subordination of Rajaraja-I. As a result of this, Vengi became the bone of contention between
the Cholas and Western Chalukyas of Kalyani. The Eastern Chalukyas receded into the background.
Saktivarman-I

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ruled for a period of twelve years and was succeeded by his brother Vimaladitya who ruled till 1018
A.D. His two sons, Rajaraja Narendra and Vijayaditya fought for succession. Rajaraja Narendra was
supported by his uncle Rajendra Chola and Vijayaditya was supported by the western Chalukya ruler
Jayasimha-II. Rajendra Chola succeeded in enthroning his nephew Rajaraja Narendra as the ruler of
Vengi. He ruled for fortyone years during which period, there was continuous political unrest. There
were persistant disturbances between the Western Chalukyas and Rajaraja Narendra. An indecisive
battle was fought at Kalidindi, a neighbourhood of Vengi, between the two armies with the Chola
Monarch Rajendra Chola supporting Rajaraja Narendra. Vengi passed into the hands of Western
Chalukyas during the reign of Rajadhiraja-I in 1054 A.D and it remained under the control of the
Chalukyas upto the closing years of Virarajendras reign. The Eastern Chalukya ruler, Rajaraja Narendra
made peace with the Western Chalukyas and continued to rule till his death. Vijayaditya-VII seized the
throne and placed his only son Saktivarman-II on the throne. He died in a battle against the Chola
monarch Virarajendra. Vijayaditya-VII sued for peace with the Chola monarch Virarajendra and
continued to rule the kingdom. With the accession of his nephew Rajendra Chola-II later known as
Kulottunga Chola-I, an Eastern Chalukyan prince, to the Chola throne, along with the rest of the Vengi
kingdom became a province of the Chola Empire. These rulers were known as Chalukya-Cholas.Rajaraja
Devendravarma, the king of kalinga, invaded Vengi with the intention of restoring Vijayaditya-VII to the
throne.Rajendra agreed to allow Vijayaditya-VII to rule Vengi during his lifetime. But Vijayaditya lost his
kingdom as a consequence of invasions by the Chedi king of Dahala and Rajaraja Devendra Varman. As a
result Vijayaditya-VII lost his kingdom and had to spend in exile in the kingdom of Ganga Rajaraja-I of
Kalinganagara. With the death of Vijayaditya-VII in 1076 A.D, the Eastern Chalukya dynasty came to end
and the kingdom became completely absorbed in the Chola empire.Kulottunga-I chose to reside in the
Chola country and felt it impossible for him to control his ancestral territory, the kingdom of Vengi.
Kulottunga-I, therefore appointed his sons Rajaraja- Mummadichoda, Vira Choda, Rajaraja Choda Ganga
and Vikrama Chola as his viceroys in Vengi.

Towards the end of Vikrama Cholas reign, Kulottunga-I lost the northern half of the Vengi kingdom to
the Western Chalukya ruler Vikramaditya-VI .The Cholas were not able to regain even part of the
territory lost till the death of Vikramaditya-VI in 1126 A.D. Vikrama Cholas efforts and the readiness of
the Telugu chieftains to prefer the overlordship of Cholas to that of Western Chalukyas had
contributed in restoring the Chalukya-Chola hegemony over

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coastal Andhra between 1127 A.D, and 1135 A.D Vikrama Chola was succeeded by his son Kulottunga-II
Who was in turn succeeded by his son Rajaraja-II . Rajaraja-II was the last monarch of the Chalukya-
Chola dynasty, who exercised real authority over his vassals and checked their separatist tendencies
successfully. The successor of Rajaraja-II, Rajadhiraja-II was a weak ruler. His weakness resulted in a
general scramble for power among the vassal chiefs each attempting to establish himself as an
independent ruler.

During this period, an important and powerful dynasty viz., Velanati Cholas rose to prominence. Vedura,
an early member of the family obtained Sindhu- Yugmantaradesa which included West Godavari District
from Vira Choda, the Chola viceroy of Vengi. His uncle, Gonka-I is believed to have ruled Andhramandala
or a portion thereof under the orders of the Chola ruler Kulottunga Chola-I. He was succeeded by his son
Kulottunga Rajendra Chola- I, Who ruled from 1108 A.D to 1130 A.D. During this period, Kulottunga
Rajendra Chola-I lost some territory to the western Chalukya king Vikramaditya-VI. He was followed by
Gonka-II on the throne who joined the Chalukya-Chola army led by Kulottunga-II against Vikramaditya-
VI. For his efforts, Gonka-II was bestowed with the overlordship of vengi province. Kulottunga Rajendra
Chola-II, son of Gonka-II after succession to the throne defeated many of his neighbouring rulers in
battles. Kakatiya Rudra was the most powerful neighbor who came into conflict with him. He sent an
army into the Godavari delta under his pradhani, Devara preggada. Kulottunga Rajendra Chola-II took
advantage of the breakdown of the Imperial power, after the death of Rajaraja-II and made himself the
master of the whole maritime region. However, with his sudden death in 1181 A.D the power of the
Velanati chiefs suffered an eclipse. But inspite of this, Prithvisvaras (the grand son of Kulottunga
Rajendra Chola) authority over the northern portion of the maritime. Andhra remained intact. He died in
a battle against Kakatiya ruler Ganapati in 1210 A.D. With this, the rule of Velanati Kings over this
district came to an end the kingdom passed into the hands of the Kakatiyas of Warangal.

The area around Colair Lake was ruled by a local dynasty known as the Kolanu chiefs. Rajendra Choda,
katama Nayak Bhima, Somayadevaraju , etc. were some of the rulers of this dynasty.

Prola-II an early ruler of Kakatiya dynasty, threw off the Imperial Yoke of the Western Chalukyas and
asserted his independence. He was killed in a battle with the forces of a confederacy of the local chiefs
in the middle of the 12th century A.D. Rudradeva, son and his successor devoted all his energy and

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resources to safeguard his independent status. Rudra was followed on the throne by Mahadeva and
Ganapati in succession. Ganapati came into conflict with the Velanadu chief, Prithvisvara, who exercised
some control over the coastal tract. The chiefs of Kolanu or Sarasipuri ruled over the region round the
Colair Lake. Prithvisvara was not powerful enough to check the turbulence of the nobility. Ganapati
seized the opportunity and invaded the coastal districts with a strong force. Prithvisvara attempted to
oppose the Kakatiya advance but Ganapati defeated and killed him in a battle and annexed his
kingdom to the Kakatiya kingdom and the possessions of Prithvisvara in Kalinga were reduced to
subjection.

Aniyanka Bhima-III, the Eastern Ganga ruler, freed his country from the Kakatiya domination, Vengi was
independent under the rule of Kolanu chiefs till 1230 A.D. with their headquarters at Kolanu or
Sarasipuri. Mahamandaleswara Kolani Kesavadeva ruled for thirty six years. After his death Aniyanka
Bhima-III resolved to subjugate Vengi and therefore sent an army against Vengi. Ganapathi also
dispatched an army under under Induluri soma pradhani and Eruva Bhima. They brought the Godavari
Valley into Ganapatis possessions and the Kakatiya power remained undisturbed until the end of
Ganapatis reign. Rudramadevi, the daughter of Ganapati succeeded to the Kakatiya throne. During the
later part of her reign, she regained the lost territories and they remained under her sway till the end of
her reign.

Prataparudra ascended the throne of Warangal in 1295 A.D. on the death of his grandmother
Rudramadevi and ruled till 1323 A.D. Although he could successfully put down the internal rebellions,
Prataparudra could not withstand the danger from the Delhi Sultans. In 1323 A.D, Ghiyas-ud-Din
Tughluq sent an army under his son Ulugh Khan, the later Muhammed-binTughluq, against
Prataparudra. Prataparudra was defeated and sent as a prisoner to Delhi. With that this district along
with the remaining Kakatiya dominion passed into the hands of Delhi sultans. After the fall of Warangal,
Muhammad-bin-Tughluq divided the Deccan and south India into five provinces and appointed
Governors to administer them. The rule of the Governors, however, became unpopular. All the
Nayakas living therein joined together into a confederacy and Prolaya Nayaka of Musunuri family was
chosen leader of the confederates. As a result of these rebellions, several independent kingdoms such
as the Reddis of Addanki and Kondavidu, the rayas of Vijayanagara, the Recherlas of Rachakonda, the
Bahmanis of Gulbarga and the Musunuri chiefs of Warangal were established. Prolaya Nayaka became
the undisputed leader of coastal Andhra. After his death,

15

Kapaya Nayaka, a cousin of prolaya Nayaka, succeeded him as the leader of the chiefs of the coastal
tract. Kapaya Nayaka made Warangal his headquarters and took possession of much of the old Kakatiya
Kingdom. Kapaya Nayakas leadership was not able to inculcate a sense of oneness among the chiefs
who started acting in an independent manner. This attitude of the nobles deprived Kapaya Nayaka of his
leadership of this region. He was not able to concentrate on the affairs of the coastal tract because of
the establishment of Bahmani kingdom in the neighbourhood of Warangal. Therefore, Kapaya Nayaka
entrusted the administration of this region to his cousin, Toyyeti Anavota Nayaka. He ruled the Vengi
country with Rajahmundry as his capital. For sometime after the death of Anavota Nayaka in 1353 A.D,
the region on the eastern bank of the Godavari was without a ruler. Kapaya Nayaka was unable to turn
his attention as he was apprehensive of an attack by the Bahmani Sultan Ala-ud-din Hasan Bahman
Shah. The Manchikonda Chief, Mummadi Nayaka of Korukonda took advantage of the disturbed political
situation and enforced his authority over the entire dominion held by Toyyeti Anavota Nayaka.
Narasimhadeva-IV of Kalinga induced by the disturbed political conditions led an expedition across the
Godavari and advanced as far as Srikakulam. The conquered territory did not remain long as the Reddi
ruler Anavota succeeded in capturing the throne. Anavota Reddi came into conflict with a few chiefs like
Choda Bhaktiraja and the solar Chiefs of suravaram. As a result of these conflicts, Anavota Reddi lost
much of his territory between the Krishna and the Gautami. Anavota Reddi was succeeded by his
brother Anavema Reddi to the throne. In the year 1367 A.D, the Recherla Chief, Anapota Nayaka led an
expedition against Warangal, killed Kapaya Nayaka in fierce battle and annexed his kingdom. With the
death of Choda Bhaktiraja, who was ruling over the death of Choda Bhaktiraja, who was ruling over the
Agency area in the western half of this district, his two sons, Choda Bhima who married the sister of
Anavema Reddi and Annadeva Choda aspired for the throne. Choda Bhima sought Anavema Reddis
help against his halfbrother Annadeva Choda. Anavema Reddi availed the opportunity to reconquer the
coastal region beyond the Krishna which had slipped away from the hands of the Reddi Kings. He
captured Niravadyaprolu (Nidadavole) the deltaic tract comprising Panara and other areas held by the
Manchikonda Chief Mummadi Nayaka. The victorious Reddi armies over ran the eastern country upto
Simhachalam in Southern Kalinga.

Kumaragiri, son of Anavemas brother, succeeded to the throne after his death and ruled for about 16
years. He sent an army under his minister Kataya Vema, against Odisha. This resulted in the annexation
of the territory as far as

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Simhachalam and the constitution of a separate province called the Eastern Kingdom or the
Rajamahendra Rajya of the Kondavidu kingdom. Anavota-II, son of Kumaragiri, was appointed as the
viceroy of the new province of Rajamahendravaram. But he died a premature death.

Therefore, Kumaragiri conferred Rajamahendra Rajya upon Kataya Vema, his minister and brother-in-
law, as a chief, in appreciation of his services to the state.

Peda Komati Vema succeeded to the Kondavidu throne in 1402 A.D. Kataya Vema did not like this,
therefore, a battle arose between the forces of peda Komati Vema and Kataya Vema wherein Kataya
Vema suffered a defeat at the hands of Gajaravu Tippa, a subordinate of peda Komati vema.

The Telugu Choda Chief Annadeva Choda, attempted to recover his lost principality with the help of the
Recherla Chief. Peda Vedagiri or Vedagiri-I , Kataya Vema, in whose dominion the principality of
Annadeva Choda was included, was defeated in a battle and Annadeva Choda was restored to his
patrimony. An attempt was made by Kataya Vema to over throw Annadeva Choda-I, with the help of the
Vijayanagara ruler Devaraya-I. Annadeva Choda sought the help of the Bahmani Sultan, Firoz Shah who
was jealous of the growing influence of Devaraya-I in the Godavari Delta, he readily agreed to support
Annadeva Choda and marched to his help at the head of a large army. This struggle ended in the death
of Kataya Vema and the occupation of Rajamahendra Rajya by Annadeva Choda . He was, however, not
destined to rule for long. Allada Reddi espoused the cause of Anitalli, the daughter of Kataya Vema,
defeated Annadeva Choda in a battle and killed him along with all the members of his family.

Allada Reddi scored resounding victories over peda Komati Vema and Hushang Shah, the Sultan of Dhar
or Dharanagara, a little before 1420 A.D. After the death of Allada Reddi in 1422 A.D, the kingdom was
occupied and ruled by his nephews, Kumaragiri-III and Anavota-III. But they were soon driven out by
Vema, the son of Allada Reddi who crowned his younger brother Virabhadra, the husband of Anitalli, the
king of Rajamahendra Rajya. He was, however, not destined to rule independently. Devaraya-II
subjugated the Reddi kingdom and Virabhadra became a subordinate of Devaraya-II.

Peda Komati Vema of Kondavidu was succeeded by his son Racha Vema. His tyrannical rule left his
subjects dissatisfied, therefore, they did not give him any support when Gajapatis of Orissa and Rayas of
Vijayanagara invaded his kingdom. He was assassinated in 1424 A.D.

17
Kapilesvara Gajapati who acceded the Orissa throne in 1434 A.D was a powerful and ambitious king. He
wanted to extend his kingdom far and wide by annexing the Rajamahendra Rajya. In a major conflict
that ensued between the Gajapatis of Orissa and the Rayas of Vijayanagara, the Reddi power was
crushed, Kapilesvara Gajapati emerged victorious and Rajamahendra Rajya was annexed to the Gajapati
dominion.

After the death of Kapilesvara Gajapati in 1470 A.D. this two sons, Hamvira and Purushottama fought
for succession to the throne. Purushottama worsted Hamvira in this struggle for power. Hamvira sought
the help of the Bahmani Sultan, Muhammad Shah-III, by offering to surrender not only Telangana but
most of the territory belonging to the old kingdom of Rajahmundry. Though Muhammad Shah-III
successfully accomplished the task entrusted, Hamvira was not able to keep himself in power for long,
because Purushottama gathered sufficient strength and overthrew him. Mahmud Gawan, the Prime
Minister of the Bahmani kingdom, constituted Rajahmundry province with Nalgonda, Machilipatnam
and the oriya territory and Malik Hasan Nizam-ul-Mulk was given the Governorship of the province.
Malik Hasan Nizam-ul-Mulk who was aspiring for the Governorship of the entire Telangana did not like
this. He, therefore, tried his best to bring about the downfall of Mahmud Gawan and achieved it in 1481
A.D.

Having thus got rid of his domestic enemy, purushottama collected all his forces and advanced upon
Rajahmundry but when, Muhammad Shah-III retaliated, Purushottama retreated. The Bahmani Sultan
remained at Rajahmundry for three years to reorganize the administration of the conquered territory.
Within six years of the death of Muhammad Shah-III , Purushottama Gajapati overran the whole of the
Godavari-Krishna doab and drove away the Bahmani forces as far south as Kondavidu.

Purushottama was succeeded by his son Prataparudra. His region witnessed an invasion by the
Vijayanagara monarch Krishnadevaraya. The war lasted for over five years. However, a treaty of peace
was concluded in 1518 A.D, and according to the terms of which Gajapati gave his daughter in marriage
to Krishnadevaraya and obtained from him in return all the territory north of the Krishna.

The district then passed from the Gajapatis to the Qutb Shahis during the reign of Sultan Quli Qutb Shah
(1518-43 A.D) in the course of an invasion against Shitab Khan, the ruler of Khammam, Sultan Quli also
came into conflict with Prataparudra Gajapati of Odisha. Sultan Quli Laid siege to

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Kondapalle, a stronghold of the Gajapatis. The Governor of Kondapalle, Gajapati Ramachandra was
defeated and taken prisoner. The Gajapatis were compelled to cede the whole of the territory between
the mouths of the Godavari and the Krishna. A treaty was concluded according to which the river
Godavari became the frontier between the two kingdoms. Sultan Quli was murdered in 1543 A.D. and
was followed on the throne by Jamshid and Subhan in succession.

The district was ruled by Ibrahim Qutb Shah between 1550-1580 A.D, In 1580 A.D, Ibrahim Qutb Shah
was succeeded by his son Muhammad Quli. During his reign, when the Raja of Kasimkota in East
Godavari district rebelled against his authority the troops posted at Eluru were withdrawn to fight
against him. The Reddis who were residing in the hills, took advantage of the absence of Qutb Shahi
army and plundered Eluru and Nidadavole. However, a general named Amil Khan was sent against the
marauders, who were finally subdued and tranquility was soon restored.

Muhammad Qulis successor, Sultan Muhammad a nephew and son-in-law was essentially a peace
loving ruler. He was succeeded by Abdullah Qutb Shah and later by his third son-in-law Abul Hasan Tana
Shah (1672-87 A.D). From the time of Akbar, son of Humayun, the Mughals began to interfere actively in
the politics of the Deccan. In 1678 A.D, the English established a factory at Madapollam near Narsapur.
The Mughal Emperor, Aurangazeb took possession of the fort of Golconda and Abul Hasan, the last Qutb
Shahi Sultan, was captured and sent prisoner to Daulatabad where he died in 1700 A.D or 1701. When
this news reached the European traders, they hastened to secure the Emperors goodwill by rich
presents.

West Godavari district passed into the hands of the Mughals like the rest of the Golconda kingdom. The
emperor included this district in Golconda, which constituted as one of the twenty-two provinces of his
huge empire. The viceroy in whose charge this province lay, exercised his authority through a military
officer called Fauzdar. Aurangazeb died in 1707 A.D and his son and successor, Muazam (Bahadur Shah)
appointed zulfiqar Khan, viceroy of the Deccan and permitted him to appoint Daud Khan Panni as his
deputy. During the reign of Farrukhsiyar (1713-19 A.D) Nizam-ul-Mulk (later entitled Asaf jah I)was
appointed Viceroy of the Deccan and Fauzdar of Karnatak in the place of Daud Khan Panni. Nizam-ul-
Mulk was replaced by Husain Ali Khan. Farrukhsiyar was followed on the Mughal throne by Rafi-ud-
Darajat, Rafi-udDaula and Muhammad Shah in succession. During the rule of Muhammad shah Nizam-
ul-Mulk, defeated Mubariz Khan, the Governor of Hyderabad in a

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battle at Shakarkhero in 1724 A.D. and ruled the Deccan in an autonomous capacity.

The District thus came under the sway of the Asaf Jahi dynasty founded by Nizam-ul-Mulk Asaf Jah-I.
The English and the French East India Companies played a significant role in the politics of the Deccan
and vied with one another to enlist his sympathy. Nizamul-Mulk very cleverly kept himself aloof from
the quarrels of the English and the French and ensured that they did not take advantage of the internal
dissensions. Nizam-ul-Mulk died in 1748 A.D. and the succession to the throne was disputed by his son
Nasir Jung and his grandson Muzaffar Jung. But Salabat Jung, the third son of Nizam-ulMulk was raised
to the throne by the French. Salabat Jung granted the provinces of Kondapalle, Eluru, Rajahmundry and
Chicacole for the maintenance of the French force. The French General Bussi obtained the patents for
these grants and sent them to Moracin, the French Governor at Machilipatnam with instructions to take
possession. Jaffar Ali Khan, the Muhammaden Governor of the provinces of Chicacole and Rajahmundry,
refused to give them up and sought the help of the Raja of Vizianagaram to oppose Moracins entry but
Moracin succeeded in winning over the Raja to his side.

Meanwhile, the French Government replaced Dupleix by Godeheu. The relations between Bussi and the
Nizam Salabat Jung, became strained and there arose disorders in the newly acquired coastal tract of
the French. At the end of 1756 A.D, Salabat Jung reduced the country to obedience with the assistance
provided by the Raja of Vizianagaram and a force sent from Rajahmundry took the English factory at
Madapollam. In July,1758 Bussi was recalled to the south by Lally, the new French Governer. His
departure was a fatal blow to the fortunes of the French. The new Raja of Vizianagaram, Ananda Raju
made overtures to the English at Calcutta and Madras offering to render them every assistance if they
invaded the northern circars.

Though an expedition from Calcutta under Col. Forde was sent by Col. Clive there was considerable
delay in reaching an agreement with the Raja of Vizianagaram. Meanwhile Col. Forde occupied Eluru
and from there a force was sent to occupy the French factory at Narsapur. Salabat Jung, the Nizam of
Hyderabad, went to Machilipatnam to the aid of the French against the attack of Col. Forde. The British
instigated Salabat Jungs brother, Nizam Ali Khan to rebel and proceed against Hyderabad . Salabat Jung
was left with no alternative but to conclude a treaty hastily with the British. He agreed to renounce his
friendship with the French and prohibit them from settling again

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in the Circars and there was an agreement between Salabat Jung and Nizam Ali Khan by which all real
power passed into the hands of Nizam Ali Khan In 1760 A.D. Nizam Ali Khan went to Bezwada
(Vijayawada) to solicit the help of the British in his war against the Marathas. In return, he agreed for
the cession of Eluru and two other circars governed by his Fauzdar Hasan Ali Khan. After coming to
some understanding with the British, Hasan Ali Khan delivered to the Madras Government Sanads for
the five circars in the name of the Nizam Ali Khan, who ousted Salabat Jung and usurped the throne in
1762 A.D. These Sanads were sent to Machilipatnam with orders to occupy the circars except Guntur.
When Nizam Ali Khan came to know these orders, he demanded the return of the Sanads and
restoration of the territory. But he took possession of the territory in March, 1763 after paying 23,700
Madras Pagodas. The new Fauzdar was not able to maintain his authority when the British troops were
withdrawn and took refuge in the Eluru fort, when the Raja of Vizianagaram captured Rajahmundry.
Having failed to obtain these circars, the British instigated Hasan Ali Khan to proceed against them.
Nizam Ali Khan assembling a huge army marched against the rebel . On payment of some money by
Hasan Ali Khan, the Nizam returned to Hyderabad.

Meanwhile, Lord Clive, the Governor of Fort William, entered into negotiations with the Mughal
emperor for the cession of the northern circars and obtained a Firman to that effect in August 1765 but
it was kept a secret for some time and proclaimed in March, 1766 at Machilipatnam. General Cailland
was sent to Machilipatnam to undertake military operations, if necessary. The Nizam also made large
scale preparations for war. It was, however, prevented with the conclusion of a treaty whereby the
English agreed to hold the northern circars on payment of a tribute accepting at the same time to
furnish the Nizam with some troops. Lewin Smith, the Chief at Machilipatnam had rented out Eluru,
Rajahmundry and Kondapalle for a term three years to Hasan Ali Khan. Nizam Ali Khan was weaned
away by Hyder Ali, the ruler of Mysore, to his side and both attacked British. Colonel Hart proceeded
from Eluru and threatened the Nizams capital. Under Colonel peace the Government of Bengal de
spatched an army from Calcutta to create a diversion to the allied forces of Nizam Ali Khan and Hyder
Ali and this force landed in Northern circars.

Another treaty was concluded in 1768 A.D. between Nizam Ali and British. Hasan Ali Khans lease
expired in 1769 A.D. and the newly acquired territory was placed under the direct management of the
servants of the company. The agents of the old factories and their subordinates were converted into

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Provincial chiefs and councils respectively. Rajahmundry and Eluru came under the control of the Chief
and council at Machilipatnam.

The Zamindars came to prominence during the period preceding the transfer of this region to the
English. The Zamindars of polavaram, Mogalthuru etc. Were the important Zamindaris of this region.
This district alongwith the rest of the nation, responded to the call of the nation and joined hands in the
freedom struggle and ultimately joined the Indian Union after independence in August,1947.

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Administrative set-up

(a) Region of the State where the District is located:

This district is located on the upper middle of Eastern side of the State